Start-Ups & Acquisitions

Start-Up & Acquisition Coaching

The road to ownership is exciting
Let us help you enjoy the ride.

Owning a veterinary practice is one of the most exciting—and challenging—decisions you’ll make in your career. It’s a journey filled with big questions, countless details, and pivotal choices that shape your future. With Blue Heron Consulting, you’ll never have to take those steps alone.

No matter where you are on your path—exploring ownership, negotiating an acquisition, or preparing to open your doors—we’ll build a personalized roadmap and walk through it with you. From securing funding and hiring the right team to creating workflows and fostering a strong practice culture, we’ll be by your side, offering guidance, expertise, and encouragement at every turn.

Let’s make your dream of practice ownership a reality. Our coaches are here to guide you through the process, help you accomplish your Why, and achieve your definition of success.

For more information about our Start-Up & Acquisition Coaching, Schedule a Conversation.

Making your journey a little easier

No matter where you are on the path to practice ownership, our coaches are ready to walk the rest of the way with you. Whether you’re in the daydreaming stage, about to break ground, or checking those final boxes – bringing an expert into your corner can make opening your doors a breeze.

Blue Heron Consulting can take the weight of the big things, and the stress of all the little things, off your shoulders.

  • Financial projections
  • Business planning
  • Lending process
  • Branding & marketing
  • Budgeting
  • Pricing and fees
  • Bookkeeping
  • Network of key veterinary-specific advisors

  • Practice financials
  • Key performance indicators
  • LOIs & negotiations
  • Valuations
  • Blueprint & facility design review
  • Daily flow and scheduling
  • Client experience
  • Standard operating procedures

  • Demographic study of locations
  • Market analysis
  • Equipment & inventory planning
  • Technology & security
  • Staffing & team development
  • HR, payroll, and benefits
  • Legal, red tape, & insurance
  • Mentorship and personalized coaching after your doors open

  • Financial projections
  • Business planning
  • Lending process
  • Branding & marketing
  • Access to network of key veterinary-specific advisors
  • Budgeting
  • Branding & marketing
  • LOIs & negotiations
  • Valuations
  • Review of facility, blueprint and building design
  • Demographic study of locations
  • Equipment & inventory planning
  • Staffing & team development
  • Legal, red tape, & insurance
  • Mentorship and personalized coaching after your doors open

Plus a million little details that we won’t let slip through the cracks.

Choosing a path to ownership
When you choose practice ownership, a variety of doors open for you. No matter which option you choose (or if you change your mind down the road), our month-to-month coaching gives you the help and flexibility you need.

Start-Up
Creating a new hospital from the ground up.

Acquisition
Purchasing an existing practice in its entirety.

Buy-In
Buying a minority or majority stake of a hospital.

Not sure which is right for you?

Our team is here to listen. Schedule a conversation to discuss your goals with a coach and we’ll help you evaluate your options so you can make an educated decision based on what success means to you.

Our Coaching Process

Our clients have opened their doors to their new practice in as little as six months. Here’s what to expect:

Discovery Call
We’ll gain an understanding of your goals, check in on your current progress, and talk through any financial and geographic parameters.

Action Plan
Together, we’ll develop an individualized action plan with goals, to-do items, and deadlines to serve as your roadmap to ownership.

Weekly Progress
We’ll meet each week to review our progress, cross off to-do items, establish next steps, and provide tailored mentorship.

Celebration!
After opening your doors, we celebrate your hard work, take a well-deserved breath, and cheers to a new beginning!

Walking the Path to Ownership Just Got Easier

Imagine stepping into ownership with clarity instead of chaos. The path ahead is mapped out, the unknowns feel manageable, and every month you have a trusted coach walking beside you. Decisions become easier, obstacles less intimidating, and progress more rewarding because you’re not carrying it all on your own.

With Blue Heron Consulting in your corner, you’ll have the guidance, strategy, and support to move forward with confidence—turning what feels overwhelming today into the success story you’ve been working toward.

You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s build the practice you’ve been dreaming of, together.

You have been instrumental in ensuring a smooth startup for us, and we will forever be grateful for your time and endless advice in pointing us in the right direction. We truly feel as though we were saved from a lot of pitfalls that most new owners succumb to, and with you on our speed dial we hopefully save ourselves a lot of time and money! All is well here; the business is BOOMING!
Christine Nickerson, DVM, Bennington Animal Hospital
They were wonderful to have alongside because I have never done this before. I’ve never purchased a practice. Having someone who had experience with everything, from establishing our new LLC to the purchase agreements, all of that was very helpful for me; especially since I was a full-time practicing veterinarian. It would have taken me an extremely long time to figure out on my own.
Jill Dentel, DVM, Countryside Animal Clinic

Before using Blue Heron, I had no idea where to start, totally floating. I decided to use Blue Heron because of their accessibility and friendliness. They really made me feel like I had an ally in the purchasing process. Since working with my coach, I was able to purchase my clinic in record time, with relatively few hiccups. If anyone is on the fence in considering hiring a coach, I feel it is a worthy investment.

Drew Hestad, DVM, Animal Medical Center

I am so grateful to have found Blue Heron. Kate Crumley, Medical and Startup Coach, was an invaluable resource and advisor to me as I explored the idea of opening my own practice. She was quick to offer not only her own personal insight from years of practice ownership, but also surfaced the latest trends and data from industry-leading organizations that helped inform my decision-making process. Kate also added value by connecting me with her vast network, both inside and outside of the Blue Heron team. Whether it was providing templates or feedback, discussing adjustments to budget or processes, or her general optimism, encouragement, and support, the return on investment Kate and the Blue Heron team delivered was exceptional. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking to take their practice to the next level.

Alie Cline, Veterinary Technology Start-Up

The greatest impact BHC has brought is perspective. I feel I have been helped to take a look at the big picture rather than focus on the immediate impacts of the many decisions I have to make.

Landon Brough. DVM, Sonoran Sky Pet Hospital