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Welcome back to The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we're switching things up with a powerful conversation on redefining wealth and lifestyle. Our guest is Bri Conn, Chief Experience Officer at Childfree Wealth®, a life and financial planning firm dedicated to helping childfree and permanently childless people design a life they love. Bri shares her journey into this unique space, the principles behind their approach, and how the FILE (Financial Independence, Live Early) philosophy encourages living fully, now, not just in retirement. It's time to rethink what financial freedom really means. In this episode, we're discussing… Why Child-Free Financial Planning Is Different: Traditional money strategies often don't reflect the goals of those without children, like the desire for experiences over inheritance. Start With Life, Then Build the Finances Around It: Discover how leading with your ideal lifestyle can shape a more purpose-driven financial plan. Understanding the FILE Philosophy: Financial Independence, Live Early promotes reducing work-related stress now to make room for joy and freedom long before retirement age. You May Need Less Than You Think: Learn why many child-free individuals overestimate retirement needs based on outdated assumptions. Early Planning = More Freedom: The earlier you start, the sooner you can travel, give, create, or pursue passion projects without financial stress. Spending & Giving With Intention: Bri offers a practical strategy, matching your fun spending with charitable giving to overcome guilt and create impact. Being a Supportive Ally: Understand how to support child-free individuals without making assumptions about their lives or finances. Tools & Resources for Child-Free Living: From financial checkups to lifestyle design coaching, explore what's available to help you build a life you love.   Resources from Bri      LinkedIn | Childfree Wealth® | The Childfree Guide to Life and Money by Dr. Jay Zigmont Resources from Mike and Nichole      Gateway Private Equity Group |  Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob

Episode 151: Why Creativity Isn't Optional Anymore for Therapists and Helpers (Season 5 Finale) What if your burnout is actually a signal that it's time to shift?What if the path back to fulfillment isn't more certifications or better time management—but more creativity, play, and aligned living? If you're a therapist, helping professional, or creative entrepreneur feeling burned out, stuck, or unsure how to keep showing up in this field you used to love… this episode is for you. In this solo season finale of The Innovative Therapist Podcast, I share what I've learned in Season 5—and in my own life—about why creativity isn't optional anymore. Not just as a bonus. But as a necessary part of sustainable, meaningful work. A Season of Alignment, Creativity, and Courage This season has been the most “me” the podcast has ever felt. We talked about creative living, storytelling, nervous system regulation, entrepreneurship, embodiment, and how to do more of the work that lights us up. And behind the scenes? I turned 40.I danced in a contemporary show.I choreographed a duet with my friend Allie about perfectionism and authenticity.I celebrated, rested, cried, and reimagined what I want to build. And most importantly—I listened.To my body. To my joy. And to the parts of me that still get scared when I try something new. If You're Asking “What Else Can I Do With My Therapy Skills?”… You're Not Alone. Many of us became therapists or helpers because we're deeply empathetic and want to create change. But somewhere along the way, you might find yourself asking: How do I keep going when I'm burned out? What other career paths exist for therapists like me? How can I use my gifts without sacrificing my well-being? Is it okay to want something different—even if I've invested so much into this path? I hear these questions all the time from folks in my community. And I've asked them myself. Which is why this episode is about offering both reflection and direction. Because creativity, when we make space for it, helps us unlock new answers to these questions. Why Creativity Matters—Especially Now Here's what I believe:Creativity and joy aren't frivolous. They're essential. They help us connect with our own aliveness. They open up possibilities. They offer healing not only for ourselves, but for our clients and communities. And they are especially important for therapists and helping professionals navigating: Burnout and compassion fatigue A changing mental health landscape Systems that reward overworking and self-sacrifice The desire for more flexibility, freedom, and fulfillment In short? Creativity is your asset.Not a distraction. Not a hobby. But a path to deeper alignment and more sustainable impact. Tools + Resources for Burned Out Therapists & Creative Helpers If you're feeling stuck, uninspired, or unsure how to move forward, here are two simple ways to begin reconnecting with your Zone of Genius:

This is Kelly's article introducing the new energy of Jupiter entering CANCER. Plus we will have a live event to discuss the possibilities and all are welcome!POST  =  https://KellyMBeard.com/2025/05/jupiter-enters-cancer-2025-26/12-min VIDEO  =  https://youtu.be/PWj2EhB4jB4Join the Power Circle CommunityJUNE 2025  •   POWER CircleJupiter Enters CANCER 2025-26THUR / June 5th8pm (eastern) / 5pm (pacific)Register HERE  =  https://KellyMBeard.com/circle-up/free-community-event/•  Donate HERE  =https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=38CSXPQMC5TNE(Sug. $22)All who Register or Donate will Receive the Replay, Tools + Resources.All who Submit Birth Date/Time/Place will Receivean additional email with their Personal Activations.#jupiter #cancer #cyclesSupport the show

This is an EXCERPT from our TAURUS Gate of Power, recorded on 5.4.2025. This season activates a conscious development & cultivation of new life, vitality and creativity. We get together every 6-weeks, at the Turn of the Wheel, to Honor the Sacred Seasons as we move throughout the year, intentionally and as a Community.   You can Register HERE to Access FULL Replay, Tools + Resources:https://www.KarmicTools.com/may-2025-taurus-gate-of-power-fire-ceremony/  We Covered the Following:•  Seasonal OVERVIEW •  Sky Council - CHART•  Energetic SUPPORT:  May 4 – June 21, 2025•  Special ACTIVATIONS•  Seasonal Community DIVINATIONS•  Seasonal Community READING   Join us next time at the SUMMER Solstice FRI/June 20th!  #gateofpower #crossquarter #sacredseasons #taurus #scorpio #leo #aquarius #shamanism #kellymbeard #shamanicastrology #transits #earthmedicine #energeticsupport #karmictoolsSupport the show

Special • MAY 2025 • Saturn Enters ARIES • New Cycle 2025-28POST  = https://KellyMBeard.com/2025/04/saturn-enters-aries-2025-28/VIDEO  =  https://youtu.be/UKfDBvibuJ8This is Kelly's article introducing the new energy of Saturn entering ARIES.Join the Power Circle Community in May!MAY 2025  •   POWER CircleSaturn on PISCES/ARIES Cusp 2025THUR/May 8th8pm (eastern) / 5pm (pacific)Register HERE  =  https://KellyMBeard.com/circle-up/free-community-event/•  Donate HERE  =https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=38CSXPQMC5TNE(Sug. $22)All who Register or Donate will Receive the Replay, Tools + Resources.All who Submit Birth Date/Time/Place will Receivean additional email with their Personal Activations.#saturn #aries #cyclesSupport the show

Are you or those you help seemingly doing all "right things" but still feeling stuck? That competitive drive, those controlling tendencies, or that persistent anxiety might actually be rooted in our biochemistry.  In this episode, Dr. Aimie sits down with Dr. Jason Loken to explore how hidden biochemical imbalances can create patterns of depression, anxiety, and behavioral challenges that talk therapy alone cannot resolve. Dr. Loken shares how under-methylation, a copper-zinc imbalance, and pyroluria can fundamentally affect your physical and mental well-being. They'll also discuss why certain traits run in families, how a copper-zinc imbalance can affect postpartum mental health, and why some children struggle with focus and emotional regulation. Dr. Loken breaks down the science behind these biochemical patterns, explains how these biochemical imbalances can be identified, and shares actionable steps for addressing the root cause of these imbalances. They'll talk more about: How under-methylation is connected to depression and anxiety The behavioral traits commonly associated with under-methylation (competitiveness, control issues, obsessive compulsive tendencies, etc.) How to properly test for methylation imbalances  How a surge in copper levels during pregnancy can lead to postpartum mood disorders Why "managing stress better" is nearly impossible with certain imbalances How pyroluria strips the body of key nutrients that help create the feel good chemicals like serotonin and dopamine  The connection between these biochemical imbalances and autoimmune conditions And more!   Whether you're a practitioner looking for more comprehensive approaches to mental health, a parent concerned about your child's behavior, or someone personally struggling with persistent symptoms, this episode offers valuable insights into how balancing your biochemistry might be the key to finally feeling like yourself again. Guides, Tools & Resources: 3 Most Common Biochemical Imbalances - Discover the common biochemical imbalances that are frequently at the core of mood and trauma patterns. Learn how these imbalances are identified and addressed to help improve emotional well-being. Biology of Trauma (the book) - How the Body Holds Fear, Pain, and Overwhelm, and How to Heal It. Please join us in the Insider's Circle where you can pre-order your copy and receive monthly readings with Dr. Aimie.   Related Podcasts: Episode 90: Beyond Talk Therapy: Addressing the Biochemical Basis of Behavior & Changing Our Response Episode 92: ​​How Chaos of Early Childhood Trauma Affects Our Adult Nervous System Related Youtube Videos:  The Copper to Zinc Ratio You Need For Healing From Trauma Are You Predisposed to Trauma? Disclaimer: By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or others. Consult your own physician for any medical issues that you may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Trauma Healing Accelerated, any guests or contributors to The Biology of Trauma® podcast, or any employees, associates, or affiliates of Trauma Healing Accelerated be responsible for damages arising from the use of the podcast.    

This is an EXCERPT from our SPRING Equinox, recorded on 3.21.2025. We had a special guest: Tonya Melendez of TarotLifeCoach.com who shared her wisdom in so many ways - we are deeply grateful for her contribution. We had some technical difficulties but you can find the complete Replay in the Classroom. You can Register HERE to Access FULL Replay, Tools + Resources:https://www.KarmicTools.com/march-2025-spring-equinox-fire-ceremony/We get together every 6-weeks, at the Turn of the Wheel, to Honor the Sacred Seasons as we move throughout the year, intentionally and as a Community. We will cover the following:• Seasonal Overview• Energetic Support• Special Activations• Community Seasonal Reading• Seasonal DivinationsJoin us next time at the TAURUS Gate of Power SUN/May 4th!#equinox #spring #fall #sacredseasons #aries #libra #cancer #capricorn #shamanism #kellymbeard #shamanicastrology #transits #earthmedicine #energeticsupport #karmictoolsSupport the show

You can Register HERE to Access FULL Replay, Tools + Resources:https://www.KarmicTools.com/feb-2025-aquarius-gate-of-power-fire-ceremony/We get together every 6-weeks, at the Turn of the Wheel, to Honor the Sacred Seasons as we move throughout the year, intentionally and as a Community. This is an EXCERPT from our AQUARIUS Gate of Power, recorded on 2.2.2025.We covered the following:• Seasonal Overview• Energetic Support• Special Activations• Community Reading• DivinationsJoin us next time at SPRING Equinox on March 21st! #gateofpower #crossquarter #sacredseasons #leo #aquarius #taurus #scorpio #shamanism #kellymbeard #shamanicastrology #transits #earthmedicine #energeticsupport #karmictoolsSupport the show

Special Update from Kelly:We get together every 6-weeks, at the Turn of the Wheel, to Honor the Sacred Seasons as we move throughout the year, intentionally and as a Community. This is an EXCERPT from our WINTER Solstice Seasonal FIRE Ceremony on 12.21.2024.  Join us next time at AQUARIUS Gate of Power!  FREE to Register HERE to Access the WINTER Solstice FULL Replay, Tools + Resources:https://www.KarmicTools.com/dec-2024-25-winter-solstice-fire-ceremony/  Seasonal OVERVIEW  ::  Winter Solstice Energetic SUPPORT  ::  Dec 21, 2024 - Feb 3, 2025Activations aka TRANSITS  ::  Special Alignments Community DIVINATIONS  ::  Guidance for Next 6-Weeks•Order Your Personal WINTER Solstice Reading  ($25/pdf only) Click HERE for WINTER Solstice Community Readinghttps://www.KarmicTools.com/readings-with-kelly  #wintersolstice #sacredseasons #capricorn #cancer #aries #libra #shamanism #kellymbeard #shamanicastrology #transits #earthmedicine #energeticsupport #karmictoolsOther Ways to Donate:Paypal/Zelle = KellyMBeard @ gmail / Venmo = Kelly-Beard-52Support the show

Special Update from Kelly:We get together every 6-weeks, at the Turn of the Wheel, to Honor the Sacred Seasons as we move throughout the year, intentionally and as a Community. This is an EXCERPT from our SCORPIO Gate of Power Seasonal FIRE Ceremony.Join us next time at DEC/WINTER Solstice!FREE to Register HERE to Access the SCORPIO Gate of Power FULL Replay, Tools + Resources:https://www.KarmicTools.com/nov-2024-scorpio-gate-of-power-fire-ceremony/Seasonal OVERVIEW  ::  SCORPIO Gate of PowerChart = Sky COUNCIL  ::  Blueprint for the Season  Energetic SUPPORT  ::  Nov 6 – Dec 21, 2024 Activations aka TRANSITS  ::  Special Alignments ANIMAL Guide  ::  SNAKE Tools + Replay  ($25)•Order Your Personal SCORPIO Gate of Power Reading  ($25/pdf only) Click HERE for SCORPIO Gate of Power Community Readinghttps://KellyMBeard.com/wp-content/uploads/NOV-2024-SCO-Gate-of-Power-Community-READING.pdf  #samhain #gateofpower #crossquarter #scorpio #sacredseasons #leo #aquarius #taurus #shamanism #kellymbeard #shamanicastrology #transits #earthmedicine #energeticsupport #karmictoolsOther Ways to Donate:Paypal/Zelle = KellyMBeard @ gmail / Venmo = Kelly-Beard-52Support the show

