In this episode of Office Hours, host Justin Marti of Marti Law Group sits down with Jessica Nunn, founder of Maven Financial Partners, for a candid conversation on one of the most consequential decisions a healthcare practice owner will make: when and how to bring an associate into ownership.

Jessica, a CPA-turned-fractional CFO whose firm advises dental, medical aesthetics, plastic surgery, concierge, and functional medicine practices, breaks down the full lifecycle of an associate — from first-year hire to equity partner. Together, Justin and Jessica unpack compensation models, valuation timing, financing structures, and the legal and financial guardrails every owner needs before “putting a ring on it.” If you’ve ever wondered whether to stay the king of your kingdom or build a partner-driven practice, this episode lays out the trade-offs in plain English.

1. How to structure associate compensation at each stage, from daily minimums and flat salaries for new hires to production-based models for established providers
2. Why owners should wait at least 18 months before offering equity, and the warning signs that an associate is ready (or not) to become a partner
3. The right way to value a practice at the moment of buy-in, and why “sweat equity” arguments from associates usually don’t hold up
4. How to choose between bank financing and a seller note when an associate buys in, and the risks of becoming your partner’s banker
5. What needs to be papered up before the deal closes, repurchase rights, fiduciary duties, non-competes, distribution policies, and division of operational duties
6. Why locking yourself into a rigid 5- or 10-year succession plan can backfire, and how to build flexibility into your exit strategy

[00:00] Intro

[02:55] The two associate archetypes every practice owner needs to recognize

[04:35] Compensation that evolves: from daily minimums to production-based pay

[07:14] “Be the king” vs. building a partner-driven practice

[08:35] Why 18 months of working together comes before any equity conversation

[10:46] Bank financing vs. seller notes, and why you don’t want to be your partner’s banker

[12:38] Papering for the worst-case: repurchases, clawbacks, and the partnership “prenup”

[14:23] The danger of mapping out the rest of your life in legal documents

[18:18] Why you should value the practice the day of the buy-in, not the day the associate started

[21:18] Why partner deals can be harder than third-party M&A

[22:02] Cleaning up the books before a partner buys in

[23:40] Dividing duties so ownership doesn’t quietly turn into resentment

1. Maven Financial Partners — https://www.mavenfp.com
2. Maven Financial Partners on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/mavenfinancial/

1. Website: https://www.mavenfp.com
2. Bio: https://www.mavenfp.com/team/jessica-nunn
3. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-nunn-cpa-1474a417/
4. Email: [email protected]
5. Phone: 972-999-6947
6. Instagram (Maven): https://www.instagram.com/mavenfinancial/

1. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinmarti
2. Email: [email protected]

Website: https://martilawgroup.com