Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Courtney Blake. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Courtney, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I got my work ethic from my family. My grandparents were farmers and worked hard every day. They never complained and they never gave up. Through the Great Depression and the variations that come with a job dependent on the weather, they gave it their all every day. When my grandfather finally had to stop farming it was due to advanced age. He put his heart and soul into working the farm and that was not something to give up easily. My parents were the same way. I was taught that I could be anything I wanted to be when I was a child. My parents also instilled in me, however, that nothing would be given to me, I had to work for it. I have always given my all to everything I have ever done. If you are not committed to doing something well then what is the point? I have even made my daughters, ages 7 and 9, promise that they will always do their best when they are out in the work force. Doing your job, no matter what that is, with pride is important.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a house call veterinarian in the west suburbs of Minneapolis, MN. I graduated from veterinary school in 2004 and worked at a private practice for 17 years. Working at a general practice is wonderful, and I loved my time there, but I was looking for a new venture. I decided to start my own house call practice so I could help people and pets that were unable to get into the clinic. There was no one providing this service in the west metro so I felt I could fill a need. It has been a wonderful two years as I have transitioned into this new role. I love that I get to see my patients in their home, where they are most comfortable. The vetting process can be very scary for pets-humans don’t like the doctor and we can understand why they are poking us! Seeing them at home makes a big difference. I have seen many of the same pets both when I was working at the clinic and at home and they are so much less stressed at home. They may still be upset by the pokes or the restraint, but they do not have the added anxiety of getting into a car and driving to the vet, waiting in the lobby and then coming home. Their part is over in a few minutes and then they can go relax in their favorite sunbeam, have a bite to eat or go find a quiet place to relax when we are done. I was also lucky enough to add a mobile surgery truck to my practice last year. This allows me to provide surgical and dental services for pets right in the driveway.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think the things that have helped me the most are: 1. Passion-it is crucial to be passionate about what you do. If you do not have this then it makes it much harder to succeed. Starting a new business is consuming and overwhelming. You must feel this is something you truly want to do to make all the effort and stress worth it.
2. Being genuine-part of what I do every day is make connections with owners. I want to partner with them to ensure their pets live the best, longest, healthiest lives they can. People know when you genuinely care, and when you don’t. I feel I am successful because my clients know I genuinely have their pet’s, and their, best interests at heart.
3. Tenacity-there are often obstacles that you have to overcome. You have to keep working to find solutions to the problems and ways to move forward. If you accept defeat too quickly you will never reach your goals.
My best advice is to find something you are convicted in and then go for it! Search for the people that can help you in your journey (such as a good lawyer and accountant) and that can fill in the knowledge gaps when you find yourself struggling.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
My biggest obstacle now, two years into the business, is balancing being a veterinarian and being a business owner. I tend to focus on being a vet, since I have done that for 19 years and I know how to do that, and let the business aspect slide. Entering things in QuickBooks and tracking mileage tend to fall down on the priority list when I am busy! I am currently working on time management and being more organized. I hired a technician to help me with phones last fall and that has been amazingly helpful. I am realizing I cannot do all things at all times so learning to delegate helps.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
