Vet Launch

About Vet Launch

As veterinarians, we are trained to handle the most complex problems in medicine and surgery. So why is it that the moment we look at a business items that we feel like we’re back in first-year anatomy? The truth is, the same brain that understands medicine can understand business concepts. If you are a clinic owner, a medical director, practice manager, an aspiring owner, or even a lead tech looking to understand the mechanics of how a practice actually runs, you’re in the right place. Every week, we’re going to tackle a new topic in the business of veterinary medicine.

Publisher

John Younker, DVM, MBA

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

6 Jan 2026

Latest episode

15 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   15 Sept 2026

   How to Hire, Train, and Retain the Front Desk | Ep 19

   Debbie Boone never hired a CSR with a medical background, and her average receptionist stayed 15 years. In this episode, she breaks down how to hire, train, and keep the person who shapes every client's first and last impression of your practice.Debbie spent 23 years managing veterinary practices before founding 2 Manage Vets Consulting. She wrote Hospitality in Healthcare, co-founded the North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists, and has trained veterinary teams across North America on communication and client service.We cover where to find front desk candidates outside vet med, the behavior-based interview questions that beat hypotheticals, working interviews, onboarding that actually sticks, how fast to let a bad hire go, why she paid great CSRs the same as licensed technicians, and how to use recorded phone calls for coaching instead of surveillance.CONNECT WITH DEBBIEWebsite: https://debbiebooneconsulting.com (https://debbiebooneconsulting.com)Book: Hospitality in Healthcare (Amazon)Podcast: The BendLinkedIn: Debbie BooneNAAVR (North American Association of Veterinary Receptionists): https://naavr.org (NAAVR.org)TIMESTAMPS00:00 Highlight Reel02:44 Welcome and Guest Intro04:05 From Barbecue Ribs to the Front Desk07:06 What Clients Get From a CSR They Get Nowhere Else10:58 The Traits of a Great CSR13:13 Hire for Hospitality, Teach the Medicine15:05 Interview Questions That Predict Behavior20:36 Recruiting Outside Vet Med25:01 Hiring Mistakes and Why Diversity Pays28:14 Hospital Tours and Working Interviews31:30 Onboarding a New CSR33:22 Training Lists and Teach-Backs37:46 How Fast to Know, and When to Let Go42:47 Making Core Values Real48:34 Call Recordings as a Coaching Tool52:17 Pay, Train, and Retain: Why Her CSRs Stayed 15 Years57:19 Be the Best Hospitality Person in Your Hospital58:38 Where to Find Debbie

2. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Top 10 Myths of Veterinary Practice Ownership (Part 2) | Ep 18

   Top 10 Myths of Veterinary Practice Ownership (Part 2) with Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBAThink owning a veterinary practice is too expensive? Too risky? That now isn't the right time? In Part 2 of this conversation, Dr. John Younker and Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA finish busting the myths that keep veterinarians from making the leap to ownership.Here's the number that changes everything: veterinary hospitals have a success rate over 99.5%, second only to one industry (you'll have to listen for the punchline). One bank's default rate on practice loans is 0.15%, about the same odds as being born with six fingers. Meanwhile, a well-managed $2 million practice at 25% profitability puts an extra $500,000 a year in the owner's pocket.We cover why "too expensive" is a myth when you understand both sides of the P&L, how a profit and loss statement is just a blood panel for your business, when startups reach cash flow, niche practice opportunities, why you need a support team instead of doing it all yourself, and the mindset that matters more than any technical skill.Missed Part 1? Go back and listen first. We covered student debt, competing with corporate groups, balancing doctor and CEO, and the thousands of practices waiting to be bought.Connect with Peter at Veterinary Ownership Advocates: https://www.veterinaryownershipadvocates.comPick up his book, The E-Myth Veterinarian, or find him on LinkedIn.Timestamps00:00 Highlight Reel: You're Not Going to Fail01:38 Recap of the Part 1 Myths02:19 Myth: It's Too Expensive to Own05:42 Profitability and Controlling Expenses09:05 Niche Practices: Stand Out in Your Community10:51 Cash Flow, Working Capital, and When You Get Paid16:43 The Real Risk: A 1-in-600 Default Rate18:37 Build Your Support Team22:16 Mindset and Entrepreneurial Grit24:09 Myth: Now Isn't the Right Time26:34 Closing Thoughts and Resources27:19 Final Wrap Up: Share This With a ColleagueKnow a colleague sitting on the fence about ownership? Send them this episode. That's who we made it for.#VeterinaryMedicine #VetPractice #PracticeOwnership #VeterinaryEntrepreneur #VetLaunchPodcast

3. 

