In this episode, Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler sit down with Melissa Tompkins—practice management consultant, speaker, and founder of South Coast Veterinary Management Solutions. From her unexpected start in the veterinary field (thanks to a cat named Crash) to managing multiple hospitals and launching leadership groups across Southern California, Melissa shares her journey and passion for helping veterinary teams thrive.

🚨 Key Takeaways:

• Why practice managers are the linchpins of veterinary success
• How consultants can be the fire extinguisher before your clinic is in flames
• The truth about communication breakdowns in clinics (hint: it’s 98% of your problem)
• How Melissa’s talks on “creating your own drama” and “setting boundaries” empower overwhelmed teams
• Her unique approach to tackling compassion fatigue and why it matters now more than ever

🐾 Plus, hear about Melissa’s surprise performance at the 1984 Olympics, her cat ears branding, and what she learned from a fish named Bob.

📣 Don’t miss this candid, insightful, and laugh-filled conversation aimed at inspiring better leadership and healthier clinics.

🔗 Learn more about Melissa:
 Website: South Coast Veterinary Management Solutions
YouTube: South Coast Veterinary Manage 263
Instagram & Facebook: @SouthCoastVetSolutions
LinkedIn: Melissa Tompkins

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations that educate, advocate, and inspire veterinary professionals.

Welcome to a special Mindset Edition of the Vet’Ed Podcast! In this bite-sized episode, Steven Hermann dives into the often-overlooked leadership skill of reacting well. Drawing from both Harvard Business Review and real-world leadership moments, Steven redefines what it means to lead—not by controlling, but by responsibly reacting with empathy, purpose, and perseverance.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• Leadership means responsibility, not control. It’s not about having all the answers—it's about how you respond when you're needed most.
• Reacting well is a skill, not a flaw. With experience, empathy, and a growth mindset, reaction becomes a powerful leadership tool.
• Empathy and perseverance are key. Leadership moments often come unplanned—how you show up emotionally matters more than what you know.
• Compassion before correction. Don’t default to policies—lead with understanding first.
• Be proactively reactive. If 35% of your day will be spent reacting, build space in your calendar to handle it intentionally.

💡 Reflection Prompt:
Steven challenges you to think:
"Are you ready for the 35%? How can you lead this week by responding with curiosity, courage, and compassion?"

Thanks for tuning in! If this episode inspired you, please consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving a comment.

➡️ For more insights and resources, visit: propartnersteam.com

Welcome to Episode 31 of The Vet’Ed Podcast, hosted by Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler.

In this episode, Steven and Kale sit down with Dr. Cliff Miller, founder of Green Hills Veterinary Clinic in Moberly, Missouri. From starting his practice with just one patient (his own dog!) to now leading a four-doctor team, Dr. Miller shares his journey of intentional growth, small-town community impact, and balancing life as a vet, cattleman, coach, and legislative advocate.

As the Legislative Chairman for the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA), Dr. Miller offers a behind-the-scenes look at the legislative process affecting veterinarians in Missouri and beyond. He breaks down the importance of advocacy, the role of organized veterinary medicine, and how staying involved ensures that veterinarians—not just lawmakers—shape the future of the profession.

From drug compounding laws and sales tax on services to the national conversation around xylazine regulation, this episode is packed with insight for any vet wanting to better understand the forces shaping their world.

🎧 Whether you're in the exam room or on the road, this episode will leave you informed and inspired.

➡️ Visit Pro Partners Team for more resources and tools to support your veterinary journey.

📩 Drop us a note anytime at: [email protected] — we’d love to hear from you!

Welcome to a special Mindset Edition of the Vet’Ed Podcast. In this bite-sized episode, Steven Hermann reflects on leadership—not as a title, but as a practice rooted in mindset, trust, and accountability. He shares personal leadership lessons from three key experiences: working in a family grocery store, serving on a school board, and building the ProPartners Team.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• Leadership isn’t one thing—it depends, and it’s best thought of as a practice.
• Leadership takes different forms: structured roles (grocery store), collaborative influence (school board), and vision-driven growth (ProPartners).
• Empowerment and trust are essential—true leadership means trusting others and letting them grow.
• The one constant across all leadership experiences: accountability.
• A growth mindset (not ego or title) is what allows anyone to lead.

💡 Reflection Prompt: Steven challenges listeners to ask:
“What’s one small way you can practice leadership this week that aligns with your values, brings energy, and does some good?”

Thanks for tuning in! If this episode inspired you, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving a comment.

➡️ Visit the Pro Partners Team for more insights and resources:
 propartnersteam.com

Welcome to Episode 30 of The Vet’Ed Podcast hosted by Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler. 

In this episode, Steven and Kale are joined by Alex Wright, the Practice Manager at Ellisville Veterinary Hospital. With a journey that started at age 17 and evolved into leadership by 24, Alex shares her real-world experiences managing a busy, growing clinic — all while staying rooted in compassion, culture, and people-first leadership.

Alex opens up about what it takes to create a practice culture where people want to be — and how building trust, embracing vulnerability, and leading by example has helped her and her team thrive. From empowering CSRs to handle tough client conversations to planning a brand-new hospital space with intention and heart, this episode is packed with wisdom for anyone in the veterinary field.

Thanks for listening! If this episode inspired or helped you, we’d be so grateful if you subscribed, shared it with your team, and dropped us a comment!

➡️ Visit the Pro Partners Team to learn more and to access helpful resources:
propartnersteam.com

👋 Connect with us anytime at: [email protected] — we love hearing from you!

