SquareCatVinyl

49 Questions with Dr. Kurt Phillips

Outside of the animal clinics, Dr. Phillips has many different interests and hobbies, including being a co-owner of Square Cat Vinyl in Fountain Square. He is heavily involved in the Indy community and makes an effort to enjoy everything our city has to offer, from attending several concerts year round to going to Butler Basketball games, his beloved alma mater. Read Dr. Phillips’ interview to find out his favorite movie of all time, top vacation spot, how he defines success, his top places to visit in the city, and much more. We promise you will learn some fun facts that we welcome you bring up in your next visit to our clinic!

1. What was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
Dr. Phillips: I detasseled corn in rural Indiana in the early 1980’s in order to buy a new bike. As soon as I raised enough money for the bike, I quit and spent the rest of the summer riding my new tricked out blue Schwinn 10-speed.

2. At what age did you know you wanted to become a veterinarian?
Dr. Phillips: I told my mom I wanted to be either accutane acne therapy a dentist or a veterinarian when I was in the third grade. Then, when I was in the fourth grade, I had a lot of painful dental procedures done on my mouth by a mean and unsympathetic old dentist. From that point forward, I wanted only to be a veterinarian – except for that brief time in high school when I wanted to be the keyboardist for the 80’s band INXS.

3. What three words would you use to describe City Way Animal Clinics?
Dr. Phillips: Contemporary, Caring, Consistent.

4. What do you like most about City Way Animal Clinics?
Dr. Phillips: The downtown, urban, hip, fashionable, clients zaleplon online who love their pets as much as they love the people in their lives.

5. What is your proudest moment at City Way Animal Clinics?
Dr. Phillips: When, after two and a half years, we grew the client base at our Mass Ave location to the same size my Carmel practice was when I sold it after owning it for 14 years.

6. What aspect of being a veterinarian do you enjoy the most?
Dr. Phillips: Meeting new people and helping educate them to be the best pet parents possible.

7. How many donuts are you capable of eating in one sitting?
Dr. Phillips: Three. I usually want two (for variety), then I eat a third and regret it for the rest of the day.

8. What is the most recent book you read?
Dr. Phillips: Killing It, An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Keeping your Head Without Losing your Heart by Sheryl O’Laughlin

9. What is your all time time favorite movie?
Dr. Phillips: Footloose. Duh.

10. Who is your favorite actor of all time?
Dr. Phillips: Kevin Bacon. Duh.

11. Who is your favorite actress of all time?
Dr. Phillips: After seeing La La Land, I would have to say, Emma Stone.

12. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 things would you have and why?
Dr. Phillips: A piece of technology with Spotify loaded on it. My mini Bose speakers. A Moleskin binder and pen. (oh, wait. . . that’s four if you include the pen)

13. Favorite board game of all time?
Dr. Phillips: Risk.

14. If you were an animated character, who would you be and why?
Dr. Phillips: Roger Rabbit. Funny, Witty, Cute, Adventurous, Well Dressed, Romantic.

15. Do you have a favorite line from a movie?
Dr. Phillips: I have two:
“We are gonna need a bigger boat” – Jaws
“Donation?!! Donation???!?!!! I thought it was the trash!” – When the old man puts his half eaten chicken wing bones in the offering plate at church as it passes in front of him in Coming to America.

16. Any random facts you could share with us?
Dr. Phillips: I was a huge fan of George Michael in the 90’s and I’m not ashamed to admit it in the least.

17. Best vacation or travel spot?
Dr. Phillips: Our yearly trips to Siesta Key for Spring Break: sand, sun, cocktails, reading, sleep, and oysters on the half shell at Siesta Key Oyster Bar.

18. Do you have an office nickname? 
Dr. Phillips: Dr. P

19. Do you recall any embarrassing moments at work?
Dr. Phillips: The time my pants split right up the middle when I was squatting down to pick up a dog.

20. How do you define success?
Dr. Phillips: Contentment in your job. Changing the lives of people (clients and/or your team) on a daily basis. Comfortability.

