From Pre-Reg to Independent Practice Ownership

Date: Autumn 2025
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Amelia’s journey began in 2019, fresh out of university and starting her pre-registration with an independent practice. Unlike many of her peers who chose to work for large multiples, Amelia knew the corporate ladder wasn't for her. She thrived in the independent setting, gaining invaluable experience in specialist areas like visual stress, dry eye clinics, and contact lens fitting—opportunities she felt she would have missed in a larger chain.

After six years of working across three different practices, Amelia felt she had gained the necessary experience and was ready to be her own boss and to build something of her own. As she put it, "I was ready for more".

While she wasn't actively searching, Amelia had her "eye out for another opportunity". She had been on Myers La Roche's email list for some time when a notification for a practice in Shropshire caught her attention. The opportunity felt "too good to be true".

The Myers La Roche Difference: Guidance and Support

Despite her readiness, the transition was not without its moments of doubt. The jump from employment to self-employment was, in her words, "the scariest thing I think I've ever done". She found herself “talking herself into it one day and out of it the next” for months. This is where the guidance of Myers La Roche became invaluable.

Amelia worked with MLR Practice Sales Consultant, Elliott, who provided support and a step-by-step guide that became her roadmap. This checklist, which included crucial tasks like when to set up a limited company, gave her the structure and confidence she needed. She followed the guide to the letter.

"Elliott was amazing. He sent guides over, like the next steps document, as I genuinely did not have a clue what was coming up next. It's good to have a guide telling you what you need to do".

Once the decision was made and her notice was handed in, there was no turning back. The process from offer to completion took just under seven months. Amelia's journey was further smoothed by her ability to work as a locum at the practice before the sale was finalised. This allowed her to get a feel for the business and its staff, making the transition seamless for everyone involved.

Amelia doesn't want to be a "bull in a china shop". She has kept the practice's original name and retained the loyal staff, some of whom had been there for over 20 years. This approach ensured the change felt more like a natural "evolution" rather than a disruptive overhaul.

Life as an Independent Business Owner

Today, Amelia is happily at the helm of a well-established practice that has been running since the 1960s. She plans to evolve the business by introducing specialist services like visual stress and dry eye clinics, which were part of her previous experience.

She still keeps in contact with the previous owners and values the trust and smooth communication that characterised the entire process. Her initial fears have been replaced with a sense of purpose and happiness. "I'm much happier coming to work now. I get up in the morning, I'm like, 'Yeah, let's do this,' instead of 'Ugh, I've got to go to work'".

Amelia's story is a testament to the fact that independent practice ownership is a very real and rewarding possibility. With the right support from an experienced partner like Myers La Roche, the challenges can be navigated, and the rewards are immeasurable. If you would like to follow in her footsteps and become your own boss, take the first steps and register on our website today