Special Update from Kelly:We get together every 6-weeks, at the Turn of the Wheel, to Honor the Sacred Seasons as we move throughout the year, intentionally and as a Community. This is an EXCERPT for our FALL Equinox Seasonal FIRE Ceremony.Join us next time at NOV/SCORPIO Gate of Power on SUN/Nov 3rd!FREE to Register HERE to Access the FALL Equinox FULL Replay, Tools + Resources:https://www.KarmicTools.com/sept-2024-fall-equinox-fire-ceremony/Contact Kelly to Order Your Personal Fall Equinox Reading  ($25/pdf only) EXCERPT  Breakdown:• Seasonal OVERVIEW  ::  FALL Equinox• Chart = Sky COUNCIL  ::  Blueprint for the Season• Energetic SUPPORT  ::  Sept 22 – Nov 6, 2024• Sept & Oct ANIMAL Guides  ::  SPIDER + RAVEN Tools BONUS TOOLS:SPIDER Medicine  ::  Replay + Tools  ($25)https://www.KarmicTools.com/sept-2024-spider-medicine-monthly-tools/ NEXT:  WED/Oct 2nd @8pm/easternRAVEN Medicine  ::  Register HERE:https://www.KarmicTools.com/oct-2024-raven-medicine-monthly-tools/  #fallequinox #equinox #sacredseasons #cancer #capricorn #aries #libra #shamanism #kellymbeard #shamanicastrology #transits #earthmedicine #energeticsupport #karmictoolsOther Ways to Donate:Paypal/Zelle = KellyMBeard @ gmail / Venmo = Kelly-Beard-52Support the show

Freebies and resources mentioned HERE:https://alliecasazza.com/tpslinks In this episode, Allie dives into questions from her audience on everything from fitness routines and self-care to productivity and career growth. She shares her latest tips and personal experiences, offering practical advice on managing stress, staying motivated, and integrating new habits into daily life. Join the conversation for straightforward insights and real-life strategies that you can apply right away. Money Magnet Mastery Here: (https://alliecasazza.thrivecart.com/money-magnet-mastery-program/) CEO Glow serum Link To Dr. Dennis Skincare Gua Sha Tutorial Becoming Her Challenge 

Join the 75 Day Human Design Content Challenge Already in? Here's the challenge home page for quick reference. Watch the kickoff call replay here. 8-step manifestation guide for creatives and entrepreneurs Find your team in OOO Club.    Tools & Resources:   Text me "75" at +1 (323) 405-9256 for motivation and to receive additional tools and resources throughout the challenge! Also, send me your posts and results via text so I can share them!   Get on the Smart Girl's Mastermind waitlist (we start again in August!)    This show is produced by Ben Alleman, editing by Kiara Ramirez

Special Update from Kelly:We get together every 6-weeks, at the Turn of the Wheel, to Honor the Sacred Seasons as we move throughout the year, intentionally and as a Community. This is an EXCERPT for our SUMMER Solstice Seasonal Circle.Join us next time at AUG/LEO Gate of Power on SUN/Aug 4th!FREE to Register HERE to Access the SUMMER Solstice FULL Replay, Tools + Resources:https://www.KarmicTools.com/2024-summer-solstice-fire-ceremony/EXCERPT  Breakdown:• Seasonal Overview  ::  SPRING Equinox • Chart = Sky Council  ::  6-wk Support • Energetic Support  ::  May 4 – June 20, 2024 • June & July ANIMAL Guides  ::  WOLF + BEAR Tools  BONUS TOOLS:WOLF Medicine  ::  Replay + Tools  ($25)https://www.KarmicTools.com/june-2024-wolf-medicine-monthly-tools/#summersolstice #solstice #sacredseasons #cancer #capricorn #aries #libra #shamanism #kellymbeard #shamanicastrology #transits #earthmedicine #energeticsupport #karmictoolsOther Ways to Donate:Paypal/Zelle = KellyMBeard @ gmail / Venmo = Kelly-Beard-52Support the Show.

Who doesn't love a free trial of a new software or tool for your Amazon FBA business? It's a great way to test out a program or service and see if it's a good fit for your business. But you don't want to waste your precious free trial period by not knowing how best to use the tool before you get started. In today's episode we will discuss how to maximize your free trials and how to start raking in the profits from your FBA sales because of how you're using your new tool or service. Show Notes for this episode - http://www.fulltimefba.com/241 The Full-Time FBA Podcast Page - http://www.fulltimefba.com/podcast Subscribe to the Full-Time FBA Newsletter and get some helpful freebies - http://www.fulltimefba.com/    

Special :: MAY/TAURUS Gate of Power :: Energetic Support :: May 6 - June 20, 2024 :: Kelly M BeardSpecial Update from Kelly:We get together every 6-weeks, at the Turn of the Wheel, to Honor the Sacred Seasons as we move throughout the year, intentionally and as a Community. This is an EXCERPT for our MAY/TAURUS Gate of Power Seasonal Circle.Join us next time at JUNE/SUMMER Solstice on June 20th!You can Register HERE to Access the MAY/TAURUS Gate of Power FULL Replay, Tools + Resources:https://www.KarmicTools.com/2024-may-gate-of-power-fire-ceremony/EXCERPT  Breakdown:• Seasonal Overview  ::  SPRING Equinox  (5-min)• Chart = Sky Council  ::  6-wk Support  (9-min)• Energetic Support  ::  May 4 – June 20, 2024  (16-min)• May ANIMAL Guide  ::  BUFFALO Tools  (5-min)BONUS TOOLS:BUFFALO Medicine  ::  Replay + Tools  ($25)https://www.KarmicTools.com/may-2024-buffalo-medicine-monthly-tools/#gateofpower #crossquarter #sacredseasons #taurus #scorpio #leo #aquarius #shamanism #kellymbeard #shamanicastrology #transits #earthmedicine #energeticsupport #karmictoolsSupport the Show.

In this episode, I cover topics ranging from managing the infrastructure of our multifamily business to securing commercial loans without prior experience, and even touch on some creative acquisition strategies we're implementing.If you're curious about how we keep everything together behind the scenes, the strategies we use to secure commercial loans, or the innovative approaches we're taking to find distressed deals, this episode is for you.I'm excited to introduce this new format to the show, where I address specific questions from our listeners in a quick and informative manner. It's a great way to provide valuable insights on various multifamily topics in a short period of time.Topics Covered: - Managing Infrastructure: Learn about the tools and resources used to streamline the multifamily business operations, including Google Drive, monday.com, and Invest Next. - Securing Commercial Loans: Discover strategies for securing commercial loans as a new investor without prior experience in commercial real estate. - Creative Acquisition Strategies: Explore the approach of targeting distressed sellers in specific markets, such as Florida, to uncover potential multifamily deals.Are you a new multifamily investor looking to grow your portfolio but don't know where to start? Are you an existing multifamily investor looking to scale your business and master advanced topics such as capital structure, finding off-market deals, and establishing JV partnerships? Click here to learn more about 7-Day Multifamily, a program in which I teach investors the foundational skills they need to start and scale a multifamily portfolio rapidly.Are you looking to invest in real estate, but don't want to deal with the hassle of finding great deals, signing on debt, and managing tenants? Aligned Real Estate Partners provides investment opportunities to passive investors looking for the returns, stability, and tax benefits multifamily real estate offers, but without the work - join our investor club to be notified of future investment opportunities.Connect with Axel:Follow him on InstagramConnect with him on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelLearn more about Aligned Real Estate Partners

In the this episode of House Call, we cover:how we ensure fewer mistakesprocesses for a smooth construction processsoftwares that we use to create floor plans and construction documents3-D renderingsproject managementmy favorite reference bookstools and softwares we use for project managementinterior design tools Episode0:00 Introduction0:50 What I'm loving lately1:53 What goes into a successful project3:04 Softwares for creating construction documents7:02 3-D renderings7:52 Project management10:44 Reference books14:04 My favorite interior design toolsResources + Links Inquire here to work with Caroline Klein Design Caroline Klein Design on Instagram Caroline Klein Design on Pinterest

Special Update from Kelly:We get together every 6-weeks, at the Turn of the Wheel, to Honor the Sacred Seasons as we move throughout the year, intentionally and as a Community. This is an EXCERPT for our SPRING Equinox Seasonal Soul Sisters Circle.Join us next time at MAY/TAURUS Gate of Power on May 6th!You can Register HERE to Access the SPRING Equinox FULL Replay, Tools + Resources: https://www.KarmicTools.com/2024-spring-equinox-fire-ceremony/EXCERPT  Breakdown:• Seasonal Overview  ::  SPRING Equinox  (10-min)• Chart = Sky Council  ::  6-wk Support  (9-min)• Energetic Support  ::  March 20 – May 4, 2024  (13-min)• April ANIMAL Guide  ::  EAGLE Tools  (5-min)BONUS TOOLS:EAGLE Medicine  ::  Replay + Tools   ($25)https://www.KarmicTools.com/april-2024-eagle-medicine-monthly-tools/#spring #equinox #sacredseasons #aries #libra #cancer #capricorn #shamanism #kellymbeard #shamanicastrology #transits #earthmedicine #energeticsupport #karmictoolsSupport the show

Special Update from Kelly:    We get together every 6-weeks, at the Turn of the Wheel, to Honor the Sacred Seasons as we move throughout the year, intentionally and as a Community. This is an EXCERPT for our FEB Gate of Power Seasonal Circle.    Join us NEXT time at SPRING Equinox on March 20th!  You can Register HERE to Access FULL Replay, Tools + Resources:https://www.KarmicTools.com/2024-feb-gate-of-power-fire-ceremony/  • Seasonal Overview + Energetic Support + Special Activations  (30-min)DIVINATIONS:• What do we need to PURIFY?  (28-min)• How can we activate the SPARK?  (24-min)• What SHADOW to be aware of?  (16-min)• Community Oracle CARDS  (40-min)  BONUS TOOLS:HORSE Medicine  ::  Replay + Tools  ($25)https://www.KarmicTools.com/feb-2024-horse-medicine-monthly-tools/  #gateofpower #crossquarter #sacredseasons #leo #aquarius #taurus #scorpio #shamanism #kellymbeard #shamanicastrology #transits #earthmedicine #energeticsupport #karmictoolsSupport the show

In this empowering episode, join Dr. Alixis and special guest Sy Cabodevilla on a heartfelt exploration of the postpartum journey. We dive into the physical and emotional transformations that come with motherhood, discussing resilience, self-care, and the path to finding joy amid the challenges. We share insights, personal stories, and practical tips to create a supportive space for mothers navigating the beautiful complexities of the postpartum experience. Tune in as we share wisdom, encouragement, and celebrate the strength that defines this transformative phase of life. Postpartum support is necessary after having a baby. Sometimes your emotions are everywhere and you are not sure what to do. You or someone in your family can contact postpartum support. 1-800-944-4773 (4PPD) #1 En Español or #2 English Text in English: 800-944-4773 Text en Español: 971-203-7773. Checkout Sy's blog at https://www.designtonourish.com/blog/3-baby-products-for-postpartum-mental-health

Welcome to Episode 96 of Redesigning Your Relationship, where we bring our compelling three-part series, "Resolutions with Results," to a powerful conclusion. In this finale, we reintroduce the unwavering belief that achieving resolution success is not only possible but can be accomplished in ways that defy conventional wisdom and tradition. As we dig into the age-old question of why past attempts may have fallen short, we invite you to embrace a fresh perspective—one that transcends traditional approaches. Hosts [Host Name] and [Host Name] explore innovative strategies, mindset shifts, and practical tips that challenge the notion that sticking to resolutions is an insurmountable feat. As the series unfolds, each episode builds upon the last, fostering lively discussions and maintaining a dynamic pace. For those serious about mastering their resolutions, tuning in to understand the reasons behind past failures and leaning into effective strategies for success becomes an essential listen. The seamless progression of topics ensures that the insights gained are not only comprehensive but also immediately applicable to your journey toward resolution mastery. Video link for this episode:  https://www.youtube.com/live/r5EM6Me9vLQ?si=EWs5OnukXOGPBi8V    Hosts:  @ygcollaborations   @yvettevaldenegro   @geovannaburgesswhite   Complimentary Virtual Connect:  https://calendly.com/ygc/cc   Tools & Resources:  https://www.ygcollaborations.com/     This episode is sponsored by YGC: You can use our code YGC to receive $30 off of your ticket and there is a payment plan to make it easy to join us. Are you ready for GROWTH?  Learn more and grab a ticket at www.thegrowthsummit.info

