The Veterinary Survival Show

At the Veterinary Survival Show, we're here to support our listeners through all stages of owning a practice... including the one that one wants to talk about, selling. Some may call it an "exit strategy", but we prefer the term master escape plan! We know it can be scary to think about parting with your practice, but we also know how important it is to be ready for anything. In this episode, cohosts Mark McGaunn and Jenni George discuss what to consider, steps to take, and more for implementing your master escape plan! 

The Veterinary Survival Show is BACK with our latest episode! This time we're talking about fees - the other F word! What is a fee? Why are they so controversial? Are there any instances where fees are appropriate? We're not giving anything away here, so be sure to listen in as Jenni and Mark break discuss their feelings about all things fee related!

The Veterinary Survival Show is excited to welcome Dr. Peter Weinstein to our Podcast! Listen in to hear his thoughts on the state of the today's veterinary industry and how it can (and should) change.

On this episode of The Veterinary Survival Show, we're super excited to chat with Michael Shirley, practice manager and founder of the Veterinary Leadership Book Club.  Just like we do, Michael believes in the power of positivity, and especially how books can be an excellent vehicle for that power! He started the Veterinary Leadership Book Club (VLBC) a few years back with a handful of members, which has now grown to thousands of book lovers across the world! This episode offers a whole lot of information, so be sure to catch it - we know you'll be picking up some of Michael's favorite books! 

It's time to answer YOUR questions again! We're back for PART 3! Co-hosts Mark and Jenni have decades of experience in their respective fields - so why not share some advice? We love answering your questions, so feel free to reach out to us at mcgaunnschwadron.com or deerfieldvetclinic.com. Be sure to listen in and learn something new!

Regular listeners to our podcast have gotten to know Veterinary Survival Show cohost, practice owner and certified practice manager Jenni George... but what about her infamous husband Simon? She's name dropped him a handful of times, so we figured it was high-time we let him join in! We're super excited to have special guest Dr. Simon George, DVM on this week's episode! Simon tells us all about what it takes to own a successful veterinary practice from the veterinarian side of things, sharing with listeners how he's learn to 'play to his strengths', and what he lets his team handle. We hope you'll join us and get to know the other half of the Deerfield Veterinary Clinic owners!

Join us for this episode of The Veterinary Survival show as we get to know Dr. Jeff Rothstein, Founder and Co-President of Mission Veterinary Partners (MVP). Dr. Rothstein bought his first veterinary practice within one year of graduating veterinary school and from that built it into a multi-hospital network, The Progressive Pet Animal Hospitals (PPAH) which he merged into MVP in 2017. Dr. Rothstein has been a long-time contributing author to a number of practice management journals. He has served on the Advisory Boards of Veterinary Economics and Veterinary Practice News. He currently is on the Board of Directors of Mission Veterinary Partners and the Professional Animal Wellness Group (PAW). We are excited to chat with him, so be sure to listen in!

Does the idea of taking on a business partner scare you? If so, you're not alone... and not wrong - it's a big deal! In fact, sometimes these 'partnerships' are referred to as 'marriages'.  Partnerships have great advantages, but should bot be entered into lightly.  In this episode of the Veterinary Survival Show, Mark and Jenni cover 17 characteristics that a business partner should have (and a few they shouldn't have).  Wondering what the pros and cons are of partnerships? We'll cover that too! This is one of our most information-packed episodes! Whether you're a veterinary clinic owner, or a recent vet school grad, you won't want to miss it!

The Veterinary Survival Show is back! This episode is all about the culture of your veterinary clinic... the 'culture' that can sometimes feel like a 'cult'. But is that a bad thing? We don't think so! We're looking at the 'good' side of cults here: comradery, unity, dedication, and a family that relies on each other - these are all traits that your clinic culture should be based on. As Jenni tells listeners, your culture can make or break your clinic, so you'll want to be sure that your culture is the best it can be. You may think that your clinic culture is already perfect, but - spoiler - there's no such thing as perfect, and you should be constantly working on your culture! There's so much to learn here! Whether your clinic culture is pretty great, non-existent, or a total 'dumpster fire' - be sure to listen to this episode!

