Nine Essential Steps to Get You from Dreaming to Doing
Becoming a practice owner is one of the most exciting (and complex) journeys a veterinarian can take. Whether you’re dreaming of a boutique mobile practice or a full-service hospital, the road to ownership comes with major decisions, strategy sessions, and yes—paperwork. But with the right planning and support, it’s absolutely doable.
Here’s a high-level look at the nine key steps we guide veterinarians through when building or buying their dream clinic.
1. Define Your Vision
Every successful practice starts with a clear vision. Are you opening a general practice, urgent care, or a specialty center? Will it be brick-and-mortar or mobile? In what neighborhood or town? Most importantly—why do you want to become an owner? Clarifying your “why” helps ensure you’re building something that aligns with your values—not just reacting to a tough employer or burnout.
2. Create a Business Plan (Even If No One Asks for It)
Even if lenders don’t require one, a well-thought-out business plan is your personal roadmap. Include your market analysis, services, budget, and financial projections. It’s a powerful tool for making decisions and staying on track as things get busier.
3. Know Yourself
What are your strengths? Where will you need support? A self-assessment—combined with understanding your risk tolerance and current financial standing—can help you identify what to outsource, what to improve, and who to have in your corner. Support from your family and inner circle is also critical.
4. Choose Your Ownership Model
Ownership isn’t one-size-fits-all. Will you be a solo independent owner, part of a franchise, co-own with a corporate group, or even set up an employee-owned practice? Each model has pros and cons—from autonomy to debt structure to long-term control. The key is choosing what aligns with your values and goals.
5. Buy or Build?
Some veterinarians buy existing practices and benefit from built-in cash flow and client relationships. Others prefer to start fresh with a de novo clinic and build their culture and brand from scratch. Associate buy-ins can offer a middle ground. Both paths require planning, but each has unique advantages and risks.
6. Build the Right Advisory Team
Veterinary-specific advisors make all the difference. Think CPA, attorney, startup consultant, lender, architect, contractor, IT, marketing pro, HR, and more. Surround yourself with people who know the industry and can help you make informed, confident decisions at every turn.
7. Lay the Groundwork
This is where your vision starts to take shape. Secure financing, choose your location, work with your architect and contractor, and begin the transition from your current role into your new owner responsibilities. If you’re remodeling or building, prepare for timelines, permitting, and vendor coordination.
8. Prep for Launch
Now it’s all about systems. Choose your practice software, implement payroll, write job descriptions, start recruiting, build your benefit package, and finalize your budget. If you’re buying an existing practice, much of this may already be in place—but new entities still require new accounts, payroll systems, and compliance planning.
9. Celebrate Your Grand Opening
Host an open house, partner with local pet businesses, and invite the community (and media!) to tour your new clinic. A well-executed grand opening builds buzz and positions your clinic as a trusted local resource right from the start.
Veterinary practice ownership is more than just a career move—it’s a chance to build something that reflects your values and serves your community on your terms. While it’s not always easy, it is absolutely worth it. With the right vision, support, and strategy, you can go from associate to owner—and love the journey along the way.
Every veterinary journey is unique—and we’re here to guide yours. Whether you’re still shaping your vision or actively scouting locations, our team specializes in helping veterinarians navigate the financial, operational, and strategic steps of becoming a practice owner. Let’s talk about how we can support your path to ownership with clarity, confidence, and pawsitive momentum.