NHS sonographer Jenny Holt set up a private ultrasound clinic in March 2025 and has achieved a turnover of nearly £100,000 in her first year of trading.

The mum of three, who runs Tiny Toes Scan Studio alongside working part time at UHNM, says turnover at the Milton-based studio is on track to be more than £130,000 over the coming year.

She launched the business after spotting an ultrasound machine for sale online at an irresistible price and then storing it in her kitchen at home until she had found the right premises and got CQC permission to open.

Jenny said: “I took the plunge and set up my own business to provide exceptional care for patients – allowing them to share their pregnancy journey with loved ones with the hope to reduce the stigma attached to private ultrasound clinics.

“I started the business with nothing. I saw an ultrasound machine for sale on Facebook marketplace and decided it was now or never. We travelled to Liverpool to collect the machine and the next day we were driving past a shop in Milton available to let.

“After nearly 12 months of a rigorous CQC application- we got the go ahead to open in March 2025. Since then we have invested in a new ultrasound machine and moved to a larger shop enabling us to hire reception staff.

“So far we have scanned 1056 patients and continue to grow each month. We started with one member of staff. Now we have four. We are delivering high quality services to our local area, a service which is well trusted and highly reputable.”

Jenny and her team share moments of joy with many of their patients but they are also trained to work with people who have pregnancy complications and can provide treasured keepsakes such as heartbeat bears, videos and photos. They have also identified five ectopic pregnancies.

Tiny Toes Scan Studio has entered the Start-up Business of the Year and Small Business of the Year categories of University of Staffordshire Business Awards