Today we're going to introduce a game changer in the dental practice management software world...‍‍This is an innovative, all-in-one, cloud-based practice management software, and it offers an array of powerful features that are custom built for dentists by dentists ready to revolutionize the way you work. ‍If you are a start-up and decide to sign up with Oryx, they will NOT charge you a single dime, until you reached 200 active patients!⁠⁠They are partnering up with all startup practice owners and making sure you succeed, fast!⁠⁠ Click this link to schedule a FREE personalized demo and to see more on their exclusive deal!⁠‍‍In this gripping episode of The Dental Marketer, follow the journey of Dr. Preeya Genz, from her early dreams of becoming a dentist to becoming the proud owner of her own practice, "the Whole Tooth," in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Genz shares her experiences working in different environments, including high-stress Dental Services Organizations (DSOs), sharing their impact on her career, her values, and her life. Listen as she talks about her dream boutique practice, how it faltered, and the trials she faced while working in her second DSO. Gain insight into her attempt at a practice partnership, the reasons why it didn't pan out, and the leap of faith she took to win her dream by purchasing her own practice on a loan.Tune into The Dental Marketer today to hear Dr. Genz's journey navigating the highs and lows while pursuing her dental dream!‍Guest: Preeya GenzPractice Name: the Whole ToothCheck out Preeya's Media:Website: https://www.thewholetoothtexas.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewholetoothtexas/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWholeToothTexas‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Tools/Resources:OryxDentrixEasy DentalEaglesoftLocations/Establishments:Kois CenterBusinesses/BrandsDoc In A BoxPeople/Communities:Dr. John Kois‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍‍What You'll Learn in This Episode:How Dr. Genz's early exposure to dentistry shaped her career path.The struggles she encountered working in a high-stress DSO environment and how it influenced her values.The ride of running a boutique-style dental practice and the economic downturn that led to its demise.The impact of changing management practices and policies on overall work environment in her second experience with a DSO.The reason behind her decision to buy her own dental practice.The maneuvering skills needed to team build and set professional boundaries, inside and outside the office.How to strike a perfect balance between a career as a healthcare provider and a business owner.‍Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)Michael: All right. It's time to talk with our featured guest, Dr. Preeya Genz. Preeya, how's it going? Preeya: Going great December and we're making it so far, which is great. Michael: That's awesome. And in December you're in Dallas, you said, right? It's super cold out there. I know like in the past it's been frozen.Preeya: It's bipolar weather. So some days it's. It's 65. I think it was 85 last week, but then it was also like 33. Um, so the days will swing from super high to low and then everything in between. So at this moment, I think it's like 63 it's sunny. It's beautiful. But I think tomorrow there's an 80 percent chance of rain and it's going down to the forties.That's crazy. Michael: Last week it was eighties. Oh my gosh, it's all over the place for you out there. Interesting. Does that affect like your I don't know what you plan to do, for example, like practice or is it like, nope, rain or shine, snow or whatever, we're open all the time. Preeya: I mean, sometimes it does, especially if like we have patients who will travel from like East Texas or Oklahoma.And for them, obviously the, the weather matters a little bit more. Um, so there's either delays or they decide. Maybe not the best idea, um, when it's hot and sunny, everyone's just complaining that it's hot and sunny. And when it's cold and wet, everyone's complaining it's cold and wet. And so for the most part, we just deal with it, wear layers and hope for the best.Michael: Yeah. Okay. Nice. Nice. Awesome. So if you can tell us a little bit about your past, your present, how'd you get to where you are today? that's a fun Preeya: question. Um, okay. So I grew up in Canada, moved down to Texas halfway through high school, and then spent the next decade trying to leave Texas. So went to college in New Orleans.Um, Learned I wanted to become a dentist when I was in like 8th grade, did a career survey thing, loved artistic things, working with my hands, Loved the science and healthcare aspect of things and had a dentist across the street who I babysat for and he lived a great lifestyle. And I thought, Oh, this looks pretty easy.I like this. So went to college in New Orleans, then, um, went to dental school here in Dallas. And within, I think, a week of graduation, we had moved out to the DC area. I worked for Doc in a box for about eight months. I think I made it eight months and. Realized very quickly. It was not my favorite place to be for a variety of reasons.Um, and we ended up moving out to the West coast to Washington state where I, um, got to work in what I thought was my dream practice. It was like the dental office coffee shop. Like we had espresso for patients. We had fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. All of the perks and benefits, um, super, super boutique, and it was owned by a clinical instructor at the Coyce Center. and so I learned about John Coyce and kind of Coyce centered dentistry a year out of dental school. And so my perspective has always been post grad has been looking at it from the perspective that John Coyce teaches at the Coyce Center. so I was there, I was in Washington for almost seven years.I worked for the first practice for about. Oh, like six months. And then the economy tanked. That was, uh, 2008 going like a bunch of employees, like everything went sideways. All the promises of what you can do as a dentist were kind of just shattered and broken. And, um, he found me a home at a practice that had four.Other dentists open 6 days a week, 12 hour days, and we all rotated through and the owner was a mentor at the voice center as well. So it was a very different form of voice dentistry. it was a much busier practice. The location was huge in terms of how everything worked. 3 days a week there and really got a sense of.The good, bad and ugly of how dentistry works. after that, I had a, we won and realized that 12 hour days were just not great when you have a newborn. And I ended up doing a start, like working for a startup that was. built by a denturist in Washington state denturists are, they can practice independently.They make dentures and, have a dental practice. So I worked for them for almost six months and it was somewhat disastrous, um, for a lot of reasons. Um, but learned a lot then moved into a practice that was more of like a very, very small DSO in Washington state that was. Privately owned, but he had like five practices along the Puget Sound and, um, did that time move back to Texas when we wanted sunshine, margaritas and grandparents to help with the two year old. worked for a DSO here for a couple of years, realized this was just not, it wasn't, it was a good way to like, get my lay of the land, learn more about. What dentistry is like in Dallas now and what I liked, didn't like location, all of that. And then, um, went into what was going to be a partnership with another colleague. but realized about a year and a half, two years in that I'd not bought into her practice, but. We had talked about doing it and I realized like our values just didn't quite align the way I wanted to practice was not the same as how she was running for practice and never was that going to actually work. ultimately ended up buying a, um, an existing practice that. Lived in a Victorian house where I'm sitting right now, and it was kind of the scaffolding of she had on the practice for 2025 years and really just needed someone to say, Hey, you need to retire. Let me buy your practice and and take over. So it ended up being kind of the scaffolding or building blocks for what I have.Now, so it's kind of like a glorified startup where I had, I had patients, so I had some cash flow, but I had to, you know, I changed out the flooring, took off the wallpaper, changed out the water lines, went from analog film processing to digital, all the things. And then we had to educate the patients in the value of.gums not be being inflamed and bloody and, um, look what we can see in these lovely big digital x rays. And, through this journey, I've always seen things from a risk based perspective where we're really looking at not just the teeth, but the whole person. What is the individual risk for each patient in terms of your. periodontal risk foundation, structural risk with carries and restorations, functional risk and airway.And, um, you know, aesthetically, what risks do we have in place? for me, I can't do that. And Two minutes or seven minutes. Like it's a, it's a conversation. Um, and so through this practice journey, everyone had always told me, like, you need to speed up, you need to talk less, you need to do more of the dentistry and more of the like selling, if you will.And it was always just like, I know, but like, how, how can I treat a stranger? How can I really get to the root of what's wrong with them if I don't take the time? And so. It was something that I mean, it's just been a recurrent theme to the point that when I left the practice, um, that I was going to buy into, I took like a six month sabbatical and really got into podcasts and all the different things learning like what, what do I need to be a business owner?Am I ready for this? What do I want to do? What does this look like? And really kind of getting into like, what would that be in real life as I worked on negotiating to buy this practice? and so a friend of mine was like, Oh, hey, by the way, I contacted the, uh, the dental. Director over at the DSO that I'd worked for for a couple of years just to see if maybe you could work there part time or something and I was like, no, you didn't.He's like, it's okay. He said, you're not a good fit for a DSO. And I was like, he's right. He's so right. I am not a DSO dog. Like I can't, I dance to my own tune. You can't tell me I have to sell a product. I don't believe in, you can't tell me I have to like meet these, Metrics, unless I believe in it, I want to do it.I want to do it for me. that was a big piece of kind of where me owning my own practice really came into play where I was like, I'm so broken. Like, no one does dentistry down here. Nobody does any of that stuff. Like, I need to do it myself and I need to create what it is that I want to practice in.And so that's really where we have landed. Um, circa about 2019, 2020, I realized And when I'm looking holistically at patients, and that's like holistically with a W, well, I also do care about what kind of materials, what kind of, you know, what toxins are residing in our oral environments and especially as dentists, like, what are we taking in as well? so like with my daughter, when she was born, we cloth diapered, you know, They're on organic, all the things like super much crunchier than I realized I was. I am one of those, like a kid has a fever. I'm not calling the doctor, like, let's figure out what's going on and you know, give it some time and see what we can do to heal before we medicate. and so that's my personal philosophy. And I realized like a lot of the patients I was attracting were those kinds of patients too, where they didn't trust a lot of the conventional things. They didn't necessarily, you know, they wanted to understand more than just like, Oh, I didn't brush and floss my teeth.And now I have these problems. Like what else is going on and do about it? That's not fluoride. What can I do about it? That's, you know, I'm doing everything that I should be doing otherwise. Why does this look like this? Why am I breaking down? And so really starting to cater to those patients. And, um, learn more about like what, what kind of dentistry does that was really where my practice, I think took a turn and, um, has allowed us to kind of get to where we are now, which is a biological or holistic dental practice, both with a W and just a straight up H.So crunch here, where we're looking at the whole person, we're looking at how do we detox? How do we reduce the toxic load for these patients, especially the ones who, I mean, they're just, they're sick. They've got Lyme. They've got, they're just more sensitive. They have other issues and everybody looks at them like they're crazy and dismisses them because they ask questions and they need somebody who can kind of be on their team.And even just listen, you know, a lot of what we do is the same as any other dentist stats, right? We're going to drill, we're going to fill, we're going to do local anesthetic, but. For some people, you know, the material matters a lot. for some people, they need to work a tooth at a time and then they need to.Beyond a detox protocol and they need to work with another provider who can help them to reduce the inflammation and just the response to any kind of trauma to their bodies. And so, it's been really interesting and eye opening and I probably learn more from my patients and they teach me at this point in time.Cause I'm like, oh, I don't know anything about that. Maybe I should find out. Um, so yeah. Interesting. Oh, and I guess the other piece of that is I did finish my voice. Center journey finished, but I did graduate like 10 years after I started at the center. And so that also factors big into the practice, um, in terms of how, I mean, it's a really good curriculum for merging, looking big picture, looking at the patient.And then also from a research evidence based perspective, factoring in the other parts and pieces of material safety, material science, biotoxicity, all of that stuff too. Michael: Yeah. No. Interesting. Okay. So real quick, tons of questions. But before we get into those questions, uh, how long have you, this acquisition started when and how long have you had Preeya: it?So I bought the practice in June of 2018, so we're at five and a half years. Okay. Five and a half years. Okay. Five and a half years. Cause COVID was in the middle of that, but you know. Does it count? Yeah. Just a bump in the road. No big deal. Michael: It's interesting. We rewind back. The lifestyle of the doctor you were, you said you were babysitting or you were, yeah, that's what attracted you.Are you, would you say, yeah, I'm living that lifestyle now?Preeya: No, I mean, it was a piece of it for me to it, but no, I mean, he, a, the lifestyle of a male dentist versus a female dentist is so different. I feel like. We need, we all need wives. I need a wife. Like my husband's super supportive. Thank goodness. Otherwise I wouldn't be here right this moment doing this thing. Um, but like, I think part of it too, is like, that was back in what the eighties nineties, how old am I? Oh, I'm going to say the nineties just for fun right now, early nineties, different lifestyle, right? Like the dentist lifestyle of, that era was You didn't have to work to market. people showed up, so you go to work, you do the dentistry and you leave and, like everybody caters to you at the office, right?Like For me, I feel like that's just not. The case, especiallyMichael: what, what, what is it different? And also if you can kind of like elaborate a little bit more on like male and female dentists, Preeya: there's so many things. Um, so I guess, what does it look like now for me? I, and it might just be because of who I am and how I practice and we're very tiny lean practice, but I go to work.I do the dentistry, but then when I leave work, there's more work to be done, right? There's always. At least for me, like, so whether it's chart notes and stuff, or it's some sort of marketing efforts, like, how does this look different? I think also, like, we started with kids later, which if you want to go into the female male dynamic, like, I didn't have children until I was 30. Largely because I wanted to get through dental school and then be married for a while. And then feel like we had a lifestyle established enough that we're ready to have kids.So we really did. We kind of push things out a good while before having children. but because of that, like the kids have been young for, for so much of. My practice now, even that, you know, trying to balance those things and as mom early childhood living child care, making sure they have all of their things requires a lot of me outside the office, but then also I'm required so much within the office.And as a female doctor, I feel like my female team. And I have a fantastic team now. So let me put that out there, but I feel like the team members don't necessarily coddle me as much as they would if I were a male doctor. they kind of, you know, they're like, well, you can do that yourself. Versus like, oh, here, doctor, let me go get this for you.There's just a little bit of a different mindset, um, and attitude. Or maybe I just give off the, like, I can do this myself. Leave me alone. I don't know. But I feel like I hear that amongst other women dentists as well. Yeah. Yeah. Michael: I get you. Do you feel like. Would you ever ask for it? Would you ever ask for like, guys, can you help me like kind of thing or Preeya: yeah, I mean, I would, but I think it's even just stuff like, Hey doc, you haven't eaten lunch.Do you want me to order something for you? even in a practice where I, my co doctor was with a male doctor, they just were asked or provided with more support than I was. And my female counterpart was. So I guess there's a contrast for you. and I don't feel like I necessarily need it, but it's nice.Michael: It's nice to like, to know that people are thinking of you like, Oh, they haven't eaten lunch. You know what I mean? Like, Preeya: yeah, I can have that more now with my team, but certainly there's been significant periods of time where it's like, Oh, I better eat something or I don't know.I think it, it's just a different dynamic. Michael: No, yeah. That's interesting. Especially from the nineties, but also like the male and female. I never thought about that. Yeah. You gave me something to think about. Yeah. That's really interesting. And then if we fast forward, you mentioned doc in a box. What is that?Preeya: It's a DSL. it was, you know, one of the larger internet or national corporations, um, very. I won't mention any names unless you want me to, but it was the very, you know, system from the, the practice management system was like the, it wasn't like DOS, but basically like you had to type everything in.Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Paper charts, um, not up to date anything. And I remember my first day there, I saw 30 patients. Michael: Wow. How did, what did you learn from that? Preeya: A lot. It was painful. Um, I mean, and it was paper charts. so I learned real quick how to template my notes and paper. Um, cause that was a big deal. It was interesting because.The two doctors that had been there previously, both left at the same time. And the only people left were like the support team. So the hygienist and the, the assistants and one of the doctors had, I mean, this man was. He produced a ton. He was top producer, but he was doing root canals and like anything he could access basically.So there'd be like 16 year old girl. Perfect. And Titian had a big old endo number 19 and a PFM and, and you're looking at her going, what happened here? saw a lot of that, which was. It was really interesting and challenging and it was an office where there'd been a lot of turnover. So one of the first things I think that I really had to learn was like, how do you finesse and create a relationship and trust quickly in an environment where there's been a ton of turnover and a ton of transition and, you know, trying to communicate to patients their needs, trying to establish that like, you're not just another doctor who's going to be in and out, which unfortunately I was, but, You know, in the meantime, I'm here.I'm here for you was a really interesting challenge, especially when you're 25 and look like you're not 25, like patients they don't view you as the doctor. And so it was a really interesting learning experience, especially where like, you literally have like two minutes to get through this person and, and be done with your exam and move on. Michael: Do you Preeya recommend like, cause I've heard this before where they're like, Hey. You're just getting out of residency, like, and you're looking for an associate, go to a DSL, get some grit under you and then, or do you recommend like, no, don't do that. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Preeya: I think it kind of depends on, on the individual company and the person.So there's. I feel like I've practiced in all different practice environments at this point over the past 15 years. And there's something to be gained from each and every one of those experiences. What I repeat them, probably not, but you know, from a DSO setting, what you do get is, I mean, they teach you a lot about how to present treatment.They teach you a lot about like standardizing some of the things you do. you don't have to worry about, you know, paying your assistance. You don't have to worry about, um, if someone doesn't show up, like, chances are someone from an office down the way might be able to pop in and and be there for you.So I think that is. There's some value to that, for sure. There's value to just having other people around you who've done it. although some DSOs, you are the sole doctor. So then you're really relying upon maybe a dental director or someone to mentor you. But I think ultimately, like,in today's world, I think it's hard to find a private practice. That you want and trust, you know, their patients and your care if you, you're just right out of school. And so that's a really tough, actually like your first five years of practice, right? It's like, Ooh. That's a little rough, skill wise or just the judgment.I feel like you don't really get that judgment until you're at like year five for me. Maybe I was a late limber, but like year five, when I was like, yeah, I really, I'm good. Like I, I have my mentors. I have people I can rely upon, but like, I feel like I got this. It was like, cool. Yeah, I'm, I'm good. And you're 15.I was like, Ooh, I have a lot more to learn. No, Michael: that's good. That's good that you have that mentality though. Then fast forward, you worked in your dream practice. Yeah. And so if the economy, if they kept you on, do you think you should be working there today? Or would you be like, Preeya: eventually I would have, I would have outgrown it.I think, um, largely because of where it was to, um, where Washington state, it was. We were trying to move to either Seattle or Portland, and we ended up in Puyallup, which is described as a bedroom community outside of Tacoma, or outside of Seattle, and it's like the exurbs, and it was very cool for almost seven years, but I would, the creature comforts of Dallas were better for me, or like maybe somewhere in the Pacific Northwest, but, um, outside of location, like it was a neat practice.It was neat to see I guess, especially going from the, the very corporate minded to this entirely different experience. Um, and I think ultimately I still would have wanted to do my own thing and spread my own wings and design the practice the way I wanted it to be. But, um, I mean, it really gave me real quick insight into like, how would I like to practice and guess why I don't have to see.30 patients in a day, I can see five, I could see three and it would be okay. And we can still be profitable and productive and make a difference and do what I want to do. And I think that was a big, yeah. Michael: Is there anything you took from that practice that you're currently utilizing, like any systems or anything like that, that you're doing today in your practice?Preeya: Um, Yeah. I think we've modernized them a little bit, but, um, So we, instead of serving, um, lattes and chocolate cookies, we do serve hot tea. I actually partnered with a tea maker in New Mexico to have like our own custom blend of smile tea. So, it is the signature tea that patients actually do come into, have a cup or take a bag home and enjoy.So that's kind of a similar, it's not coffee shop, but it's tea. Yeah. Um, and I think really just that concierge level of care, really knowing each of our patients pretty darn well, is also a big piece of what I took from that practice. Um, and then his, he was 1 of the 1st, so the owner of that practice, he was in, like, the inner circle, um, right at the very beginning with John Coyce when he did classes out of his office in 5th, Washington.So he's one of like the, the OG voice guys, everything I learned from him. I mean, I learned photography from him. I learned kind of just intake new patient protocols and