   1 Sept 2026

   Top 10 Myths of Veterinary Practice Ownership (Part 1) | Ep 17

   Top 10 Myths of Veterinary Practice Ownership (Part 1) with Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBAThink you can't own a veterinary practice because of student debt? Convinced you can't compete with corporate groups? In this episode, Dr. John Younker sits down with Peter Weinstein, DVM, MBA, to bust the biggest myths that keep veterinarians from making the leap from clinician to entrepreneur.Peter is a practice owner turned educator, co-author of The E-Myth Veterinarian, business and finance instructor at Western University College of Veterinary Medicine, and co-founder of Veterinary Ownership Advocates. In Part 1, we tackle the first myths on the list: student debt, competing against national consolidators, balancing the doctor and CEO roles, and whether there are actually practices out there to buy.You'll learn why banks consider student loans "a ticket to the show," why an independent practice is a speedboat next to a corporate tanker, the three hats every owner wears, and why roughly 7,000 baby boomer-owned practices are waiting for their next owner.Connect with Peter and learn more about practice ownership at Veterinary Ownership Advocates: https://www.veterinaryownershipadvocates.com (https://www.veterinaryownershipadvocates.com)Timestamps00:00 "I'll Just Say Bull": Why Now Is the Time to Own02:30 Welcome and the Myth List03:34 Myth 1: My Student Debt Disqualifies Me06:52 Cash, Credit Scores, and What Banks Actually Want08:57 The Ownership Wealth Mindset10:28 Myth 2: I Can't Compete with Corporate15:48 Speedboat vs. Tanker: The Independent Advantage16:50 They're Sprinting, You're Running a Marathon17:21 Myth 3: I Can't Be a Doctor and a CEO20:14 The Three Hats: Technician, Manager, Entrepreneur23:50 Building Your Leadership Learning Library26:03 Myth 4: There Are No Practices to Buy32:04 Buy vs. Start from Scratch: The Tradeoffs34:21 Your Associate Is Your Exit Strategy36:30 The Three-Doctor Sweet Spot37:07 Wrap Up and What's Coming in Part 2Subscribe for Part 2, where we bust the rest of the myths holding veterinarians back from ownership.#VeterinaryMedicine #VetPractice #PracticeOwnership #VeterinaryEntrepreneur #VetLaunchPodcast

4. 

   18 Aug 2026

   How To Manage Bank Accounts and Cash Flow | Ep 16

   The exact cash flow system John Younker, DVM, MBA uses in his own veterinary practices: one credit card, two bank accounts, and a simple rule for paying yourself. No finance degree required.In this episode, Dr. Younker covers how to pay your expenses, where your cash should sit, and how to pay yourself, including:Why every expense goes on a business credit card you pay in full each month, and the exceptions to that ruleHow to stack your distributor's payment terms with your card's billing cycle so inventory doesn't pull cash out of your account for two months or moreWhen a prompt-pay discount beats your credit card rewardsSimple theft prevention: employee card limits, deposit-only bank access, and the two-signature cash drawer ruleHow much to keep in checking (125 to 150% of monthly expenses) and high-yield savings (3 to 6 months)The monthly sweep that turns idle cash into passive incomeWhen to ask your accountant for a tax projectionPaying cash vs. taking a loan for equipment and renovationsHow to pay yourself with owner distributionsTimestamps:00:00 Cash Flow Plumbing01:42 Pay Expenses by Card02:48 Four Card Benefits07:01 Float System Tips08:48 Exceptions and Vendors10:16 Security and Controls13:31 High Yield Savings14:30 Bucket Cash System16:12 Taxes CapEx Distributions18:42 Wrap Up and Next StepsRelated episodes:Episode 9: GPOs and Pharmaceutical VendorsEpisode 11: Business Entities and Tax Structures for VeterinariansEpisode 15: Business Insurance and Workers' CompensationHave a question? Reach out to Dr. John Younker on LinkedIn or Instagram. And if this episode helped you, follow the show and leave a review. It's the best way to help other veterinary entrepreneurs find it.This episode is for general education only and isn't financial, tax, or legal advice. Your numbers are your own, so run them with your CPA and financial advisor.#VetMed #PracticeOwnership #CashFlow

5. 

