Building a Successful Mobile Veterinary Practice: Dr. Tom Vega’s Journey
Dr. Tom Vega, a Chicago-based entrepreneur and veterinarian, has carved out an innovative path in veterinary medicine by launching Concierge Companions Vet Med, a mobile veterinary practice. After a career in corporate telecommunications with U.S. Cellular and supporting Affordable Care Act call centers, Vega found himself burned out by the demands of corporate leadership, particularly the difficult task of laying off employees. This experience inspired him to pursue a long-held dream of opening his own veterinary practice, blending his passion for animal care with entrepreneurial ambition.
Graduating from veterinary school in 2020, Vega initially worked in a general veterinary practice where he received mentorship that helped shape his early career. However, it was in April 2025 that he discovered the potential of veterinary relief work through Roo, a platform connecting veterinary professionals with flexible relief opportunities. By working shifts through Roo, Vega not only gained valuable experience but also generated the necessary capital to fuel his mobile practice ambitions.
Funding a Mobile Practice Through Relief Work
Vega’s decision to leverage Roo was pivotal. Relief work offered him a flexible schedule and improved work-life balance, ultimately allowing him to leave his corporate job by May 2025. Over eight months, from May to December 2025, he earned approximately $103,000 through Roo, which served as seed money for Concierge Companions Vet Med. Notably, in August 2025 alone, Vega completed 18 shifts and earned $23,000—accelerating his timeline for launching the mobile practice from two years to just a few months.
One of the challenges Vega faced was the veterinary industry’s requirement that practitioners be licensed for a minimum of two years before qualifying for business loans. Despite strong personal finances and credit, this rule delayed traditional funding avenues, making Roo an essential financial and operational resource. Vega describes Roo as an “investor without having an investor,” supporting his business’s cash flow and growth during its critical startup phase.
Operational Insights and Financial Management
Vega’s business acumen is self-taught, cultivated through extensive research, practical experience, and mentorship rather than formal business education. “I don’t have an MBA,” he admits, “but I picked up books and used Google to understand fundamentals like cash flow, key performance indicators, payroll, and ordering.” This hands-on approach has paid off, with Concierge Companions Vet Med projecting roughly $284,660 in gross business deposits for 2026, based on a strong Q1 showing of $91,000 in gross revenue.
The mobile practice operates with low overhead costs, including a part-time technician and a $4,400 monthly mobile unit lease. Other expenses such as gas and supplies are managed carefully, with Vega ordering supplies in smaller quantities appropriate for his mobile setup rather than bulk hospital orders. This lean model enables stable margins even with modest client transaction sizes averaging around $300.
Innovating with a Concierge Retainer Model
Looking ahead, Vega plans to expand Concierge Companions Vet Med by launching a concierge retainer model in July 2026. Inspired by personal trainers or on-call doctors, this model allows clients to have direct, prioritized access to veterinary care. For example, a client could call at 10 a.m. about a pet’s breathing and receive an immediate response, even via Facetime. Vega aims to support around 80 clients on this retainer, providing a steady and predictable revenue stream.
Beyond individual clients, Vega has shifted his focus to partnerships with senior living facilities, a pivot informed by his observation that many repeat visits occurred at such locations. By coordinating regular monthly visits to these facilities, he optimizes travel routes and maximizes operational efficiency—a strategy reminiscent of logistics in the trucking industry. These partnerships reduce downtime and travel expenses, contributing significantly to the practice’s sustainability.
Lessons and Vision for the Future
Dr. Vega’s story underscores the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and focusing on factors that drive success. He encourages new veterinarians and entrepreneurs alike to embrace their unique paths, emphasizing that tenure is less important than experience and confidence. He also highlights the critical role of support networks, crediting his husband with encouragement throughout his journey.
“There are a million reasons why we may not succeed as business owners or as founders, but I encourage and challenge everyone to rather than focus on all the reasons why your business is not going to work, focus on the one reason why it’s going to take off,” Vega advises. His approach and results demonstrate how innovative models like mobile veterinary services paired with technology platforms such as Roo can redefine veterinary care and entrepreneurship alike.
For more insight into Dr. Vega’s inspiring journey and the growth trajectory of Concierge Companions Vet Med, visit Concierge Companions Vet Med and explore the flexible opportunities provided by Roo.
Image Credit: Concierge Companions Vet Med. Dr. Tom Vega.
Image Credit: Concierge Companions Vet Med
Image Credit: Concierge Companions Vet Med
Image Credit: Concierge Companions Vet Med
Image Credit: Concierge Companions Vet Med
Key Takeaways
- Vega used vet relief platform Roo to earn extra money and fund his own mobile practice.
- He officially launched Concierge Companions Vet Med in October 2025.
- Now, Vega has plans to roll out a retainer model and build up a fleet of mobile units.
This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with Dr. Tom Vega, founder and chief medical officer of Concierge Companions Vet Med and DVM Ambassador at Roo, a platform that connects veterinary professionals with flexible relief work opportunities.
Source: Here
