When Dr. Nick Pope met his future wife, Dr. Elizabeth Pope, they were both students at the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine and traveling down the same career path. Despite their passion for animals and shared dreams of becoming veterinarians, however, it was never their intention to one day work together.

“We had an understanding that we didn’t want to work together because we thought we’d drive each other crazy,” Nick said, echoing a refrain familiar to any married couple.

Nevertheless, almost a decade after they both graduated in 2015 as Doctors of Veterinary Medicine, the Popes now work alongside one another as the owners of three New Jersey-based practices: South Branch Veterinary Services, Clover Hill Animal Hospital, and Symbios Animal Health.

“It kind of happened organically,” said Nick.

Whereas the journey to ultimately ending up as co-workers was organic, the financing required to become business owners was anything but. And it was Firstrust Bank’s financing that paved the way for them to deliver their compassionate care to dogs, cats, and exotic animals.

“Firstrust Bank was the best partner for us and our unique scenario,” said Nick. “When we were looking to buy our first hospital, South Branch, we went into it knowing that we wanted to own multiple locations. Instead of saying no, or trying to just finance a single location, like other banks, Firstrust listened to us and understood that we wanted to grow quickly. They were more open to financing the entire scope of our ambitions than any other bank.”

Firstrust Bank provides tailored solutions for veterinary practices, among other specialty areas in the healthcare industry. Its Relationship Managers have experience with all aspects of vet practice management, including financing, cash flow management, and providing veterinarians with the right tools and resources to help them manage their practice effectively and efficiently.

John Rooney, Firstrust Bank’s Senior Vice President of Healthcare Practice Finance, helped the Popes close on their first loan, in March 2019. Five years later, the couple and their colleagues are raising expectations of what pet healthcare should be, through their revolutionary model that delivers a carefully tailored, individualized veterinary experience for clients and their pets.

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, the Popes shared what it’s like to work together as husband and wife, as well as how they decided to settle in Elizabeth’s home state.

“Liz said, ‘I like you, but I don’t like Oklahoma,’” Nick, a native Oklahoman, said of their time at OSU. “That’s when I knew we’d be headed back to New Jersey.”

Elizabeth said that she and Nick both expressed an interest in becoming business owners, but for different reasons.

“Nick always wanted to own a business because he’s got an entrepreneurial mindset and the drive,” said Elizabeth. “I wanted to be a business owner because of the flexibility it offered.”

Their strengths have seemed to provide the perfect balance to their working relationship.

“Owning a business with your spouse is like getting married a second time,” said Nick. “Business partnerships are like marriages, and you have to be comfortable with defining roles. Liz is great with our staff and building our operations and keeping the team moving forward. My role is more on the hiring and admin side of things — the growth strategies we have, the marketing.”

“The biggest advantage is that you have someone to bounce ideas off of, someone you have complete faith and trust in,” said Elizabeth.

Even their specialties complement one another well.

“Liz is awesome at internal medicine, and I enjoy surgery and dentistry,” said Nick. “That enables us to work well as a team.”

Of course, the arrangement is not without its challenges.

“It’s definitely hard to unplug,” said Elizabeth. “We work a lot, and our businesses, employees, and patients are all very important to us. Having your spouse as your business partner certainly adds an extra layer of complexity. When we go on vacation, we have to solve for two people going away.”

The Popes have sound advice for any couples considering the possibility of working together.

“It sounds rote, but you have to have a strong foundation,” said Elizabeth. “Relationships are stressful, marriages are stressful, and working with your spouse will really test you. You just have to be intentional in finding the right balance.”

Learn more about how Firstrust Bank is helping people and businesses achieve success in the very region it calls home.