   3 Aug 2026

   Workers' Comp and Business Insurance for Veterinarians | Ep 15

   On the Vet Launch Podcast, Dr. John Younker interviews Rod Finnegan of VetInsure about essential insurance for starting and growing a veterinary clinic, with a focus on workers’ comp and business insurance. Rod shares a client story where increasing employee dishonesty coverage prevented a major shortfall after a practice administrator change led to $80,000–$90,000 in theft. They outline insurance needs across a startup timeline, including general liability for leased space, builder’s risk during buildout, business owner policies as equipment arrives, and when to add workers’ comp. Rod explains workers’ comp basics, state differences, class codes, payroll-based pricing, audits, billing options, claims impact, experience modifiers, and how 1099 relief vets are treated. They also discuss executive risk like employment practices liability, real estate ownership considerations, animal bailee coverage, cyber insurance risks and statistics, and why vet-specialized independent brokers and umbrellas matter. CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction02:03 Dodging a Bullet03:24 The $80,000 Employee Theft Story08:17 Required Insurance to Open10:09 Buildout and Loan Protections11:34 When to Add a Business Owner Policy13:02 Workers' Comp Basics and Rates17:19 Billing, Audits and Renewals18:52 Claims Impact on Premiums21:11 Pay Out of Pocket or File?24:16 1099 Relief Vets and Audits26:14 How Often to Shop Insurance28:40 Employment Lawsuits and Executive Risk30:54 Owning the Building and Liability34:14 Animal Bailee and Lost Pets37:21 Cyber Insurance Reality Check41:33 Broker vs Direct and the Vet Niche44:22 Umbrellas and Personal Protection46:43 Final Advice: Don't PanicROD FINNEGAN AND VETINSUREInsurance and consulting built specifically for veterinary hospitals.https://vetinsure.com (https://vetinsure.com)https://vetinsure.com/contact (https://vetinsure.com/contact)Vet Launch is a podcast for veterinarians who own or are about to own an independent practice. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode.Educational only, not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Insurance requirements vary by state. Talk to a licensed agent about your own practice.#VetMed #VeterinaryPractice #PracticeOwnership

6. 

   14 Jul 2026

   When can I start to pay myself in a veterinary startup? | Ep. 14

   When can I start to pay myself in a veterinary startup? In this episode, I walk through a break-even analysis, the simple financial model that answers this question with a real number: about 9 patients per day in our example model.Most veterinary founders go months without a paycheck and have no idea when that ends. I've lived it. In this episode, I give you a mathematical framework that turns that anxiety into a number you can count patients toward, using a real-world startup model built with Professor Jeff Sanford at the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine.What you'll learn: break-even analysis explained with a simple lemonade stand, fixed vs. variable costs, how to calculate startup payroll and rent, contribution margin, the break-even math ($441K in fixed costs = about $604K in revenue = 9 patients a day), and how many patients per day it takes to pay yourself $100K, $250K, or $500K.Want a copy of the break-even spreadsheet? Follow the show and DM me on Instagram or LinkedIn at VetLaunch and I'll send it to you.Episodes mentioned: Episode 3 (The Anatomy of a Veterinary Startup Loan), Episode 4 (How to Find a Location for Your Veterinary Startup), Episodes 12 and 13 (How to Read a P&L and overhead costs).Break-even model courtesy of Jeff Sanford, MBA (UGA College of Veterinary Medicine) and Dr. John Younker, DVM, MBA.This episode is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Run this analysis with your own costs and consult your accountant or financial advisor.

7. 

