We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Clausen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Ever since the age of 7 (at least), I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur but, I never really knew how that would come to fruition. When I was 16, I started my first job as a receptionist in a veterinary clinic. I thought it was just a job to get me through high school and eventually college. But, there was just something about working in veterinary medicine that kept reeling me in. I tried changing majors, but nothing ever “caught fire”.

Fast forward a bit, I started a new job at a veterinary clinic and they asked if I wanted to manage the inventory for the practice (inventory includes things like drugs, supplies, food, basically anything needed to take care of patients). When I took on that position as inventory manager, there was extremely minimal training and I was struggling in my role. I learned everything I could about managing inventory and applied it and started creating my own system. Fast forward a bit, I had established a really great system for my inventory and had streamlined the processes, reduced inventory costs, and created protocols that hadn’t existed before. I also started teaching other local area practices how to manage inventory.

After some time, I was asked to speak to a group of hospitals about how to manage inventory, and I’ll never forget that feeling. As I was in front of these veterinary professionals, I could start to see light bulb moments happen and a real sense of hope and empowerment take over. After I finished, it was indescribable; it had lit my soul on fire. I knew that teaching and educating others was my path in life.

Fast forward to today, I have owned my consulting business (Veterinary Care Logistics) for a little over four years and I’m the only one in North America that is solely dedicated to inventory management consulting for veterinary professionals. Since I first started my business, because I’m the only one in the country, I didn’t know how it would take shape and my path and journey have evolved a number of times. I now offer one-on-one consulting, group mastermind, courses, a membership, have authored a number of publications, and am the host of a podcast (with a software system in the works!). But, the one thing that hasn’t changed, is seeing those lightbulb moments and watching the stress and overwhelm just melt away.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am the owner of Veterinary Care Logistics, a consulting firm dedicated to helping veterinary professionals manage inventory in their practice. I’ve owned my company for over four years and it has not always been easy (and still isn’t!). I’m currently the only consultant in North America that specializes in inventory management in the veterinary industry. One of the other things that set me apart is prior to consulting, I was in the role of an inventory manager so I truly understand not only the importance of inventory management but the struggles and challenges that this person faces as well. I teach and educate others on the step-by-step strategy as well as the mindset and offer a unique perspective that other consultants typically don’t have.

One of the other factors that I believed led to my success is how I listened to my audience about what they want and need and my ability to pivot and adapt to that. When I first started my company, I had a signature consulting package that I offered, but as time went on, I found that others were looking for a community, training, and education, not just consulting. Since then, I have expanded my offerings to various courses, a community, other consulting options catered to specific outcomes, controlled substance logs, remote consulting, and more.

One of the more challenging aspects of my business is that not only because I was a new business, but there hasn’t been a business similar prior to me, is I needed to not only educate my audience and potential clients on my services but how and why proper inventory management is critical to a veterinary practice. As a result, it’s been an interesting journey to teach veterinary professionals not only how, but WHY. With that being said, I’ve met some incredible, passionate people along the way and even though it’s been challenging at times, I can’t imagine doing anything else!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’ve been to DFW many times and I personally believe there is a certain kind of magic that happens when you’re driving down a country backroad, and the big Texas sky just brings something extra to that. Any time that I travel, I love checking out the food trucks, botanical garden, and any natural history or science museum. It’s the first place I go! So, I’d start there.

In my area, I’d start at the Museum of the Rockies, checking out all the dinosaurs, then, I’d head to lunch a Bone Broth Noodles (Pho), and then I’d head up to the mountains to do some hiking. After, I’d stay at the Armory Hotel in downtown Bozeman, and then get up early to head down to Yellowstone National Park. I’d go through the park and end up at the Beartooth Pass and go through Red Lodge. While there, I’d do some camping and stroll through all the great downtown shops and then circle back to Bozeman.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I was first considering starting my business and becoming a consultant, there is one particular veterinary industry professional that truly made an incredible impact on my success; Sarah. She not only believed in me but encouraged and inspired me. Sarah was truly in my corner, cheering me on every single step of the way. I recall brainstorming ideas together and collaborating to help positively impact other veterinary practices. Not only that, but she was the one who helped me land my first speaking event that lit my soul on fire and got me started on the path I’m on today. She has absolutely been instrumental in my success!

I also want to give credit to my amazing partner, Cody. He has supported my dream and vision for my business from the very beginning and has been so encouraging throughout the entire process. When I leave for a business trip, he stays behind taking care of our dogs and my garden, holding down the fort, and enabling me to travel as much as I need to. I know that I can take risks and do what needs to be done because he’s always there beside me.

Website: www.vetlogic.co

Instagram: www.instagram.com/veterinarycarelogistics

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-clausen-cssgb-ccfp-cvbl-121397143/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/veterinaryinventorystrategynetwork

Image Credits
Amelia Anne Photography

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