Commercial Lending Spotlight – Fix-A-Pet Mobile Vet Clinic
At Robins Financial Credit Union, we are proud to offer a suite of business products designed to help any business, no matter the size. Paige Vaughn, owner of Fix-A-Pet Mobile Vet Clinic and proud member of Robins Financial for over five years, is just one of many who have entrusted us to provide financial support to help her business thrive. Get to know Paige and how choosing Robins Financial as her trusted financial partner has impacted her business.
A Vision Rooted in Passion
Vaughn, a “Double Dawg” alumni from the University of Georgia, began her career with a deep commitment to animal welfare. After earning a Bachelor’s in Animal Science in 2014 and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2019, Vaughn spent six years practicing general medicine and working with both small and large animals. It was during this time that she began to envision a future where her work could impact the community more.
“I was at a point in my career where I needed to decide what my legacy in my field would look like in the long-term,” shared Vaughn. “As a veterinarian, I have always had a passion for preventative medicine as a first-line defense in keeping pets healthy. I knew I wanted to create a business where I could provide basic wellness services to a large portion of the community.”
After several months of market research, Vaughn discovered the potential of a mobile veterinary clinic. This innovative model allowed her to combine her career passions with her experience in providing mobile services, leading to the creation of Fix-A-Pet.
The Creation of Fix-A-Pet
Fix-A-Pet is far from the traditional veterinary practice. The mobile clinic operates out of a custom-designed trailer featuring state-of-the art surgical equipment in a compact, yet efficient space. This unique setup allows Vaughn and her team to provide high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter surgeries, dental procedures and non-elective or major soft tissue surgery like mass removals, amputations, eye surgery, or wound repairs. They also have a wide selection of wellness products including standard vaccines, annual testing, as well as heartworm and flea/tick preventative medications necessary for both dogs and cats.
"Our traveling surgery suite allows us to provide surgical equipment in a mobile setting,” Vaughn explains. “We use the same medications and equipment as a traditional business, just in an unconventional setting. The trailer is compactly designed to host a large number of animals while still giving our team plenty of space to work.”
Since launching in December 2023, Fix-A-Pet has successfully completed nearly 1,200 spay and neuter surgeries.
“Our ultimate goal at Fix-A-Pet is to provide high quality, basic wellness services to pets throughout the Central Georgia community,” said Vaughn.
A Partnership Built on Trust
Starting a business from scratch is no small feat, and Vaughn knew she needed a reliable financial partner to bring her vision to life. For Vaughn, Robins Financial Credit Union was the obvious choice.
“My husband and I have been members of Robins Financial Credit Union for many years. We’ve always had amazing customer service through the years, so of course, Robins was my first choice after setting plans in motion during my planning stages,” Vaughn shared.
Vaughn’s journey with the credit union began with a call to the commercial lending department, where she was connected with Commercial Lender, Jan Douglass. Douglass’ commitment to helping Vaughn realize her dream was evident from the start, guiding her through the process of securing a Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan to fund her mobile clinic.
“Jan was a crucial partner in dealing with the paperwork behind the scenes to have an SBA loan approved through Robins,” Vaughn said. “The downtown Perry office is local to my home, so I was able to meet Douglass and her team in person on the day of the loan closing. They were as genuine and enthusiastic for my start-up business as the first day we met. I couldn’t be more thankful about having a financial partner that believes in my business and my goals of serving the community.”
The Road Ahead
With the support of Robins Financial Credit Union, Fix-A-Pet has not only launched successfully but is thriving. The ease of managing her account through Robins Financial’s online and Digital Banking services has been a significant advantage for Vaughn as a business owner.
"The best part of banking with Robins Financial Credit Union is that all my accounts, both personal and business, are easily connected online,” shared Vaughn. “I can transfer money and make monthly payments on my phone within minutes. As a very busy business owner, having this ability to manage my accounts remotely saves a large amount of time in my schedule.”
Looking to the future, Vaughn is focused on expanding Fix-A-Pet's reach within the community. Her goal is to continue to provide high-quality wellness services to even more pets throughout Central Georgia, ensuring they live longer, healthier lives.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Starting a business is a challenging journey, but Vaughn’s experience has taught her the importance of a strong support system.
“The best advice for someone aspiring to start a business would be to create and depend on a support system of people who also believe in your dreams with the same intensity as yourself,” Vaughn advises. “While I may be the owner of my business, I couldn’t perform my day-to-day activities and do what I do best without my staff’s knowledge and expertise. I am incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many people who want me to succeed wholeheartedly.”
Vaughn’s story is a testament to the power of passion, community, and partnerships. It’s an honor to play a part in the growth of businesses like Fix-A-Pet Mobile Vet Clinic. We hope Vaughn continues to make a positive impact on pets and their owners across Central Georgia. Robins Financial Credit Union is proud to be Vaughn’s trusted financial partner.
Ready to start your business? Our team is here to help! Visit our website for more information about the various business products and services we offer that can help your business get off the ground. You can also contact our Commercial Lending team for more information by calling 478-923-3773 x.2240. We look forward to helping more members like Paige on their business journey.
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