Back by popular demand, it's time to get MORE administrative ducks in a row! Admin DOES NOT have to be overwhelming, but it certainly should not be overlooked. The Veterinary Survival Show is back to guide listeners through new admin concerns and how to handle them. If you've listened to part 1 (and if you haven't, you should!), then you need to listen to this episode! 

Does the word "inventory" fill you with dread? If so, then you've come to the right place! On this episode of The Veterinary Survival Show, co-hosts Mark and Jenni sit down with Nicole Clausen, CEO and founder of Veterinary Care Logistics to discuss inventory. Our chat with Nicole is packed with useful tips and tricks to help manage your inventory. Nicole has seen it all regarding veterinary inventory! She explains why inventory is super important, offers suggestions on how to make your clinic's inventory counts less daunting, and much more! You can't afford to miss this episode so be sure to listen in!

If you're a veterinary practice owner or manager (and if you're not, we're willing to bet you know one!), you know how much can be on your plate at once. Managers and owners are constantly wearing several metaphorical hats throughout the day. Between dealing with client interactions, upholding policies and procedures with staff, maintaining inventories, and much, much more, every day is an adventure! When things get busy, it can be easy to overlook the administrative side of things, but The Veterinary Survival Show is here to help! Cohosts Mark and Jenni discuss a range of admin items to help you stay on track. We feel so strongly about the importance of 'getting your administrative ducks in a row', that we're making this "part 1", so listen in, then be sure to catch the next episode as well!

Change: sometimes it's scary, sometimes it's great, but one thing for sure: it's inevitable. Change is happening all around us, and that includes within the veterinary community. From changing policies to changing employment mentalities, Mark and Jenni discuss the changing landscape in today's veterinary medicine. Listen in to learn what to be aware of, and how you can prepare for changes within your hospital. 

What are you doing to improve your bottom line? If that question caused you to panic as you struggle to come up with an answer, this episode is for you! In this episode of The Veterinary Survival Show, co-hosts Mark and Jenni cover 'common sense' ways to boost your bottom line. The best news is that these 'common sense' solutions are super easy, so anyone can take advantage of these tips! While Mark describes the financial advice he's given to clients over the years, Jenni gives examples of how these tips have worked well for her in her hospital. Whether or not you feel your bottom line can be improved, this episode is packed with useful information! Listen in to educate yourself on how to increase your bottom line, and keep your practice's finances in line!

Marketing-- where would we be without it? Marketing is an important aspect to every business, but it's definitely not as simple as it sounds. Who are you trying to reach, and why? What's the best way to market your veterinary clinic?  What are your overall marketing goals? What other things to do you need to consider before starting your marketing?!If this is all sounding overwhelming, fear not - our co-hosts Mark and Jenni break down the basics of marketing your vet hospital or clinic. Jenni details the who, what, when, why, and how of marketing, while Mark discusses his experiences and what he's learned along the way. We can all improve our marketing skills, so be sure to listen to this episode!

How familiar are you with your employees? Sure, you know their name and role within your clinic, but do you really know them? This episode of the Veterinary Survival Show takes on a long-awaited topic: personality types.Jenni takes the reins as she and Mark discuss personality types and why they matter. Our co-hosts have each taken the Meyers-Briggs-based test on 16personalities.com, and are eager to share their results (yes, even Mark who had his reservations about this topic!). Beyond traditional testing, how else can we classify employees, clients, and even ourselves? Jenni gives examples of various experiences she's had within her clinic and personal life, and how she's benefitted from a deeper understanding of the people around her.What is the Meyers-Briggs test? This personality test was developed in the early 1900's, and determines if individuals lean more towards... ... Introverted (I) or Extraverted (E)... Observing (S) or Intuitive (N)... Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)... Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)Each of the 16 total outcomes has its own unique personality, with its own strengths and weaknesses. If you're asking, "but does it all matter!?" Listen and find out! Don't forget to take the test to find out your personality type!