In this episode of The Vet’Ed Podcast — Mindset Edition, Steven Hermann dives into one of the biggest challenges for independent veterinary practices: pricing—and why it’s all in your head.

Pricing isn’t just about covering costs; it’s about positioning, value, and mindset. Steven shares lessons from his background in the grocery industry, where competition is fierce, and pricing strategy is critical. He draws parallels to veterinary medicine, challenging practice owners to rethink their pricing fears and adopt a growth mindset when setting rates.

Key takeaways from this episode:
 ✅ Stop underpricing out of fear – Pricing should be based on value, not just competition.
✅ Mindset matters – A fixed mindset can keep your business stagnant, while a growth mindset opens up new opportunities.
✅ Differentiation is key – Corporate clinics may have bigger budgets, but independent practices have personal connections and unique services that set them apart.
✅ You can adjust – Pricing isn’t permanent. If you raise prices and it doesn’t work, you can always tweak them.

Steven also shares actionable strategies, including how to use vendor resources, when to consider a price increase, and why independent business owners are naturally resourceful and innovative—the same qualities that drive long-term success.

Tune in to learn how shifting your pricing mindset can transform your practice’s financial health.

For more insights and strategies to elevate your veterinary practice, visit:
 🔗 propartnersteam.com

Episode 29: Mindset, Leadership, and Reinventing Veterinary Well-being with Dr. Jennifer Edwards

In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast, hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler sit down with Dr. Jennifer Edwards — veterinarian, practice owner, mindset leadership coach, and Chair of the Wellness Committee for the New Hampshire Veterinary Medical Association — to dive into her powerful journey of transformation and personal development.

Dr. Edwards shares her unconventional path from psychology to veterinary medicine, her bold decision to start a practice from scratch, and the pivotal moment that led her to sell it — just weeks before COVID-19 turned the industry upside down.

Now a mindset and leadership coach, Dr. Edwards breaks down the most common mental barriers veterinarians face — from burnout to the victim mentality — and explains how reframing your mindset can open the door to a more empowered, fulfilling career and life. She also explores how creating a culture of trust and support, especially in larger corporate veterinary practices, is essential for long-term success and well-being.

Whether you’re a veterinarian, practice owner, or anyone passionate about leadership and personal growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights on mindset shifts, resilience, and building a veterinary career that works for you — not the other way around.

🎧 Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more people find the show!

➡️ Visit Pro Partners Team for more insights and resources: propartnersteam.com and drjenniferedwards.com

👋 Connect with us: [email protected] — we’d love to hear your thoughts!

In this episode of The Vet’Ed Podcast — Mindset Edition, Steven Hermann explores why client experience might just be more important than medicine itself — and how shifting your focus can transform your practice.

Steven breaks down the three key elements of a standout client experience:

• First impressions: From the parking lot to the front desk, what clients see, smell, and feel sets the tone — long before medicine even comes into play.
• Communication over medicine: Great medicine doesn’t matter if clients don’t understand it. Simplifying your language, meeting them where they are, and staying empathetic are essential for building trust and ensuring compliance.
• The goodbye matters just as much as the hello: How clients feel when they walk out the door — and whether you follow up — determines if they return. Steven shares how to create “wow moments” that leave a lasting, positive impression.

Drawing from his background in the grocery industry, Steven connects the dots between running a successful veterinary practice and delivering an unforgettable client experience — one that keeps clients loyal, even when the competition is fierce.

Tune in to learn how small shifts in mindset and approach can make a massive difference in your client relationships — and your practice’s success.

For more insights and strategies to elevate your veterinary practice, check out:
 🔗 propartnersteam.com

Episode 28: Leadership, Advocacy, and the Future of Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Jessica Stroupe

In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast, hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler sit down with Dr. Jessica Stroupe — owner of Howard County Veterinary Service and AVMA delegate for Missouri — to discuss her journey as a practice owner, leader, and advocate for the veterinary profession.

Dr. Stroupe dives into her new role as an AVMA delegate, sharing insights on the legislative issues shaping veterinary medicine — from the controversial mid-level practitioner debate to xylazine regulations and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. She breaks down what it’s like to represent Missouri veterinarians on the national stage and how AVMA policies influence the future of private practices.

The conversation explores her passion for outreach, particularly in K-4 education, where she’s working to inspire the next generation of diverse veterinarians — ensuring kids from all backgrounds see a future in the profession.

Whether you’re a veterinarian, practice owner, or student, this episode is packed with inspiration and valuable insights on leadership, advocacy, and the evolving veterinary landscape.

Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, we’d love for you to subscribe, share, and leave a comment to help others discover the show!

➡️ Visit Pro Partners Team for more insights and resources: propartnersteam.com

👋 Connect with us: [email protected] — we’d love to hear your thoughts!

In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast, Steven Hermann dives into the concept of the fixed mindset—how it holds us back, why we default to it, and how shifting toward a growth mindset can unlock new opportunities. Drawing from his experience at the recent VetPartners meeting, Steven unpacks key takeaways about fostering meaningful connections, avoiding the illusion of a “unique approach,” and embracing accountability in veterinary practice management.

Steven explores how common industry challenges—like client demand and workforce shifts—can be tackled more effectively when we find common ground rather than clinging to rigid perspectives. He also challenges the idea of “gaining an edge” and proposes that real success comes from adaptability, openness, and continuous learning.

Tune in to discover how shifting your mindset can transform the way you approach business, leadership, and professional growth.

For more resources and to connect with VetPartners, check out:
 🔗 VetPartners