that experience. And so I've taken that and I feel like I've elevated it some and modernized it some and added more to it, but that all started.way back when in that office, just in terms of really diving into the questions and really trying to get to know my patients and understand their motivations for being here and for seeking care to begin with. Michael: Gotcha. Okay. Interesting. And then fast forward, you worked for another practice, right? And a lot more dentistry.And then you moved back to, or you moved to Dallas because of it's interesting. What made you move back was a change of lifestyle too. Like you're like, Hey, my family lives there. Right. And then you're like, I wanted I want them to be around our child, right? So when you did that, you worked for a DSO again? Talk to me about that. How was, how was that knowing that you're like, Oh, I just got a good, good, a lot of highs. You know what I mean? Like, and then we're going to go back to. I was,Preeya: it was interesting. So, um. I was initially very even interviewing with them, I was like, Ugh, it's a DSO. Like this is not gonna go well. I don't wanna do this. But I was like, okay. It was, it was presented to me as like the best of the worst. Mm-Hmm. . Nothing against, best of the worst. That's, but for me, who was just not that person at this time or whatever.Um, it was, I was like, okay, so. It was a different experience from the get go. I, like, went to dinner with the dental director and, uh, the office manager of the practice I was interviewing to join somebody else as well. And so, number 1, like, having a dinner meeting as opposed to, like, uh, go into a clinical sterile environment was a neat way to introduce and learn about the practice and the people who are in the leadership.Part of it. Um, this particular DSO at that time, he didn't hire anybody who had less than five years of experience. Um, the tenure of most of their doctors in most of the offices, with the exception of, like, the redheaded stepchild out used to hear, um. Doctors stuck around for at least two plus years.My co doctor had been there for 10, 12 years already. The person I was replacing had been there for five and she was pregnant and didn't want to practice anymore. So I knew that there had been some longevity in the practice. The demographics of the office, the modern technology that was present there, those were all really good things.And I really clicked with the office manager right off the bat. So. Those were some key factors that I thought were important. Um, they seem to have a good commitment to training and, um, kind of allowing us to really do our own treatment plans and manage our own patient pool, which was great. so it was a neat experience that way. things kind of changed after about a year and a half, the, uh, the dental director got sick and there's some changes in the management and they started wanting to, uh, bring on HMOs, extend hours, do weekends. And those were all things that were kind of non negotiables for me. I had worked Saturdays for three and a half years.And, uh, after my last Saturday, I was like, I'm not. I'm not doing that anymore. know more. Um, and, um, I also won't do HMO dentistry because I just, I can't, I value my patients and me too much to, to do that. so that was a big non negotiable for me. And then evenings, I mean, you just don't want me working on your teeth at six, 7 PM.Like I'm Michael: not, you don't want me working on it. That's a good way to put it. You know what I mean? Okay. Okay. So all of these things cause you to eventually just say, Hey, I'm leaving. I'm going to go do a partnership, you said, was it a partnership that you wanted to? Why didn't that work out specifically? Preeya: it was a few different reasons.I always knew I wanted to do dentistry the Coyce way. I just, that's how I think that's how I've learned It's a very different way of practicing than. What we learn when we get out of dental school, a big piece of that is just being really committed to really high quality, continuing education, right?Like we're not done learning ever. the person that I was potentially working with was burnt out. Um, she was like, I feel like I've learned everything I need to learn. Like I'll keep up with magazines and stuff, but like, I'm good. I don't want to drop five, 10, 000 to, to go to a class. Like I. That's not what I want to do.And that's just not in alignment with one of my core values of really always trying to grow and educate and learn and provide the best for my patients and myself that way. Um, so that was a really, really big piece for me, at least in terms of like, when I realized we, that was never going to change for her that we can't be in business together.If we don't share that same, I guess, commitment to education, the other. Our management styles were also very different, which can work, I think, if they're synergistic, but I often felt like I got the blame for creating this, like, environment of chaos in the practice and that I just wasn't doing things.But I also really, I wasn't an owner in the practice. So, like, when you're an associate who might buy in. While you have a lot of, responsibility, you also can't do a lot of things because you're not the owner. You don't write the paychecks. Like, whether the employees are not going to listen to you, or if you do something, you're going to get in trouble potentially, because it's not what the owner would have done.Like, it's a tough dynamic. I think I,knowing now being in the seat of the owner, the decisions you make ultimately are, are yours.And like, I can't share those decisions with anybody else, unless I know that we have like an equal stake in the practice and that we both moving toward the same vision and goal. So like, even my husband, like he has, he'll periodically make suggestions and I'm like, yeah, cool. That's nice, honey. Like back to your Heidi hole.You're not the boss. This is not your Michael: past. You and Preeya: he's like, okay, it's your thing. I think it's kind of the same thing. Like when you have, it's hard, I mean, to do a buy in to partner, um, a friend of mine described it as a, you know, a loveless marriage with no sex, like you're in this together. It's a business relationship.You should like each other and mesh together and share similar, like and vision values. But at the end of the day, like. It's a business relationship. you can't like kiss and make amends. It's just, it's hard to find that person, I think, or people that you can really do that with, especially if you're very strong in, in what you think needs.To happen. Mm-Hmm. , if you like alpha females who think my way is a good way to do it. Like that can be tricky. Mm-Hmm. . But really it just was, compatibility wise, it wasn't, it wasn't gonna work. and this is not anything to speak negatively of that other person, but like I always felt less than, I felt like I just wasn't as good at doing the things, even though I wasn't.That wasn't really my role, and it was hard because there were things I was expected to do sometimes, but not always, and so not really knowing was expected of me as that associate to buy in was tough. Cause when you don't know what, what you're supposed to be doing, it's hard to do what you're supposed to be doing.Michael: Yeah. Yeah, that's true. Yeah. You need, that's why you need like the guidelines set systems, right. Rules to know like, okay, the more of you, the more principles you have, I guess, the more you can be guided of like, okay, this is what we're going to be doing kind of thing, but if you're just like, I don't know, sometimes I feel like partnerships sound like a good idea, but you know what I mean?Cause you don't want to make a sole decision on your own. You kind of want to go out on this risk together. I don't know. Preeya: I don't know. I, you know, I'd like to think that there's somebody out there that would work well with, you know, most people, but it's, I mean, again, like, like a marriage, like how hard is it to find that partner in life?And there's a lot of other things that certainly fall into that. But like, if it's hard to do that, then to find a partner as a business partner too, can be really challenging. I think it might be easier to find a partnership where like the delegation of responsibilities. significantly different.I mean, the partnerships I see that work are typically like, well, they make all the, like the clinical and HR decisions and they do more of the, like, you know, the admin. So you've got really that operational versus the, Michael: like the, yeah, like operations, CFO, CEO, right. COO kind of thing. Yeah, no, I get you.I get you. Interesting. So then we fast forward and now you have your practice acquisition for five years. how did you find your location? Preeya: Okay. So, um, when I was in dental school, I had a big brother in dental school and he has taken that role on as like his lifetime role for me.So. When I told him I was moving back to Dallas, he was like, cool, let me set you up with this interview. So that is how I ended up at the DSM. And then, um, when the partnership thing didn't work out, he's like, well, guess what? We're going to, uh, lunch with this lady. And actually even when I was first moving to Dallas, he's like, I have this practice in mind for you.And I was like, dude, I don't even know where the Metroplex we're living. Like, I don't know anything. I'm not buying anything. Let's table that. So fast forward, I guess, like four years. Yeah. About four years. That same name popped up again. He's like, okay, she needs to retire. You need to buy her practice. We are going to lunch on Thursday.You need to be here at this time. So I went to lunch with him and, um, this woman I bought the practice from, and we talked about her practice and dentistry and all the things. And then, um, I think later that week I came by to, to walk through, walk around. So she was not selling the practice. She was practicing, but she was taking at least two months off a year to travel and do things.She had one employee, and then a couple of temp hygienists who'd come in periodically to, to do hygiene. And that was it. And so, um, but she owned the building and the practice. So I was buying real assets.Michael: Okay. That's good. That's really, really good. So then from that moment on, what did you kind of change when you decided to take over the acquisition? Did you, does that one employee still working there? Preeya: she lasted about a month. yeah. Why? Michael: Why did she last only a month? I think Preeya: she realized. So, my initial plan wasn't to change a lot.I did a hygienist that I worked with at the DSO practice who followed me to the private practice who then followed me to this practice. So we worked together for about eight years, which was great. So she was my person. And so she came into the practice with me as a hygienist and assistant. so we came in and we started cleaning things out and, um, not only had this, the doctor I bought the practice from on the practice for like 20 years, she had.Uh, like merged to prior practices, one doctor had had a stroke and another had had a heart attack, like all their stuff. And so we had this, like, sort of, dentist or pack rats, right? We're going to keep this thing just in case. So every cabinet had, like, all the stuff, just full, crammed in there. So we had to start cleaning stuff out.We started, you know, working on equipment maintenance and stuff and ripped the carpets out, ripped the wallpaper off the walls, repainted all of that. We start looking at water lines and there's like, you know, you open the, the trap and you're supposed to have like the, the clean traps in there. Well, there's like a blue pill and like a thing of like a 2 by 2 and cotton roll shoved in there.And that was it. And so we were starting to ask questions like, what, what is this scenario here? Because then you take it out and it was like a layer of a black crud just inside the trap. Like we had to extricate that trap and like, we start looking a little deeper. And so there's just, we, we ended up changing out every single waterline because there's just stuff in the waterline.And so that was, One example of some things that just hadn't been well maintained while we were not imparting judgment, sterilization bags were being taped closed. And then when it got run through the autoclave, then they would open the bag, take the stuff out and then reuse the bag. and it was a chemical, if it wasn't even an autoclave like that, where we're like, so I know this is how we were doing it before, but this is how we're going to do it now kind of stuff.And I think she's like, Ooh. This is, this is a lot of stuff. And I think it was a lot to take that on. She'd been with the other doctor for 20 years. And so she found her way out. And yeah, so she was there for a month. Um, it was helpful. Actually, one really interesting thing we did was we printed out all the patients.Who were of record in the practice. And I had her go through because she'd been there for 20 years. I'm like, can you just like, write me a note about each of these patients that you know, so that like, I have a sense of who they are, if there's any like red flags or anything like that. So, you know, there'd be one that was like only comes in when something's falling out of her head or make sure you collect first on this patient.Otherwise, you're not going to see the money. So stuff like that, which was very helpful, um, as we did transition and I had a new team and we could not, you know, these patients were the salt of the earth. Like we've been coming here for years. Like we don't want to trust this new human being, let alone a new team who has changed the entire practice.Right. so she was there a month. patients asked about her for about a year like everything was fine after that. Did you Michael: lose a lot of the patient database or you did? Oh, wow. Preeya: It wasn't. I mean, we have like 300 patients to start with. Okay. So I really bought the building and.Michael: How did you feel about that, Preeya, where you're like, you're losing patients, you're losing patients. Does anything ever come to your mind, like, what the heck, like, what are we doing wrong or anything like Preeya: that or no? You know, the first couple, kind of, but then what was interesting is every time we lost a patient, the phone would ring, like we'd end up with a new patient.So it was like this really interesting dynamic of like, out goes one, in comes another, like, hey, okay. And, you know, They weren't my patients and they didn't see me. And they, a lot of them, we lost because we share, you know, we showed them like, Hey, you've been getting like healthy gum leanings for years, but your gums are bleeding.You have bone loss. There's stuff beneath the gums that needs to be removed. Like there's disease going on here and we need to treat that. And they didn't want that. And so, if my Job and my goal. And I'm here because I want you to be better and feel better and have improved health, systemically too.And you don't want what I have to offer, then this is not a good fit. And you need, you do need to find care elsewhere, but we sent out letters from myself and from the outgoing doctor, every single patient that was like a goodbye and a hello that we physically mailed out. but we'd have patients call and they'd be like, so the new doctor, is she from like Pakistan or India or like, where is she from? But in a way, like they were. I mean, they kind of racially profiled me and then they come in and see me and they're like, does she speak English? I'm like, yeah, yeah. my front desk person didn't tell me about it for like six months.And I was like, I don't remember how it came up in conversation. I was like, seriously, these patients were like. Questioning my race like here in Dallas in 2018. Like really? Yeah, but yeah, it was it was interesting Hmm, Michael: what city in Dallas are you located Interesting that that, that occurred though. You know what I mean? I mean, there's people like that though. You know what I mean? That's kind Preeya: of like an older, older population. And I guess they just, yeah. You know, they want to find a reason not to like you Michael: though. Yeah. I think they say like, you can be the ripest, juiciest peach ever, but you're always going to find that one person who's like, I don't like a peach.Right. And then that's what happens. So, but interesting. So then throughout this process, What's been some of the best companies you worked with and some of the worst or ones that just didn't fit with you? Preeya: So the first website I had made, I don't know, I was dumb, I guess. Like they, they touted it as like.They're going to make this video for me and they make a website like 6, 000 or something. It's like, okay, that's not bad. But it that did not just dental, they did all kinds of stuff, but it was like the most like canned website. which thankfully they were willing to change for me.Like we, I just had to give them all the content, all of the different parts and pieces. And it took like six months to get the website live because they just. Couldn't quite get it to where I wanted it to be. And then, they didn't tell me that there was like an annual fee on it, and they waived it the No, they don't waive it.It was not a fee until like two years in, which was like the end of the contract. And if I didn't pay that fee, they would wipe the website and they didn't really warn me. And then I had questions and they ended up just pulling the entire site gone. And so I had no website all of a sudden, I was like, uh, what do I do?So thankfully I actually had a friend who, um, does marketing and she, she made me a site. So So that was, I'd say that was one of the, the more negative experience side. Yeah. Um, yeah. And I mean, we all have our website and those media things, I think that are not always the best experiences.It's hard to, hard to know who to trust. Um, love my practice management software, which is Oryx O R Y X. Um, I spell it when I first started, everyone's like, excuse me, what is that? That's not Dentrix. No, no, no. Nope. It's none of those. but I was an earlier adopter of Oryx. So we transitioned in 2018.after I bought the practice, we had easy dental, which is like a spinoff of, I think it might be a baby dendrix even maybe. but. cloud based based on the principles that Jon Kois teaches, which was amazing because nothing out there is like that. Nothing is able to give you like this risk based profile broken into the four food groups.Like that is how my brain works and sees patients. And it was able to be created into this software that does the same thing. And it makes it easy to present to patients and communicate with patients when they see things in three colors. Which seems like such a simple thing, but in terms of just building credibility and trust right off the bat, having this system that has number one, it has, like, so many different things built into it.It's not just. Charting and, and treatment planning, but also like your communication with patients. So you can text and email them and, there's a review component and there's the easy auto confirmations. All that's built into 1 system, even how you enter the data, you're entering. Diagnostics first.What is the diagnosis? And then you're creating a treatment plan based on that diagnosis. You get to enter in, like, how big is that composite on number 19? Is it, less than a third of the isthmus width? Is it a third? Is it greater than half? And it shows on the, like, odontogram. Look at that big ass filling or like, Oh, that's pretty little.And so when patients see that, or even like your team sees that, if they're not super, dental savvy, like they're able to grasp real quick, like that's real big. what do we think is going to happen? And the system automatically then creates a risk profile based on what you enter in. And so it's very straightforward than to share with patients or even to, like, agree with yourself, right?Because some days you'll look at something and think one thing and the next day that sway kind of kicks in and you're like, we probably watch Yeah. No, look, criteria. We know the data supports this, therefore this is what we should be doing is a lot easier to ration with yourself even I feel like than, just the, the standard software that's out there where you're like, well, I'd see a fillings on that too.That's all I know about. Michael: Interesting. were you shopping around before that or did you immediately get it because of the Koi center? I Preeya: got it because of the Koi Center. I wanted that and I had multiple people tell me like, don't be an early adopter. Like that's. kind of daring my IT company who set everything up was like, we don't know anything about this.I'm like, that's okay. Just talk to them. They'll, talk to you. We'll figure it out. And they ended up, they're like, Oh my God, the backend on this system is amazing. Like the security is phenomenal. I was like, yay. Go me. You should have me. You should have me. You should have me. You should have me. You should have me.You should have me. You should have me. Don't necessarily know. I just knew I had a lot of frustrations with Dendrix and Eaglesoft. Those were the two that I used primarily, uh, through my years prior to this and they're good systems, but like they didn't really leverage the power behind that risk based treatment planning.And even like the medical dental history to be able to have that in a system that just creates risk and allows people to actually look at it and own it and understand. The questions you're asking, so, like, when we have a new patient, they automatically get a link to submit all of their medical dental history forms the history.If every single question has a reason behind it. So, if I'm asking you about your level of dental fear, if the patient has a high level of fear, the little risk thing goes up and there's a little thing on the side that says, Hey, make sure you're asking patient about why they have fear. Like there's this little, little guy on your shoulder who's telling you like, Hey, This is might be important because of this, or if they have diabetes, like A1C, this is what you're looking at.If it's above this or below this, you should be concerned because we're considered cross reactions with whatever. And so, um, when the patients see it, there's pictures that go with, especially some of the dental things, like, is there notching on your teeth? And there's like a little diagram, a little video that'll show like where the notching might be.So the patients can be like. Huh? my gosh. Yeah, there is. And so it's awareness and ownership to some of the things that had, they have going on and then they can come in. A lot of tens are like, oh my gosh, you asked about this. And I never thought about that, but oh my goodness. Like, yeah, I snore when I sleep.should I be concerned about that? And so, Just that level of education that patients are coming in with has been a really big game changer for us Michael: Yeah. Nice. Awesome. That makes us happy. So then from that, throughout this whole process for you, we're coming to a close here, but let's talk about from the moment you decided in your mind, like, I want to, I want to, I want to practice.I'm going on my own. So today. What's been some of the biggest struggles, fails, or pitfalls you've encountered? Great Preeya: question. think like most people, I think finding your people, finding your team been an interesting struggle. I think we all love to love other people and support them. And, I've had kind of three versions of my team over the past five years.So I had the people I started with minus the person who lasted a month, my team. Then I had a version 2. 0 right after COVID and then version 3. 0 as of last March. And with each iteration, it's really actually aligned with like iterations of the practice too, where I feel like I need a change and lo and behold, guess what?A lot of the changes, the people who are part of my team right now. so the source of stress was also me in part, but also like. There was kind of a mismatch and where, where things were going. and so because of that, I think, like, knowing what I want, what my expectations are and being able to lead those people, I think is something that.I'm perpetually working on refining and improving and try to learn like, you know, more to do with that. and especially now, post COVID, all the different expectations people bring into the office when as employees, um, and managing those and managing their lives and their drama. I think that's. It's been a source of stress, but also very fortunate.I feel like all of the people I've employed have been really, really great employees. I have knock on wood, not had any of the crazy drama that you read about on social media and like hear your friends talking about and stuff too. and I think a lot of that has been like really trying to attract the people that I seek, whether that's just, you know, am I manifesting it and putting out there a And also just creating the vibe here that attracts a certain type of person as well, I think is a big piece of that. But I mean, it's a str