The Veterinary Survival Show welcomes guests Brad Berg and Heather Rinkol of PacWest Bank. Loans for veterinary practice owners can be intimidating, but with specialized lenders like Brad and Heather by your side, you won't have to worry. Our guests have decades of experience helping veterinary practice owners accomplish their dreams of building, expanding, and owning veterinary practices across the country. Cohost Mark asks the big questions he's been asked over the years by clients, while Jenni discusses her own lending experience. If you're ready to take out a loan to further your veterinary practice (or even if you're not quite there yet!), you won't want to miss this episode!

Policies and procedures might not seem like the most exciting part of your vet hospital or clinic, but there's no doubt they're super important! Policies and procedures bring order to the workplace, and consistency to your patient care. Cohosts Mark and Jenni discuss which areas should be addressed regarding policies and procedures, and why.  Jenni details the steps she's taken in her hospital to implement policies and procedures, and gives examples of how important specific instructions can be. Mark offers tips on how to make training more interactive, and who should be in charge of training new employees. If you're feeling overwhelmed with questions regarding your policies and procedures, you won't want to miss this episode!

Regular listeners of The Veterinary Survival Show will remember our previous chat about Profit Solver, the veterinary-specific program designed to boost profit. Steve Castillo, CEO of Profit Solver, was the very first guest on our show, walking us through the ins-and-outs of the program. Cohost Jenni was so impressed, that she decided to "take the leap" and sign up her vet hospital.One year later, she's ready to tell us everything! Was it worth it? (Spoiler: YES!!) What did she learn? What was the most difficult part, and most importantly, why did she wait so long to sign up?? In this episode, you'll hear an honest review of the Profit Solver process, and we bet you'll want to sign up yourself!

You've got (more) questions, we've got (more) answers! On this episode of The Veterinary Survival Show, cohosts Mark and Jenni answer more questions on a broad range of topics. Ever wondered if you can pay all your personal or corporate taxes at once? Mark opens by explaining the complications of doing so, and offers suggestions on how you should pay instead. Jenni discusses considerations surrounding starting a specialized concierge practice.  Next, we go over both the financial and non-financial actions veterinarians need to take, when their employer's practice is being sold to corporate and are feeling pressure to match the offer. Why would a veterinarian need disability insurance to take out a loan? Listen to find out. And finally, learn why we love when employers implement 401k plans! We're here for YOU and love taking your inquiries! Please leave us a comment on Facebook, Instagram, or reach out to us on McGaunnschwadron.com with your own questions.

This week The Veterinary Survival Show sits down with Colin Carr of CARR Healthcare Realty for a highly educational interview. Colin has been in the real estate game for a long time, but that's not the only reason why we love chatting with him. Just as host Mark McGaunn specializes in veterinary accounting services, CARR Healthcare Realty specializes in healthcare properties only. CARR's motto is helping people who help people, so they truly understand the unique challenges that healthcare realty presents. CARR solely works with buyers and leasers, never sellers, keeping their transactions free of conflicts of interest. Colin and Mark touch on a wide variety of topics, including common mistakes that new buyers or leasers make, tips on how to maximize profit, and what to look for in real estate properties. Whether or not you're considering a new property, you'll want to listen to this episode!

Nightmare clients - we've all had them. Whether they're unwilling to pay a bill, refusing to follow your protocols, or acting inappropriately in your clinic, those clients that 'keep us up at night' are never fun. If you've ever dealt with a client and thought, "I wish I could tell them to find a new vet clinic", The Veterinary Survival Show is here to let you in on a little secret: YOU CAN! We know that saying goodbye to clients can be an uncomfortable experience, so we're here to give our listeners tips on when and how to cut ties. We'll help you learn to take control of your client base, and keep the clinic atmosphere positive. Don't miss this episode!

