Starting an ophthalmology practice.

Dr Gupta was drawn to a career in ophthalmology due to its unique fusion of intricate surgical expertise, and the capacity to safeguard and enhance one of our most precious senses – vision.

‘The field offers me the extraordinary privilege of making a significant impact on individuals' lives, whether by restoring clarity of sight or navigating complex eye conditions. The transformative effect on patients' wellbeing and the restoration of their independence are profound sources of inspiration for my unwavering passion.’

And with the industry seeing continuous technological advancements, Dr Gupta remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of cutting-edge treatments, excited by the opportunity to contribute and shape innovations in the field of ophthalmology. ‘This dynamic convergence of skill, compassion, and technological progress fuels my ongoing journey in a field where every advancement contributes to the betterment of human lives through the gift of sight.’

Her practice, IVISION LASER was born from a desire to break away from the confines of corporate medicine, and create a space that embodies a more personalised, patient-centric approach. Establishing an independent clinic meant Dr Gupta had the autonomy to shape her own vision of what eye care – and healthcare more broadly – could look like; that it should be more than a transaction – it should be a deeply individualised experience.

IVISION LASER has become a unique haven where the fusion of cutting-edge technology, clinical excellence and compassionate care take centre stage, ensuring every aspect of the clinic is geared towards enhancing the overall experience and positive outcomes for patients.

‘Running my own clinic offers not only the freedom to be involved in research, innovate, and contribute to advancements in eye care, but also the satisfaction of building a practice that prioritises the human connection. It is a deliberate step towards fostering a warm and supportive environment, where patients feel truly heard and cared for,’ says Dr Gupta.

On location.

The first step in bringing IVISION LASER to life was identifying a suitable location, one that would adequately consider her existing referral base and patient demographics. Having worked predominantly on the city fringe, with referrers from the affluent eastern suburbs of Adelaide, Dr Gupta worked hard to maintain these relationships.

Despite a thorough exploration of her network and a focus on medical precincts near the CBD ring road encircling Adelaide’s CBD, finding a fitting commercial space proved challenging. After some setbacks, she eventually secured a lease in Dulwich, opposite the parklands amongst other medical and larger businesses.

Negotiating the lease was a collaborative effort with her husband, and though they considered other spaces, the chosen location – while dated – offered the necessary space for Dr Gupta’s vision.

Practice finance.

Once securing the space, Dr Gupta’s journey to opening was far from smooth; the most significant hurdle being construction costs in the midst of the pandemic. Her initial plan to seamlessly transition from her old practice to the new one faced considerable stress in coordinating signage, fit-out, builders, graphic designers; and her legal, finance and marketing team. The expenses, particularly for the fit-out, were significant.

Turning to banks for practice finance, Dr Gupta approached three different companies, ultimately choosing BOQ Specialist for its superior offering and flexibility. 'BOQ Specialist were just very transparent and quite easy to work with. In the end, we just trusted them,' she says.

Once the financial aspects were resolved – including converting the loan earlier than planned for tax advantages – and a builder and architect were engaged, the project progressed rapidly – two weeks ahead of schedule to be exact.

In August 2023, Dr Gupta opened the doors to IVISION LASER. Despite initial financial pressures, the speed of construction, and the challenges posed by the pandemic, the journey has proved successful.

Best practice.

There’s quite a bit of risk in starting a practice – from capital required for setting up the practice and its fit-out, to building a client base and keeping business moving.

As well as funding the property for a new practice, a big part of what BOQ Specialist does is assisting with the facilities designed to maximise cashflow while the fit-out is taking place. The difference BOQ Specialist offers clients like Dr Gupta is understanding exactly what they need, when they need it. When you’re a specialist looking to set up your own business, BOQ Specialist can provide the right sort of assistance, because there’s a lot of risk and that may carry a bit of uncertainty. Having assistance from a bank that understands what's going on is not only reassuring, but also critical.

Find a BOQ Specialist that best suits your needs.