Altitude Animal Hospital
Karen is the founder and owner of Altitude Animal Hospital. She has been a practicing veterinarian in Colorado for over 20 years, following her passion as a lifelong lover of animals. At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, Karen opened Altitude Animal Hospital to further her love of veterinary medicine with continuing to help animals and their caretakers in her community along with fulfilling a dream for herself.
As a state-of-the-art facility, Altitude Animal Hospital is led by an all-female team of professionals, who are committed to delivering friendly, high-quality compassionate care to dogs and cats in all stages of life.
The INTERVIEW
Q: First things first... what is the name of your business and how did you choose it?
A: Altitude Animal Hospital. We wanted a name that represented Colorado culture and had undertones of our business setting a higher standard.
Q: What excites you about the community of Women-Owned Wednesdays?
A: I think women supporting women makes for stronger cultures and a more supportive society. Plus women just get s%*# done.
Q: Where did the idea for Altitude Animal Hospital come from?
A: Altitude Animal Hospital developed from conversations with supportive friends encouraging to me take the next step in my career by becoming my own boss.
Q: Who or what inspires you?
A: My family inspires me. I want my boys to see that strong women are everywhere playing many roles in their lives. From their teachers to their family, coaches, and even their mom. I want to make them proud.
Q: How do you start your day?
A: I wake up early to work out every morning. I can get a fresh start for my day doing something that is just for me. During my workouts I remind myself that it is so important for us as women to take time for ourselves everyday doing something just for us.
Q: What have been the most important factors that you have learned with the success of your business?
A: Surround yourself with the best people you know. Try to create a supportive environment where everybody can showcase their talents. My business would not be a success without all of the amazing, talented women I have to privilege to work with every day!
Q: What have you failed at recently and how did you overcome it?
A: Many days I feel like I have failed someone in my life. But I've learned that I need to give myself grace and keep trying to do better for the people in my life.
Q: What advice would you give your 17-year-old self?
A: Trust yourself and your instincts. Stop caring so much about what other people think, you already have the right people in your life. You've got this!
Q: What are your favorite online resources for your business?
A: Depending on how much time I have, I usually will peruse several veterinary websites, and I love listening to a good veterinary specific podcast.
Q: Share what you do daily/weekly to include personal development in your life for growth?
A: I knit every day. It helps me clear my head after a busy day and lets me express myself in a creative way.
Q: What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, build and grow a brand or a business today?
A: Surround yourself with good people and realize you can't do it all. Ask people in your field for the contacts and referrals that you need to help you succeed. Don't rely on just one source for your information. Gather all the information you can find and make the best decisions for you and your business. Don't be afraid of social media.
Q: What do you do to unwind and take time away from your business?
A: I love to knit as a way to clear my head. But if I'm really getting away, I love to travel with my family. Anytime I can have my toes in the sand is a good day.
Q: What vision do you have for yourself in the near future, personally or professionally?
A: I would love to continue to grow my business by adding additional staff so we can continue to provide high quality, personalized, veterinary care to the community.
Q: How do you support other women-owned businesses?
A: Whenever I come across a women-owned business, I go out of my way to shop or do business with them.
Women-Owned VIBES
My guilty pleasure is: Cheesy TV and a good glass of wine
The best book I've read in the past year: I loved The Guest List by Lucy Foley
My most listen-to podcast, song or artist is: I am addicted to any true crime podcast and my favorite in any mood is True Crime Obsessed
Greatest gift I have ever received: I continue to love dearly all of the homemade gifts my kids bring home from school
Three things that I cannot live without: My family, my dogs, and after hitting middle age... concealer
Most useful advice my mother has given me: Live by example
The coolest person I've ever met is: My boys, Cooper and Finn
Lake, Mountains, Beach? I'm a beach gal
Quality I cherish most in a friend is: A sense of humor and trust
The title of my autobiography would be: She Tried Really Hard Not to Live Up to her Name