In this episode, I sit down with Claire Pickens, EMBA, CVPM: certified veterinary practice manager, entrepreneur, and business strategist with over 30 years in animal health. Claire has helped countless veterinary owners turn big ideas into bank-ready business plans, while leading operations across the country with expertise in leadership, HR, and practice management.

We dive into what it really takes to shift from managing someone else’s playbook to writing your own as an owner. From opening a practice before ever managing one, to defining values that hold steady through recessions and pandemics, Claire shares candid lessons, practical strategies, and the people-first approach that’s guided her success.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why people, not KPIs, are the only true leading indicator

• How to coach to behaviors and outcomes, not just metrics

• The surprising transferable skills from coaching and practice

• What every aspiring owner should study: HR, marketing, and IT basics

• How to define your values before day one and use them to guide tough calls

Connect with Claire Pickens:🔗 Website: www.smallbusiness-dreams.com🔗 LinkedIn: Claire Pickens, CVPM

🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old-school way of leading in vet med.

In this episode, I sit down with Kate Boatright, VMD: veterinarian, speaker, writer, and author of Small Animal Veterinary Mentorship Manual. With over a decade in practice, Dr. Boatright has become a leading voice on creating mentorship that works, not just for new grads, but for every role in the hospital.

We dive into why mentorship is more than onboarding or skills training, how to build a culture of support across the whole team, and what both mentors and mentees can do to make the relationship successful. From navigating burnout as a mentor to setting clear expectations from day one, Dr. Boatright shares practical tools and candid advice to make mentorship a lasting part of veterinary culture.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why mentorship should extend beyond new graduates to every hospital role

• How to set clear expectations that prevent disappointment and turnover

• The shared responsibilities of mentors and mentees

• How hospital leaders can build mentorship into culture, not just contracts

• The difference between training and mentorship, and why it matters

Connect with Dr. Kate Boatright:🔗 Website: www.writetheboat.com🔗 LinkedIn: Kate Boatright, VMD🔗 Instagram: @writetheboat

🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old-school way of leading in vet med.

In this episode, I sit down with Alexandre Contreras, Vet Tech, Innovator, and Entrepreneur, whose path in veterinary medicine began with a childhood fascination and evolved into a career defined by creativity, resilience, and service.

From working in the kennels to launching his own dog massage therapy service, Dogapy, Alexandre has built a career that blends hands-on animal care with entrepreneurial spirit.

He’s the inventor of a pet nail trimming tool, Klip Trio, and the founder of PetTrio Charity, which supports animal welfare and educational initiatives in underserved communities.

In this episode we dive into how persistence and leadership have shaped his journey, the challenges and rewards of bringing big ideas to life, and how he balances professional goals with the responsibilities of being a single father.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- How Alexandre grew from kennel work to launching multiple ventures in vet med

- The origin story behind his innovative pet nail trimming tool - KlipTrio

- How PetTrio Charity is creating opportunities for education and outreach

- The leadership lessons and mindset shifts that fuel his success

Connect with Alexandre:

www.kliptrio.com

www.pettriocharity.org

instagram.com/kliptrio

instragram.com/pettriocharity

www.linkedin.com/in/dogapy

🎧 Subscribe to Leading Veterinary Teams On Air for real talk, tactical tools, and conversations that challenge the old school way of leading in vet med.