Welcome to Episode 95 of Redesigning Your Relationship! In "Resolutions with Results - Why Do We Fail?", we unravel the intricacies behind the challenges often associated with New Year's resolutions. Hosts Yvette Valdenegro and Geovanna Burgess White take you on a reflective journey through the pitfalls and stumbling blocks that can impede the success of your resolutions. In this insightful episode, we revisit the fundamental reasons resolutions were conceived and explore why many find it challenging to follow through. Through candid discussions, insights, and real-life anecdotes, we aim to decode the psychology behind resolutions and address the common pitfalls that lead to setbacks.  Don't miss the popular “Friends” video included in this episode. Sure to make you laugh and relate.  Video link for this episode:    Hosts:  @ygcollaborations   @yvettevaldenegro   @geovannaburgesswhite   Complimentary Virtual Connect:  https://calendly.com/ygc/cc   Tools & Resources:  https://www.ygcollaborations.com/     This episode is sponsored by YGC: You can use our code YGC to receive $30 off of your ticket and there is a payment plan to make it easy to join us. Are you ready for GROWTH?  Learn more and grab a ticket at www.thegrowthsummit.info

Today I want to tell you about our sponsor for this episode,  Olsen  Dental  Chairs!‍‍Imagine you're a dentist and you spend your whole day around the chair...   Well, Olsen has over  40 years of experience in making those long hours as comfortable as possible for both the dentist  and the patient! ‍If you're a dental professional looking for high quality, cost effective, dental equipment, check out Olson dental chairs!Click this link and mention this episode for a limited time FREE installation with your purchase!‍Guest: Rhonda KalashoPractice Name: TruGlow Mordern DentalCheck out Rhonda's Media:Practice Website: https://glomoderndental.com/Email: rhondakalasho@glomoderndental.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.rhondakalasho/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dr.rhondakalasho‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Tools/Resources:HubSpotHubSpothttps://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwjjuryZn42DAxXKB60GHWZzBfYYABAAGgJwdg&ase=2&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyeWrBhDDARIsAGP1mWSmA-wnuIpk3AgrP6Q4LOTx7tZpTWkt9X_vnRvjxA6TpHggzdgGerIaAoxFEALw_wcB&ei=6xJ6ZaSIDeGC0PEP-5GPaA&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESV-D2LJrATp36pfi4qgGRCTKgaEIqiHzgIfDNWGIzDXafM7fx84q8a9o3MfxOBrhzqXvVlJtKltzCsaJOIqike632B7HWKepVIukxm2wCNCtob28pZUpKag&sig=AOD64_0lSViVPzY6D95mLKOsmbn2Bwj18A&q&sqi=2&nis=4&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwjkqbaZn42DAxVhATQIHfvIAw0Q0Qx6BAgJEAETrainualPearl (AI software)TurboTaxGoogle AdsCompanies/Brands:BBCMSNBCForbesZocDocInvisalignTerms:HMOMedi-CalROI - Return on InvestmentEBITDA - Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and AmortizationWet DentistryOL - Oral LeukoplakiaAI - Artificial IntelligenceSEO - Search Engine OptimizationPPC AdsLLC - Limited Liability CompanyS CorporationC CorporationW-2CavitronPiezoLocations/Establishments:UCLAUCSD‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍‍What You'll Learn in This Episode:Dr. Kalasho's journey from graduate to successful entrepreneur owning multiple dental practices.Understanding contracts and the importance of developing sound business acumen.Insights into partnerships and dental practice acquisitions.Using dental insurance as a financial safeguard while maintaining quality care.Implementing AI in dental practices: from patient care to insurance dealings.The role of tax planning and smart investments in building wealth.Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)Michael: All right. It's time to talk with our featured guest, Dr. Rhonda Kalasho. How's it Rhonda: going? Great. Excellent. I'm in Los Angeles. How can I, how can I fight this weather? We got sun. Michael: I know we got, sun yesterday Rhonda: Yeah. Oh yeah. You're, You're not far. got rain ever. There was car accidents everywhere. Cause nobody knows what to do. Yeah. Car accidents everywhere. Exactly. There's traffic. There's like a little splatter of rain and suddenly we don't have driver's license. Did it rain a lot in San Diego or no?Yeah. It rained a lot. It rained a lot. My parents live out there. I live in Los Angeles, but I mean, we had a lot of rain yesterday, but we love it. I love it. I eat it Michael: up. like a nice change of pace of everything. We all feel like we, what do we do? We got to shut down and everything like Rhonda: that.I'm that person that puts up the Christmas decorations the day after Halloween. So now it matches the weather. Michael: That's awesome. So if you can tell us a little bit about your past, your present, how'd you get to where you are Rhonda: today? Yeah, absolutely. I own, uh, multiple practices under one brand called True Glow Modern Dental.Uh, I did end up owning, uh, an HMO practice straight out of residency, which I loved a lot, but, uh, I ended up, it was a partnership that didn't go well. And it's because I didn't really understand contracts at the time and, So I ended up, uh, just selling my shares of that and then purchasing my first office in Hollywood, in 2018, in 2020 I opened up my, uh, Beverly Hills location and now I'm opening up my Calabasas location. I'm pretty busy right now. I have two little ones at home. But what got me into practice ownership is, uh, I really thought that there was a market deficit in dentistry where it's essentially affordable care, but also at the same time, high quality. and I wanted to utilize some of my business background because I was an undergrad as an undergrad major, I was a business administration, major.And then I picked up some of the prereqs before UCLA to finish up. To get into dental school, but I had a good business acumen before I began my dental journey. And I knew that there was, a really great market for potential of membership style dental offices, which don't operate like an insurance, but more like how you would see traditional memberships, businesses operating where you have a fixed monthly amount, and then you are given, Reduce fees or whatever for a service.And so we were able to do that. Um, I also own my own dental laboratory. So my costs are, fixed in a way where I can produce high quality care, but at the same time, affordably for my patients as well. so we're, uh, kind of a niche brand of dentistry. we do have patients that still come in with insurance.We concierge bill their insurance and the patient gets billed or gets paid directly. Um, that's part of my brand. I just wanted to grow and develop this, business perspective that I had even as an undergrad. and now, lo and behold, I actually really love dentistry. I'm still a wet handed dentist, so I do practice all the time. and you can see that on my Instagram page. I do some, uh, pretty crazy video, full mouth rehab cases. I learned that at my residency, which I did at UCSD. And I recommend everybody actually do a residency. Super important. All my, colleagues and associates that work under our brand have done residencies. that's what got me here. I love. Not only the practice of dentistry, but the business, of dentistry as well. Michael: Nice. Okay. So it's good. Let's rewind a little bit. You said you immediately out of residency, you jumped into practice ownership. You owned HMO. Crazy me. Yeah. Why, Why did you do that?Well, I Rhonda: did go into, office kind of thing a little bit. I did that for like two months and it just didn't fit my style. I wanted certain equipment, I wanted certain things when I would work and it was just the bare bones. I remember being asked to do endo without a rubber dam and without all of a sudden it was just like, I was just kind of.Especially when you're out of dental school you're, you're kind of still into the standard of care and you're really wanting to make sure that you're practicing that as such. And I remember the corporate setting was very much a patient push and making sure that they finish the treatment, make sure that they get the treatment done, make sure that you hit your quotas and all that.And it's all respectable. That's fine. Everybody needs to be aware of numbers, but it became more of less. Quality of and more of just pushing dental treatment out. Um, I quickly ran away from that, but found a great office that I liked a lot. They did accept HMOs and HMO style Cal office. was nice and you can still be very profitable in that market. It's not like you need to be all fee for service to be profitable as a medical or HMO dental practice. It's just a different practice setting. but they're still very profitable practices. And so if people are out there looking at maybe buying in or buying, only a fee for service office.Fee for service offices are incredibly difficult to maintain and hold because as soon as a patient gets insurance, they may leave you, um, as opposed to an insurance based practice, even in the worst times of economic issues But for fee for service, you may find that if you're just collecting free for service, you'll have a lot of waxing and waning of the times and then you'll have these tides of Being really busy and then not being really busy.and that could be really detrimental, but I got into the HMO practice, and then I was offered a partnership, um, because I expressed actually my, my goal of practice ownership. So that's how I got in so quickly. Um, so I, expressed that during my business, meetings with them that I wanted to get involved in as being a practice owner.Um, so I quickly got into that. but the, the way that it was laid out was of course, I just kind of went and read the contract myself. I didn't have a lawyer read it over. I didn't. And so what ended up happening at the end is I put a lot of my own equity in it, but didn't get a good return.and that's a pro, I mean, I always. Call my career as a, constant trajectory of falling forward because I'm constantly making mistakes. And I don't know everything that I'm doing every day. That is a hundred percent. This is the right way of doing it, but a part of building yourself as a professional and an entrepreneur is making mistakes and being okay with that, but you have to learn and learn why it was done and not reproduce the same mistakes.Michael: Interesting. Okay. And it's interesting your, point on fee for service and insurance. I feel like right now, a lot of the practices we're trying to kind of transition out of insurance, right? We're saying, Hey, I want to drop all that because I can't, you know, they're, judging our, work, when we do that.But when it comes to the other way around, how you mentioned it, Hey, if you start off fee for, so what do you recommend Rhonda? lot of the times we want to just start off hitting the ground running fee for service, and a lot of the times. Some people recommend, hey, get some assurances, then slowly drop them off.And then completely go fee for service. Rhonda: Yeah. Absolutely. I think if you build it, they will come depending on how you're going to build it. If you want to build it as a fee for service practice, you may want to just stick to it. It does create a fire under your butt to make sure that you're keeping your practice going.Because if you kind of get into this. The cushion of insurance and insurance does offer cushion, although sometimes we deem them as being, subpar and they're not paying us or reimbursing as well at the end of the day. if it is an 800 crown, if you're taking two hours to do that, yeah, that's.And this is for the new dentists. your, your chair time should be a thousand dollars an hour. If that's what you want to see it as. And that's just basic, right? Like just if you think about how much you're going to have to spend in overhead, dental overhead is incredibly expensive because hygienists get paid a lot.Dental office managers get paid a lot. Dental assistants nowadays, especially in Los Angeles, their average salary is 23 an hour. That's average. So that's a lot. And by the way, they're very accustomed to getting, full benefits. So they do have our, in our practices, they have health insurance, they have gym memberships.They have a lot of stuff that, that is given. 401ks. They have dependents that can get health insurance in our practice. We run it like a corporation and people are very accustomed to that. Even if you're a small dental office, you have to offer these kinds of things. So to that, you have to say that the overhead clearly is very expensive and a lot of your, third party payers, like your dental laboratory is a cost.And the equipment and supplies is also a cost. So yeah, insurance paying you 800 is very low, but if you are, able to do a very nice quality prep, remove all the decay and all that in like 30 minutes, it's not that bad. And that's better than making, not making no money in that time.there is a misconception also that. being really busy means that you are making more money. And those sometimes those HMO practices who are super, super busy, they're pumping out patients left and right. At the end of the day, the fee for service person who saw two patients as opposed to 15 patients is still making the same amount.So it doesn't mean that you have to be very busy, but you just have to create this niche brand or a market for someone to want to pay a fee for service as opposed to going out with insurance. But if you're going to do insurance, a couple things it's good to build the practice, with insurance, if you have nothing there, but if your intention is to drop those insurances, then maybe not sign up for a lot of them because a lot of the times patients will.Leave you as much as you are a great dentist and all of us love to pat ourselves on the backs and they'll go, we're so amazing. No, one's going to leave us, but I'll tell you, they'll leave you so fast. So as soon as you tell them, okay, so your copay is not 300 anymore, you gotta pay 2, 500 for this crown.They're going to run like the wind, right? So like they're going to go to, they'll look to Yelp or something and try to get. Something better, but I'm saying that they're what you have to understand is if you're going to be a fee for service office, you have to provide a service that is very much, reflective of the amount you're asking this person to pay.So you have for every beck and call, you have to offer 24 hour concierge service. You have to talk to them. you have to understand these people, 2, 500 for a lot of people for many people is a lot of money. And that's one crown, right? So if you're going to offer this kind of service to them and your fee for service and not offering any other benefits to them, even if it's payments that you're offering, they are paying this whole dollar amount rather than going through their insurance, which may be paid through their employer.So you have to create your business models are completely different. So you have to be okay with it. You can meet the same bottom line. You can meet the same profits, but when your HMO got to go faster, you got to move faster. You can't just dilly dally, talk to the patients too long, blah, blah, blah. But you also need to treat them like people.It's very important. People also don't want to be treated like cattle, right? they're still paying whatever they're paying for that. So they're going to come in and they want to be respected in the time, but you have to be mindful of your time if you're doing HMO and even PPO.But even PPO insurances don't pay well either, some of them do, some of them pay well, but you still have to. Make sure that you are being aware of you almost have a calculator in your head that your should not be wasted because the overhead is too much and you'll find yourself in a very bad zone your PNL statements where you're seeing your profits kind of dwindle.So just making sure that you're aware of that and speed it up if you're HMO PPO fee for service you can kind of create a little bit more of a pampering effect. Yeah. Michael: Interesting. So then, fee for service, like you said, pampering effect, HMO, or like Medi Cal, right? You'd really, or not Medi Cal, you'd really have to hone in on your efficiency.Oh, yeah, Rhonda: especially when they're first out of dental school, like you got, I remember three hours to do a crown nowhere in private practice is three hours for a crown going to be efficient for anybody, like anybody, not the practice, not the patient. The patient's experience is going to suddenly start to, I remember numbing the patient so many times in dental school because it would fade.I would like, you know, and then they're like, ah, they're constantly moving. It's, It's just, you don't want to. You have to make sure that their experience and what they're feeling in that moment, all that is always in your mind. And this is, that's why dentistry is so hard. You're like a psychologist.You're like a business owner. You're like their friend, but then also their doctor. And then you're sitting with multiple hats and still trying to work. in a kind of a bloody messy environment and work at the millimeter, you know, like, so is a tough job, but it's a, it's also one of the best fields, to be in.Michael: Yeah. Yeah. Interesting. Okay. So then if we fast forward a little bit more, you talked about your partnership, how it did not go well. and you mentioned that you put a lot of equity, but you didn't get a good ROI out of it. Right. Specifically, where did you feel like you missed the mark? Where you're like, yeah, if I would have seen that and you want to kind of give us advice or warn us about that.Rhonda: Yeah. I think I wouldn't, what ended up happening is it was. I was the only one working there. Okay. So there was nobody else there. And so as I was building up this practice and bringing in all the things that I have done for my own brand, I was, buying dental equipment.And leasing it out under my name and doing all this others and not under the corporation and not under the partnership. It was only for me. I was putting in all this dollars, all this money marketing was spent through me. I started my own Instagram page. I started the own Facebook page. I was doing so much and then bringing up this practice and its value.And then when I was, uh, told to. Buy in, I was bought in at the practice value that I brought in. Right. so I put in the money and then bought myself back. Right. And so It didn't work when I got paid out because I got paid out before the money I put in.So it was, I had built it up to what it was and it was just the way that it was laid out. It was really laid out in an unfair way. definitely just kind of taking advantage of a person just. That is maybe not of the nuances of contracts, especially between partners, but just as a pearl to people is that you have to make sure that you have a lawyer reading any agreement that you sign and that they can kind of give you the ins and outs of that and understand that even, you know, you're going to Google and all that kind of stuff.it may be true because especially when you're first out of school, you don't have a lot of money to hire a lawyer or somebody to help you out with that. But even if you have maybe family member that may help you out for your charge to read some of the contracts is going to help. I just got a little, you know, I got a little too pompous and said, Oh, this is, it sounds great.I can have 40 percent ownership and you never get really majority, but, uh, no, I didn't have, I actually had 11%. but I'm saying that sometimes it could be offered You're never really going to be offered a majority. Anybody who owns a practice should not give actually majority.To a colleague or an associate, this is still your baby. This is still your brand and your corporation. you don't want to give a majority because you still want to hold, a lot of the, um, the voting rights and all that would fall ultimately onto you. You don't want your brand to be carried on by someone else, if you want somebody invested.Into your practice because you never wash rental car, right? And you never put glass in a rental car. You kind of just give it to them as all beat up. But if somebody is going to invest in your practice and they've been with you for many years, giving them some sort of equity or practice ownership in the practice itself or in the corporation is actually a great idea. but, uh, they have to also be vested with you, uh, financially and in time, both monetarily and in time. Michael: Okay. Gotcha. Interesting. So then right after that, you decided, all right, let's see, I'm going to start my own thing or were you, you worked for a private, right? You worked for a private practice?I worked for Rhonda: a private practice, uh, for a little bit, maybe like two months. And then I did for like another three, all together, maybe six months after graduating, I, uh, ended up getting into this partnership. but then as soon as my partnership was settled out and I got whatever I could get out of it, I used that money to buy a practice that wasn't doing well at all.It was actually a bankrupt practice, a beautiful location, what I noticed about that practice is they had a really. Robust hygiene department, their patients were coming in regularly. They were seeing about, you know, six patients a day in hygiene and they had four hygiene days. but I noticed the doctor's schedule was dead because the doctor wasn't there.So they had this essentially just a sitting body of water it's like, well, if you have a good hygiene department, there's no reason why a restorative. section of that practice should not be thriving as well because those patients are coming in regularly. You should be doing exams.You should be following up with their care, but they were just coming in for cleanings and then just being off on their way and coming back in another six months. But was no doctor to sometimes even treatment plan them in that day. It's because that just that doctor does. Felt like dentistry was not for them.they didn't like practice ownership at all. And, um, I, at that time had met a broker at a convention at the CDA conference. And he was, uh, like, you know, kind of kept in contact with me, gave me all these, uh, potential offices. This one was just cheap because of its, uh, you know, annual, salary that it was receiving and it's was very low.Or even it wasn't, wasn't good at all, but it was a practice that I could buy relatively dirt cheap. And, but when I got in there, they had carpet, hate carpet in a dental office. If you guys have it, maybe get rid of it, but. it's so gross.Okay. But, but the, the lobby, I remember the chairs are like these dental, these like not dental school. They were like school, like schoolyard chairs. And then they were like propped up by magazines and, um, the front desk person didn't even acknowledge when I walked in there and it was like, just like the walls were blue.It was just like such a. ugly thing. But I, had a vision and I had a goal in mind. I wanted to buy a practice. So this was for all intents and purposes, a great find. It had a great hygiene department. It needed a pick me up. and it's slowly, but surely over the years. And I went from, uh, that office 2018 to 2020 in the middle of a pandemic opening another one.So it's fully doable to ramp up even a shitty practice, but you can still ramp it up if you have the vision in mind there. But so it was considered an acquisition, there's build outs and there's an acquisition. that one was an acquisition because it was still owned by someone.But When I got in there, you have an option of actually keeping on the staff or you can, find new ones, right? Or you don't have to keep everybody on when you actually find yourself on the first day of an acquisition, you present everybody there with a letter. And generally they're not knowledgeable that the practice was even being sold. that's common practice, uh, that. we don't spook people out, right? When sometimes when even patients hear that there is a new practice that's coming in or owner that's coming in, they may leave you're acquiring a practice, a lot of the times they don't inform them until the practice is acquired and then you can send out a bunch of, emails or letters out to the patient and then to the staff.So in my case, when I came in, I was not in love with the staff. I didn't like. That the front person didn't acknowledge that I was there, didn't even look up from her computer. I didn't like that the hygienist, uh, was not using cavitrons or was just basically using prophy cups. It wasn't like scaling or any of that.I ended up just firing everybody and starting fresh. again I had a vision of someone when you walk the room, they're bubbly, they're happy. They are the first introduction to your practice before they even, even on the phone, you can hear them. You know, you want somebody that is going to drive in patients and that.really somber person