Our series on “Champions for Change” features people of any gender in any role who are making a difference and creating positive change for women in the veterinary sector – enabling aspirations, inspiring and supporting others to grow and follow their passions, and empowering our community.
Claire Grigson and Katie Ford are the founders of Vet Empowered, combining their veterinary, interpersonal and entrepreneurial skills to create an initiative offering personal development and coaching for the people of the veterinary profession. They are absolutely passionate about supporting vets to create a sustainable and fulfilling career path. Claire and Katie were nominated by a member of the profession for “Giving so many women their power back to make choices and changes in their lives… and giving free webinars from hormone cycles to overwhelm to parental coaching to menopause. I’ve been really inspired…” Read on to find out more about how Claire and Katie together are championing change.
Please provide a brief bio/summary of your career story:
Our business started in December 2020 with a DM – after Claire contacted Katie on Instagram, asking for her experiences of working in the profession as a coach. One Zoom call (and the longest WhatsApp message known to man) later, and Vet Empowered the business was formed. We’ve gone from strength to strength since, becoming the go-to leaders in personal development in the profession, and expanding our team.
We provide coaching, online content, group programmes and live events for the human beings behind the job titles. Between us we have over 25 years’ experience in clinical practice as vets, and over 10 years as coaches. We’ve worked in a wide variety of settings from small animal first opinion, ECC, charity practice, locum work, management roles, clinical coaching, media work, started businesses and more.
We value authenticity, compassion and energy the most, and we bring this to everything that we do. We always aim to connect with people, and hence you’ll hear us telling our real stories, as well as signposting. Katie speaks of her challenges within the profession, including imposter phenomenon, paralysing self-doubt and finding ways to navigate this – and more recently hormone-based challenges, endometriosis and grief. Claire shares her challenges outside of work, including divorce, bereavement and self-relationship, and how her own journey to reconnect with herself created a desire to support others to do the same. We pride ourselves on all of our coaches being trauma-informed.
We see people and their value beyond their job titles, and post nominals – so we never lead with our own. You can read more about our coaching qualifications, training (including certifications, accreditations, Masters degrees and more) on our website if you want to see them. We believe everyone should be evidence-based and qualified, it’s not really a USP anymore, it should be a prerequisite.
We have worked with a number of graduate schemes, and we are passionate about supporting a new generation of vets to have the tools they need to create a sustainable, fulfilling path in the profession, however that looks for them.
In 2023 we celebrated being shortlisted for Manchester Entrepreneurial Initiative of The Year, and Katie winning the RCVS Inspiration Award. At Vet Empowered we have expanded now, with support coaches and a whole team! We are so excited to be featured as Veterinary Woman Champions for Change.
Please summarise how you are working towards change in the veterinary professions and why do you feel this is important?
We are working towards (and creating) change in the veterinary profession through connecting with individuals and teams through various different avenues. We have taken dozens of individuals through our signature group coaching programme, and are proud to have built a community of like-minded humans who want to create a positive impact in the profession, whilst looking after themselves in the process.
We have also worked with full practice teams, doing both online and in-person sessions. This allows everyone to come together and connect as humans (independent of job title), and learn tools to help them to navigate challenges, experience more fulfilment, and look at new ways of approaching their day. We also provide one-to-one coaching, and have spoken on stages, podcasts, conferences and events (which we absolutely love – in-person is such a vibe!)
“We believe in stepping past societal stories that tell us what ‘we should, and shouldn’t be doing’, and instead asking ‘What feels like the right decision for me?’”
Our social media community has grown to over 50,000 people, and we regularly post content to educate, inspire and uplift those in the profession who are ready to create a life that is in alignment with their values, and also remind them that they are valuable, far beyond their job title.
We believe in stepping past societal stories that tell us what ‘we should, and shouldn’t be doing’, and instead asking ‘What feels like the right decision for me?’. We have both created lives ‘outwith the norm’, and we are proud to show others that it is possible for them too. We feel it’s important for everyone to be able to create a path in the profession that is right for them, and we’re all unique individuals, so it will look different for us all. Let’s celebrate that uniqueness instead of shaming ourselves for being different.
Working with the next generation of vets is something we are really passionate about – we believe that sharing the transformational tools and concepts that we teach, at the start of their journey in this profession, will help to shape the profession for the better moving forwards. We have worked with multiple graduate schemes and spoken at vet schools, delivering this content and creating a safe space for sharing and genuine connection. Although it is worth saying, it is never too late to learn and make changes – we have worked with individuals at every stage of their career!
How do you feel this is making a difference?
