Chapter 1: Is This the Right Move Right Now?

Before creating spreadsheets and starting to negotiate leases, it's worth a look at whether starting from scratch is the right plan for you.

What the job actually requires

Clinical skill and passion are important, but in order to successfully run a business, practice owners need:

• Veterinary expertise. Owners need to understand where the industry is heading.
• People management. Owners lead and motivate their team, as well as treat patients.
• Financial literacy. Strong financial skills are essential for overseeing budgets, cash flow, and profitability.
• Tolerance for uncertainty. Nothing about opening a practice goes exactly to plan.

Define Your Vision

A clear, specific vision makes every decision after this point easier: species, general practice vs. specialty, wellness plans, mobile components, emergency care, grooming/boarding, and client experience.

Goals beyond the practice

On average, U.S. practice owners spend about 22.5% of their time on operations, and despite that, 81% report being satisfied with their job and 73% with their lifestyle.

Related: 11 Benefits of Being a Vet

Is starting from scratch actually your best option?

Also worth considering: buying an existing practice, associate-to-partner tracks, and franchise or corporate-backed startup models.