On January 1, 20Y8, Dr. Marcie Cousins established Health-Wise Medical, a medical practice organized as a proprietorship. The following conversation occurred the following August between Dr. Cousins and a former medical school classmate, Dr. Avi Abu, at an American Medical Association convention in Seattle:
Dr. Abu: Marcie, good to see you again. Why didn’t you call when you were in Miami? We could have had dinner together.
Dr. Cousins: Actually, I never made it to Miami this year. My husband and kids went up to our Vail condo twice, but I got stuck in Jacksonville. I opened a new consulting practice this January and haven’t had any time for myself since.
Dr. Abu: I heard about it . . . Health . . . something . . . right?
Dr. Cousins: Yes, Health-Wise Medical. My husband chose the name.
Dr. Abu: I’ve thought about doing something like that. Are you making any money? I mean, is it worth your time?
Dr. Cousins: You wouldn’t believe it. I started by opening a bank account with $25,000, and my July bank statement has a balance of $80,000. Not bad for six months—all pure profit.
Dr. Abu: Maybe I’ll try it in Miami! Let’s have breakfast together tomorrow, and you can fill me in on the details. Comment on Dr. Cousins’ statement that the difference between the opening bank balance ($25,000) and the July statement balance ($80,000) is pure profit.