Where to Start

Find the right path for where you are

Independent clinic ownership covers a wide territory — planning a startup, evaluating an acquisition, financing the build, managing cash flow, hiring associates, eventually exiting. The right reading depends on where you are. Pick the path that fits.

By Where You Are

Pick your stage

Each path is a curated sequence of posts and tools. Read in order to build understanding progressively, or jump to specific topics within each path.

Path 01

Planning a Startup

You're considering opening a new practice. Cost structure, financing approach, working capital, location decisions, and the financial discipline to set the practice up for success from day one.

Start the planning path →
Path 02

Considering an Acquisition

You're evaluating buying an existing practice. How practices are valued, what to look at in due diligence, financing structures, and what separates a fair price from an overpayment.

Start the acquisition path →
Path 03

Financing Your Practice

You're working with lenders or thinking about loan structure. DSCR, equity injection, term sheets, covenants, and the specific lending paths available for healthcare practices in Canada and the US.

Start the financing path →
Path 04

Operating & Cash Flow

You're already operating and want to manage the practice better. Working capital, ramp dynamics, cash flow forecasting, KPI discipline, and the financial metrics that actually matter.

Start the operating path →
Path 05

Growing & Hiring

Your practice is established and you're considering associates, expansion, or partnership. Indicators of readiness, compensation structures, second-location dynamics, and partnership pathways.

Start the growth path →
Path 06

Property & Real Estate

You're navigating lease, location, or buy-vs-rent decisions. Lease clauses that matter, location analysis, rent benchmarks, assignment rights, and zoning considerations.

Start the property path →
Path 07

Valuation & Exit

You're thinking about eventual sale or transition. How practices are valued, what reduces valuation, the 24-month preparation framework, and structuring transactions effectively.

Start the valuation path →
Path 08

Benchmarks & Metrics

You want to understand how your numbers compare. Revenue per visit, labour costs, rent ratios, EBITDA margins, and the financial KPIs every operator should monitor.

Start the benchmarks path →
By Healthcare Specialty

Or find guidance for your specialty

Different healthcare specialties have meaningfully different financial structures. Curated resource pages for medical aesthetic, audiology, optometry, physiotherapy, mental health, general medical, and dental practice.

Browse by Specialty →

Seven specialty pages currently available. Resources for chiropractic, podiatry, rehabilitation, and IV therapy practice are in development; the financial planning tools support all 13 specialties.

By Topic Cluster

Or browse by topic cluster

If you're looking for specific topics rather than a sequential path, the topic clusters cover defined subject areas in depth.

Dental Practice Finance

8 posts

Dental-specific content on startup costs, acquisition vs. startup, SBA financing, EBITDA multiples, associate compensation, equipment financing, and Canadian sale processes.

Browse dental finance posts →

Lender Relationships

7 posts

Cornerstone content on commercial lending: DSCR, term sheets, equity injection, loan covenants, BDC vs chartered banks, credit profile, and working with mortgage brokers.

Browse lender relationship posts →

Cash Flow & Working Capital

6 posts

The financial dynamics that drive most early-clinic outcomes. Working capital reserves, the first 90 days, months 4-6 cash stress, ramp curves, and rolling 13-week forecasting.

Browse cash flow posts →

Property & Real Estate

5 posts

Lease clauses that matter, location analysis, rent benchmarks, assignment and subletting rights, and zoning considerations for healthcare practices.

Browse property posts →

Growth, Hiring & Expansion

5 posts

When the practice is ready for an associate, compensation structures, financial considerations for opening a second location, multi-location economics, and partnership pathways.

Browse growth posts →

Valuation & Exit

4 posts

Factors that reduce practice valuation, the 24-month sale preparation framework, financial due diligence for buyers, and seller financing structures.

Browse valuation posts →

Benchmarks & Financial Metrics

3 posts

Revenue per visit benchmark ranges by specialty, labour cost as percentage of revenue, and the financial KPIs every clinic operator should monitor.

Browse benchmarks posts →

Running the Practice

Multiple posts

Operational and financial topics for established practices: cash flow management, KPI discipline, refinancing decisions, and ongoing financial management.

Browse operations posts →
Quick Reference

Or jump to specific tools

If you're looking for the modeling tools rather than the content, head directly to the tool you need.

Planning

Clinic Cost Estimator

Open tool →
Financing

Capital Structure Tool

Open tool →
Operating

Profitability Calculator

Open tool →
Property

Buy vs Lease Calculator

Open tool →
Valuation

Practice Valuation Reference

Open tool →
Growth

Associate Economics Calculator

Open tool →
Refinancing

Loan Refinance Calculator

Open tool →
Benchmarks

Performance Benchmarks

Open tool →
All tools

Free Planning Tools Hub

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