In this episode of The Veterinary Insider Podcast, Dr. Bonnie Bragdon sits down with Dr. Mark Helfat, author of The Happy Veterinarian and founder of Veterinary Practice Transition. Dr. Helfat shares his journey into veterinary medicine, the value of independent practices, and how these businesses contribute to their communities. He also provides strategies for overcoming the challenges of selling practices, including NOLO practices, and debunks myths around ownership. The conversation addresses the corporatization of veterinary medicine and its impact on the profession. Dr. Helfat offers practical advice for valuing practices, securing financing, and ensuring smooth ownership transitions while maintaining the profession’s integrity. Dr. Helfat’s book, The Happy Veterinarian, is filled with actionable tips for thriving in veterinary careers. His website, Veterinary Practice Transition, connects buyers and sellers with tools for successful practice transitions. He also encourages listeners to explore his editorial, "Saving the Soul of Veterinary Medicine," on VIN for a deeper understanding of preserving independent practices. Tune in now! Listen on your favorite podcast platform or visit ivetinarians.org. Don’t miss this episode packed with insights, stories, and resources for veterinarians at every career stage! Full episode here: https://youtu.be/uSlruyhlfLA #VeterinaryMedicine #IndependentPractice #PracticeOwnership #VeterinaryTransitions #VetCare #TheVeterinaryInsider #VetSuccess

00:00 - Navigating the Transition: Self-Care for Retiring Veterinarians 02:51 - The Journey to Veterinary Medicine: Passion and Purpose 06:12 - The Impact of Corporatization on Veterinary Practices 09:03 - Corporate vs. Independent Practices: What Can Be Learned? 11:48 - The Future of Veterinary Medicine: Trends and Predictions 15:08 - Facilitating Practice Transitions: A New Approach 18:12 - Understanding NOLO Practices: Opportunities and Challenges 21:06 - Advice for New Owners: Starting Strong 24:00 - Emotional Aspects of Selling a Practice 26:56 - Success Stories and Mentorship in Veterinary Medicine 30:08 - Finding Happiness in Veterinary Careers: Alternatives to Ownership The podcast for veterinarians who own their medicine, their profession, and their success. The Veterinary Insider podcast is powered by the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association and hosted by co-founder and immediate past president, Dr. Bonnie Bragdon. The IVPA is the only association exclusively dedicated to keeping veterinary practice ownership a sustainable lifestyle and career option. Member benefits include discounts on products and services that drive practice profit, as well as opportunities to change the course of the veterinary profession.

In this episode of The Veterinary Insider Podcast, host Dr. Bonnie Bragdon is joined by Ashlee Moore, Loan Officer at First Financial Bank, to demystify the world of veterinary lending. If you've ever wondered about the intricacies of SBA loans, how to evaluate a practice for purchase, or how interest rates impact your borrowing potential—this conversation is for you! Ashlee shares her insights into financing veterinary practices, from understanding cash flow to spotting red flags in business valuations. They also explore expansion opportunities, pet resort investments, and how First Financial Bank supports independent veterinary practices. Whether you're considering ownership, expanding your clinic, or seeking financing tips, this episode provides expert advice and actionable steps to help you make informed decisions. Ready to learn the vital signs of a healthy veterinary practice and how to secure funding? Click here for the full episode: https://youtu.be/OB8IeMz5GWA #VeterinaryCare #PracticeOwnership #VeterinaryLending #PetHealth #VeterinaryPodcast #SBAloans #IndependentVeterinaryPractice #PetResorts #VeterinaryGrowth #FinancialPlanning

0:00 – Preview of Episode 0:20 – Introduction of Guest Ashlee Moore 2:28 – Inspiration to Become a Loan Officer 4:26 – Understanding Key Financial Metrics for Veterinarians 6:39 – Incident of Running a Personal Expense in the Business 7:46 - The Importance of Financial Documentation 9:40 – Checking and Verifying Numbers 10:44 – Reaching Out for Financial Leader 13:11 - Evaluating Practice Value and Seller Financing 16:00 – Navigating the Loan Process for Practice Acquisition 21:35 – Expanding Business Opportunities in Veterinary Medicine 23:56 – Exploring SBA Loans vs. Conventional Loans 26:12 – Current Trends in Veterinary Financing 28:36 – Right Time to Pay the Licensed Appraiser 31:47 – Advice for New Practice Owners 34:29 – Advice for Current Practice Owners 37:03 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts The podcast for veterinarians who own their medicine, their profession, and their success. The Veterinary Insider podcast is powered by the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association and hosted by co-founder and immediate past president, Dr. Bonnie Bragdon. The IVPA is the only association exclusively dedicated to keeping veterinary practice ownership a sustainable lifestyle and career option. Member benefits include discounts on products and services that drive practice profit, as well as opportunities to change the course of the veterinary profession.

Dr. Bonnie Bragdon is back with another insightful discussion on The Veterinary Insider Podcast, the go-to podcast for every veterinarian passionate about keeping veterinary medicine independent and thriving. In this episode, Dr. Bragdon sits down with Aaron Oaks, CEO of United Pet Care, and Heidi Sirota, Strategic Growth Advisor and Pet Insurance expert, to discuss transformative strategies for improving access to veterinary care. The conversation dives deep into critical topics like: Breaking down barriers to pet care access, The power of strategic discounting for veterinarians, Marketing segmentation and pricing transparency, and Solutions to help pet parents plan financially for their pets’ health This episode sheds light on the growing challenges of pet care affordability and offers practical, innovative solutions to help veterinarians build stronger relationships with pet parents while driving business success. Listen to the full episode now! https://youtu.be/OSm7_p5IpGs Don’t miss this enlightening conversation, brought to you by United Pet Care and the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association. Check out IVPA’s amazing benefits at iVeterinarians.org. #VeterinaryPodcast #PetCareAccess #IndependentVeterinary #PetParenting #UnitedPetCare #VetPracticeGrowth #PetInsurance #SpectrumOfCare #PetHealth 0:00 – Preview of Episode 0:24 – Introduction of Guests Aaron oaks and Heidi Sirota 1:20 – Strategic Discounting in Veterinary Services 3:03 – Understanding Customer Segmentation in Veterinary Care 6:10 – Consumer Perspectives on Veterinary Pricing 10:10 – The Impact of COVID on Pet Ownership and Care 12:11 – Barriers to Pet Care and the Shelter Crisis 13:54 – Incentivizing Pet Care Through Strategic Discounting 16:07 – United Pet Care's Role in Veterinary Practices 19:40 – Proactive Planning for Pet Care Costs 23:11 – Data-Driven Insights for Veterinary Practices 25:33 – Understanding Customer Lifetime Value in Veterinary Care 27:13 – Differentiating Insurance, Discounts, and Membership Programs 30:37 – The Role of Subscription and Wellness Plans 32:51 – Financing Options and Their Impact on Pet Care 36:22 – Navigating Digital Marketing for Veterinary Practices 38:41 – Improving Price Conversations with Clients 43:27 – Building Relationships Through Veterinary Care 45:41 – Streamlining Operations for Veterinary Practices 48:25 – Closing and Guests Contact Details The podcast for veterinarians who own their medicine, their profession, and their success. The Veterinary Insider podcast is powered by the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association and hosted by co-founder and immediate past president, Dr. Bonnie Bragdon. The IVPA is the only association exclusively dedicated to keeping veterinary practice ownership a sustainable lifestyle and career option. Member benefits include discounts on products and services that drive practice profit, as well as opportunities to change the course of the veterinary profession.