in the front plays a damper on the mood everywhere. It's like, try to DMV. Do you, everyone look happy? No, it's like you just, everyone's pissed because the person in the front is not the Walmart reader. Like I walk in and I love it. Right. I'm like, yeah, we're here. Okay. Like that's right.Yeah. You're at a shop. Like That's what you want. And what I felt like this is definitely a branding issue. And when you're building a brand, this is stuff that you have to think about. You have to think about the smell. You have to think about the sights. You have to think about the colors.These are all very much, uh, part of even dentistry, because dentistry is a small little business. So you have to know, you can't just pop in with ugly carpet and propped up, uh, chairs. Michael: Yeah, it's interesting that you did that though, because I guess like advise, it's like, yeah, you know, here's the thing.When you do an acquisition, a lot of the times the team may feel betrayed by their original doctor and saying, how come you didn't let us know this, we've been with you forever. We would have understood this. Right. so there's that trust that kind of like deteriorates. Then they kind of start having the fear, like, oh my gosh.Who's this doctor? Who's this young doctor? I know more than her, right? Especially those older office managers. Like they're like, Oh no, no, no, no, sweetie, please can tell you how to do this. Right. And then they try to run it. But letting go everybody at once, how'd you do that? or could you have coached anybody like, cause the hygienist sounded like they were still really good cause they were keeping people on.Rhonda: Yeah. so, for the front person, honestly, I just felt like she didn't even their AR reports cause you do a due diligence on the practice when you're acquiring it their. AR, which is accounts receivable, was very high. So they were collecting zero copay and just kind of letting the person know.I mean, I did, I'll say this, I did give them a chance, right? Like talking to them, um, about maybe collecting copays before the patient comes in, talking about deposits and immediately they shut it down. If someone is not on. your same mindscape and they're not, actually thinking on your level and that they want to build this practice, they're going to be a plague on the practice.So you should immediately just squash it, right? Because if that person is not like. Excited. Oh yeah. There's a new person here with all this energy wants to ramp it up and they're feeling it. They're like, yeah, okay, let's do it. Yeah, we definitely. there, and when you bring up, a report to someone cause I remember sitting next to this, the front office person was also there.It wasn't, she didn't have an office manager. It was a very small skeleton practice. Actually it had no dental assistant. Um, so the person in the front actually, uh, worked as the dental assistant and the person in the front. So I wouldn't say I fired, but everybody, I mean, there wasn't really much of anybody.There was an associate that popped up and did like an OL every 10 months, right? Um, like, which is a. You guys all know dental ever. You're on. Well, like a little tiny filling like every day and then didn't even take out all the amalgam. It was just like, I don't know what the hell I was looking at, but it didn't have a huge, practice.It wasn't like I fired 11 people. I fired three people that were unnecessary. Right. That didn't meet the. And then when I, if I talked to the hygienist and I told, you know, look at the, there are studies on. arrest in their studies on laser. Do you? I'm going to pay for you to take some of these courses. I want you to learn how to do a laser debridement.I want you to use the air polisher or whatever, all these other things that you can provide rather than a prophy cup. Maybe just learn how to scale a little bit, right? Because there's all this plasma this person's tooth. Use the cabotron, use the piezo. And oh, you know, I don't know, you know, I'm really good with this tool and literally how it holds one tool for every surface of the tooth.And it's like, okay, if you're not ready, To change and be part of this, essentially look at where we are now. I had a goal in mind, right? If you weren't ready to hop on my back and I, and fly with me, I'm going to leave you on the ground. You're done. Right? Because then you're going to be a plague on my practice.You're going to be a splinter and I can't move on. Right. I can't get to where I need to be. if you're trying to get from here to there with the same people it's not going to happen. And even when you get to there, you grow, you get more people So my practice has grown significantly from those three people I fired.I now I'm 50 employees deep, right? And every one of them is very much attuned to our mission and our practice philosophy. And we, we really spend a lot of time in making sure that everyone is on the same page. Michael: Okay. So that's interesting. That's really, really good then. So. I know you mentioned that, oh, how long have you been in practice Rhonda: ownership for?Uh, 2018. Michael: How many years? 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25. Five? Five years. Five years. Man, how many practices do you have currently? Like working and running? Rhonda: Uh, now three. Yeah. Three. Los Angeles. Los Angeles. No. Oh, well, Beverly Hills. They're all in Los Angeles. So I just stick in this area. Um, they're Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Calabasas.Jeez. Michael: And that's such a saturated. So how did you do it? Why? here? Like Rhonda: why? I like torture. It's nice. It was, It was terrible. Yes. You said saturated. Absolutely. In my building alone on the same floor, I have four dentists. Michael: Yeah. It was great. So then me ask you, why did you decide to do that? How did you make it grow so much so fast to where you're like, we're three and I think you're on another build out, you said, right?Rhonda: I'm on another build out and then, yeah, I'm on a build out right now. I'm actually in the middle. I got permits for it yesterday, so I'm super excited. So that I have a team that's going to come in and just do our same look. We have a systems always we try to reproduce it and then I have a projection for 2025 is an acquisition.So I'm currently just looking at potential acquisitions as well. Michael: these aren't build outs like ground Rhonda: up. No, they're not The next one is going to be an acquisition because, uh, these buildouts in Los Angeles, the thing is that you can't really own buildings in Los Angeles. They're either grandfathered in, they're incredibly expensive.Like we're not talking about like, I'm sure Nebraska parts of it is expensive, but like, you know, there's some parts like Arkansas, whatever people are going to buy these massive buildings. Right. And that's amazing. I love that. I'm married to this city. Okay. Because I married my husband's out here.My family's out here. I would love to get into more of a less saturated environment. I bet you, I can kill it somewhere else. Right. But I am now getting tortured and killed here, but I've grown to realize, um, what is needed in this kind of market and facilitate a growth.Um, and a lot of it has to do with. front loading, a lot of marketing right off the bat and then getting a good SEO, doing PPC ads, um, doing even mail marketing campaigns. You're kind of just throwing everything out there and then seeing what sticks because a lot of times you may have mail marketing not work out, but in some locations it works out because the demographics still checks her mail in Hollywood.Mail marketing for me does not work. Right. But PPC campaigns and local ad campaigns with Google works out for me, having my, website, really honed in on keywords and all that kind of stuff and having good SEO that's going to manage. the traffic that's coming in is really important for Hollywood for Beverly Hills.There's an older demographic there's a bunch of homes around there. these male marketing campaigns and even being in magazines or whatever it is, those tend to actually work. we still, of course, run our Google. Everybody still uses Google or we're going to, uh, aside that we're talking about other things.Facebook. It's still working with that. Calabasas is the same. These locations are, if they're mostly have homes around you rather than apartments and stuff like that, because I think the apartments, it's a very transient, uh, living situation. You may have some people coming in for a couple of months and leaving mail marketing campaigns don't always work out. these, uh, physical, uh, news articles and whatever it is, may not be working out, but, uh, I also have found, um, being in Hollywood, I was reached out a couple of times by magazines, right? And so like our lure, BBC, MSNBC, I was on Forbes for Hollywood's, they called me the most stylish dentist.I don't know. Okay. But I think it sounds like I was a stylish dentist, but I think they were talking about practice when you were getting into the article, but like the style, the brand was there and it was recognized by Forbes, um, as being a nice office, a nice dental office, and then offering some services to patients that were.Really high tech. But anyhow, we digress on that. But I'm saying that these are some things that I was reached out to. And then my online presence grew because they put me in online articles, right? So they kind of all just fueled each other. And it, and sometimes some people Are not as lucky in that area to find out what works right away.But you want to try different marketing strategies. Um, not every practice is going to feel a good strategy with one as opposed to another. I remember when I was in Orange County. So my first, uh, practice location was up there. HMO one, but That one did really well with like those, but this was a couple of years ago.I don't know, but those apps where you can kind of make your own appointment like ZocDoc and, Oh yeah. Uh huh. Uh huh. Yeah. So they were doing really well there with that. Same with Hollywood because there's are like techie, uh, younger generations, right? Like, so you may want to look, put yourself on one of those platforms where they can get onto your, appointment scheduler and put themselves in there because people don't want to call.Some demographics don't want to call you. Right. And so like there's a younger generation who completely functions a hundred percent on their phone. They emailed a text. They don't even have laptops, right? They're all, everything's on their phone. So even optimizing your website to look good on a cell phone is also incredibly important.You can hop onto different dental offices and you'll see that maybe their website for the phone is not easy. It's like a mess. You have to shrink it really low, move it up this way. It's like, you can't find their number because it hasn't been optimized for mobile. these are some things that you definitely want to look into your practice to make sure that you are marketing to the right group.Who's your demographic that you're trying to aim for? And, uh, what keywords are you using for your SEO? If you're doing primarily Invisalign, where do you rank on the Invisalign when somebody puts Invisalign in? I'm picking on Arkansas. I don't know, but there's a line Arkansas, right?Like I want to go to Arkansas too. Michael: You're like, man. Okay. So that's interesting. When it comes to this, you said you front load a lot at the beginning of marketing. I guess specifically, how much did you front? Rhonda: Yeah. A lot, uh, 15, 000, um, in marketing the first month. Michael: Uh, every month for or just the first month, Rhonda: every month for almost like a year.But now in terms of marketing, we're way past that. We're at like 30, 000. It's still going to grow. It's not going to get smaller, but you have to think about it as your ROI. You're spending that much and you have to think, okay, how much am I spending per patient to come in? if you spent a 15, 000 and let's say that the person, the patient came in and the price on their head was 150, but they came in.And they spent 2000, they spend a thousand, whatever it is, you have to be able to know your, your numbers of the practice and, and be able to decipher if some of those marketing campaigns are helpful. And you have to also make sure you train your staff and be part of your systems to ask the patient, whoever is calling, how did you hear about us?Because that is going to be key for you not to overspend marketing. Oh, Google. Okay. Well, let's put a tick on Google. website referrals. At this juncture, I'm actually now, this is what also people need to understand. You can get really high in marketing, but you don't need to spend that amount every single month.Right? There's some points where you're noticing you're getting 50 new patients. Okay. That's amazing. A month for practice is great. 50 new patients is wonderful. Should I fall back on my marketing? Maybe not. Just don't spend more. Okay. And then what we found is we're getting new patients, but mostly now it's referrals.So I'm actually haven't spent more on marketing in the last year. It's just been kind of the same. So over time, when your brand develops and your practice develops, you may not need to spend this money all the time. You may not need to add more fuel to the fire. it can carry on in itself by creating the environment that a patient will want to come back and see you guys and maybe refer a family member because referrals are above all the best.They are the best. That's why reviews. You always want to make sure your reviews are very good. you really want to get everyone involved and gamify your reviews and gamify your practice so that everybody in the practice is aiming towards making sure that your ratings online is always at its best.and it's because this unfortunately in our society will hurt you the most. And it doesn't matter who you are, what your name is, blah, blah, blah. one time I referred, I know he's an excellent doctor. He's amazing actually. he's on a study club with me and does all this stuff. I was referring him over to someone and I went on his Yelp and I'm like, Oh no. I know. He's really good. What are these on there? Right. And then like, I was like, Oh my God, that's his reviews. And then it makes you even question if this guy is good. Right.And you're like, no, he's awesome. What is that? And then, uh, you know, that's going to make your practice suffer. And it's also going to, uh, definitely create a taste in someone's mouth when they come into your practice that they immediately think you're going to be bad, but have to always maintain those reviews.You always have to put a positive, self out there, even if you're having super crappy day, which a lot of us do, obviously we, this is why also this practice lifestyle is stressful because you can have a crappy day, but you have to walk in and be all smiles. It is good. No one is dying next door. You know, like, Oh, like, you know, you want to be really, I didn't come inand, and give that kind of persona.And it really helps build up those reviews and just make sure that you are constantly also asking for them. You don't want to just assume they're going to leave you a review because the person who's going to leave you the reviews that when you don't want leaving a review, but the person who was like, you guys are awesome.You should ask them. Even as the dentist, I don't know why we think we're above that. We're not above that. This is still, this is your practice, right? this is what you spent your money and your time and your blood and your self, your all that on. And if someone is, saying, wow, and giving you some credence on your practice, they love it.Then ask them, you know, I know it's going to take a lot of time out of your day. I really appreciate if you just do that. Um, if you don't want to, no problem, but I just like, it really helps us out and humble yourself. you should always humble yourself in life and in your practice and in your chair is nothing that glorified you above anybody else.You know, stoop down to always look at the patient when they're talking to you, not at their mouth, but in their eyes. sit at their level. Don't stand above them, bring them up when you're talking to them, not lay them down. You, these, this is never have a opinion of yourself.You certainly just always to just level yourself up with your staff and with your patient. And I parent promise you, these reviews are going to read for themselves because now you are. You're real. you're not fakely asking, Hey, you want to leave us a review?And like you were just a dick to them the whole time. Now you're asking for, right? so make sure you keep up with that the whole time. Michael: Yeah, I like that authenticity, right? So then when it comes to, you mentioned there's something, you do, you have a system that you like to reproduce. When it comes to these practices, what is it? Rhonda: Yeah, so the systems are and they can vary between different offices, but systems it's such a word that's so loaded because a lot of times like we have systems and what does that mean? Right? What is the system? So a systems is. the time a patient calls your office and even before that, how did you get that call?How did that call get intercepted? how did the person answering the phone answer that phone? How are they put into your scheduler? How are they followed up with? These are systems. So the step by step by step by step of getting a patient ultimately in the chair in your office.going over your treatment plan and now appointing them for the treatment because you have to appoint them. You can't just say, I got you in the chair. I did a profi and now you're gone. That's not how you need to reappoint them. an order for that patient to be successful and in your chair and having, and I don't want to, I'm going to just divert a little bit, a patient. value comes from their recare and recall and reemergence of them back into your system. One person comes in and you never see them again. That was not a successful new patient encounter. That patient goes on an inactive list. That patient is essentially Lost. You spent marketing dollars on them.You spent all the time on them. You paid the hygienists to see them. You did saw the assistant. You spent the time with them and it's lost, right? You need to create a systems. where a patient that sits in the chair reappoints themselves for either follow up cleaning or follow up care or whatever it is and stays within your practice, right?And so they stay within your active patient pool. Uh, we consider like active patients, someone who's been at least in within the year or 18 months or whatever it is. So keep mindful of that. This patient needs to be seen for recare. don't call it recall because recall sounds like something's wrong with you, right?So I would recommend that you say recare appointment rather than a recall appointment. and then I give that that's credit to UCLA's Dr. Goldstein practice management class, because I remember that was a, one of the slides on his, uh, I never appreciated that until practice where I remember saying, we'll see you on recall.And then the patient was like, Is it like, wrong, like something is wrong, like it's recalled, like, right? So, like, no, no, we just need to re carry, right? And so it's re carrying, the vocabulary is also important. Anyways, these are all part of systems, right? The vocabulary, the way you speak, the way you point them, the way you follow up with them.And it needs to be laid out. in a way where it's not printed and in a binder and put somewhere collecting dust. Welcome to 2023. Everything is online, right? Everything is online. Choose whatever system you want to do, but make sure it's accessible to everyone and that everybody knows your systems from the front office to the back office.Everyone needs to be aware of the way that your practice runs and how you would handle certain situations. Because once you, as a business owner, Leaves or moves away or whatever not leaves like physically leaves this practice and now comes into a perspective where I'm at where I'm mostly Managing I need to make sure people are aware of how to handle a situation without calling me a hundred times, Michael: right?Yeah, gotcha. So you created this systems how like you just record every single thing you're doing and you're like, what's working? And then pivot To do better and better and better, or? Rhonda: Absolutely. And how many times I've been asked, like, can I have a layout of your manual?And I would say, honestly you need to look at your practice, from a specific, It's, not subjective, it's really objective the way that you should be looking at your, practice. Like, so you need to handle each and every practice needs to be done differently. And so if one thing works in one practice may not work in another, but make sure you are understanding what worked.What marketing tactics worked, uh, how your systems are, the way that you walk a patient to the back, do you have a routing slip, because that's part of our system. Some people don't have routing slips, where it says next visit, where it says when the last cleaning was. These are part of systems.Does a routing slip work for you? Do you want your assistant to write your notes? If they want to write your notes, you have templates for them. These are specific things that may work for practice to practice, but see what works for you and get that written down somewhere. That's accessible. And not only in your head, it needs to be transcribed because it's going to be ultimately in order to scale and not only to scale, you can remain in your own practice, but maybe over a couple of years, add more dental chairs, maybe by the building, whatever it is, you don't have to go into multiple practices.There is some dentists. that are very near and dear to me, which I love, and they're killing it with one practice, giant location, like one location. It's huge. Right there. They see as many patients as I do, but just in one location. And so they've scaled. their practice, their one practice to an extraordinary size and they have, worked their systems to what works for them.Michael: Gotcha. Interesting. Okay. So then the systems is tailored to like the practice, obviously, right. But at the same time. I guess it's more like we have to start documenting everything right now and then kind of continue to pivot and pivot. Yeah. Rhonda: There's a lot of like, HubSpot may have something, but like also there's something called training all that also has like an online app, um, that you can do.There's a lot of sites that you can actually create, uh, like leaderboards. For your practice, and that's really good because you can put quizzes on there, like when you're training someone, how do you train them? Do you physically have to train them? Like, because some people learn differently, you may need to, um, Train them, physically show them, show them pictures, show them video, and then maybe take a quiz at the end, like, you know, so yeah, there is a lot of systems that you can look into that may fit your practice, different pricing and all that kind of stuff, but I would recommend is online stuff, app, you can even right now, you can find a bunch of developers that can develop stuff just for you. I utilize a lot of AI in my practice. and, with the development of AI, I've utilized AI where a lot of people have never even thought to use AI, but I've gotten people who develop AI to specifically build stuff for my practice that I think that has helped. I've paid them out and it's just mine. It's not anybody else's. You can't actually go buy it, but I thought this is what I need. And with the cloud based systems, like, so I used to have All my practices were on a server and we were using, but they're now cloud based systems, like, I'll use a different word besides systems but practice management systems, So practice management systems, sometimes it used to be on a server. Now you'll find a lot of them on the cloud. The cloud based servers are a lot better because you can really build. softwares within them that can function for your practice and specifically for them. And you can get the coding and all that kind of stuff.You can find them on like squad help or whatever. Um, but you'll, you can find people who are really good in development and build stuff for your practice. Um, and then that goes into even apps. Maybe you can make an app for all your videos and your, web, information, like your employee handbook and stuff can be on there too.Michael: What have you created with, so far Rhonda: for your practice? So far I have a robot that calls all the dental insurances that are, because we're out of network and we still have concierge dental. So the concierge style. So even if they have dental insurance, we tell them, sure we'll get a breakdown for you and send it out.Ri

