Welcome to Indie Oxford Stories, our series celebrating the incredible people behind Oxford’s independent businesses.
These are the makers, bakers, creatives, and community builders who bring so much heart to the city. Each story offers a personal story about what inspired them to start, what keeps them going, and how you can support the local businesses that matter so much to life in Oxford.
You can explore more features in the full Indie Oxford Stories collection, browse our Directory of Independent Businesses, or find your nearest indie on our Interactive Map.
How would you describe your business in a sentence?
Walton Street Wellness is a family-run, CQC-registered healthcare clinic in the heart of Jericho, Oxford, bringing together skin health, regenerative treatments, osteopathy and preventative healthcare under one roof. Through Face Oxford and CORE Oxford, we combine evidence-based treatments with a whole-person approach, helping people not only feel better today but stay healthier for longer.
What first inspired you to start your business – was there a lightbulb moment?
There wasn’t one defining moment. It happened over years of conversations. We were both working in healthcare but kept seeing the same frustrations. People often felt rushed, they didn’t always understand what was happening to them, and healthcare could become very focused on treating one problem at a time.
We wanted to create somewhere that gave people more time, looked at the bigger picture and genuinely enjoyed getting to know them. Somewhere people felt listened to, rather than simply treated.
Although we work in different areas of healthcare, we’ve always shared the same values: taking time, building relationships and helping people make informed decisions about their health. Walton Street Wellness grew from that shared philosophy.
How did you actually get started?
It started very organically. Kat’s work was growing whilst she was still working in the NHS and she slowly began borrowing – and then gradually taking over – Patrick’s treatment room. Before long it became obvious we needed more space and, more importantly, somewhere we could build together.
Leaving the NHS after nearly twenty years was a huge and emotional decision, but it came from wanting to care for people in a more personal and sustainable way. Patrick had already built an established osteopathy practice, so bringing everything together under one roof felt like the natural next step. Looking back now, it’s hard to imagine doing anything else.
What felt most daunting about starting out, and how did you overcome it?
Starting any business is daunting, but ours came with an extra layer of complexity because we were building it together.
We had to learn how to be business partners as well as husband and wife, whilst balancing two different clinical backgrounds and ways of working. Like many independent businesses, there were plenty of moments where we questioned ourselves, but having complete trust in one another made all the difference. The support we received from our patients, the Jericho community and other independent businesses across Oxford gave us the confidence to keep growing.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
As the clinic has grown, we’ve realised that running a healthcare business isn’t just about being good clinicians. Governance, regulations, finance, recruitment, leadership and marketing all become part of your day, and there is always something new to learn.
Our biggest challenge has been growing whilst never compromising on standards. We’ve always preferred to take our time, research properly, invest in training and build strong clinical governance before introducing something new. It isn’t always the quickest route, but we believe it’s the right one.
What has been your proudest moment?
Seeing the clinic evolve from one treatment room into something much bigger than we ever imagined.
We’re incredibly proud of the team we’ve built and the culture we’ve created together. Every person has helped shape what Walton Street Wellness has become.
Becoming a CQC-registered healthcare clinic was also a huge milestone for us. It reflects years of work behind the scenes to build a service that is not only welcoming and personal, but held to the highest standards of governance, safety and patient care.
The nicest moments, though, are still when someone tells us they’ve come because a friend or family member recommended us. That trust means everything, and it’s something we never take for granted.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned about running a business?
That slow, thoughtful growth really is worth it. We’ve never wanted to chase trends or be the biggest clinic. We’d much rather introduce something because we genuinely believe it will improve patient care, even if that means spending months researching, training and putting the right governance in place first.
We’ve learned that if you stay true to your values, growth tends to follow naturally.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting out, what would it be?
“Don’t rush. Build something that genuinely reflects your own values rather than what everyone else seems to be doing. Ask questions, surround yourself with people who challenge and support you, and don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t feel right. Most importantly, remember that trust takes years to build but only moments to lose. Protect it.“
What’s next for you and the business?
We’re really excited about the next chapter for Walton Street Wellness. Alongside continuing to grow Face Oxford and CORE Oxford, we’re expanding our preventative healthcare services, bringing together skin health, musculoskeletal care, lifestyle medicine and metabolic health under one roof. Working alongside GP colleagues and other healthcare professionals, our aim is to help people take a more proactive approach to their long-term health.
As a CQC-registered clinic, we’re excited to continue growing in a way that never loses sight of what matters most: safe, evidence-based care delivered with kindness, integrity and plenty of time for our patients. Our ambition isn’t necessarily to become the biggest clinic. It’s to become one of the most trusted places people can come to for evidence-based, preventative healthcare.
How can people support you right now?
The biggest compliment anyone can give us is recommending us to someone they care about. Whether it’s booking an appointment, leaving a review or simply telling a friend about their experience, word of mouth has always been at the heart of how we’ve grown. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has trusted us and supported our little independent business.
What is your favourite thing about running a business in Oxfordshire?
Definitely the people. Oxford is such an interesting place to work. On any given day we might see students, academics, healthcare professionals, young families or people travelling from much further afield.
Being based in Jericho has given us a real sense of community, and we’ve loved becoming part of such a supportive network of independent businesses who genuinely want to see one another succeed.
Who in the Independent Oxford community inspires you?
We’re inspired by businesses that genuinely care about making a difference. Jacqui at Bitten Digital has been a huge support throughout our journey, always generous with her advice and a real champion of independent businesses across Oxfordshire.
We’re also big admirers of the team at Waste2Taste. We’ve worked with them for several of our clinic events and love what they stand for – creating fantastic food whilst reducing food waste and supporting the local community. Businesses like these remind us that success isn’t just about what you do, but how you do it and the positive impact you have on the people around you.
What does being part of the Independent Oxford community mean to you?
For us, it means being part of a community rather than simply running a business. Independent Oxford celebrates collaboration over competition. We’ve met some wonderful people through the network who have shared advice, encouragement and support, and we’re proud to be part of a city that values independent businesses and the people behind them.
Healthcare can sometimes feel quite competitive, so it’s refreshing to be part of a community where people genuinely want one another to do well.
What’s a fun fact about you that people might not know?
We run a healthcare clinic together, but our favourite part of the day is still catching up properly once the doors have closed – preferably over a good coffee.
Tea or Coffee? Coffee ☕
Early Bird or Night Owl? Night Owl 🦉
Book or Film? Book 📖