The Veterinary Survival Show welcomes guest Sean Coyle of Simmons Northeast, to chat with co-host Mark McGaunn. Sean has been part of Mark's trusted group of financial professionals for close to a decade. He has worked as an advisor to veterinarians his entire professional career, first in lending and now as a transition consultant for veterinary professionals across the Northeast. Backed by decades of experience, Sean touches on a variety of things to consider for anyone thinking about selling or buying a veterinary clinic. Whether you're transitioning now or planning to in the future, you won't want to miss this episode!

What do most small practice owners think of when they hear "corporate veterinary medicine"? Cookie-cutter hospitals with no 'home town feel'? If you think corporate hospitals are 'the enemy', then you'll want to listen to this episode of The Veterinary Survival Show. Our co-hosts educate small veterinary hospital owners about how they can 'beat corporates at their own game'.  Mark discusses recommendations he likes to make to his veterinary clients, and how small changes can have huge impacts on your hospital's profit and value. Meanwhile, Jenni weighs in on changes she's made which have been inspired by corporate medicine, and the positive ways they have impacted her clinic. Listen in to learn how to strike the perfect balance between corporate practices, without sacrificing your small practice connection to your clients. 

In our last episode, we talked about the importance of paying your employees a living or 'survival' wage, but how do we reward those who go above and beyond? If your answer is, give them a cash bonus, you're right-- but that's just the beginning! In this episode, Mark and Jenni discuss a wide variety of bonus options to help motivate your team to work harder and stay with your clinic for years to come. Find out why creative, 'outside the box' bonuses are better than a 'one size fits all' approach, and what you'll want to keep in mind while designing your bonus structures. Whether or not you already have a bonus structure, you're sure to learn something valuable from this episode! 

We've all heard of minimum wage, but what about a 'living' or 'survival' wage? Raising pay rates can be intimidating, but the Veterinary Survival show offers suggestions on how to find extra money for employees (hint: Profit Solver!), and most importantly WHY you need to be paying survival wages. Mark explores the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a tool that shows just how far the minimum wage rate falls short. Meanwhile, Jenni discusses the positive domino effect that will result in paying a survival rate-- and you'll be surprised to learn just how far these actions go! If your employees don't feel that your hospital is THE BEST PLACE to work, then you can't afford to miss this episode!  

You've got questions, we've got answers! The cohosts of the Veterinary Survival Show love reading comments and questions from our dedicated listeners. With decades of knowledge between them, they've seen and experienced it all--now they're ready to answer your questions! From starting your own practice to paying off loans, and everything in between, these are the questions you've asked us to answer. Mark provides the financial advice, while Jenni chimes in with her personal experience on these matters. Didn't hear what you were eager to know? This episode theme is sure to the first of many! Leave us a comment on Facebook, Instagram, or reach out to us on McGaunnschwadron.com with your own questions.

Regular listeners to the Veterinary Survival Show know how important it is to have a great CPA like our cohost Mark McGaunn on their side, but who are the other key players in your 'financial team'? Join us as we talk with Andrew Ross, CFP®, a veterinary financial planner with Integrated Partners. Andrew dives into what future practice owners will want to consider before they pull the trigger on purchasing or starting a practice, as well as tips how to plan for the future-- both personally and professionally. Cohost Jenni shares her personal experience with working alongside Andrew, and how he has boosted her business strategy over the years. Mark gives his feedback on the importance of communication between the CPA, financial planner, and of course, the client. Don't miss this highly educational episode!

Mark and Jenni switch gears for this personal and this important topic: mental health issues within the veterinary industry. Whether you're struggling with your own mental health or not, you'll definitely want to listen to this episode. Hear from both Jenni and Mark, as they tell their own true stories of their battles with mental health, and how they've learned to fight back. In this discussion, the cohosts explain that 'looks and actions can be deceiving', and how to support your friends and coworkers who you suspect may be struggling. The Veterinary Survival Show hopes that we can do some good through this episode, by assuring our listeners that hope and support is out there.