   30 Jun 2026

   Why This $3.2M Vet Practice Still Loses Money (How to Fix a Bad P&L) | Ep. 13

   What separates a vet practice that clears $600K a year from one losing money on the same revenue? It's not what you'd think.John Younker, DVM, MBA sits down with Professor Jeff Sanford, MBA of the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine to break down two real veterinary practice P&Ls, line by line. Same size. Same type of clinic. Wildly different outcomes. One we call "Sad Times." The other, "Good Times."Professor Sanford's has analyzed well over 1,000 veterinary practices, and in this episode he shows you exactly where the money leaks out and how to plug it, using one simple framework: the 20/40/15 rule.Here's the gut punch. The "Sad Times" clinic does $3.2M in revenue and still loses money. Cost of goods running near 29%. Payroll at 53% with underutilized doctors and too many bodies on the schedule. Overhead creeping up everywhere, including a $100K professional fees line that made Jeff's jaw drop. This owner should be clearing $600K a year. Instead they're in the red.Then we flip to "Good Times," a $3.7M practice that does it right: monthly financials, weekly KPI meetings, COGS near 22%, payroll near 36%, and roughly $783K in EBITDA. Same effort. Completely different result. The difference is discipline.In this episode you'll learn:The 20/40/15 benchmark that tells you in 30 seconds if your practice is healthyWhy COGS is the expense you have the MOST control over (and how to fix it in 90 days)The inventory behaviors quietly inflating your drug spendWhy discounting is "the cigarette smoking of the vet world"How to spot overhead creep, renegotiate fees, and catch fraud before it costs youThe DVM-to-CEO transition that stalls most practices around $3MNew to reading a P&L? Start with Episode 12, where John walks through the basics: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4RN4iceccRrw4IdxPWAgg7?si=YMWRysSmRwqcJtDyiDudAA (https://open.spotify.com/episode/4RN4iceccRrw4IdxPWAgg7?si=YMWRysSmRwqcJtDyiDudAA)🎧 Subscribe for more practical finance for veterinary practice owners. No jargon, no MBA required.CHAPTERS00:00 Tale of Two P&Ls01:11 Podcast Intro and Guest03:46 P&L Buckets Explained05:56 Benchmarks and Percentages09:28 Sad Times Practice Setup11:22 Revenue Trends Breakdown12:53 COGS Deep Dive16:26 Inventory and Pricing Fixes26:22 Payroll Problems and Capacity33:12 Owner Pay and DVM to CEO38:44 Overhead Next Steps38:53 Overhead Expense Creep40:28 Big Overhead Outliers41:30 Professional Fees Shock45:19 Negotiating Bank Fees47:34 Rent Fixed Costs48:17 Expense Discipline Fraud49:01 EBITDA Explained49:46 Why EBITDA Is Negative52:42 Depreciation Passive Income55:49 Sad Times Recap57:18 Good Times Systems59:03 Good Times COGS01:01:04 Payroll Utilization Wins01:04:27 Overhead Normalization01:06:42 Good Times EBITDA Gap01:08:00 Owner Playbook Wrap

8. 

   17 Jun 2026

   Episode 12: How to Read a Veterinary Practice Profit & Loss Statement (P&L)

   How to Read a Veterinary Practice Profit & Loss Statement (P&L): Benchmarks, EBITDA, and Monthly DecisionsJohn Younker, DVM, MBA explains how veterinary practice owners can read and use a profit and loss (P&L) statement to make better business decisions. He uses an analogy comparing it to a car’s speedometer with profit at the bottom, revenue pushing up and expenses pulling down. He clarifies why profit on a P&L won’t match cash in the bank due to debt principal payments and capital expenses, and notes cash flow statements and balance sheets cover those areas. He breaks P&L rows into four expense groups—COGS, payroll, overhead, and other expenses—then defines EBITDA and how it’s used for performance comparisons and practice valuation. He recommends getting the P&L by the 15th monthly, reviewing it with a practice manager, and tracking six key numbers with benchmarks: revenue, COGS (20–23%), total payroll (≤40%), staff payroll (14–20%), overhead (~15%), and EBITDA (20–25%).00:00 Financial Literacy Wakeup01:25 P&L as Dashboard02:37 Profit vs Cash03:36 P&L Layout Benchmarks04:45 Expense Groups Overview05:02 COGS Explained06:01 Payroll and Owner Pay06:31 Overhead and EBITDA08:20 Other Expenses Net Income09:29 Monthly Review System10:25 Six Numbers to Track11:44 The 20 40 15 Rule12:30 Revenue Trend Checks13:04 COGS Control Levers14:46 Total Payroll Ceiling15:15 Staff Payroll Fixes16:58 Associate Pay Hiring19:38 Overhead Fixed Costs20:37 EBITDA vs Net Income22:25 Benchmarks and Tradeoffs23:32 TLDR Checklist26:35 Wrap Up Next Steps

9. 

   28 May 2026

   Episode 11: Business Entity & Tax Strategy for Veterinarians

   Business Entities & Tax Strategy for Veterinary Practice OwnersDr. John Younker continues his Vet Launch Podcast conversation with Ruben Cruz of Crulliance Accounting (https://crulliance.com/) on business entities and tax structures for veterinary practice owners, explaining how entity choice affects liability protection and taxes. They compare sole proprietorships, LLCs, S corps, partnerships, and why C corps are uncommon, including when to make an S corp election to potentially reduce payroll taxes and the importance of setting reasonable compensation to avoid IRS reclassification and penalties. They cover using payroll providers, paying quarterly estimated taxes, and tax planning over multiple years. The episode explains depreciation, Section 179/bonus depreciation, and when accelerating deductions makes sense, plus cost segregation studies for owned commercial property and why real estate is often held in a separate LLC. They discuss legitimate strategies like the Augusta rule and hiring children, warn against running personal expenses through the business, and emphasize coordination between a CPA and financial advisor.00:00 Welcome Back And Agenda01:58 What Is A Business Entity03:31 Entity Types Explained06:51 When To Elect S Corp11:07 Costly Entity Mistakes12:21 Planning For Sale And Real Estate14:49 Reasonable Compensation Rules19:14 Payroll Setup Best Practices21:56 Quarterly Estimated Taxes25:24 Depreciation And Section 17928:02 CapEx Vs OpEx And Cash Flow30:42 Depreciation Timing Strategy33:26 Cost Segregation Basics36:26 Augusta Rule Explained37:54 Hiring Your Kids Legally40:36 Personal Expenses Warning44:25 Social Media Tax Myths47:01 CPA and Advisor Alignment52:00 Day One Setup Blueprint54:40 TLDR Entity and Tax Recap59:49 Final Takeaways and Outro

10. 

