“When it feels right, you have to go for it”

Feel trapped in your career? It’s never too late to switch, says VICKY DONDOS, 44, co-founder of Medicetics

➤ Abandon the plan

After two years as an NHS doctor, I thought, “This isn’t for me.” I’d become frustrated when I couldn’t help patients. I left in 2000 to work in finance, but I missed medicine and went back five years later. By 2006, I was a stomach doctor at the Royal Marsden, yet something still wasn’t right. It all clicked into place when my partner [Geoff Mullan, now Medicetics co-founder] told me of his plans to start a cosmetic-surgery business. People thought I was mad for wanting to switch careers again – but I refused to listen. When it feels right, you have to go for it.

➤ Do your homework

The first thing I did was mystery-shop at other clinics. I was 32, being recommended treatment plans that cost thousands. I thought, “There’s an opportunity here.” Our clinic would make women feel better about themselves without feeling guilty for spending money on how they looked. For six months, I kept my job at the hospital, making calls before work, during lunch and after late shifts. Then I left. We saw our first clients in 2006 and now run three clinics.

➤ Test the waters

I spent several weeks in California with my cousin. He’s a plastic surgeon, and gives clients a deep resurfacing treatment at the same time as their surgery. It made their skin look more youthful. It was pioneering, and I launched it at the clinic straight away. But it turned out to be quite painful, and visible results took weeks – which is fine if you’re having surgery, but our clients didn’t want to wait. The treatment gathered dust. It was an expensive mistake. I wish I’d asked myself why so few clinics offered it here at the time.

➤ Find a co-founder

Working with Geoff has turned out better than I could have imagined. It helps to have someone with opposing traits. I’m fiery and get things done; Geoff is more considered and is good at taking a step back. I trust him because I know we both want the business to succeed. We’re now married, and he’s much better than me at not bringing work home. In the early days, all I could think of was the business. But Geoff refused to talk about work over dinner. I finally gave in – it helps to put work problems into perspective.