The Passion and Purpose of Owning a Clinic in Regional Victoria
DR JuMP interviews Peter Hoggan on owning a clinic in regional Victoria
Peter Hogan is a myotherapist, co-owner of Myo-Way in Wangaratta and Medical Education officer at Northeast Health Wangaratta. Outside of the clinic Peter enjoys staying fit running around after his 3 boys, working on his hobby farm and being a part of the community in Wangaratta. Peter is committed to helping his clients and community live healthier happier lives.
Q. Have you been a co-owner of Myo-Way since its establishment or did you become a co-owner of the existing company?
A. I moved back to my hometown of Wangaratta in 2012 with my wife during our final year of our Myotherapy degree. For three years, we worked alongside a local Myotherapist who had graduated just ahead of us. When she decided to step away from the business, we took over the clinic. Around the same time, I also started at Northeast Health Wangaratta as an Allied Health Assistant to broaden my experience in a clinical setting.
Q. If it was an existing company, how did you come to find out about the co-owner opportunity?
A. As mentioned above, we were already working within the clinic, so we had first-hand knowledge of the opportunity. We also recognised that Wangaratta had limited Myotherapy services, and when we heard a practitioner was planning to finish up, we saw it as an ideal way to establish ourselves quickly.
Q. If you have been a co-owner of the business since its establishment, how did you choose which town to base the clinic?
A. Being a Wangaratta local, I was keen to return home and raise a family closer to my roots. I also wanted to give my “city” wife a taste of country living — her only request was that she’d eventually get to keep a horse in the backyard! Wangaratta was an easy choice: it’s a fantastic place to grow up, with good schools, a strong community, and plenty of opportunities to be involved in local sport and activities.
Q. How do you balance clinical work with running the business?
A. It’s definitely a balancing act. Since 2022, I have worked full-time as the MEO at Northeast Health Wangaratta from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. After hours, I head to the clinic and see patients from 5 pm until late, Monday through Thursday, usually treating 12–16 patients per week. My wife and co-owner runs the clinic during school hours. Outside of work, I volunteer as secretary of the Strand Arcade (where the clinic is located) and on the Wangaratta Little Athletics committee. We also live on five acres with two horses, a dog (Marley), chickens, and our three energetic boys — Dallas (8), Forrest (5), and Theodore (1).
Q. Have you felt the need to complete any business training and are there networks for clinic owners or business owners in a regional town?
A. Yes. As a Myotherapist, I’m required to complete professional development every year, and I deliberately mix clinical courses with business and practice management training. This year, I’ve been completing a Leadership and Management course through Wodonga TAFE, which has been invaluable in improving my leadership and administrative skills within the clinic.
Q. Do you have any tips for anyone hoping to own their own clinic?
A. Start by getting your name out there — in the early days, we used a mix of social media, print advertising, and good old-fashioned letterbox drops with introductory offers. I was also heavily involved in the community through local football and as a high jump coach at the Wangaratta Little Athletics Centre, which helped build word of mouth. My parents, long-time locals, were also great at spreading the word. Today, most people consume information digitally, so choosing the right online platform to showcase your services is key. Above all, be persistent — some things work, others don’t, and that’s okay. Hard work, consistency, and a willingness to adapt will always pay off in the long run.
