From veterinarian to entrepreneur - and maybe something more?
I’m a veterinarian. But over the past few years, it’s become clear to me that I’m driven by something more. A curiosity. A desire to understand, to question – even the things we tend to do simply because “that’s how it’s always been done.”
My path into the profession
My path into veterinary medicine has been anything but traditional. I began with a bachelor’s degree in English and Communication, which I completed before deciding to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a veterinarian. I studied my first year in Budapest, and later completed the rest of my education in Copenhagen.
That background has given me a slightly different perspective than many others. A combination of clinical expertise and communication – something that today plays a central role in how I approach my work.
At some point, I realised I wanted more than just to fit into an existing framework. I wanted to help shape it. It wasn’t a sudden decision, but something that gradually became clear over time.
I didn’t just want to be part of the framework. I wanted to help create it.
Choosing a path not everyone takes
That mindset has led me to where I am today. During my studies, I started my first business, Barking Babies Dog Grooming – and today, I’ve fully taken the leap into working as an independent veterinarian.
It’s still not the most obvious path in our field. Many veterinarians choose more established setups with clear structures and frameworks. And that makes sense – there’s a certain security in that.
At the same time, I sense a shift. More people in my generation are starting to think differently about work, professionalism, and freedom. There’s a growing desire to shape your own everyday life and define how you want to practice as a veterinarian. For me, at least, it feels like the right choice.
What you don’t see from the outside
Starting a clinic is something I’m still in the middle of. Of course, it’s about the clinical side – but it’s just as much about the bigger picture. How things work in practice. How you create a great experience for both animals and their owners. How you choose the right equipment – not just what looks right, but what actually feels right in your hands.
And then there’s everything you can’t really plan for. The pace of decisions. The uncertainty in the beginning. The feeling of constantly being just one step ahead of yourself.
I’m not trying to make it look easier than it is. There are a lot of considerations. The difficult ones too. Ethical decisions. Practical challenges. Situations where there isn’t a single right answer.
An industry in motion
For many years, the natural path for veterinarians has been to join an existing clinic. And for many, it still is. But I also see a growing number of people in my generation starting to think more independently.
There’s a stronger awareness of how you want to work, what you want to stand for, and what kind of framework you want to build around your profession. Maybe it’s a shift that’s only just beginning. Maybe it will become more visible in the years ahead.
Alongside this, I’m working on developing a TV format that opens up the veterinary world – the decisions, dilemmas, and relationships between animals, owners, and professionals. It’s still early days, but the ambition is to offer an honest insight into a profession that touches many lives, yet is rarely shown in its full complexity. Maybe it’s something you’ll get to follow one day.
For now, the focus is on building the clinic and creating something that feels right. The rest will follow. Follow Signe’s journey together with Team Weesgaard at Weesgaard Veterinary Dental.
