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I came across this sentence recently: Delegate the thinking, not just the task. And it stopped me. Because that is the whole thing, isn’t it? We talk a lot about delegation. We talk about not being the bottleneck. We talk about developing our teams. We talk about wanting people to use initiative, solve problems and think for themselves. But then a team member walks into our office and says: “Hey, I have a problem.” And what do we do? We fix it. Of course we do. We are good at

As leaders, we naturally want to lead with empathy. We care about our teams. We want to understand what they are going through, both personally and professionally. And because we are leaders and problem solvers, we often feel compelled to remove obstacles and fix problems for them. But there comes a point where the empathy tank is empty. Everyone has their own struggles. That is part of life. But why does it always feel like it is on us to carry them? Why are we expected to s

If you spend any time in forums or ownership groups, you will see the word turnkey come up constantly. It sounds appealing. Who wouldn't want a practice you can walk into, turn the key, and start earning money from day one. And to be fair, most practices are technically turnkey. They have clients, equipment, staff, a lease and revenue coming in. That alone makes them turnkey. But here is the real question most owners never ask. Is the business owner dependent. Because while w

Every few months, another headline pops up saying vet bills are skyrocketing. Suddenly, everyone is asking if veterinary care has become too expensive. But maybe we are not expensive. Maybe we have just caught up. The cost of everything has gone up. Groceries, rent, insurance, you name it. So why are we surprised that veterinary care has followed the same path? Yes, our prices have risen faster than the GDP, and there are other factors pushing costs higher, like corporate con

I hear it all the time.If I can just hire another Doctor, everything will be fine.If I can just see a few more patients, I will make enough for payroll.If I can just add one more exam room, we will finally be more productive. Sound familiar? This is what I call slaying dragons that do not exist. You keep fighting battles that feel urgent but do not actually solve the real problem. You are trying to defeat something that was never the enemy in the first place. There is no fina

The veterinary industry is navigating a period of transformation. Over the past two years, growth that once appeared unstoppable has slowed, and the realities of inflation, workforce fatigue, and changing client expectations have begun to settle in. While the long-term outlook remains strong, the current environment demands a more deliberate and strategic approach from practice owners and leaders. Visits and Revenue Recent data show that patient visits per clinic have become

Ninety-eight percent of private practice owners I speak with have never had any formal business training. They went to vet school, became...

Budgeting Basics for Your Veterinary Practice Managing money in your practice can feel overwhelming but it does not have to be. The truth...

There was a time when veterinary medicine was considered affordable. It was routine to spay your pet for a couple hundred dollars....

How many people do you know who say they’re open to change? “I’m progressive.” “I love new ideas.” “I’m not afraid of change.” Sure....

Let’s get one thing straight. Owning a veterinary practice is hard. Really hard. And it’s okay to admit that you’re not doing as well as...

If you own a suitcase, you’re showing your age. Joking. If you’re like me, I saw my father carry his for most of his business life. We’ve...

If you don’t know where you’re going, how does your team? So, you’re a practice owner or a practice manager. Now what? You open your...

Let’s get something straight. If your job is to lead people, if you’re in charge of a team, even a small one, then your mindset matters. How you think about your role will shape everything: how you lead, how your team performs, how your culture feels, how you handle conflict, growth, burnout, and ownership. So here’s the question: Are you a manager? Or are you a coach? Because there’s a big difference. Let’s talk about the manager's mindset first. A manager is task-driven. F

Owning a veterinary practice has always been a labor of love. But lately, it feels heavier. It’s not just the economy, staffing...

There’s a difference between leading a team and managing every move they make. Leadership is about direction, clarity, trust, and...

We don’t like to admit that, but we all do it. Sometimes it’s small. Sometimes it’s systemic. Either way, those lies pile up. And before...

Leadership and management are often used interchangeably, but they are fundamentally different in their approach and impact. Management...

The veterinary profession is at a crossroads. The rapid surge in demand for pet care during the pandemic—a time many dubbed the "puppy...

As veterinarians, we naturally excel in structured, step-by-step processes. When a patient comes into the clinic, we don’t just diagnose...