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Practice ownership can feel like a rollercoaster — incredible highs, heavy responsibilities, and moments that make you question why you started in the first place.

In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko break down the real-world trials and trivia of veterinary practice ownership. From financial pressure and decision fatigue to emotional load and leadership challenges, they unpack the parts of ownership that often go unspoken.

They also highlight the quieter wins: building a lasting culture, developing confident associates, creating optionality, and designing a practice that supports both your lifestyle and long-term financial goals.

Whether you’re aspiring to own, currently owning and overwhelmed, or somewhere in between, this conversation offers clarity on what ownership actually looks like — and how structure and financial clarity can change everything.

👉 Learn more and explore additional resources at:
https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

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Communication isn’t just announcements—it’s how veterinary teams connect, support each other, and deliver care. In this episode, Tom Seeko sits down with Catherine Haskins, founder/CEO of The Bridge Club and co‑founder of Project Sticker, to talk about the realities of communication inside practices, the shift toward smaller, more intentional networking, and practical ways leaders can support mental health on fast‑moving teams.

We cover:
• Why “more” communication isn’t always better—and when it isn’t enough
• How to make connection intentional (and doable) in a packed schedule
• The role of authenticity, conflict, and clarity in team culture
• Project Sticker’s simple ideas (like 5‑minute buffers) to protect mental health
• A quick win any practice can implement this week: notice → check in → follow up

Resources & Links:

• Florida Veterinary Advisors: https://flvetadvisors.com
• Full Episode (Audio): https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/
• The Bridge Club: https://thebridgeclub.com/
• Project Sticker: https://stickwithus.vet
• AVMA QPR Gatekeeper (free): https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/wellbeing/qpr-suicide-prevention-training

Enjoying the show? Please rate/review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—this helps other veterinary professionals find us.

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5 part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances.
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice.
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Check out our social media channels
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube-https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAK-PzGDIch3vzKiAjWVrQQ

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Veterinary medicine isn’t about the money—but avoiding finances can quietly create stress, burnout, and long-term consequences.

In this episode of the SmarterVet Financial Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko unpack the hidden cost of financial avoidance in veterinary medicine. From subscription creep and pricing hesitation to discomfort around money conversations, they explore why so many veterinarians sidestep finances—and how that avoidance compounds over time.

You’ll hear real-world examples of how ignoring financial decisions impacts personal stress, business stability, retirement readiness, and career flexibility. More importantly, CJ and Tom reframe financial clarity not as greed—but as a tool that supports better medicine, stronger practices, and long-term sustainability.

If finances feel overwhelming, avoided, or emotionally charged, this conversation will help you see money through a clearer, more constructive lens.

🎧 Listen now and start engaging with your finances—without losing your mission.

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

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In this episode of the SmarterVet Financial Podcast, Tom sits down with Anthony LaPolla, Founder & CEO of Empower Business Strategies, to explore one of the biggest challenges facing veterinary practices today: retention and HR structure.

Anthony shares why so many clinics struggle to keep good people, the hidden causes behind turnover, what strong onboarding and training should look like, and why compliance is almost always the first place to start. They also discuss the importance of leadership, systems, consistency, and building a true people-first culture.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by HR, unsure about your training process, or curious why your team isn’t sticking around, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

🎧 Listen now and take one actionable step toward creating a more aligned, supported, and stable practice team.

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5 part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances.
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice.
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Check out our social media channels
Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

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Imposter syndrome affects veterinarians at every stage of their careers—from new graduates to long‑time practice owners. Even when life looks stable on the outside, many still feel behind, exposed, or uncertain if they truly belong.

In this episode, CJ and Tom explore:

• Why imposter syndrome is so common in veterinary medicine
• How perfection training and comparison culture amplify self‑doubt
• The hidden emotional roots behind financial fear
• Why success doesn’t always feel successful
• Practical steps to break the cycle and regain confidence

Tune in for a grounded, real‑world perspective on an issue many vets experience but rarely talk about.

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

Send us Fan Mail

Veterinary medicine is full of passion, purpose, and pressure—but how do you build a career and a life that feel sustainable? In this episode, Tom sits down with Dr. Andy Roark to explore the mindset shifts and financial habits that help veterinary professionals create long‑term stability while staying connected to the work they love.

Andy shares his winding path into veterinary medicine, how the profession is changing, why affordability conversations must include support staff and veterinarians, and what practices can do to better support their teams. They also dig into long‑term financial health, simple strategies for investing, and why “pay yourself first” matters more than ever.

If you’re a veterinarian, practice owner, technician, or anyone working in the profession, this conversation offers meaningful perspective you can put into action.

Connect with Dr. Andy Roark by visiting his website, listening to his podcast or by finding out more info about Unchartered.

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5 part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances.
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice.
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Check out our social media channels:
Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

#SmarterVet #VetLife #VeterinaryLeadership #VetCareers

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Many veterinarians build wealth using mutual funds, but once a portfolio grows into the seven‑figure range, the hidden challenges begin. Taxes you didn’t expect. Overlapping holdings you didn’t realize you owned. Lack of customization. And far less control than your financial life now requires.

In this episode, CJ and Tom break down why mutual funds are often great when you’re just getting started—but may cause major hurdles once your portfolio exceeds $1M. You'll learn how taxes can quietly erode wealth, why diversification isn’t always what it seems, and how high‑net‑worth investors can regain control by structuring their investments with more precision.

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665

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Most veterinarians assume that more risk equals more return—but that’s rarely how real financial life works. In this episode, Tom and CJ break down the hidden risks veterinarians carry mid‑career, how concentration risk shows up in both income and practice ownership, and why chasing high returns can actually set you back.

You’ll hear stories from real conversations, practical examples, and three powerful questions to help you evaluate whether the risks you're taking truly align with the outcomes you want.

Whether you're a practice owner, an associate, or somewhere in between, this is a conversation every veterinarian should hear.

Grab a copy of our book Unleashed: The Financial Clarity Every Veterinarian Needs, visit FLVetAdvisors.com for CE and resources, and be sure to rate and review the podcast!

Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/

Watch the no cost 5-part video course to review your finances and see where you could be doing better in your finances:
5 Foundational Steps to Financial Balance Video Course-http://series.flvetadvisors.com/

Find out what you could be overlooking within your practice by taking our brief assessment:
Test My Personal Financial IQ-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/personal-test/

Sign up for a complimentary phone call to talk about how to get better use of all the cash inside your practice:
Schedule a time-https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/contact-us

Instagram-https://www.instagram.com/flveterinaryadvisors/
Facebook-https://facebook.com/flvetadvisors
LinkedIn-https://linkedin.com/company/flvetadvisors
YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@floridaveterinaryadvisors7665