Success Story
Animal Eye Care
By Nichole Reeves
Many people struggle with what they want to do in their lives. Pinpointing one’s career to a specific path can be difficult and scary for many people. This was not the case for Terri McCalla. After receiving multiple degrees in veterinary medicine and veterinary ophthalmology, Terri knew that opening her own veterinary ophthalmology clinic was the perfect career for her. The right door had been opened and even though it would lead her on the path less traveled, she knew it was the exact road she was supposed to be on.
Many people may think that because Terri is a successful business owner she must have taken numerous accounting or business related courses in order to jump start her career. That’s just not the case. Terri took advantage of the resources and “hidden hands” that were available to her and instead focused on what she’s good at, being a veterinary ophthalmologist.
After all, caring for animals is why she went to college for 12 years, not so she could balance the books or manage ad campaigns. As quoted by Joseph Campbell, one should “follow [their] bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where [they] didn’t know they were going to be.” The opening of doors for Terri began at the CEV while the organization was still the Small Business Development Center over eight years ago.
Terri began coming to the CEV for help even before her business, Animal Eye Care, was up and running. Through the help of CEV business strategists, she was able to fine-tune her business plan and obtain estimates of startup costs and income projections for the first 5 years of her business. These pro-forma statements were intended to help her determine if she would be able to cover her financial obligations and grow the business over the first few years. Throughout the years, Terri has returned to the CEV numerous times to obtain information ranging from understanding balance and profit/loss statements to background information pertaining to several prospective partner companies.
While many businesses open with trials and tribulations, Animal Eye Care opened to what could have been insurmountable odds. Their doors opened the week after 9/11. Business was initially very slow. Terri knew from the beginning that she should not assume the business would be making a lot of money right away. With close to nothing coming in, Terri was fortunate to have saved enough to tide her and her family over until the storm had passed.
Balancing work and family time have always been difficult for Terri. However, with great planning, a sound company infrastructure, a supportive husband and family, and many close friends in the business world, Terri has managed to find that balance. Terri is also developing animal eye health products. She has also discovered that the knowledge she has gained over the years as both a veterinary ophthalmologist and business person would be beneficial to others. As a result, she writes a quarterly newsletter for referring veterinarians to help them learn more about veterinary ophthalmology.
As far as advice for others is concerned, Terri is adamant that one should “not be afraid to start a business because [they] don’t know the business part of it.” It is important that during the initial phases of starting a business, one has many mentors for the different aspects of running the business. No one is expected to do everything on their own, nor should they. According to Terri, it was “the mentoring I obtained from the CEV that truly set me up for success. Mentors at the CEV gave me not only the tools and information, but also the encouragement I needed, and the reinforcement of my faith that my business would be successful.”