Exhibitors at Trade Shows and Events need resources and tools to ensure their success. Trade Show University's Jim Cermak brings you one of the industry's leading suppliers of Free resources and tools, plus encouragement to give exhibitors the Power they need to succeed! Introducing Jessica Sibila, Executive Director of The Exhibitor Advocate!Jessica Sibila is a seasoned leader in the exhibitions and events industry, committed to excellence as an exhibitor advocate, change agent, speaker, consultant, and connector. She is on a mission to raise awareness of exhibitor challenges and broaden the scope of current event management best practices.Jessica and Jim Discuss:-- What is the Exhibitor Advocate?-- How do you help exhibitors?-- What are the issues that are top of mind for exhibitors today?-- How can someone get involved with The Exhibitor Advocate?-- And so much more!Jessica's Top Tips!-- Don't be afraid to speak up and ask for what you need.-- Every show should have an Exhibitor Advisory Council.-- Show organizers and suppliers should be aware of exhibitor pain points and work together to solve these challenges.-- If you don't know where to go for help, The Exhibitor Advocate is here for you.Get resources, advice and tools to help you navigate challenges at https://exhibitoradvocacy.comConnect with Jessica Sibila:-- info@exhibitoradvocacy.com-- www.exhibitoradvocacy.com-- https://www.linkedin.com/company/87379224/Free 15-minute Profit Potential Call with Jim! Schedule yours at tradeshowu.biz/servicesFind even more Free Resources at https://www.youtube.com/@tradeshowuniversityMentioned in this episode:Subscribe to the new Trade Show University YouTube channel!Check out the new Trade Show University YouTube channel where we feature a growing number of training videos to help businesses get More Leads, More Sales and More Profits through the power of Trade Shows! Many videos are exclusive to YouTube and not found on the podcast. Visit, Subscribe and Binge! https://www.youtube.com/@tradeshowuniversity

