Smarter Vet Financial Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Veterinarians are making rapid-fire decisions all day — and the cognitive load is real. In today’s episode, Tom sits down with Dr. Jamie Laity , founder of SmartVet AI , to talk about how AI can serve as clinical decision support, reduce mental fatigue, and help improve confidence when interpreting blood work. Jamie shares her journey from practice owner to mobile practitioner, an...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Tom sits down with Brian Wine, Founder and CEO of The Wine Group, the leading brokerage specializing in veterinary hospital real estate and practice sales across the United States.  Brian shares his unconventional path from film and entertainment into becoming the #1 seller of veterinary real estate in the country, and breaks down the key decisions practice owners...

Send us Fan Mail What if your veterinary practice could run more efficiently—without adding more stress to your team? In this episode, Tom Seeko sits down with veterinary technician specialist and MBA Kelly Cronin to explore how practices can rethink operations, improve workflows, and better support their teams. From remote team members to AI tools and smarter delegation, Kelly shares practical in...

Send us Fan Mail Why do so many veterinary practice owners regret selling? In part 4 of this series, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko break down the most common reasons owners feel uncertain—or even regretful—after exiting their practice. From selling too early or too late, to overlooking taxes and deal structure, to losing identity after the sale… the decision to sell is more than just a financial transa...

Send us Fan Mail Selling your veterinary practice can create a significant financial milestone—but it also introduces a new challenge: how do you turn that lump sum into reliable income? In Part 3 of this 4-part series, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett break down what happens after the sale and why many veterinarians feel uncertain about their financial future. From income gaps and market risk to tax cons...

Send us Fan Mail The five years before you exit your veterinary practice matter more than you think—and waiting too long could cost you significantly. In this episode, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko break down the critical planning window leading up to a sale and why many practice owners delay the process longer than they should. From improving profitability and cleaning up reporting to building a manag...

Send us Fan Mail Veterinarians often feel stretched thin, overwhelmed, and unsure of how to lead effectively while maintaining balance—but it doesn’t have to be that way.  In this episode, Tom sits down with Dr. Emily King , founder of All-Star Veterinary Clinic, to explore the leadership principles that helped her grow a thriving practice, build strong teams, and eventually navigate a successful...

Send us Fan Mail Many practice owners assume their business will fund retirement — but the real question is: I s your practice actually sellable?   In Part 1 of this 4-part series , Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett break down what buyers look for when purchasing a veterinary hospital, and what can quietly reduce practice value. You’ll hear how practice value is tied to what transfers to a buyer — includin...

Send us Fan Mail Two veterinarians can earn the same income, live a similar lifestyle, and still end up in completely different financial positions. In this episode of the Smarter Vet Podcast , Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett unpack why financial outcomes are rarely about income alone. They explore the role of perception, habits, and common money mindsets that quietly keep veterinarians stuck—like believ...

Send us Fan Mail This episode marks a major milestone— 200 episodes of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast . To celebrate, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko step back to reflect on what they’ve consistently seen work —and not work —for veterinarians over the past decade. They break down three common patterns that hold people back: lack of clarity, believing more income automatically equals progress, and the...

Send us Fan Mail 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 loa...

Send us Fan Mail 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 leade...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 sh...

Send us Fan Mail 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 amplif...

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 m...

Send us Fan Mail 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 jus...

Send us Fan Mail 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 exam...

Send us Fan Mail Many veterinarians say they don’t make enough, can’t change jobs, can’t reduce hours, or will “never be able to retire.” But is that really about income… or about options? In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast , CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko break down why financial freedom isn’t defined by net worth or a big salary—it’s defined by flexibility. Whether it’s taking time o...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom Seeko welcomes back Andrea Crabtree of Furpaws Consulting for a candid conversation about leadership, communication, and accountability in veterinary practices. Andrea shares insights from her journey from practice manager to consultant and explains why communication breakdowns—not skill gaps—are often the root of practice...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast , Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett , co-founders of Florida Veterinary Advisors, walk through a clear framework for answering one of the most common questions vets ask: “Am I financially on track?” They break your journey into four phases — 25–30 , 30–40 , 40–55 , and 55+ —so you can see what typically matters most at each. You’ll hear...

Send us Fan Mail Is a “no‑fail” retirement plan actually possible? In this episode, Tom and CJ break down why the traditional approach to retirement often falls short — and what it really takes to build income that lasts through every market cycle, tax change, and stage of life. They walk through how to think beyond account balances, how timing risk affects retirement security, why tax diversifica...

Send us Fan Mail How do you actually build wealth — not just in theory, but in real life?  In this episode, CJ and Tom walk through a simple, practical framework veterinarians can use to make smarter financial decisions with less stress and more clarity. They break down how to assign a time horizon to each dollar, how to make sure money is accessible for real‑life needs, how to think about taxes i...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the SmarterVet Financial Podcast, Tom Seeko sits down with Lindsay McMakin to explore the real-world challenges and opportunities in veterinary practice management. Lindsay shares her inspiring journey from receptionist to practice manager and consultant, offering actionable strategies for hiring with culture in mind, boosting financial literacy, and using techn...

Send us Fan Mail Saving money isn’t exciting, flashy, or fun — but it is the one habit that consistently builds real wealth. In this episode, the third of five in the series, CJ and Tom break down why aiming for 20% of your gross income is a game changer, why most people struggle to save, and how their Wealth Coordination Account creates control, clarity, and confidence in your financial life.  Wi...