In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast, Steven and Kale sit down with Kyler Saffo, a small veterinary clinic owner and second-generation leader of a family practice. Kyler shares her inspiring journey of stepping into ownership, balancing the challenges of running a growing clinic, and honoring the legacy her father built. She discusses the importance of fostering trust within her team, adapting to change in a practice with long-standing staff, and navigating the ever-evolving veterinary industry.

Kyler also opens up about her passion for mental health advocacy, highlighting her work with a St. Louis-based ministry focused on supporting teen girls through a holistic program called Soul Shepherding. This episode emphasizes the value of independent veterinary clinics, the power of community connections, and the critical role of mental health awareness—reminding us that small, locally owned clinics are not only essential for care but also for building stronger, more resilient communities.

In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast, hosts Steven and Kale delve into the themes of gratitude, mindset, and the power of intentional decision-making in veterinary practice ownership. They discuss the importance of taking breaks to recharge, creating a supportive team culture, and shifting perspectives from being solely a veterinarian to also being a business owner. With practical examples and thoughtful insights, they explore how incremental changes can drive success, how to align personal and professional goals, and why the happiest veterinarians are often practice owners.

They also highlight the value of collaboration, delegation, and embracing individuality in shaping a practice that reflects its owner’s vision. As always, Steven and Kale infuse their conversation with humor, authenticity, and actionable advice, making this episode both inspiring and relatable. Don’t miss it!

In this episode of The vet'ed podcast, hosts Steven & Kale talk about a critical topic for veterinary professionals: navigating economic uncertainty in an ever-evolving industry. From rising tariffs on imported veterinary equipment to shifts in client behavior post-COVID, the hosts explore numerous external economic factors currently affecting the veterinary landscape. They discuss how unpredictable changes, such as potential trade wars and immigration policies, can lead to increased costs for medical supplies and wage inflation. These changes challenge veterinary practices to manage rising expenses without compromising care or staff welfare.

The episode also touches on internal adjustments that can help practice owners remain agile in uncertain times. For instance, reducing extended hours—a trend many practices adopted during the pandemic—might ease staffing pressures and align with current client demands. They highlight the significance of embracing varied perspectives and encourage listeners to view uncertainty as an opportunity for growth, challenging them to become more efficient, proactive business owners.

Concluding on a positive note, the hosts express their gratitude to contributing experts and share their excitement about upcoming milestones, including the podcast’s one-year anniversary. They emphasize their mission of creating a space for diverse voices in the veterinary community, where different viewpoints and experiences can inspire innovative solutions. By fostering open discussions, The vet'ed podcast continues to be a valuable resource for veterinary professionals seeking guidance on practical, forward-thinking strategies for a successful practice.

In Episode 19 of The vet’ed podcast, "Finding Time", hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler dive into the often-overlooked challenge of balancing time in a busy veterinary practice. As demands grow and schedules fill up, finding time for strategic planning, personal breaks, and patient follow-up can feel like a daunting task.The hosts share tips for veterinary professionals to reclaim their schedules, from time management techniques to practical strategies for improving efficiency within a clinic’s operations.

This episode also explores the power of delegation and prioritizing high-impact activities that drive growth and patient care. Our hosts discuss personal anecdotes and professional insights on ways to use downtime effectively and invest time in a way that fuels both personal well-being and professional success.

Tune in as they outline actionable steps for veterinary professionals to take control of their schedules and make the most of every day!

In Episode 18 of The Vet'ed Podcast, hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler explore effective strategies for hiring and retaining staff in veterinary practices. They emphasize the importance of clearly defining roles and setting expectations, noting that vague job titles can lead to confusion and dissatisfaction. By outlining specific responsibilities and communicating clear outcomes, practices can ensure that employees understand their roles, reducing stress and improving job performance.

The episode also highlights the significance of strong communication, both verbal and non-verbal, in maintaining a positive work environment. The hosts discuss the value of checking in with staff, offering support, and being mindful of signs of burnout or disengagement. They stress that developing a structured hiring process, rather than rushing to fill positions, helps practices make better decisions and find candidates who are a strong cultural fit.

Finally, the importance of onboarding is discussed, with examples of how thoughtful integration of new hires can significantly improve performance and retention. Practices that invest in training, mentoring, and a gradual introduction to the team tend to have more satisfied, productive staff. By focusing on creating a strong workplace culture, practices not only improve employee retention but also enhance client experiences, ultimately driving long-term success.

In episode 17 of The Vet'ed Podcast, titled "Finishing the Year Strong" - Hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler discuss key steps for veterinary practices to successfully close out the year. They focus on financial management, emphasizing the importance of reviewing profit and loss statements, ensuring sales tax exemptions are up to date, and avoiding unnecessary purchases solely for tax deductions.

The hosts also stress the importance of proactive tax planning, advising practices to work with their accountants ahead of the year’s end to minimize tax liabilities. They address the difficult but necessary task of evaluating team performance, suggesting that practice owners may need to make tough decisions about underperforming employees.

Steven and Kale also touch on the significance of time management and planning during the final quarter of the year. They caution listeners not to underestimate how quickly time can pass during the busy holiday season, noting that between Thanksgiving and year-end festivities, there is often less time to address critical tasks than expected. They emphasize that many practices are caught off guard, thinking they have ample time to make adjustments, only to find that November and December are not as productive as hoped. By encouraging veterinarians and practice owners to start these conversations and actions now—whether it’s securing new equipment, reviewing tax strategies, or making staffing decisions—the hosts advocate for a proactive approach that ensures the year ends on a solid foundation and that plans for the upcoming year are well in motion.

Overall, the episode encourages reflection on the practice’s financial health, operations, and team dynamics to ensure a strong year-end and prepare for the upcoming year.

In Episode 16 of "The Vet'ed Podcast," hosted by Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler, the conversation focuses on effective strategies for marketing veterinary practices. They discuss how traditional marketing methods like billboards or newspaper ads aren't as effective in the veterinary space. Instead, they emphasize the importance of networking, client retention, and forward booking as key components of a successful marketing strategy.

They also highlight the role of customer experience, starting from the moment clients enter the clinic, in shaping a practice's reputation and building long-term relationships. The episode further touches on the potential impact of using social media, especially TikTok, to showcase the clinic’s culture and engage clients in a more personable way. Throughout the episode, they share practical insights on growing and sustaining a veterinary business, using both innovative marketing approaches and strong client service.