Jon Pak left a promising career of nearly 15 years in finance and wealth management to follow his heart in a life that champions social responsibility.
“Sometimes you just have to trust your intuition,” Pak said.
Pak is executive director of the Brain Balance Center of San Diego, a non-medical, drug-free program that helps improve attention and focus for those struggling with social, emotional and cognitive challenges such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). , learning disabilities, processing disorders, Asperger’s Syndrome and other related issues.
In 2018, however, Pak was US Bank’s Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor in its Private Wealth Management Division.
He has climbed the high net worth ladder for over a decade, and was previously a financial advisor to Merrill Lynch and financial advisor to UBS for its Global Wealth Management. He was moving toward his long-held goal of being a top stockbroker, “smoking cigars with bigwigs,” he said.
But after 14 years in the business, he said he realized he was no longer motivated by money. And while he enjoyed the life of dressing up, riding in limousines, traveling to New York and other perks, he saw what he called “the ugly side of the industry, the name calling and the backstabbing”.
“One day I woke up tired of this industry, tired of chasing money and tired of wearing a suit every day,” said Pak, 47, a native of Korea who was raised in Chile, with a degree in marine engineering (aquaculture) from Universidad Nacional Andrés Bello in Santiago, Viña del Mar Concepción, Chile, and landed in the United States in 2001.
“I ran out of that unit. I was no longer motivated that way. If you are not driven by money (in the financial field), you are doomed.”
Pak, who has a neurodivergent son, has been involved with different non-profit organizations as a volunteer and board member and said he knew that “my passion, my mission in this world has always been to help each other and I wanted to help others”.
So Pak, who has lived in Rancho Penasquitos since 2006, also the same year he earned an MBA from the National University, said he had a heart-to-heart with his wife and took time off to plan his future.
Within a month, he knew what was coming next. He had heard of a company called Brain Balance, which had facilities in Southern California as part of about 100 centers across the country, but no presence in San Diego.
“I thought Brain Balance was too good to be true and ‘how come we don’t have one in San Diego?’” he said. “I visited their centers in Orange County and Angeles and saw that it was legit. I saw comments from all over the country, with the vast majority speaking highly of him.”
The Brain Balance program integrates the key elements needed to drive brain development and connectivity, taking a comprehensive, integral, and integrative approach to getting to the root causes of challenges. These include sensory engagement, core muscle strength and coordination, eye tracking, auditory processing, academic exercises, and nutritional guidance.
When combined, the program’s research-based components focus on strengthening weaker areas of the brain. Pak says the balanced brain allows for the development of skills and tools needed to function at a higher level.
Brain Balance offers personalized in-center sessions, home activities and a nutrition program that work together to support development.
Pak opened the first Brain Balance in 2019 in Carmel Mountain Ranch, and with many of the customers hailing from the South Bay, he added a second location in Chula Vista in 2021. Pak said demographic data showed that many more customers lived in North County, and so earlier this month, Brain Balance added a third place finish at Encinitas. The three sites have around 60 students in total.
Pak said that Brain Balance and its instructors work on all aspects of sensory development; gross and fine motor skills; strengthening of the core and primitive reflexes; and visual, auditory, olfactory, and tactile processing. He said he’s seen the life-changing work at the center, providing children with the tools they need to succeed.
The company also regularly collaborates with schools and community partners to promote healthy habits, brain exercises and best practices for healthy development. Pak and his team have also hosted over 30 free webinars in the areas of ADHD, learning challenges, sensory processing, behavior and anxiety.
“I love what I do, I love my team,” he said. “Life is incredibly short. I’m not motivated by driving the best car or living in the best house. I want to go to bed every night knowing I did my best today. If I die tomorrow, I want to know I did the best I could. I know that my mission is to help others, people, the environment and animals, without greed, without being motivated by money. When parents tell me stories about their children’s successes, we celebrate all those victories. It feeds us. When you do things right, everything falls into place.”
San Diego Brain Balance Center
FOUNDED: 2019
Who are competitors to Brain Balance?
Contents
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Jon Pak
Is the brain Balance program worth it?
LOCATIONS: Carmel Mountain Ranch (HQ), Chula Vista, Encinitas
Does Brain Balance program work?
BUSINESS: Integrative educational program
Why is Brain Balance not covered by insurance?
INCOME: $1 to $2 million
How long has Brain Balance been business?
EMPLOYEES: 10
What is the cost of the brain balance program?
WEBSITE: BrainBalanceSanDiego.com
What industry is Brain Balance?
CONTACT: 858-324-5545
What type of therapy is Brain Balance?
SOCIAL IMPACT: The company supports individuals of all ages to help them reach their full potential and live more productive, fulfilling and happy lives, positively impacting the lives of those around them and society at large.
Is Brain Balance a franchise?
NOTABLE: Last year Brain Balance hosted their third annual candy buyback event where they raised over £150. of candy in exchange for brain-healthy toys.
How do you become Brain Balance certified?
Who owns Brain Balance? Roberto Melillo. The Brain Balance Program was developed by Dr. Robert Melillo, a world-renowned researcher in childhood neurological disorders, professor and chiropractic neurologist.
- These research data suggest that regular participation in the Brain Balance Program can improve anxiety and emotional functioning in children and adolescents with developmental or learning problems. Sensorimotor activities were a substantial part of each session at the Brain Balance program center.
- A small exploratory study from McLean Hospital, a teaching hospital at Harvard Medical School, referenced on the Brain Balance® website, found that Brain Balance® could have clinical, behavioral, and neurobiological effects similar to stimulant medications in relieving some ADHD symptoms in children .
