The VetStory Podcast

Practice Loans, Student Debt, and Buying Your First Clinic with Cameron Harkey

In this episode, I sit down with Cameron Harkey from Bank of America to talk about veterinary practice financing and what doctors need to know before stepping into ownership.
Cameron works in veterinary lending across the upper Midwest and helps veterinarians with practice acquisitions, startups, real estate loans, and ownership financing.
We talk about what the loan process looks like, when to speak with a lender, how banks assess cash flow, and what happens when a doctor wants to buy the clinic they already work in.
We also talk about one of the biggest concerns for many veterinarians.
Student loans.
Cameron explains why having student debt does not automatically disqualify someone from buying a practice. It matters, but it is only one part of the bigger financial picture.
We also get into real estate loans, acquisition loans, interest rates, and why the lowest rate is not always the only thing to look at.
This episode is for any veterinarian who has thought about ownership but wondered if financing, student loans, or lack of business experience might hold them back.
The big takeaway is simple.
Do not assume you are not ready just because you still have questions.
Ask the questions. Look at the numbers. Get the right people around you.
That is where ownership starts to become a real option.Find Cameron Harkey:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-harkey-mba-27a0ba13/

Finding Your Voice in Vet Med with Dr. Frank Niles

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Frank Niles to talk about leadership, burnout, public speaking, and what it takes to build real influence in veterinary medicine.
Frank shares his perspective on why Vet Med can be hard to break into, why credentials may open doors but do not replace connection, and how case studies, storytelling, and lived experience help build credibility.
We also talk about burnout in Vet Med and why it is not simply a resilience problem. Structure, scheduling, leadership, workplace design, and culture all matter.
Then we get into one of my favourite parts of the conversation, public speaking. Frank shares practical advice on finding your voice, managing nerves, using stories, and connecting with an audience in a way that actually lands.
This episode is for practice owners, managers, speakers, consultants, and anyone in Vet Med who wants to lead, communicate, and show up better.
https://frankniles.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankniles/

The Leadership Duel: Fair Wages and Healthy Practices with Josh Vaisman

What does “fair” pay actually mean in vet medAnd can a practice pay people what they deserve while still staying healthy and profitable
In this episode, Rhys sits down with Josh Vaisman from Flourish Veterinary Consulting for a candid conversation that started with a spicy LinkedIn thread and turned into something way more useful.
They unpack what positive leadership really is (hint: it is not fake smiles), why accountability is part of compassion, and how practice owners can think about technician wages in a way that respects both the humans and the business.
They also get into what most people avoidThe moneyThe modelThe reality of what a practice can sustainAnd what has to change if we want wages to rise without burning teams out
If you are a practice owner, manager, RVT, or anyone tired of the same debate with zero progress, this one is for you.

From Living in a Car to 397 Vet Referrals How Shane Gentry Built Sally Said So

Shane Gentry is the owner of Sally Said So, a professional dog training company that is exclusively veterinarian referred. And it all started with him living in his car behind a grocery store.
In this episode, Shane breaks down how one tech gave him a chance, how that turned into a referral system that scaled across North Carolina, and what it takes to build a team with standards that do not bend.
We also get into the fun stuff.
The origin story behind the name Sally Said So
The wildest client story you will ever hear
How his company empowers women through dog training
Why training the owner matters more than training the dog
The hiring and training process that protects your brand
Vet Ready Go, a simple way to help clients prepare dogs for better vet visits
Why CE approval and real partnerships with veterinary medicine matter
If you want outside the box thinking, real business lessons, and a few laughs, this one delivers.https://sallysaidso.com/

The Real Talk on Vet Tech Utilization with Lucy Nash

In this episode of Vet Story, Rhys sits down with Lucy Nash, RVT and Community Partnership Manager at Hound, for a candid and fun conversation about the realities of veterinary medicine. Lucy shares her wild “DIY ambulance” story, how burnout shaped her career path, and why proper utilization matters more than pay for many vet techs. Together they dig into why technicians often feel underused, what true value looks like in a clinic, and how leadership can bridge the gap between intention and action. Expect laughter, honesty, and a few football jabs along the way.
Perfect for veterinary professionals who love the job but want to make it better.Show notes
Personal:
Instagram - @lucylupoprvt
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/lucynrvt/
 
Hound: 
Website - www.hound.vet
Instagram - @hound
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/company/houndvet/

Budgeting That Actually Works with Joe Chickerillo

Full Video: https://youtu.be/6EydCfQe8-4 In this practice management episode I sit down with Joe Chickerillo from Chck Vet to break down a simple way to build and run a real budget using metrics that matter. I walk through my coach scoreboard versus player scoreboard framework so your team always knows if we are winning today while leadership keeps the bigger goals on track. We cover forward booking, daily revenue targets, unscheduled appointments, surgery counts per week, and how to tie a clear incentive bonus to a visible team scorecard so everyone rows in the same direction. Joe shows how Chck Vet pulls clean data from your PIMS to power a daily huddle, track compliance, and spot trends without spreadsheet gymnastics. If you want a budget you can actually steer by and a team that knows exactly how to help, this one is for you.

