The Veterinarian Success Podcast

What's the most important thing for a De Novo Start up in Veterinary Medicine? I'd argue it's ensuring you are in an area that:A) Needs Veterinary Services You ProvideB) Can pay for the work you provideSounds simple, but often this is left to chance and not focused enough to ensure you stack the odds of success on your side. That's why Pinpoint was created and founded to democratize the access to high quality data and ensure you can be confident when picking a location. I walk through in this episode how I'd do exactly that with the data available. Check out Pinpoint @ www.pinpointmypractice.comEmail - hello@pinpointmypractice.com - reference this episode for a discount on any report you purchase. Our Sponsors GuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) Granite Peak Associates

In this episode, I dig in and share my thoughts around the benefits and challenges with business partnerships. Business partnerships can take a lot of different roles. From a 50/50 active partner, minority owner, joint venture, or strategic partnership. I share some ways I view business partnerships being ideal for veterinary medicine as we move forward to allow for some semblance of a professional and personal life that works. I also share from personal experience where and how these relationships can go wrong. Book referenced in the episode - The Partnership Charter by David Gage. Our Sponsors GuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) Granite Peak Associates

In this episode I'm rejoined by Bobby Lind. Bobby was a guest on the show for episode #23. Bobby has been involved in the healthcare space for over 10 years, with a significant portion of his career dedicated to helping healthcare professionals with commercial real estate. During this time, he has helped numerous small business owners, including dentists, veterinarians, and optometrists, navigate the complex process of finding the perfect locations for their practices. Bobby has witnessed the critical role that real estate plays in the success of a healthcare practice. He saw firsthand how the right or wrong location could dramatically impact a practice's profitability, growth, and overall success. Bobby co-created Pinpoint to address the very challenges he encountered. Pinpoint was born out of his desire to provide healthcare practitioners with the tools and resources they need to make informed, confident decisions about their practice locations. In addition to his work with Pinpoint, Bobby is the founder of Rise Realty Partners, a commercial real estate firm that specializes in tenant and buyer representation. This episode is a great one to head over to YouTube and watch vs. listen to if interested in seeing the data. What is Pinpoint - the problems this offering solves.A case study and review of finding a location and the data you can extract. What's actionable with the data. Where to learn more and dig in. Also, there is a special offer if you listen to the end.Guest Links:www.pinpointmypractice.com (launching in early September)email: hello@pinpointmypractice.comOur Sponsors GuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) Granite Peak Associates

Today I’m joined by a repeat guest Dr. Phil Zeltzman - a polymath and veterinary surgeon. He’s joined me on episode #42 and #107. He is the co-founder of Chronos and SURGE. Chronos is a remote back-office solution for veterinary practices. SURGE is a community of ​​“MOBILE SURGEONS HELPING MOBILE SURGEONS”. Phil always a pleasure to connect and I get to share that with the audience this time. Phil's bigger macro and micro views at where things stand today in veterinary medicine. "Pet spend on a real basis (accounting for inflation) is down 20 straight months - this is worse than the Great Financial Crisis which was 19 months." - Phil's thoughts and does it feel that bad in the marketplace today?We chat Chronos - Phil joined me in episode #107 to talk about it. You’ve been talking about “reactivation” a lot lately and wanted to have you share more about that. Phil is the co-founder of Surge - which is a group of mobile and some B&M locations around the country. I was able to come to a meeting back in 2023 and loved it. Share a bit about Surge and how your GP peers can leverage and utilize what Surge has to offer. Phil's questions for me sparked a fun conversation. And so much more!!https://platform.buxtonco.com/Home/Share/mobilytics_09677F7889=

In this episode I opened up some questions to the Facebook Group and broader Instagram following and took those questions and answered them on this week's show. I'd always encourage folks to talk to a professional before making any decisions, again these are my opinions and not investment advice. The questions were as follows:What should the ideal savings rate be to get to financial freedom? Where are the areas in the investable universe today that are interesting - outside of bitcoin? What do you think about whole life IUL policies? Also how to best protect investments in uncertain economic climates (ie now)? Also how to structure generational wealth management plans?You see, all the posts about “real estate” is the best way to build long term wealth. What are your thoughts? Given economic uncertainty, is starting or buying a practice still a good idea today? What is one thing you learned about investing that you’ve changed your mind on the past couple of years? Our Sponsors GuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) Granite Peak Associates