21. If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day?
Dr. Phillips: Johnathan Mayers, Programming Director for Superfly Productions (the company that created and runs Bonnaroo).

22. If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Dr. Phillips: Kevin Bacon, Duh.

23. If you could only drink one cocktail or beer for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Dr. Phillips: Hendrick’s and Tonic with a splash of St. Germaine Liquer sitting on top with two wedges of lime. Or Miller Lite . . . in a can. It has to be in a can.

24. What is your current favorite place to visit in Indianapolis?
Dr. Phillips: Oh my! I don’t think there is enough space in this blog to even touch the surface here. So many awesome restaurants, live music venues, shops, bars, etc. I will have to go with my safe place: the place where I feel the most at home every time I step inside the doors; the place that makes me tear up with nostalgia and pride each and every time I hear the sounds and feel the energy of the building… Hinkle Fieldhouse on the campus of my alma mater, Butler University.

25. If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?
Dr. Phillips: The first Woodstock.

26. If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Dr. Phillips: Sushi.

27. If you were an animal what would you be?
Dr. Phillips: A Cedar Wax Wing – the most beautiful bird I have ever seen.

28. What is your motto or personal mantra?
Dr. Phillips: Know what you know, know what you don’t know, and know who knows what you don’t know.

29. What celebrity do people think you look like?
Dr. Phillips: Kiefer Sutherland.

30. What do you always want to try but have not yet?
Dr. Phillips: I used to say Indian food but had the opportunity to do that this fall.

Dr. Phillips with his Square Cat Vinyl partners

31. What is your favorite thing to do on your days off?
Dr. Phillips: Hang out at my record store, Square Cat Vinyl.

32. What is an ability you wish you had?
Dr. Phillips: To be able to play the acoustic guitar, by ear.

33. What is one item on your bucket list?
Dr. Phillips: An African Safari.

34. What is the first concert you attended?
Dr. Phillips: I’m embarrassed, but Cyndi Lauper and Eddie Money.

35. What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery?
Dr. Phillips: A beach house.

36. What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years?
Dr. Phillips: Work hard on your job. Work harder on your relationships.

37. What is the one food item that you can never resist eating?
Dr. Phillips: Doritos and sour cream.

38. What is one thing you can’t live without?
Dr. Phillips: My iPhone.

39. What is your favorite sports team to watch on tv?
Dr. Phillips: Butler Basketball.

40. What places do you like exploring in Indianapolis?
Dr. Phillips: Eagle Creek.

41. What is your hidden talent?
Dr. Phillips: Superior organizational skills. Oh wait. . . that’s not so hidden, is it?

42. What phobias do you have?
Dr. Phillips: Chickens, clowns, and people with fake eyes.

43. What musical artist are you ashamed to admit you love?
Dr. Phillips: Kanye West.

44. What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
Dr. Phillips: Own a bar – oh wait. . .

45. What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?
Dr. Phillips: Don’t worry about failing. It will make you grow and it will most likely not destroy you.

46. When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?
Dr. Phillips: At the Irish wake of my dear friend, John, who was taken from us too soon this past fall. 35 of his best friends gathered and the person telling one of many hilarious stories did a shot of Crown Royal in his honor. The rest of us toasted with our drinks in his memory. We were laughing until we were crying, then we cried for real, and then we laughed again. When I go, I want the same ceremony in my honor.

47. What is your current go-to place to eat in Indy?
Dr. Phillips: La Piedad in Broad Ripple. Best freakin cheap Mexican food in the city – maybe the country.

48. Where would you like to go on a dream vacation?
Dr. Phillips: Amsterdam.

49. You’re happiest when?
Dr. Phillips: My life is organized, music is playing, I have a Hendrick’s and tonic next to me, and I have no place that I’m required to be. This can be at home, on the beach, or in a bar. All are great choices.

Learn more about Dr. Phillips and his love of Indy in Episode 96 of the Drink Culture Podcast. (Recorded in 2019.)