9: Lead Well Live Well with Dee Blick - Episode 99: Lead Well Live Well with Dee Blick - Episode 9
UK Health Radio Podcast
Entrepreneur and animal lover Richie Clark shares how he left a secure analyst role, built a pet care franchise and grew into an authentic, values-led leader. Dee links his story to courage, curiosity and acting despite fear, with gentle nods to her own journey as a recovering alcoholic.
40:29•11 Apr 2026
From Dream Job to Dream Life: Richie Clark on Pets, Purpose and Leading with Heart
Episode Overview
- Following a passion, rather than a degree title or past career, can lead to more satisfying work and a healthier life balance.
- A franchise can offer structure, systems and proof of concept, but franchisees still need to put in energy to win and retain customers.
- Authentic and approachable leadership helps franchisees feel valued, supported and inspired to do their best work.
- Clear values such as passion for animals, pride in standards and empathy for pets and owners guide who is welcomed into the franchise family.
- Shifting from "one day" to "day one" and acting despite fear can unlock new chapters in business, recovery and personal growth.
“"One day or day one, you decide."”
What drives someone to seek a life that feels meaningful, purposeful and genuinely joyful? This conversation on UK Health Radio’s *Lead Well Live Well* with presenter Dee Blick follows franchisee-turned-franchisor Richie Clark, whose love of animals and people pushed him to leave a “dream job” and build a pet care business that truly fits his values. Richie talks about growing up with animal-loving grandparents who ran a newsagent and rescued dogs; his grandad was even nicknamed “the dog whisperer”.
Those early days on the shop till helped a shy teenager grow people skills and gave him a taste for business. After gaining a first-class tourism management degree and landing a coveted analyst role with a major cruise line, he realised it “just wasn’t right for me” and that his future lay in working with animals.
He explains why he chose a franchise instead of going solo, describing the Pets, Homes and Gardens model as a reassuring structure: a clear checklist, proven marketing, and agreed standards for “exceptional pet care”. At the same time, he’s honest that franchisees still have to “dig deep and find those customers” rather than expecting business to fall into their lap. The heart of the chat is leadership.
Richie shares the leap from franchisee to franchisor and the fear that “everyone doesn’t leave when we take over”. He and his wife Amber focus on being “authentic and approachable” leaders who care deeply about animal welfare and about franchisees enjoying their work. His ambition is simple but bold: for Pets, Homes and Gardens to be “the most trusted name in pet care within the areas we serve”.
Dee, speaking as a bestselling author, businesswoman and recovering alcoholic, links Richie’s story to wider questions of courage, mindset and community support. Between them, they make a strong case for following your passion, acting “in spite of the fear”, and treating curiosity as a quiet superpower. If you’re rethinking your career, sobriety, or life direction, this chat might nudge you to ask: is today "one day" or "day one"?
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