Each week, we ask small businesses key questions.
Here we speak to Anna Armstrong, owner of animal healthcare firm, Armstrong Physiotherapy in Fortrie, near Turriff.
How and why did you start in business?
When I first started working as a physiotherapist in the NHS, I had the opportunity to work privately a couple of evenings a week.
After I completed my veterinary physiotherapy training I naturally progressed on to treating animals privately, gradually building my client base through word of mouth.
I always wanted to build on my self-employment work – it’s just taken me a while to figure out how, who, what, where and when.
How did you get to where you are today?
I always wanted to work with animals but was taken with the idea of training in physiotherapy.
I moved to Aberdeen in 1998, gaining my BSc (Hons) physiotherapy degree in 2002. During that time, I heard about physiotherapy for animals and completed my MSc in veterinary physiotherapy in 2006.
Coming out of that training with the necessary qualifications to work as a veterinary physiotherapist but having no business experience was a little tough.
With a lot of trial and error, things have gradually built up and with more work comes more experience and a stronger client base.
The variety of my training and experience meant that it was logical to start looking at the horse and rider as a complementary pair.
Who helped you?
My parents have supported me throughout my career. I’m certain they think I’m quite mad with everything I take on.
My husband, Steve, has to put up with my rather long and sometimes last-minute working hours.
I have some close friends who are always happy to do a little child-minding here and there when I need to squeeze in extra jobs – I’m looking forward to the routine of school hours.
I also joined the Federation of Small Businesses to access the support and expertise I’ll need to help my business develop and grow in the future.
What has been your biggest mistake?
Not believing in my own knowledge and skills, and always assuming others know more than I do.
What is your greatest achievement?
Graduating with my MSc in veterinary physiotherapy.
If you were in power in government, what would you change?
I would get myself out of government. I have always struggled to get my head round politics. As much as I pay attention to news and elections, I find it very difficult to follow. I would definitely make a mess of that.
What do you still hope to achieve?
I would like to get involved in research to increase the evidence we have on how beneficial physiotherapy is for horses.
What do you do to relax?
Ride my horse, get out into the hills, read a book or spend time with Steve and daughter Skye.
What are you currently reading, listening to or glued to on the TV?
We have just finished the latest season of Game of Thrones on TV. I usually enjoy fiction fantasy books, but as a change of focus I am currently reading The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon.
What do you waste your money on?
My horses and my daughter, although I would argue that none of that is wasted.
How would your friends describe you?
Busy busy busy.
What would your enemies say about you?
As a physiotherapist it’s my job to help my clients so, hopefully, I don’t have many enemies. But you might not believe that when I’m dishing out exercise programmes or working on sore muscles.
What do you drive and dream of driving?
I am driving a Land Rover Defender 110. It’s a car that I never thought I would own so I am certainly enjoying travelling around in it.
I would love to drive a Ford Mustang or a Dodge Charger.