In the latest episode of 360 Half Seconds
, Matt and Kia discuss the questions you should consider before selling your vet practice. Selling your veterinary practice is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make financially, professionally, and personally. While the financial aspects often get the most attention, the reality is that the sale process touches nearly every part of your life. Before you jump in, it’s worth taking a step back to ask yourself some key questions that can make the difference between a smooth, profitable transition and a stressful one.
1. Are You Emotionally Ready?
This is often underestimated. For many veterinarians, their practice is the result of years, sometimes decades, of hard work, sacrifice, and personal investment. Letting go can bring unexpected emotions, even if you think you’re ready. Take the time to assess how you’ll feel stepping away from ownership, and make sure you have support from family, friends, or business partners to help you through the process.
2. Are You Financially Ready?
Before you can move forward, you need to know exactly what your practice is worth. That means getting a professional valuation and working closely with a financial advisor to map out your post-sale plan. Will the sale proceeds fund your retirement? Will you keep working part-time? You’ll also want to involve a tax CPA early to understand how much of the sale price you’ll keep after taxes and to ensure you’re making the most of your proceeds.
3. Is Your Practice Operationally Ready?
Buyers want to see a healthy, growing business. If your revenue is flat or declining, your profitability is lagging, or your financial statements are messy, it’s time to clean things up. Aim for at least 12–24 months of stable, upward-trending performance with well-organized financials. Review your patient visit trends, ensure your team is strong, and fine-tune your operations so you can present a practice that’s clearly on the rise.
4. Have You Considered Strategic Factors?
It’s not just about the price – your legacy, your team, and your clients matter, too. Decide whether it’s important to keep your practice name, maintain your standard of care, or find a buyer whose culture aligns with yours. You’ll also need to think about whether you prefer a full sale or a joint venture (where you keep a minority stake). Timing also plays a role; sometimes waiting for a stronger market can pay off.
Final Tip: Once you feel emotionally ready, write down your exit goals. Keep them in front of you during the sale process so you can evaluate offers objectively and avoid making concessions you’ll regret later.
At 360 Vet Sales, we help practice owners assess readiness from every angle – financial, operational, and strategic – so you can go to market with confidence and clarity.