In this radio show, I share a bit about where I am and what's happened over the past handful of months. The podcast has always been a labor of love, and the labor part has been the element most felt recently. I hope you can take something away from it, and excited to share some great conversations and updates soon!Our Sponsors GuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) Granite Peak Associates

In this episode, I’m rejoined by Dr. Lauren Jones she first joined me about a year ago in episode #190 - so for her full background go check out that episode. Dr. Jones owns Animal Hospital of Chester County and is a Director of Veterinary Medicine for Shepherd Veterinary Software. Lauren shares her new role within Shepherd and updates from our last episode. AVMA was about a month ago and I got her take on the event and feedback. Lauren shares some thoughts on The Atlantic & New York Times articles attacking and questioning why veterinary care is so expensive. We discuss the Veterinary Mom's Group & the support & knowledge it offers. Lastly, she asked a great question for me and entailing bitcoin. So we do a deeper dive on updates there. Guest LinksLauren's LinkTree Our Sponsors GuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates

Rhys Giannarelli who is the owner of Point Grey Veterinary Hospital in British Columbia. Rhys and his wife Dr. Carmen Chan have three veterinary hospitals in a very competitive market but have thrived as a private business. He joined me in episode 103 back in 2021. We talked about competing and beating corporate practices - growing to multiple locations - building strong teams - and why start-ups make more sense than acquisitions. He recently pinged me on a topic that sounds fascinating and we’ll dig into that today. What’s the latest update on things at the clinics and what’s your take?Where have things changed since 2021 - positive or negative?How he has adjusted or adpted leadership and management since we last connected.The project he has been working on - why and what it is. And so much more!Guest Linkshttps://www.ivmsolutions.org/aboutOur Sponsors GuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates

In this episode, I’m joining by Ryan Whitley VP of Business Development at RWE Design Build. RWE is #1 Animal Health Builder In U.S. with over 400 projects completed. Their projects have won several DVM 360 Merit Awards and Hospital Design of the Year. They have been in business over 25 years. So Ryan and team have seen, built, and consulted on a lot of projects.Ryan's path to joining RWE and the things he appreciates most about the team at RWE.Ryan's big picture view on where is veterinary medicine and design build at today. What’s is catching his eye.We discuss projects and the pitfalls he sees and what RWE works to prevent.Remodels vs. expansion - when is one the right or wrong decision and how do you approach each differently? We discuss “forever clinic” build/remodel and a 5-10 year then move project - how he helps veterinarians visualize and understand the difference in those projects?His question for me.And so much more!Guest Linkshttps://rwedesignbuild.com/Our Sponsors GuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates

Alright today I’m joined by two guests from Veterinary Innovative Partners (VIP), a network of 40+ veterinarian-owned-and-operated hospitals across nine states. Dr. Brett Shorenstein & Dr. Don Costlow. Dr. Shorenstein is a practicing veterinarian with 10+ years of experience. Previously an investment banker in NYC, he left the industry to follow his true passion of becoming a small animal veterinarian. Combining his financial expertise with veterinary training, Dr. Shorenstein focuses on cultivating a positive workplace culture and reigniting fellow veterinarians' passion for their work. Dr. Costlow draws on 30+ years of experience in veterinary medicine, practice ownership and business development to forge meaningful relationships with veterinarians. Dr. Costlow has owned and operated veterinary hospitals since 1997. We discuss:Brett's link between investment banking and veterinary medicine?What Don realized about his leadership style and changes he had to make as he grew hospitals? Their non-consensus views that the industry as a whole might disagree with them on?What do they think financially is still undervalued by most of the veterinary community? What VIP is doing to truly be different for veterinarians. Inflation and pricing and how they've approached it.What areas of veterinary medicine that they find the most interesting? Why? Guest Linkshttps://vip-vet.comOur Sponsors GuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates

In this radio show I review and update what the US Consumer looks like in regards to financial health. There were a variety of factors that lead to this being the focus of the week, but a recent conversation with an experienced practice owner was the ultimate push to ensure I recorded this episode. Links to the various links and data sources below. US Michigan Consumer Sentiment Article Credit Card Delinquency Total Debt Levels by Category Credit Card Debt Levels + GrowthIncome thresholds and spending IKEA warns of Economic StrainYOUTUBE LINKOur Sponsors GuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) OfferFirst (use code "VSP" for 20% off) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates

In this episode, I dig into the FIRE movement. Unless you live under a rock you likely know what FIRE is. FIRE stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early. It’s a movement that started back in 1992 when authors Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez used the term in their book, Your Money or Your Life. Their book asks readers to question how they think about their money and their values. I dig into the massive boom of FIRE writers, blogs, and resources. What FIRE gets right. What FIRE misses. What's happening to impact the idea of FIRE. Why bitcoin helps solve for the FIRE errors. How to Buy Bitcoin - https://www.swanbitcoin.com/isaiahD/Our Sponsors GuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) OfferFirst (use code "VSP" for 20% off) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates

On this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Stephanie Van Deynze-Snell she is veterinarian business owner and High Flow Coach & Consultant. She talks about #business, #wellness, #flowstate, #leadership, and #teamculture. Her experience in the trenches and through growth and leadership as an owner make this a fun conversation to get into. We discuss the following:An overview of her personal and professional story how she got to where she is today?What’s high flow coaching and why is it important and not some RAH RAH thing.How can veterinarians be at peak performance?What is active recovery and why it matters. While not the most exciting item within a business - why are Handbook & Training Programs the building blocks to make things happen?Flexibility in life is key - she has seen that be a bigger item in vet med - how her team has embraced that?A deeper dive into culture and the workplace - and understanding the humans you work alongside and how the outside world will always come into the clinic. How as a leader she has gotten real feedback from the team to improve? What’s worked vs. not worked.What haven’t I asked about that is on your heart or mind?Her question for me.Guest LinksStephanie's LinkedInStephanie's InstagramOur Sponsors GuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) OfferFirst (use code "VSP" for 20% off) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates

In this episode, I'm joined by Jake Jensen, DVM, cVMA, cVSMT. Jake is a co-owner of Janssen Veterinary Clinic (JVC). JVC provides Equine & Small Animal preventative health care, lameness, reproductive, internal medicine, dentistry, and surgical appointments. Jake is local to Central Indiana and someone I've been fortunate enough to get to know personally over the years. Jake shared some great thoughts with me over coffee and wanted to ensure we recorded an episode about it. Jake's veterinary journey and career path. Moving into veterinary practice ownership and lessons learned.His take on using the term "Pet Parents" A deep dive on the impact of the term "pet parents" Why veterinary medicine should consider the language used. How he reframes or handles the term in his clinic. Guest LinksJake's LinkedInOur Sponsors GuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) OfferFirst (use code "VSP" for 20% off) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates

In this episode, I'm joined by Meghan Bingham, CVPM. She worked in all areas of vet med, from Kennel to Technician to Receptionist, and eventually settled in as Practice Manager where she developed the business from just one vet to a 12-doctor practice. Then she transitioned to a Senior Operations Manager position where she helped 25 Emergency, Urgent, and General Practices to make then as efficient and effective as possible. She has served on the VHMA Board of Directors since 2021 and is currently the Vice President of the Houston Veterinary Practice Managers Alliance. Today, she is a Veterinary Consultant at Granite Peak Associates. We chat on the following:The one or two things from her story that she shares that helps explain her career in veterinary medicine best.What she thinks happens when veterinary clinics grow that’s most misunderstood?What is/are/was your favorite tool for training teams to keep the knowledge of the team consistent?Her role at Granite Peak and what has her excited about it.Her non-consensus view she holds about veterinary medicine.Her thoughts on what private practice veterinary owners need to know for success over the coming years.The soccer connection and interest shared.Her question for me and so much more! Guest LinksGranite Peak Associates Meghan's LinkedInOur Sponsors LifeLearnGuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) OfferFirst (use code "VSP" for 20% off) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates

In this radio show, I discuss failure and use myself as a great example of how many shortcomings can set the stage for opportunities and "success." I call it a therapeutic session of a show. Let me know your thoughts!Our Sponsors LifeLearnGuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) OfferFirst (use code "VSP" for 20% off) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates

In this episode, I’m joined by Emmitt Nantz. Emmitt’s been in veterinary medicine for almost 20 years, solving problems and building innovative solutions. Co-founder and visionary leader at Inventory Ally, a cutting-edge inventory management software solution designed specifically for veterinary hospitals. We’ll chat about this and a lot more.His background: how did you get to where he is today?How are they helping solve that with Inventory Ally?Can it help a de novo practice?What do the savings look like for a clinic?The issues with ONLY focuses on priceHow does Inventory Ally make money? How are you compensated?What’s most misunderstood about inventory?What’s a non-consensus view in veterinary medicine you hold - that others may disagree with?Guest LinksEmmitt's LinkedInInventoryAlly WebsiteBook Recommendation - Theory of ConstraintsOur Sponsors LifeLearnGuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) OfferFirst (use code "VSP" for 20% off) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Kurt Phillips. Kurt and I recently connected in person at WVC. Kurt owned City Way Animal Clinics until 2021 he sold the five practices. He’s also an entrepreneurial veterinarian and business owner outside of veterinary medicine. He’s always a Hoosier Native, although he calls Bend, Oregon home now. This was a great conversation about the entrepreneurial journey within veterinary medicine and the success and challenges of growing a team. Takeaways from WVC 2024.Dr. Kurt's early clinical experience & early practice ownership challenges. His first big mistake as a business owner.How confidence and independence helped mold him to be an owner. Early growth and the fracturing of his business partner relationship. How joining VMG and implementing EOS turned his practice growth up to 10.Building out the organizational leadership and processes. How he stayed connected to ALL the team as he grew to five practices. What he thinks is stopping veterinarians from wanting to own. And so much MORE!Guest LinksDr. Kurt Phillips LinkedIn Our Sponsors LifeLearnGuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) OfferFirst (use code "VSP" for 20% off) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates

In this radio show, I discuss my recent LinkedIn post that got a lot of traction. #veterinarymedicine - I want to see more private practice ownership and extremely bullish on folksbuilding this future in a variety of ways._________________ is stopping veterinarians from wanting to own their own clinic?What's your answer?It’s a hot topic - I’ve pounded the table on the topic since 2019 - it’s not easy, it’s not rainbows and butterflies - but darn, it’s worth it, and the amount of $ in the space more can go to veterinarians if there is a thriving private practice environment.I’ll have some guests on the show later via a roundtable discussion - that being said I wanted to discuss it on a radio show as I just got back from WVC, and I can tell you I’m extremely optimistic about private practice ownership and the models, offerings, and people doing cool stuff here. Some have been on the podcast others are future guests.Link to the LinkedIn Post Our Sponsors LifeLearnGuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) OfferFirst (use code "VSP" for 20% off) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates

In this episode, I’m joined by marketing guru Brandon Breshears. Brandon helps Veterinary Practices Get Better Clients. He’s the voice of the podcast - The Veterinary Marketing Podcast. He has written tons on the topic of veterinary marketing and is published author. He’s been highly suggested as a guest and glad to finally get time to record. This one DOES NOT disappoint. We discuss his VetMarketingGuru a GPT based on his podcast episodes (you should be checking this out) What podcasts he recorded that haven't been as downloaded but are packed full of actionable data?Who he'd love to have on his show - who hasn't been a guest.Overrated/Underrated veterinary marketing.Why retention marketing needs more focus within clinics. Are you providing features & info or insights & entertainment?His blueprint for a De Novo vs. Established clinic and the marketing plan.Why texting is wildly underutilized in veterinary medicine.What's your offer - how to build one. And SO MUCH MORE!!Guest LinksBrandon's LinkedInThe Veterinary Marketing PodcastOur Sponsors LifeLearnGuardianVets (be sure if you reach out to mention us for 50% off your first month) OfferFirst (use code "VSP" for 20% off) Shepherd Veterinary Software Granite Peak Associates