In the first of her new column, Anushika Brogan discusses the challenges she has had to overcome in her journey as a female corporate owner.
My journey started when I qualified as a dentist. Following a year as a house officer at King’s College London, I went into a general practice in Eastcote, Middlesex, for my vocational training year.
That year was defined and shaped by the incredible people I met and worked with. Notably, my first practice owner was a woman, which was uncommon at the time and definitely inspired me. My next role was for a corporate owner with about five practices. There I gained valuable experience and solidified my aspiration to run my own corporate group in the future.
Nevertheless, my personal life presented its own set of challenges. During the early stages of my career, I lived with my in-laws, a situation that didn’t quite suit me. I longed for independence and knew that required a level of financial freedom. This is what drove me to purchase my own practice at 26.
This move raised more than a few eyebrows. I was a new mother with a three-month-old son, and the idea of buying a practice was unconventional, to say the least. I even clashed with my mother over it. Despite conflicts, I managed to convince my father to guarantee my loan, and I completed the purchase when my son was nine months old.
From then on, my son came with me to childcare near my practice, a balancing act I handled on my own during a period when my husband and I were separated. As life progressed, my husband and I reunited, and we welcomed my second son. By then, I had not only paid off my first practice but also paid off half of my house.
Overcoming challenges
My mother-in-law recognised my success and joined me in business, primarily handling shareholder matters. My business continued to expand, reaching twelve practices in 2010.
However, when I decided to separate from my husband, I found myself in a complex situation – three-quarters of my business was held by his family. My intense focus on growing and growing had somewhat blinded me to the potential consequences.
This spurred the onset of a four-year-long legal battle that cost me both money and many sleepless nights. Despite the challenges, I emerged victorious, retaining ownership of nine out of the twelve practices. This hard-fought victory was achieved in 2014, a relatively short time ago.
Following this ordeal, I embarked on a journey of rebranding and thus, Damira Dental Studios was born. From then, I dedicated myself to its growth, consistently adding two to three practices each year.
The life-changing decision
During my time as a single parent, life was a relentless juggling act. Mornings were a race to drop my sons at school for breakfast club, and evenings saw me rushing to pick them up by six o’clock.
Once home, I juggled feeding them, preparing dinner, bathing them, tidying up, and finally collapsing onto the sofa, exhausted by 10pm. A routine familiar to many.
One day, a fellow parent from my son’s nursery who had observed my daily struggles, suggested a practical solution: hiring an au pair. The au pair seamlessly integrated into our morning routine, taking charge of dropping my son at nursery and managing household chores. All I had left to do was prepare dinner!
This single change revolutionised my daily life, giving me precious time to focus on both my work and family.
Don’t be afraid to get help
My advice to those facing similar challenges is clear: seek the help and support you need.
If you’re a dentist with a substantial income, prioritise your responsibilities. Whether it’s hiring a cleaner or delegating household tasks, these changes can create more quality time with your family and enhance your concentration at work.
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