Testimonials
Michael Murphy, DVM
Mark Crootof has helped make the transition from associate to owner as easy as possible. From the beginning, Mark showed us how we could take our current assets and use them to invest in a new business. He also helped evaluate two different possible practice locations and made our decision to move long distance much easier. As a result, our soon-to-open business is in a great facility in a fast growing community five states away from my former employment.
Mark has been very reassuring throughout every phase of our project. He's been there for zoning issues and real estate purchase negotiation. He evaluated practice location, traveled to the building site, negotiated bank loans, found a competent CPA and local attorneys, and most importantly designed a beautiful floor plan for our new building. Mark also consulted with my builder/contractor on construction, sound and odor control, and other important issues for veterinary hospitals. He's always been available and no question is too small.
In addition to everything above, what I've been most impressed with Mark Crootof is his insistence that the veterinarians he works with practice good quality medicine. He takes great pride in all the hospitals that he helps. I would recommend Mark to anyone interested in starting up on their own.
Contact: mtmdvm@gmail.com
Brenda Forsythe, PH.D, DVM
Cat Care of Vinnings
It is my pleasure to recommend the services of Dr. Mark Crootof and Crootof Consulting to veterinarians interested in starting or buying a practice. I have utilized Dr. Crootof's services for negotiating a potential practice buy-in - his expertise helped me to evaluate the practice and ultimately reach a decision to start a practice of my own instead. In this capacity Dr. Crootof helped me locate an excellent site, find a great SBA loan, design the floor plan, find an architect, negotiate my lease, and attend to all the details between conception and completion of the project. Most importantly, Dr. Crootof helped me stay positive, motivated, and moving forward by helping me through many moments of doubt and concern about the process. It has been reassuring to have the assistance of an experienced consultant in this monumental endeavor....Dr. Crootof made the many challenges so much easier to handle. If I had it to do over again, knowing what I know now, I still wouldn't try to tackle it without my practice consultant.
Contact: OrcuttVet@aol.com
Sean D. Sawyer, V.M.D.
PawSteps Veterinary Center, Inc.
After several years of cautiously preparing for practice ownership, Mark has made the path to starting a practice much less daunting. I originally met Mark after he had been recommended to me by several other presenters at the 2007 NAVC as someone skilled with startups. Since then, Mark has repeatedly demonstrated his skills and understanding of veterinary business and has worked tirelessly on many evenings and weekends to further my aspirations. He clarified my professional goals, assisted me with the assessment of practice locations, and was invaluable in the acquisition of a business loan and the closure of my real estate. He has continued to guide me in the design of my hospital, while helping me with equipment selection and acquisition. Perhaps most importantly, he has been available to reassure my family of the wisdom of this venture, while also reminding me to maintain the health of my personal life.
In short, Mark has been accessible and has tailored his guidance to meet my needs as they have arisen. His mentoring has been both substantial and vital to our success to date and to our expected future successes. I have no reservations in recommending Mark as his experience and expertise in veterinary business is self-evident.
Contact: ssawyervmd@alumni.upenn.edu
Kari Mundschenk, DVM
Just for Cats Veterinary Hospital
I have worked with other consultants. None of them took a personal financial interest in the parties they were assisting. Even though I know Mark will get his payment, it has never been a focus of our relationship whereas in previous encounters, financial contracts are signed prior to even answering the first question.
One of the best attributes I feel Mark has going for him is the fact that he knows Veterinary Medicine. He continually seeks out continuing education to know what doctors today are facing and where the profession is heading. That is quite a contrast to many consultants who may come with the book knowledge and the economic indices but have no knowledge about the daily trials we, as veterinarians, encounter.
I am currently involved in opening my second hospital. I only wish I had known Mark during my first endeavor. The entire procedure would have gone much smoother.
Contact: Just for Cats Veterinary Hospital, 916-691-4000.
Jeff Schmidt D.V.M.
Arbor View Veterinary Clinic
The process of starting a new veterinary practice is complicated and can be very intimidating to someone without a business background. Mark has helped me and supported me every step of the way. He is very good at breaking down a seemingly overwhelming task into a series of logical and manageable steps. Mark has guided me in the process of obtaining a business loan, choosing a location, selecting staff members, finalizing a floor plan, advertising, selection of equipment and practice management software. He has worked nights, weekends, and holidays to help me accomplish my goals. On several occasions he has flown from New York to California in order lend his personal attention to matters he deemed too important to handle over the phone or e-mail. In short, he has been an integral and invaluable part of establishing my own veterinary practice. Without his experience and support I'm not sure I would have been able to get this project off the ground.
Ina Obernesser, DVM
Uptown Vets, NYC
Mark Crootof started as our consultant before we even had a physical space for our start-up, answering our endless questions with extreme patience. Once the space was chosen, he was instrumental in securing financing through a veterinary lender. The design process would have been impossible without Mark's insights and suggestions.
Equipment purchases were another daunting and overwhelming task I could not have faced without Mark, as he is extremely knowledgeable and familiar with the diverse products and vendors. His negotiation skills were phenomenal. But mostly, Mark is available for even the smallest concerns, panic attacks, and has a most calming attitude even in the face of utter hysteria. After speaking to Mark, my blood pressure always dropped by at least 100 mm Hg!
Contact: Ina_o1@hotmail.com, 212-222-1221