Is Veterinary Practice Ownership Worth the Stress? A People-First Answer

Veterinarians often ask me the same question. Is ownership really worth the stress?

They tell me how much they hate their current job, how burned out they are, and how their boss is a total jerk. But underneath all of it is the real question. Will I be worse off carrying the stress and responsibility of practice ownership?

That question is funny to me now that I am on the other side of an acquisition but one thousand percent, it is worth it.

I am not discounting the work, the financial weight, the responsibility, the constant demand, or the veterinarians who feel differently. But after talking with hundreds of veterinarians and dozens of practice owners, one thing is certain. When a practice is run under a people-first model, owners are extremely satisfied with their decision. They are more profitable, less stressed, and have time freedom built into their everyday life.

What a People-First Practice Actually Looks Like

Running a profitable and enjoyable veterinary practice the right way, the first time, is everything. It requires compassionate management, detailed hospital systems, and a connected, empowered, well trained staff.

The veterinary industry acts like this is an impossible, unrealistic, naive goal. It is not. I have proven it inside my own hospital. Designing everything around the humans inside the building first creates a ripple effect of positivity, joy, passion, grit, and integrity throughout the culture. That ripple effect is irreplaceable, and the privilege of working inside it is priceless.

My staff gets a 4-day work week and 401k with a 3% match. Paid maternity leave. PTO. Overtime pay. Holiday pay. Bonuses. Little gifts of appreciation.  But more than that, they get an environment that fosters compassion and caring for each other.  We work collaboratively as a team, instead of a hierarchy.  Our staff are supported, trained, and encouraged to work to their fullest potential.  We invest our resources back into our payroll, so every day is manageable, versus just survivable. My hospital is proof that the people-first healthcare model, not only works, but creates a thriving successful private practice and small local community business. 

The Real Financial Picture of Practice Ownership

This year, my practice supported my family through my 12-week maternity leave, my husband's salary, our family's health insurance, 401(k) contributions, ownership withdrawals, student loan payments, vet truck expenses, and a route to several tax saving opportunities.

There is no comparison between the benefits of being a business owner in this country and being an employee. I have more than tripled my W-2 earnings from my early associate years.

Why I Believe This Saved My Life

Yes, veterinary practice ownership is worth the stress. But not just because of the income. The freedom, the flexibility, and the autonomy to make decisions that align with my values are what make every hard and stressful decision one hundred percent worth it.

I genuinely believe my purpose and passion are to serve my community by helping their pets. Every day, that is what I get to do, because veterinary business entrepreneurship saved my career, cured my burnout, and saved my life.

Ownership is not for everyone. But if you read this and leaned in, maybe, just maybe, veterinary private practice ownership is right for you. 

If that’s you but you have no idea where to start, I created Buy It: A step-by-step guide to veterinary practice acquisition.  Go from uncertain to confident and completely prepared to buy a vet practice as you are trained on the ins and outs of an acquisition, the lending process, and how to design efficient and profitable hospital systems. Included is a fully built hospital employee handbook, office manager handbook, and many more administrative documents and resources so that customization is a breeze compared to the workload of creating these critical pieces of hospital policy from scratch. 

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About Dr. Carlee Tucker | Veterinary Practice Rising

Carlee Tucker, DVM is a mixed animal practice owner in rural Kansas and the founder of Veterinary Practice Rising. She teaches burned-out associate DVMs how to buy an ethical, people-first veterinary practice with no MBA and no down payment through The People-First Healthcare Method.

FREE Practice Match-Up List and The People-First Healthcare Method: Buy It  linktr.ee/dr.carleetucker

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