Find Your New 30 with Dr. Jeff Mann

Full video: https://youtu.be/UiuxwTr7xJEIn this episode I sit down with Dr. Jeff Mann, a practice owner just outside Charlotte and CE speaker, for an honest and insightful chat about how to start each day at full capacity. Jeff shares his Core Four Reset and his plan to recruit 30 veterinarians for a 30-day pilot. We talk about simple and practical ways to make every day more intentional, from the handwritten 50 50 referral card that attracts your ideal clients, to quick pregame resets between appointments, to small exam room shifts that instantly improve client trust and compliance. Jeff also explains how Toastmasters helped sharpen his communication skills in practice. If you are one of the first 30 to join the CORE4RESET pilot starting November 1, you will also get access to Jeff’s ebooks, Effortless 5 Star Reviews and 6 Keys to New Client Acquisitions. The four priming one hour intro sessions are free to attend via Zoom. Once 30 seats are filled, no more will open. December spots will be announced by week three of November. To join, send an email with the subject line CORE4RESET. Links & Contact 📧 Email: dr.jeff@vetripreneurcoach.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/105027202/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567860628810 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@Vetripreneur⁩ 

AI Overwhelm and Opportunity: How Small Businesses Can Actually Win (with Mariana Dalto)

I sit down with Mariana Dalto—marketing strategist, AI consultant, and business transformation pro. With over 30 years of experience in marketing, sales, and operations, Mariana has a knack for helping business owners cut through the tech noise and actually put AI to work.
We get into why so many business owners (maybe you too) hesitate to dive into AI, how to deal with the madness of thousands of new tools, and why you don’t need to be a tech genius to get started. Mariana shares her straightforward six-step process for bringing automation and AI into any business, plus some real-world advice on spotting easy wins, reducing overwhelm, and getting your team on board.
We talk about prompt engineering, practical tips for using chatbots, and simple workflow tweaks that can save you serious time and money. If you’re curious where to start, or you’ve been dragging your heels on AI, Mariana’s got you covered.
Tune in, take notes, and be sure to check out her podcast, The Mariana Dalto Show, for more ideas and inspiration.

When the Vet’s Away, the Cows Will Play with Dr. Marybeth Feutz

On this episode of Vet Story, we finally welcome Dr. Marybeth Feutz after a year of missed connections and failed recordings. Fifth time’s the charm—and you’ll be glad we didn’t give up. Rhys and Marybeth dig into her now-famous story of The Great Cow Escape, an epic Indiana saga involving a rogue cow, overtime chaos, animal control, and the local police sharpshooter.
It’s unfiltered, unpredictable, and just plain hilarious. Marybeth shares every wild twist—from chasing cattle through cornfields and neighborhoods to dealing with parenting on the fly—plus what happens when you’re left holding the fort while everyone else is off hunting in Montana. Fair warning: This episode is for grown-ups only.
Buckle up for a chaotic ride through rural Indiana, some hard-earned laughs, and a reminder of why every clinic eventually builds a proper cow barn.
Heads up—there’s explicit language, plenty of laughs, and real-life lessons you don’t want to miss.

The Chatbot That Never Sleeps: AI Tools to Power Your Veterinary Website -With Celio Ramos

What if your clinic could answer client questions, book appointments, and guide decisions—even while your team is off the clock?
In this episode of The Vet Story Podcast, I’m joined by Celio Ramos, automation expert and founder of LeadFuse, to talk about the next evolution in client communication: AI-powered chatbots tailored for veterinary practices.
Forget outdated website forms and clunky FAQ pages—Celio’s AI chatbot integrates with your website, learns your SOPs, and delivers accurate, friendly, and on-brand answers 24/7. Whether it’s late-night appointment questions, care concerns, or prescription refills, this bot shows up—every time.
website: https://leadfuse.ai/