    19 May 2026

    Episode 10: How to Choose an Accountant for Your Veterinary Practice

    How to Choose an Accountant for Your Veterinary Practice (Vet Launch Podcast Ep. 10)Dr. John Younker interviews Ruben Cruz, CPA and founder of Cruliance (https://crulliance.com/ (https://crulliance.com/)), about choosing the right accountant for veterinary practice owners and startups. They explain key accounting roles (bookkeeper, CPA, tax strategist, managerial accountant, enrolled agent), why accurate bookkeeping matters, and why vets often should not do books in-house due to rework and poor data. They recommend interviewing 2–3 firms at least three months before opening, often choosing a veterinary specialist over a generalist, and clarify that remote firms can still handle state compliance. They outline what "proactive" accounting looks like, interview questions and red flags, common pricing models (hourly, fixed-fee, value-based), and onboarding expectations. They discuss simplifying cash flow with electronic payments, maintaining three months of reserves, paying yourself via payroll or distributions based on entity setup, using standardized chart of accounts for benchmarking, and receiving monthly P&Ls by the 15th.00:00 Who Should Do the Books00:59 Vet Financial Scorecard Basics01:18 Episode Intro and Roadmap02:58 Accounting Roles Explained05:56 Bookkeeping Setup Choices08:50 Owner Time vs Outsourcing09:53 When to Hire an Accountant10:46 Specialist vs Generalist12:21 Do You Need Local14:19 Proactive Accountant Defined16:12 Interview Red Flags17:06 Billing Models in 202618:56 Onboarding New vs Switch20:54 Monthly Reporting Rhythm22:04 Simplify Payments23:17 Credit Card Workflow26:16 Accounts and Reserves27:51 Owner Pay Mechanics30:12 Financial Statements Basics31:59 Monthly P&L Cadence34:44 Benchmarking Chart Accounts37:32 AI in Accounting39:44 Choosing the Right Accountant40:55 TLDR Key Takeaways

11. 

    5 May 2026

    Episode 9: How to Choose a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO)

    Veterinary GPOs Explained: Discounts vs Rebates, Membership Fees, Vendor Alignment & Real Savings (with Vetcelerator CEO Drew Bartholomew)On the Vet Launch Podcast, host Dr. John Younker interviews Drew Bartholomew, CEO of Vetcelerator (https://vetcelerator.com/) , to explain how veterinary group purchasing organizations (GPOs) work and how independent practices can choose and use them effectively. They compare GPOs and break down the three core value mechanisms—membership fees, rebates, and upfront discounts—emphasizing that vendor alignment (matching a GPO to what’s already on your shelf) determines whether savings are realized. Bartholomew explains why rebates can fail in day-to-day workflow because true net pricing isn’t visible at ordering, cites a VHMA survey showing many practices don’t know their savings, and estimates potential savings from $0 to about $2,000 per month per doctor. They discuss stacking GPOs, “primary” status, contractual terms and clean exits, adjacent services (study groups, coaching, marketing, etc), Vetcove’s role in reducing search costs, and key takeaways on standardizing formularies and avoiding duplicate products.00:00 How GPOs Work01:08 Podcast Intro and Guest02:49 Drew Background and Vetcelerator04:01 GPO Basics and Supplier Power06:09 GPO + Costco Model Explained07:41 Fees Rebates and Discounts09:40 Why Discounts Beat Rebates13:36 Measuring Savings and Deals16:48 Typical Savings and Membership Fees19:28 P&L Levers and COGS Focus23:27 How GPOs Choose Vendors26:49 Exclusivity And Primary29:06 Stacking Multiple GPOs31:07 Choosing The Right GPO32:25 Formulary Tradeoffs Framework36:56 Value Add Beyond Discounts39:49 Vetcove Price Aggregators43:38 Direct To Clinic Shift45:30 Exiting And Reviewing Contracts47:15 TLDR And Final Takeaways

12. 

