1,001 DALMATIANS (AND COUNTING): MAPPING AN EXIT STRATEGY FOR A VETERINARY FOUNDER

Authors

  • Gregory Berka

Keywords:

SECRJ, Southeast Case research Association, veterinarian, retirement, Venture capital buyers, professional motivations, weighing personal

Abstract

Dalton Wunder, at 69, loved working as a veterinarian and managing the practice that he started in 1978. As of 2016, he owned the practice with two other long-time veterinarian partners: one who started in 1979 and the other in 1994. He considered retirement for some time, but delayed primarily because he didn’t know how he would spend his time after retirement. Venture capital buyers recently presented offers to purchase the entire practice, with a two-year phase out period for Dalton. There was a deadline on the latest offer, which pushed Dalton to consider the best offer and three other retirement transition options. He felt a major decision needed to be made on the next step into retirement, which could be the big step where he moved on and detached from the practice completely. This decision-making case asks the reader to step into the shoes of Dalton to evaluate all options, while weighing personal and professional motivations as well the impact his final decision has on other parties

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Published

2016-12-31

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2016)

Section

Cases

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