On this episode of The Roadmap on ASBN, host Ted Jenkins is joined by Dr. Christa Parrish, owner of Liberty Pet Resort & Wellness Center and Liberty Veterinary Medical Center. Dr. Parrish utilized her medical expertise and extensive knowledge of the pet care business to acquire and operate multiple successful clinics across the state of Georgia. Now, she shares insights from her professional journey and advises those looking to become entrepreneurs in the medical sector.
Key Takeaways
1. Dr. Parrish’s journey to owning multiple veterinary clinics highlights the importance of gaining industry experience before venturing into business ownership. Her narrative underscores the value of working in the field to learn the practical aspects of a career before starting one’s own business.
2. Dr. Parrish discusses the high value of veterinary clinics, the financial aspects of buying and running a practice, and the importance of owning the real estate associated with the practice. It takes significant business acumen to succeed in this field.
3. Veterinary practices come with their own economic advantages and disadvantages. For instance, the business is primarily cash-based and can even thrive during a recession. On the other hand, it is exceedingly difficult to staff and operate a high-demand veterinary clinic due to the lack of qualified workers.
4. Veterinary clinics also have unique operational considerations, including client proximity, scope of care, and service availability. Businesses in the sector must also form long-term relationships with clients to maintain an accurate medical history for patients and ensure their pets’ needs are met.
5. Dr. Parrish underlines the critical roles prioritization, efficient management, and supportive teams play in handling the complexities of running multiple clinics. Challenges are inherent in entrepreneurship, particularly in balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
"I think it's important to work for someone in the industry so you can learn. Because, you know, when you're a new doctor getting out, you don't really know how to practice. It is good to have a supportive mentor there to help you with those day-to-day things." — Dr. Christa Parrish