- Because Brain Balance is a non-medical program and does not provide a diagnosis, it is not covered by health insurance.
Is Brain Balance a good program?
About Brain Balance Achievement Centers Since 2006, Brain Balance Achievement Centers has helped thousands of children ages 4-17 reach their academic, social, and behavioral potential through a drug-free program.
How long has Brain Balance been business?
You will pay Brain Balance $1,596 annually for its proprietary software system, plus additional fees for third-party software. Brain Balance’s estimate is the amount it will collect before you open.
Why is Brain Balance not covered by insurance?
Brain Balance is in the industry for: Charitable Organizations & Foundations, Organizations What is the Brain Balance competition?
How long has Brain Balance been around?
Brain Balance® is a non-medical cognitive training program designed to help improve focus, behavior, hyperactivity, social skills, anxiety and academic performance in children. The Brain Balance® program is available onsite and at home with virtual training.
Is Brain Balance a good program?
As a Brain Balance Achievement Centers franchise owner, you will be changing children’s lives and bringing hope and harmony to families. We are not an educational franchise. We are an unprecedented business opportunity that allows you to make a positive impact in your community.
What is the cost of the brain balance program?
Initial training of the Brain Balance program:
40 hours of remote training.
Is Brain Balance tax deductible?
125+ active training courses to prepare you and your team.
Is the brain balance program worth it?
Weekly training calls/classes.
Is tutoring for ADHD tax deductible?
These research data suggest that regular participation in the Brain Balance Program can improve anxiety and emotional functioning in children and adolescents with developmental or learning problems.
Is cognitive behavioral therapy tax deductible?
About Brain Balance Achievement Centers Since 2006, Brain Balance Achievement Centers has helped thousands of children ages 4-17 reach their academic, social, and behavioral potential through a drug-free program.
Is the brain balance program worth it?
Because Brain Balance is a non-medical program and does not provide a diagnosis, it is not covered by health insurance.
How long has Brain Balance been business?
The Brain Balance program was developed by Robert Melillo, a New York chiropractor who later added what he calls “functional neurology” to his practice. It started to develop the business and its learning centers in 2006, opting for a franchising model. The first center opened in 2007.
Does Brain Balance program work?
These research data suggest that regular participation in the Brain Balance Program can improve anxiety and emotional functioning in children and adolescents with developmental or learning problems.
How long is the brain balance program?
You will pay Brain Balance $1,596 annually for its proprietary software system, plus additional fees for third-party software. Brain Balance’s estimate is the amount it will collect before you open.
How long are Brain Balance sessions?
Why is Brain Balance not covered by insurance? Because Brain Balance is a non-medical program and does not provide a diagnosis, it is not covered by health insurance.
What do they do at Brain Balance?
Is this therapy considered a deductible expense? Posting IRS Form 502: You may include in medical expenses the cost (tuition, meals, and lodging) of attending a school that provides special education to help a child overcome a learning disability. A doctor must recommend that the child attend school.
Does Brain Balance program work?
These research data suggest that regular participation in the Brain Balance Program can improve anxiety and emotional functioning in children and adolescents with developmental or learning problems. Sensorimotor activities were a substantial part of each session at the Brain Balance program center.
Is the brain balance program worth it?
In most cases, tutoring expenses are not a federal tax deductible item. There is one exception to this, for special education tutoring. Parents of children with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia or ADHD, can deduct the tuition of their children with special needs from their federal income tax deductible, according to the IRS.
The cost of attending therapy is deductible for both clients and the therapists themselves who attend therapy sessions. If you are a client, there are specific requirements you must meet in order to be able to deduct therapy on your tax return. If you are a therapist paying for therapy, you need to meet fewer requirements.
How long has Brain Balance been business?
These research data suggest that regular participation in the Brain Balance Program can improve anxiety and emotional functioning in children and adolescents with developmental or learning problems. Sensorimotor activities were a substantial part of each session at the Brain Balance program center.
How long has Brain Balance been around?
About Brain Balance Achievement Centers Since 2006, Brain Balance Achievement Centers has helped thousands of children ages 4-17 reach their academic, social, and behavioral potential through a drug-free program.
Is Brain Balance a good program?
A small exploratory study from McLean Hospital, a teaching hospital at Harvard Medical School, referenced on the Brain Balance® website, found that Brain Balance® could have clinical, behavioral, and neurobiological effects similar to stimulant medications in relieving some ADHD symptoms in children .
How long has Brain Balance been business?
The duration of the program is a minimum of 3 months and may be longer based on your child’s baseline and goals. As you progress through the program, you’ll receive progress reports and support from your Brain Balance team to ensure you’re reaching milestones and seeing progress at each stage.
The Brain Balance program consisted of three weekly sessions at the center, lasting 1 hour each session (45 minutes of sensorimotor stimulation and 15 minutes of academic activities), along with other multimodal activities focused on the areas described in the list below.
Is Brain Balance a good program?
Established physical, sensory, and cognitive exercises that improve focus, mood, memory, and overall daily behavior. Programs are customized to the child’s and family’s goals.
What are the benefits of Brain Balance?
A small exploratory study from McLean Hospital, a teaching hospital at Harvard Medical School, referenced on the Brain Balance® website, found that Brain Balance® could have clinical, behavioral, and neurobiological effects similar to stimulant medications in relieving some ADHD symptoms in children .
How long is the brain balance program?
These research data suggest that regular participation in the Brain Balance Program can improve anxiety and emotional functioning in children and adolescents with developmental or learning problems. Sensorimotor activities were a substantial part of each session at the Brain Balance program center.
