Julie’s Journey: The Launch of Keane’s Foot Care
August 12, 2024Posted by:
Julie had always been passionate about patient care. As a special care dental nurse with the NHS, she loved working with patients, making sure they received the care they needed. But over time, she noticed a growing gap in the healthcare system. Her husband, an NHS podiatrist, often talked about the increasing number of patients being discharged from NHS podiatry services, especially in the wake of COVID-19. Routine foot care services, like toenail cutting, were no longer funded, and lower-risk diabetic patients, who had once been regularly seen, were now being left without support. Julie saw firsthand the pressure the NHS was under and realised there was a growing demand for private foot care services.
That’s when the idea for Keane’s Foot Care began to take shape. Julie decided to retrain with the SMAE Institute to become a qualified foot care practitioner, with the goal of providing mobile foot care services to those who could no longer access NHS care. Her vision was clear: start with mobile services and, within two years, transition into a clinical setting, with the ultimate goal of opening her own foot care practice in the next five years.
Despite her strong vision, Julie faced a new challenge—starting her own business. Having always been employed, she was unsure if she was on the right path to succeed as a sole trader. She came to Start Up West Yorkshire with a lot of ideas but needed help putting them all together into a cohesive plan. Julie knew she needed guidance, particularly in creating a business plan that would not only guide her but also potentially open doors to funding.
At Start Up West Yorkshire, Julie found the support she needed. Conor, her advisor, provided invaluable assistance throughout the process. Julie had already launched her business by the time of her one-on-one sessions, but she needed reassurance and expert advice on her marketing strategy. She wanted to differentiate her services from those offered by mobile beauticians and focus on providing professional, clinical foot care. The marketing expert she worked with confirmed that her strategy was achievable and provided new ideas to help boost her business.
Web design and SEO were areas where Julie felt less confident, but with the help of Start Up West Yorkshire, she gained the skills she needed to enhance her online presence. Learning about SEO and how to ensure her business was easily found online made a significant difference. Julie’s website, which serves primarily as an information hub for patients, now reaches a wider audience, thanks to the advice she received.
Legal awareness was another crucial area for Julie. Coming from an NHS background, she understood the importance of compliance with regulations, especially when it came to GDPR and the safe storage of patient data. The legal awareness session helped Julie ensure that her business was fully compliant with current legislation, giving her patients confidence in the professionalism and safety of her services.
Now, just a month after launching Keane’s Foot Care, Julie’s business is thriving. She already has 11 patients on her books for home visits and receives daily inquiries. Starting in September, she will also be offering foot care services in a local sports physio practice, moving closer to her goal of working in a clinical setting.
Looking to the future, Julie has big plans for Keane’s Foot Care. She aims to offer toenail surgery in a clinical setting, working alongside an HCPC-registered podiatrist, and hopes to train in cryotherapy and biomechanics to expand the range of treatments she can offer. Julie is optimistic that her business will continue to grow, and she remains focused on her long-term goal of opening her own practice within the next five years.
Reflecting on her journey, Julie says, "The 1-1 personalised support offered by Start Up West Yorkshire was not only excellent, but essential to my success so far."
August 12, 2024Posted by:
