We recently connected with Liz McCalley, DVM, CCRT and have shared our conversation below.
Liz, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
About 1 year before I first launched ZumiVet, my mobile veterinary practice, I first began dreaming about the concept. It was the summer of 2020 and I had been working as a relief veterinarian in several different veterinary clinics for a few months. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, none of the clinics were allowing pet parents to accompany their pets into appointments. I noticed that this led to a lot of stress for both the pets and their parents. I had thought about starting my own veterinary clinic in the past but the thought of taking on millions of dollars in more debt and having to compete with corporations wasn’t appealing to me. That’s when the idea of buying a van and going straight to pet parents’ homes came to me. I knew that I needed funds to purchase my van and get my business started. I looked into traditional banks but none of them wanted to loan money to a mobile vet concept as there would be no real estate or established practice asset. That’s when I started looking into SBA loans.
In order to get approved for an SBA loan I needed a business plan and needed to convince the bank that this was a smart investment. Having no idea how to write a business plan I researched online and signed up for LivePlan. This online service walked me through the entire process and the end result was a thorough business plan that got me approval for the SBA loan.
Next, I needed advice on what software to use, how to structure my fees and what equipment was needed at the get go. I found a Facebook group for mobile veterinarians with tons of members and advice on how to start my business. Through this group I was able to find a veterinarian that had a large and successful mobile practice who was willing to speak with me over the phone and answer my questions.
When it came time to open my practice, I was able to find a veterinary assistant to work with me via Indeed.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hi, I’m Dr. Liz McCalley. I’m a small animal veterinarian focusing on concierge mobile veterinary practice and rehabilitation for dogs and cats. I’m originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and I now live and practice in San Diego, California. I first knew I wanted to become a veterinarian when I was 13 years old. I had finally convinced my parents to let me adopt a puppy and played a major role in nursing her back to health from a serious illness when she was first adopted. From then on I wanted nothing other than to be a vet.
As a mobile veterinarian, I love being able to offer a lower stress options for veterinary care to my clients. So many dogs and almost all cats are terrified of going to the vet. So much so that many pets do not receive routine preventive care, which can help them to live longer and happier lives. In addition to providing veterinary services such as vaccines, blood work, chronic illness management and rehabilitation inside my clients’ homes, I practice Fear Free medicine using techniques such as distracting with treats or using pre-visit oral sedatives in order to improve the wellbeing of my patients.
Besides being a mobile veterinarian, ZumiVet is different from most other vets in that I spend about an hour with my clients and their pets during each visit. This allows me to really develop a relationship with my clients and allows me to practice really thorough medicine in a calm and relaxed manor. My clients also love that I am available to them via phone, text or email to help with any questions that come up in between exams. I can even provide virtual video visits to established clients.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
Google, both organic and paid advertising, has been my main source of new clients. I use a marketing agency, WhiskerCloud, that specializes in websites and online marketing for veterinarians. This company has been invaluable to my business’ success.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
-The E-Myth Veterinarian by Michael E. Gerber and Peter Weinstein -WhiskerCloud WhiskerTalks Podcast
-Facebook Groups
Contact Info:
- Website: ZumiVet.com
- Instagram: @zumivet
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZumiVet
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-mccalley-dvm-ccrt-749aa967/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/zumivet-san-diego-3