• Provides a Step-by-Step Roadmap to Successful Veterinary Practice Ownership

    Practical Business Guide to Starting Your Veterinary Practice offers the clarity, confidence, and practical tools needed to navigate this transition successfully. This real-world guide integrates medical expertise and business acumen to help veterinarians make informed, strategic decisions at every stage of their ownership journey.

    Through relatable examples, real-world scenarios, and actionable frameworks, the authors cover everything from defining your “why” and building your vision to developing budgets, managing finances, and assembling the right team. The Guide demystifies complex business processes while empowering you to chart a clear path toward sustainable ownership and long-term success. Designed to help veterinarians to start, grow and manage the practice of their dreams, Practical Business Guide to Starting Your Veterinary Practice:

    • Explains how to evaluate readiness, define vision, and align ownership goals with personal and professional values
    • Offers detailed guidance on choosing between starting from scratch or acquiring an existing veterinary practice
    • Breaks down essential budgeting, financial projection, and cash management principles tailored to veterinary businesses
    • Shares best practices for team-building, vendor partnerships, and operational organization to ensure smooth practice launch
    • Features real-world case studies that reveal common pitfalls and proven strategies for achieving profitability and growth

    Practical Business Guide to Starting Your Veterinary Practice is essential reading for veterinarians, practice managers, and veterinary technicians pursuing ownership or leadership roles. Ideal for veterinary business, management, and entrepreneurship courses in DVM and MBA programs, it also a valuable reference for veterinary consultants and financial advisors.

  • About the Authors xi

    Acknowledgments xii

    Introduction xv

    1 First Things First 1

    2 Define Your Vision, Define Your Dream 18

    3 How to Start 27

    4 Cash and Finance 36

    5 Starting from Scratch or Buying an Existing Practice? 51

    6 Budget and Projections 62

    7 Building Your Team 74

    8 Legal 112

    9 Entity Selection 118

    10 How to Choose Practice Management Software 121

    11 Financial Data 128

    12 Inventory 147

    13 What Is There to Know About Laboratory Contracts 168

    14 Payroll 173

    15 Benefits 194

    16 Fraud 206

    17 Marketing 235

    18 The Grand Opening, Your Time to Shine 246

    19 Congratulations, You Are Open. What Now? 250

    Bibliography 252

    Index 253

  • Jimmy Bell, CPA

    Is the founder of JF Bell Group, CPAs for Veterinarians, and former co-owner of a veterinary practice. With over forty years of experience guiding veterinarians toward profitable ownership, he specializes in simplifying financial operations and strategic growth.

    Mira Johnson, CPA, CVPM, MBA

    Is the managing partner at JF Bell Group. With a decade in veterinary finance and management, she empowers veterinarians to streamline business processes through automation and data-driven solutions.

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