    27 Apr 2026

    Episode 8: How To Negotiate Lab Agreements

    How to Negotiate Lab Agreements: This is the episode that your sales rep would prefer you not listen to...Dr. John Younker breaks down how multi-year veterinary diagnostic lab agreements work and argues they function more like debt instruments than simple equipment deals, driven by minimum purchase commitments, exclusivity clauses, equipment “rental” structures, breach/acceleration penalties, and personal guarantees. He explains the vendors’ recurring-revenue business model and why their margins create negotiating room, then outlines how to evaluate offers by calculating net monthly obligation and benchmarking minimums against typical diagnostic spend (about 15–18% of gross revenue). He flags major risk clauses like price escalators, auto-renewal, and confidentiality, and recommends negotiating through a group purchasing organization for significantly better per-test pricing, gathering competing proposals from major vendors, using objective criteria and walkaway leverage, aiming for downside protection on minimums, pushing for hard price caps, and removing auto-renewal.00:00 Why Lab Deals Feel Secret03:07 Lab Contracts Are Debt04:45 Vendor Business Model Math09:19 Five Common Contract Mechanisms09:42 Minimums And Exclusivity12:08 Equipment And Breach Penalties16:58 Personal Guarantee Explained19:46 How to Compare Offers with Math23:06 Hidden Risk Clauses24:33 Negotiation Strategy Basics24:40 GPOs And Competitive Bids34:46 Key Asks Price Caps Renewals37:35 Why Savings Raise Value39:17 TLDR Summary and Share

13. 

    31 Mar 2026

    Episode 7: How to Set Veterinary Prices

    Pet owners spent over $140 billion on their animals last year. Veterinary revenue is up 40% since 2019. And yet practice profit margins just hit a 10-year low. Patient visits are down. Labor is consuming 40–50 cents of every dollar before you pay for a single drug or a square foot of rent. Something is structurally wrong — and it is not the demand side.The problem is pricing. Not volume.In this episode, John Younker, DVM, MBA breaks down exactly how to price everything in a veterinary practice — pharmacy, preventatives, labs, services, and surgery — using a math-based framework that works whether you are a first-year startup or a ten-doctor hospital. No guessing. No copying the clinic down the street. A system built from the ground up on what your specific practice actually needs to generate to stay financially healthy.You will learn: — Why the "parking meter" mental model changes how you think about every service you perform — The four economic zones of a veterinary practice and why each one prices differently — The exact multipliers and fees for oral meds, injectables, preventatives, labs, and OTC items — and the math behind each one — How to calculate your DVM and tech per-minute revenue targets from your own revenue goal — Why "shopped" services like exams and vaccines price differently than "unshopped" services like surgery and diagnostics — The most common surgery pricing mistake that costs practices thousands of dollars per procedure — How to start fixing your fee schedule this week without overhauling everything at onceIf you have ever shaved an estimate before the client saw it, guessed at a procedure fee, or charged the same thing you charged three years ago — this episode is for you.00:00 Revenue Up, Visits Flat — the paradox nobody is talking about01:14 The Profit Squeeze — how margins hit a 10-year low02:23 The Pricing Problem — why most fee schedules are just guesses04:24 The Parking Meter — what your practice costs per minute to operate07:00 Discounting and Cross-Subsidy — what happens when one service covers another's losses09:24 The Four Economic Zones — pharmacy, labs, services, and surgery09:58 Pharmacy Pricing Math — the framework that applies to every drug you dispense10:44 Oral Medications — the 2x multiplier and why the dispensing fee is not optional14:06 Injectables — why the 2.5x multiplier exists and what the admin fee is really for17:16 Preventatives — the Chewy problem and why matching market price is a strategy, not a concession20:04 Lab Pricing — the Three Tolls framework for in-house and reference lab fees24:21 Diagnostics — where your pricing power actually lives25:28 Service Pricing — the hardest category to price and why25:50 The Profit Pie — industry benchmarks for where every dollar should go26:51 Billable Minutes Math — how to calculate your true revenue-producing minutes27:50 DVM vs. Hospital Revenue — why not all revenue comes from the doctor29:38 The DVM Minute Multiplier — where 7.5x comes from and what it actually means31:15 Tech Minute Pricing — why the tech rate is lower and what it carries32:10 Service Fee Example — putting the per-minute framework into practice33:33 Shopped vs. Un-shopped Services — how to use market pricing without undercutting your math37:00 Surgery Hidden Costs — the line items most practices forget to charge39:54 Surgery Example — building a surgery invoice from the ground up42:06 Multi-Doctor Adjustments — how the framework scales beyond a solo practice43:19 Phased Fee Schedule Fix — where to start and what to do this week45:35 The Math-Driven Mindset — why pricing is a clinical decision, not a sales decision46:23 The Future of Vet Pricing — low-cost clinics, at-home diagnostics, and what's coming47:45 Final Wrap-Up

14. 