We know that the work we do, and the tools we teach, are transformational, both from our own individual journeys, but also the hundreds of people we have supported and the feedback we receive. ‘Transformational’ and ‘Life-changing’ are the most common phrases shared, and what we love the most is that we provide the support for people to change their own lives; “I was going to say this course changed my life, more accurately, it’s given me the skills and motivation to change my own life. I am calmer, more confident and excited about the future”
We are here to empower others to step forward and make decisions that feel right for them, and to have the confidence that they can continue to do this time and time again. Whether it’s staying in the profession and finding enjoyment again, changing job roles, coming back to clinical practice after a break, or pivoting completely to do something else, when individuals find satisfaction and fulfilment, everyone benefits.
Through sharing our own journeys honestly and authentically, we have shown others that it is possible to find a path in the profession that works for them, even if it is ‘outside of the norm’. When you have the courage to ‘go first’, it shows others that it’s possible for them too. We believe everyone gets to create their own definition of ‘success’, and ultimately, a life that aligns with that (and it will look different for everyone, because we are all unique).
What motivated you to want to change things?
We see so many incredible humans not feeling good enough, and telling themselves ‘I’ll feel good enough when…”, which leads to constantly seeking an answer outside of themselves. Having both been through our own challenges and experiencing this, being part of group coaching programmes was transformational for us both individually, and led to us training and diversifying into coaching.
We don’t get taught the power of having a good self relationship when we are young, when in fact it’s this that is the foundation for every area of our lives. We are so passionate, because we know that what we do works, we know that it is highly evidenced, and most importantly, people tell us, and others, how valuable it is to them..
How have you encouraged other people to get on board with your ideas?
We know our craft inside out, and embody everything that we teach. People can feel that when they meet us. We have been described as ‘the kindest people in vet med’, and we hear this again and again. We extend kindness to everyone we meet, and also to ourselves (anyone who has worked with us knows we talk about self-compassion a lot). We speak authentically, we are open and honest about our own struggles, and we’re also not afraid to do things differently!
It has been about building good relationships, which we do naturally and easily (we are both describe ourselves as a ‘people person’ – when we go out together everything takes twice as long, because we stop and chat with everyone we meet!)
“We have never ‘tried to fit in’ – instead we’ve proudly stood out, even when it’s gone against the ‘norm’.”
What are the biggest challenges you have encountered in this journey and how have you overcome them?
When we started, we were a start-up among many well-established businesses. We didn’t ‘wait’ to create a website, get funding, or map out a 12-month plan – we knew that we could support people with the skills we had, so we got started straight away – filling up and starting the first wave of the signature programme in less than eight weeks.
We got clear on our unique selling point (USP) as coaches within the profession – we are both vets with years of clinical practice, and who still love that side, but found something we are even more passionate about. We have always been authentically us – and in doing this we have easily been able to find our people. We have never ‘tried to fit in’ – instead we’ve proudly stood out, even when it’s gone against the ‘norm’.
What has most helped and motivated you along the way?
There is no better motivation than the results, the messages and the breakthroughs that we get to witness every single week. Knowing that what we do is helping to empower the profession, is what puts a spring in our step with everything we do!
Also, all the amazing people we have met along the way – there are so many incredible people who are helping to make positive change. We love to collaborate, cheerlead and support others, because we value collaboration over competition every time. There is space for everyone because we all bring something valuable and unique (and the right people will resonate with you). We have also been a high support to each other – both as business partners, but most importantly, as friends. We share a really special connection, and working with each other is just so easy and fun!
“There are so many incredible people who are helping to make positive change.”
What is the best advice you’ve been given, or that you would give to someone else, about driving positive change?
Look at everything through the lens of curiosity, rather than criticism. It can be so easy to be judgemental of ourselves and others. But let’s look to create understanding, and be able to view things from a more neutral standpoint: ‘That’s interesting, I wonder what the potential solutions could be?’ And don’t be afraid to be different – the world needs more people who are comfortable being themselves, and also embodying what they teach. Let’s be the change we want to see!
What are your next steps to continue creating change for the better?
We are really excited to be bringing ‘Vet Empowered Live – Confidence and Beyond’ to Manchester on Sunday 24th March. This full day CPD event is here to help you to take the first step towards the most confident and empowered version of yourself, and step past those imposter vibes. Expect a dynamic mix of talks, live demonstrations, interactive activities, group sessions, planning, creation, meditations and exercises. It’s ideal for vets, nurses and students, who are looking to boost confidence before a career move, stepping into a new role, starting a side hustle, wanting to enhance confidence in practice, or are just curious about personal development and coaching. Plus it counts as 6 hours of CPD! There’s less than 80 spaces available, with tickets flying out the door, so if this sounds like your jam – come and join us! We would love to have you there!
In honour of International Women’s Day on March 8th, 2024, we assembled a collection of ‘Champions for Change’ profiles into a free eBook. Explore exclusive stories highlighting inspirational figures driving positive change for women in veterinary.
Our thanks to Katie and Claire for sharing their inspiring story of how they are championing change. If you would like to nominate a Champion for Change or share your story, please let us know.
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