Starting vs. Buying a Veterinary Practice: What Veterinarians Need to Know Before Becoming Owners

Should you build your veterinary practice from the ground up—or buy one that already has clients, cash flow, and systems in place?

In this episode of the Veterinary Business Podcast, Angie sits down with Mira Johnson, CPA, CVPM, MBA, Integrator at CPAs for Veterinarians, JF Bell Group, to unpack one of the biggest decisions veterinarians face on the road to ownership: starting a de novo practice versus acquiring an existing one.

Mira breaks down the financial and operational realities behind both paths—from the freedom of creating a practice around your own vision to the challenges of building a client base and reaching profitability. She also explains what prospective buyers should examine before purchasing an existing hospital, including valuation, due diligence, culture, location, financial performance, and whether the practice truly fits the type of medicine and client experience they want to provide.

In this episode, you'll learn:

How to decide between starting and buying based on your goals, finances, risk tolerance, and vision

The advantages and financial challenges of a de novo veterinary practice

Red flags to watch for when evaluating an acquisition

Why veterinary-specific valuation and due diligence matter

The first financial steps to take before pursuing ownership

Why understanding your personal "why" matters before becoming an owner

How real-time financial data and the right advisory team can help you avoid costly mistakes

Why marketing should be part of your ownership plan from the beginning