In this conversation, Greg Forzani, Dennis Taekema, and ChadHewlett delve into the world of equine sports medicine, discussing the competitive nature of horses and the rigorous standards of care they require.Chad shares insights on the importance of coaching, the role of numbers in business performance, and the need for systematization in veterinary practices.The discussion emphasizes building a high-performance team, the significance of accountability, and the value of hiring based on merit. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the balance between culture and performance in creating a successful veterinary practice. In this conversation, Chad, Dennis and Gregdiscuss the importance of understanding business numbers, fostering a positive culture, celebrating team successes, and redefining the concept of retirement. They emphasize the need for business owners to confront their discomfort withnumbers, the role of culture in driving success, and the significance of teamwork and purpose in both personal and professional life. The discussion also touches on the value of coaching and mentorship in navigating the challenges of business ownership.

Takeaways

- Equine sports medicine is a growing field that treats horsesas athletes.

- Competition drives the need for high-quality veterinarycare.

- Drug testing in equine sports is as rigorous as in humansports.

- Veterinarians must balance care with the competitive natureof their clients.

- Coaching can help veterinary practices grow and improve.

- Numbers and metrics are essential for tracking businessperformance.

- Building a high-performance team requires accountability andengagement.

- Systematizing practices can improve service consistency andquality.

- A strong culture in a veterinary practice enhances performance and satisfaction.

- Hiring based on merit ensures a motivated and effective team. Business owners often avoid numbers due to discomfort.

- Regularly reviewing numbers can lead to better decision-making.

- Culture is crucial for a thriving business environment.

- Celebrating team successes fosters a positive workplaceculture.

- Understanding cash flow is as important as profit.

- Retirement should not be the ultimate goal; purpose matters.

- Coaching can provide valuable external perspectives.

- Choosing the right team members is essential for success.

- Being a 'yes' person can lead to more opportunities.

- Learning from failures is key to growth.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro & Welcome

00:42 – Meet Chad Hewlett – What is Energy Equine &Synergy Equine?

02:55 – Horses as World-Class Athletes (and why equine vetsare ahead of human sports medicine)

06:10 – The Real Reason Clients Come to You: “They Want toBeat Their Friends”

08:30 – Secretariat – The Undisputed GOAT of All Athletes

10:45 – From Pickup Truck to Two Thriving Clinics – Chad’sJourney

13:20 – Why You Actually Want to Be Like McDonald’s(Systemization = Better Medicine)

16:40 – The Hidden Corporate Threat to Private VeterinaryPractice

20:15 – Numbers Don’t Lie – The One Thing That Moved theNeedle Most

24:00 – Profit vs Cash Flow vs Revenue – Lessons from thePain

26:30 – Building a High-Performance Culture: Engaged,Accountable, Performers

30:10 – The Power of Sacrifice – “Responsibility Before Fun”

34:20 – Yes People vs No People – The Ultimate CultureFilter

37:50 – Celebrate Wins With Your Team (The Silent “Hammer”Celebration)

40:55 – Retirement? “I’m Not Thinking About Retirement”

44:30 – The Biggest Risk at 57–58? Not Taking One

47:15 – Advice to Clinic Owners: Get a Coach Who’s ActuallyRun a Business

51:00 – You Can’t Read the Label from Inside the Jar (WhyEven Tiger Woods Has 11 Coaches)

53:40 – Lightning Round – Biggest Lesson from Failure

56:20 – Dream Offbeat Vacations & Wild Stories (Kauaicliff jumps, Costa Rica jungle meltdowns, and more)

1:01:30 – Wrap-Up & Final Thanks