    9 Mar 2026

    Episode 6: Veterinary Marketing on a Budget

    Vet Clinic Startup Marketing: Branding, Websites, Local SEO, and Getting Found (with Jeremy DuPont)Dr. John Younker hosts Jeremy DuPont, a physical therapist-turned-marketer who started, scaled, and sold a cash-based PT clinic, to discuss gritty marketing for startup veterinary clinics with limited resources. They cover how strong branding differentiates a practice beyond common pet-logo clichés, using tools like Pinterest and AI to create an minimally viable brand kit, and the naming tradeoff between meaning and SEO. They outline website priorities using the StoryBrand framework, emphasizing “above the fold” messaging and clear next steps, plus essential pages and “money pages” for SEO. The episode stresses that Google Business Profile and local SEO matter more than generic traffic, with consistent updates and review velocity as key ranking factors. They also highlight grassroots community networking, reciprocal partnerships, backlinks, and trust-building to compete with corporate chains, especially in cold-start markets.00:00 Creative Logo Differentiation00:56 Startup Marketing Focus01:34 Jeremy’s Origin Story03:48 Branding Your Clinic Identity06:43 Naming and SEO Tradeoffs09:47 Affordable Design Options12:45 Website Copy Using Storybrand16:02 Above the Fold Essentials19:58 Website Pages and Structure21:59 SEO Pages and Vendor Vetting26:34 Local SEO and Google Maps28:33 Optimize Google Business Profile30:05 Weekly Posts and Photos31:38 Review Velocity Matters33:03 Scrappy Review Tactics35:29 Reduce Friction With Links39:14 Backlinks and Local Partners40:55 Grassroots Community Hustle47:46 Compete With Big Chains50:06 Ideal Vet Customer Journey51:47 Founder Marketing Playbook

15. 

    2 Mar 2026

    Episode 5: Clinic Design

    Veterinary Clinic Design for StartupsEpisode five of the Vet Launch Podcast focuses on veterinary clinic design through the lens of maximizing income-producing square footage. Dr. John Younker interviews Shawn Rainey, Director of Design at Blue Frog Construction, on why veterinary-specific design matters and the hidden costs in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. They discuss ideal spaces , budgeting tradeoffs, treatment area concepts, reducing wasted space, and common design mistakes. The episode also outlines a design-build timeline and closes with client-experience considerations and financial metrics. 00:00 Opening Preview00:59 Episode Setup and Guest Introduction03:19 Why Vet Design Specialists05:47 Choosing the Right Space07:53 Workflow From Blank Plan10:47 Shell vs Renovation Costs12:38 Maximizing Revenue Zones15:53 Hallmarks of Great Layouts17:30 Trends in Modern Clinics21:17 Balancing Wants and Budget23:31 MEP Hidden Cost Traps26:09 HVAC Codes and Odor Control27:31 Electrical and Gas Shortcuts28:45 Soundproofing the Hospital29:12 Soundproofing Strategies30:40 Splurge Versus Save31:41 Flooring Choices Explained36:10 Design Phase Mistakes38:19 Storage And Workstations41:18 Design Build Timeline45:34 Construction Surprises47:59 Design Build Versus Separate51:02 Dr. Younker TLDR Section53:23 Future Capacity Planning54:51 Younker Clinic Design Principles56:49 Opportunity Cost Math58:18 Final Wrap And What's Next

16. 

    11 Feb 2026

    Episode 4 - Finding a Location for a Veterinary Startup

    Veterinary Real Estate: Finding & Negotiating Your Perfect Clinic Location!In Episode 4 of the Vet Launch Podcast, Dr. John Younker explores the crucial elements of finding and negotiating the ideal location for a veterinary startup. He emphasizes the importance of location by citing that 80% of future clients live within a 10-minute drive of the clinic. Dr. Younker is joined by his friend and expert commercial real estate broker, Kelly Edge, principal at Lightpointe Realty, who specializes in healthcare commercial real estate. Together, they delve into the complexities of negotiating leases, identifying suitable properties, zoning considerations, and the essential differences between retail and standalone locations. The episode provides actionable insights into elements such as triple-net leases, tenant improvement allowances, and ensuring legal clauses that protect future business transitions. Throughout the discussion, they share real-world examples and personal anecdotes, guiding listeners through the rollercoaster ride of securing a successful veterinary clinic location.00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Location in Veterinary Real Estate00:43 Meet the Expert: Kelly Edge's Background01:50 Finding the Perfect Spot: A Personal Journey04:48 The Challenges of Negotiation09:59 The Role of a Specialized Real Estate Agent14:04 Buy vs. Lease: Making the Right Decision18:08 Understanding Zoning and Its Impact21:12 Evaluating Potential Spaces: Red Flags and Essentials25:10 Assessing the Space: Power, HVAC, and Costs26:47 Strategic Location: Neighboring Businesses28:47 Finding the Right Square Footage31:48 Understanding Lease Types and Costs34:53 Negotiating Lease Terms36:34 The Importance of Long-Term Leases38:10 Protecting Your Practice with Lease Clauses43:11 The Legal Phase: Engaging Attorneys45:03 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

