We recently connected with Clint Latham and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Clint thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

My upbringing was challenging, marked by a strained relationship with my parents. Our communication ceased over a decade ago. As a child, the sound of gravel crunching under my parents’ car tires was a daily harbinger of the unpredictable nature of our household—oscillating between verbal and physical confrontations. Reflecting on my childhood, I recognize the hardships my parents faced. They emerged from poverty and difficult early lives, and despite their limited resources, they strived to do their best.

My father, a diligent master plumber, faced challenges in managing his own business. His advice to me, ‘CJ, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,’ resonated deeply, especially considering his struggle with interpersonal skills. This contradiction highlighted the significance of relationships in business, a lesson he understood but found difficult to implement.

These experiences profoundly shaped my worldview and professional trajectory. Early on, I realized a pervasive distrust of authority figures and felt like a mere cog in the corporate machine. This propelled my ambition to establish my own enterprise, one that values individuals beyond their numeric contributions.

Hard work has been a cornerstone of my journey, but fostering meaningful relationships and prioritizing the welfare of others has been equally crucial. My philosophy stands in stark contrast to my parents’ approach, focusing on the ‘3 P’s of business’: People, Purpose, and Profit, in that order. This ethos underscores the importance of collaboration and community in achieving success. Building a strong, supportive network, I’ve learned, is paramount—not just for personal gain, but for the collective benefit of all involved.

Clint, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I founded Lucca Veterinary Data Security during an extraordinary period: the COVID-19 pandemic. My motivation stemmed from a dissatisfaction with the prevalent culture in the Managed Service Provider (MSP) industry. Common issues such as poor customer service, subpar service quality, and excessive charges were rampant in the IT services sector. Amidst the loss of a job I was deeply passionate about—a position where I had envisioned concluding my professional journey—I conceptualized a new approach to IT services. This approach involved starting with fundamental cybersecurity, then allowing clients to scale their technological investments according to their specific needs.

My decision to specialize in the veterinary medicine industry was influenced by my extensive network in this field and my personal interests. Understanding the financial constraints typical veterinary practices face, with profitability often just around 20%, I saw an opportunity to make a significant impact. My affinity for pets, particularly dogs, and a longstanding fascination with science and medicine further fueled my focus on this niche.

What sets Lucca Veterinary Data Security apart is our commitment to transparency in how we operate financially. We avoid obscuring our services with overly complex technical language, instead opting for clarity and straightforwardness. Our operational model prioritizes keeping costs low for our clients while delivering high-quality service—essentially doing more for less, a principle that’s crucial in any business.

Another distinctive aspect of our company is our exclusive dedication to the veterinary medicine sector. Unlike our competitors who diversify across various industries, we specialize solely in veterinary practices. This exclusivity enables us to hone our expertise, develop industry-specific relationships, and provide services that are truly unparalleled in this field.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

This one is really important to me and super simple. Think of how you can help others first without any intentions of expecting anything in return. That last piece is super important. It may sound counter intuitive, because we all need something in return, paying clients. However, the people you help will never forget your kindness. And it may be a week or 3 years later but when an opportunity arises that they know is perfect for you. More than likely, they will send it your way. This is an amazing way to build a good reputation quickly.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

The initial phase of my entrepreneurial journey was challenging yet pivotal. In a significant personal sacrifice, I sold nearly all of my possessions, effectively eliminating my debts and overhead. This decision was driven by a philosophy I deeply believe in: the less you need, the more you can focus on providing value to your clients. I’ve always held that offering more value to clients than what you receive in return is a fundamental business principle.

To further reduce expenses, my wife and I moved into my in-laws’ basement. This period of my life was marked by both austerity and determination. A turning point came when a close friend, Josh Viasman, who had substantial experience in the veterinary medicine industry, showed faith in my vision. Josh’s support, both in belief and in the form of initial capital, was instrumental in getting my business off the ground.

Starting a business often requires resourcefulness beyond initial expectations. I discovered that by looking around and assessing what I had, I could generate some initial funds—every item sold contributed to my entrepreneurial dream. This process wasn’t just about raising capital; it was a testament to commitment and the willingness to dive wholeheartedly into realizing a vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lucca.vet/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clint-latham-j-d-19b90010/