We'd met at university, but only got together as a couple a few years after we graduated. We've been qualified 16 years but for the first 10 or so worked separately in a variety of small practices.

We enjoyed some amazing travel adventures in our mid-20's and early-30's. Then, as we became more experienced as vets, we got to the stage where we didn't really want to work for anyone else and decided our next challenge should be about our careers and starting our own business. We'd worked together before so we were confident that we'd make a good team and that we could handle the pressures of working and living together.

Having worked in a number of private practices, we both had a good understanding of the level of risk and investment involved in starting from scratch. The Joint Venture Model appealed because it offered support with setting up the practice and the administrative side of the business, combined with the freedom of owning your own practice. The Vets4Pets approach was a great fit with our own philosophy on veterinary care and in particular, we liked the focus on clients and their pets and the support network that V4P have in place.

We started with just the two of us and one nurse, Sally Briggs, who has been amazing and a key part of our success. The early days were hard work for all of us and it’s definitely a steep learning curve. After three years we now have two qualified nurses and two trainee nurses. All of our staff have stayed with us, which is something we’re immensely proud of and we’re also doing well against our business plan and aim to repay our practice loan a year ahead of schedule.

We certainly worked hard in the first few years and as newcomers to running our own business there was a tremendous amount to learn. However, we both believe that you get out what you put in and see the business as an enjoyable challenge. Now that we have more experience and have been able to grow the team, the work life balance is even better; we get to enjoy what the city has to offer and we also make it out to the Peaks for some walking and running.

On a day-to-day basis we spend most of our time working with our nurses and our clients and then we tend to divide up the management side of running the practice. It’s definitely brought us closer together as a couple and it’s great to know that someone you trust is working towards the same goal. We’re also able to support each other emotionally when one or the other is tired or has a particular issue to deal with. From a client perspective we’ve had very positive feedback and people say that it gives our practice a real family feel and makes us part of the local community.

This is definitely our practice and we never feel that there is anyone looking over our shoulder and there is certainly no interference with anything clinical. The financial side of being a Joint Venture Partner is transparent and fair and while we want to build a successful business, looking after our clients and their pets is our top priority and that approach is shared by Vets4Pets. The Partnership model gives you great support, but at the end of the day it’s your practice and your business.

Our focus will remain on quality and we have developed a loyal base of active customers. As we grow naturally, we definitely want to add a third vet and a receptionist, which will enhance the services we offer and give both of us more personal time. Looking further into the future, we would also consider inviting another partner to buy into the practice so that we can continue to grow and also realise some of the value that we have created.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Joint Venture Partner with Vets4Pets, get in touch.