17. 

    26 Jan 2026

    Episode 3: The Anatomy of a Veterinary Startup Loan

    Episode 3: The Anatomy of a Veterinary Startup LoanIn this episode of the Vet Launch Podcast, Dr. John Younker dives deep into the intricacies of veterinary startup loans, providing essential information for aspiring veterinary clinic owners. He begins by discussing the strong success rates of these loans and emphasizes that veterinary startups are a safe bet for banks. Dr. Younker then breaks down the different types of loans available, including conventional veterinary startup loans and SBA loans, highlighting their respective advantages and requirements. He also covers critical factors for securing a loan, such as liquidity, credit score, and production history. Additionally, the episode explains key loan components like interest rates, loan terms, prepayment penalties, interest-only periods, and how construction and other project costs are managed. Dr. Younker also addresses the importance of preserving cash flow in the early days of a business and offers tips on negotiating the best loan terms. Concluding the episode, he briefly touches on miscellaneous benefits provided by banks and previews the next episode on choosing the right location for a veterinary clinic.00:00 Introduction: The Surprising Success of Veterinary Startup Loans00:52 Understanding Veterinary Startup Loans01:54 Types of Veterinary Loans: Conventional vs. SBA06:07 Qualifying for a Veterinary Startup Loan11:05 Loan Components: Interest Rates and Terms16:20 Prepayment Penalties and Interest-Only Periods22:17 Additional Loan Requirements and Considerations24:18 Conclusion and Next Steps

18. 

    26 Jan 2026

    Episode 2: The Real Pro's and Con's of Veterinary Ownership

    Episode 2: The Real Pro's and Con's of Veterinary OwnershipIn this episode of the Vet Launch Podcast, Dr. John Younker sits down with Dr. Matt Bradley to discuss the raw realities of veterinary ownership. Dr. Bradley shares his journey of launching Modern Vet in Johns Creek, Georgia, touching on the financial and emotional challenges he faced. They cover essential topics such as the importance of partner/spousal support, finding the right location, securing financing, and dealing with competition. Dr. Bradley also offers invaluable advice on marketing strategies and managing burnout. This candid conversation provides a fresh and practical perspective on the ups and downs of starting a veterinary practice.00:00 The Struggles of Starting Out01:24 Introducing Dr. Matt Bradley00:43 The Journey to Veterinary Ownership04:56 Balancing Personal and Professional Life08:14 Overcoming Fears and Challenges15:55 Logistics of Starting a Veterinary Practice21:12 Choosing the Right Location28:07 Finding the Right Contractor29:47 Choosing Lease Space vs. Buying Land32:14 Essential Equipment and Budgeting35:17 Hiring and Staffing Decisions37:03 Early Days of the Practice40:15 Marketing Strategies and Challenges45:37 The Journey to Stability49:08 The Realities of Ownership and Burnout52:12 Advice for Aspiring Owners53:50 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

19. 

    6 Jan 2026

    Welcome to the Vet Launch Podcast

    In this introductory episode, Dr. John Younker (DVM, MBA) kicks off a year-long mission to bridge the gap between the DVM and the CEO. From the gritty reality of de novo startups to your exit strategy, Dr. Younker pulls back the curtain on every stage of the veterinary lifecycle. Whether you’re an aspiring owner or a veteran leader, this episode sets the stage for a 52-week masterclass in building a thriving, sustainable, and scalable practice.(00:00) Introduction(00:48) Who is this podcast for?(01:47) Bio: Early Career as an Associate Veterinarian(05:54) From Startup to Multi-Site Practice(09:05) The Unexpected Exit(12:44) What Now?(14:19) Why another Veterinary Podcast?(15:07) Pillar 1: The Veterinary Startup(15:46) Pillar 2: Growing an Established Practice(16:29) The Exit Strategy(17:36) What's coming up next week

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Pitching Vet Launch

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting pitches.