The Veterinary Survival Show welcomes its first guest! Join us as we chat with Steve Castillo, CEO of Profit Solver. Never heard of Profit Solver? Now's the perfect time to get to know this veterinary-specific profit generating program. Discover how Profit Solver can help you and other veterinary hospital owners "find hidden money",  determine the true value of the services you're providing, and help keep your pricing competitive and profitable.  You can't afford to miss this episode!

You know your hospital like the back of your hand... but do you, really? When was the last time you really looked at (or listened to, felt, smelled, and yes, tasted) your clinic? What is the first thing clients see when they arrive at your clinic? Are there sounds or smells that raise concerns? Are you creating a comfortable experience for both your human and animal visitors? Jenni takes a deep dive into what your clients should (and should not!) experience when they visit. Find out how everything from paint colors to pet treats can enhance your patient experience, and keep them coming back on a regular basis. Your five senses tell you everything you need to know about patient experience at your hospital - and so will this episode! 

The hot button topic you've all been waiting for-- subscription based medicine! Forget what you've heard about subscription based medicine: Mark breaks down the stats on the current state of the subscription based economy, and Jenni gives her two cents on how current plans may impact today's veterinary clinics. Is subscription based medicine really here to stay or is it just a fad? What factors are there to consider when deciding if subscription based medicine is right for your practice? Find out why (or why not) subscription based medicine is right for you. Mark and Jenni give their own (and very different) opinions in this highly informative episode. Who will win this battle? Be sure and listen to find out!

If you own or manage a veterinary hospital, you're well versed in animal health-- but how familiar are you with financial health? What are KPIs and how closely should you follow them? How do internal vs external benchmarks differ? Who should you be comparing your veterinary hospital to? Learn how to navigate your own financial health with Mark and Jenni, as they discuss all this and more in this episode of The Veterinary Survival Show.

In today's digital age, things change fast. Don't fall behind: your online pharmacy will help keep your veterinary practice relevant. This episode will teach you how to take advantage of automatic services like auto-ship and auto-reminders. Find out what goes into maintaining your online pharmacy, and learn why your online pharmacy will save you time, save you money, and boost your profits -- all without handling any product. 

You've completed the education, you've passed all the tests, you've done countless hours of training-- and you've just achieved your dream of owning your own veterinary practice. Now you're chasing down unpaid invoices, resolving staff disputes, trying to stay up to date on veterinary laws.... the list goes on and on. Sounds like it's time for some help: enter the veterinary practice manager! Find out how hiring a practice manager will take the weight off your shoulders and let you get back to what you're best at--veterinary medicine. Certified Veterinary Practice Manager Jenni George discusses why a practice manager is so important for every sized practice, what to look for when hiring a practice manager, and what you can expect in return.

Taking risks can be... well, risky. Fear not: CPA and Certified Financial Planner Mark McGaunn is here to discuss which risks to take, and which to avoid. Hear about Mark's own history with financial risks, and why the benefits of risk taking may not be immediately evident. In this episode you'll learn how to assess your own risks to help you make smart decisions. And of course, Jenni's sage advice: everything will be okay!

Do you fear financial transparency? Many people assume financial transparency is 'all or nothing'-- but we're here to prove that the middle ground is the sweet spot! Jenni and Mark will discuss which reports you'll want to share (and which ones to keep private), and why. Find out how sharing certain numbers with your staff -- both successes and failures-- can motivate your team to achieve financial goals. 

Your veterinary team is your family. Just like any other relationship, you'll need to put in some work--but the benefits, both personally and financially, will far outweigh the effort! Learn why teambuilding is so important, and how simple it can be. Practice owner and Certified Veterinary Practice Manager Jenni George shares her tips on how to create a positive and safe work environment for all employees, and why your practice will thrive with a united staff.