What Successful Practice Owners Do Differently | Dr. Christine Staten (Veterinary MBA)

What happens when the career you love is no longer sustainable?  After decades of building a thriving mixed animal practice, Dr. Christine Staten found herself facing chronic pain that forced her to rethink what the next chapter of veterinary medicine could look like. Instead of stepping away from the profession, she went back to school for her MBA and created Veterinary MBA, a business dedicated to helping practice owners build practices that are profitable, sustainable, and fulfilling.  In this episode, we dive into the mindset behind her incredible career, why she believes burnout isn't inevitable, and how intentional systems—not working harder—allow practice owners to create more impact without sacrificing their lives. We also discuss leadership, mentorship, hiring, time management, community, AI, and the lessons she learned after losing her first five associates.  Whether you're a practice owner, an aspiring leader, or simply trying to build a career with more purpose, this conversation is full of practical advice and honest reflections.  In This Episode  • Why Dr. Staten chose to expand her impact instead of slowing down  • The health challenges that led her to reinvent her career  • Going back to earn an MBA at 50 and how it transformed her leadership  • Why Veterinary MBA was created and the mission behind it  • Burnout, systems, and the biggest misconceptions about practice ownership  • The importance of community for veterinary leaders  • Why "work-life balance" is the wrong goal and what to pursue instead  • Time audits, time blocking, and designing your life intentionally  • Delegation, mentorship, and building systems that create freedom  • Lessons learned after losing her first five associate veterinarians  • Hiring for culture instead of just clinical skills  • Building successful retreats and mentorship communities  • How she approaches AI while keeping human connection at the center of leadership  Connect with Dr. Christine Staten  veterinary_mba Adobe Veterinary Center: https://adobevetcenter.com/ Follow Dr. Christine Staten for practical insights on veterinary leadership, practice ownership, and building sustainable veterinary businesses.    If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.  Follow for more:   FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556480229406&mibextid=LQQJ4d⁠   IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/choosepeoplelovepets?igsh=MTVzZjc4ZHE4MWd2NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠   LI: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/choose-people-love-pets/