Mar 13, 2018
Dr. Caitlin DeWilde is a practicing veterinarian and founder of The Social DVM, a small consulting firm devoted to helping veterinary practices manage and grow their social media and online reputation.
She has partnered with small and large animal veterinary practices, national industry groups, non-profit organizations, and individual veterinarians to create practical yet creative strategies to succeed online and in practice.
She is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine and an alum of the AVMA's Future Leaders Program. In her free time, she enjoys travel, photography, and of course, the many hilarious corgi and cat-related videos on social media.
Find her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook: @thesocialdvm
1:37 Insights from the Social DVM on starting a business, work-life balance, career transitions and being an entrepreneur in the veterinary profession.
2:42 “I was looking at ways to make this side passion turn into something that was a little more of a flexible career for me.”
2:55 What’s a side hustle? Building a business while working a full-time job!
3:35 How the Social DVM manages work-life balance. “It’s always a work in progress.”
5:40 Should we reconsider what our work week looks like? “Everybody wants the elusive 8 to 5 which has never happened for me as a veterinarian. You have to figure out what works for you. It’s different for everybody. You have to find your niche and what works for you.”
8:00 Are you finding that building a business might be helpful with paying off student loan debt?
9:35 “You have to decide at what point to no longer work at a clinic, as a budding business owner, that means a not consistent, not reliable paycheck. That’s a risk.”
10:20 When did you decide to become an entrepreneur?
11:40 “Do what makes you happy. If you can find something that makes you happy and works for your lifestyle then it’s worth the risk.”
5 Questions segment
13:00 For those of you who aren’t morning people. Insights from Dr. DeWilde on her night time routine!
14:30 What’s your definition of Success? “Finding the perfect balance that works for you.”
16:20 What’s your definition of Happiness? “Waking up and looking forward to the day.”
17:33 What do you know now that you wish you knew 10 years ago? “I thought I would have a straight up and down career ladder. Your career path is more of a jungle gym, it weaves around, you can fall off and get back on and it’ll be fine.”
19:00 What’s the greatest issue facing the veterinary profession today? “Student Loan Debt”