The Business of Practice: Vested Purchase Practice Startup Model 

In this episode, Ciera Guardia, DVM, discussed her experience starting a veterinary practice with the help of a mentor. She also talked about her paper on the “Stay Factor,” presented at the 2024 AAEP Convention, which explores the importance of knowing your unique needs and having a vision for your career to stay in equine practice.  

With a clear goal of becoming a sports medicine practitioner, Guardia partnered with a mentor who provided financial support and business experience to start her own practice. She explained the basics of the vested purchase model and directed interested listeners to additional details from her 2022 AAEP presentation, Seeding the Field to Grow Future Owners. 

When starting her practice, Guardia experienced imposter syndrome and financial worries, but expressed deep gratitude for all those who provided advice and support. She emphasized that having control over her career impacted her decision to remain in equine practice. Having a clear vision for what she wanted to become as a practitioner has allowed her to create the career she imagined, and she told listeners that they too can create a rewarding life in equine practice.  

About Dr. Ciera Guardia 

Ciera Guardia, DVM, grew up in Texas. As a teenager and throughout her undergraduate career, she was a competitive FEI dressage rider and competed in three-day eventing. She attended Texas A&M University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science and then her DVM. Her career goal was to be a leader in equine orthopedics and sports medicine, and she became qualified as an FEI Treating Veterinarian early in her career. After working with several prominent practices and honing her skills, Guardia started her own solo sports medicine practice, Guardia Equine, in 2016 in Houston.  

You can contact Guardia at cguardiadvm@gmail.com. 

Related Reading

• The Business of Practice: Starting a Veterinary Practice With Cash
• The Business of Practice: Hiring an Equine Practice Associate
• The Business of Practice: Emergency-Only Practice Model

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