Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in pet care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dr. Judy Morgan, Founder of Naturally Healthy Pets, located in Zebulon, NC, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
We are an e-commerce site for natural pet products as well as an educational site for pet parents.
Tell us about yourself
I am a veterinarian. I stayed in clinical practice for over 36 years, retiring from clinical practice in 2020. I am an integrated practitioner, meaning I utilize holistic and traditional healing methods. I wrote my first book in 2014, which led to an online social media presence. Since then, I have written six more books, two of which have been best sellers. My social media platforms have over 350,000 followers. My goal is to change the lives of over 10,000,000 pets worldwide by empowering pet parents through education to help pets live longer, healthier lives by providing species-appropriate diets, minimizing vaccinations, and using natural healing methods over drugs and chemicals. My passion is to bring joy to pet parents by keeping their loved ones happy and healthy.
Do you have daily rituals for work / wellness / fitness / mindfulness?
I listen to meditation music for half an hour early in the morning. I have two daily gratitude journals to remind myself of everything good. I spend a lot of time outside with my animals, walking the dogs, feeding and grooming farm animals, and working in the yard.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have been able to overcome many obstacles along the way - an embezzling office manager, a $75,000 Amazon scam, surviving practice life during Covid, and being able to sell my two brick-and-mortar veterinary clinics. I love what I do now - providing education for pet parents worldwide - being able to reach a much bigger audience than I could by seeing patients in the clinic all day.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Business knowledge. As a veterinarian, we are taught medicine. We are not taught anything about running a business. Finding and keeping the right employees has always been a challenge - right now, our team is phenomenal. Growth and expansion are challenging - while our company is growing at an incredible rate, we need to hire more personnel, but the funding is not there yet. Determining whether to borrow, take on investors, or just work harder is a constant discussion.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Just do it. Find your passion and be laser-focused on reaching whatever the goal is. I borrowed $1,000,000 to start my first business. I did not have the option of failure.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
My business has always been a true family affair. Currently, my daughter is the COO of Dr. Judy Morgan's Naturally Healthy Pets. She is just as passionate about the goal of changing the lives of pets and pet parents for the better.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://drjudymorgan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudyMorganDVM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjudymorgan/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/integratedpets
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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