Discover a new perspective on New Year's resolutions with Redesigning Your Relationship Podcast! As we bid farewell to 2023, our three-part series, "Resolutions with Results," guides you in setting intentions that lead to genuine success. In Part 1, we delve into the origins of resolutions and explore their universal relevance—echoed even by the magical world of Disney. Immerse yourself in Disney's enchanting resolutions, brought to life with YG Collaborations illuminations: 10. Nature - rejuvenate your spirit with outdoor activities like leisurely walks. 9. Discover a fascinating story- reveal your unique personal narrative. 8. Learn a new song - forge an emotional connection with a song that resonates. 7. Accomplish an amazing feat- establish ambitious and worthwhile goals. 6. Conquer your fears - transform your mindset for personal growth. 5. Follow your dreams - take daily steps toward realizing your aspirations. 4. Have fun - savor life's fleeting moments. 3. Make new friends - broaden your community by making new friends. 2. Spend quality time with family - purposefully plan moments with loved ones in your calendar. 1. Believe in Magic - remain open to possibilities beyond your past experiences. For a deeper understanding, evaluate your resolutions, and additional inspiration, check out the accompanying video within our podcast. Redefine your approach to resolutions and embark on a transformative journey towards a fulfilling 2024! Video link for this episode: click here Hosts:  @ygcollaborations   @yvettevaldenegro   @geovannaburgesswhite   Complimentary Virtual Connect:  https://calendly.com/ygc/cc   Tools & Resources:  https://www.ygcollaborations.com/     This episode is sponsored by YGC: You can use our code YGC to receive $30 off of your ticket and there is a payment plan to make it easy to join us. Are you ready for GROWTH?  Learn more and grab a ticket at www.thegrowthsummit.info

‍Guest: Michelle JorgensenPractice Name: Total Care Dental and WellnessCheck out Michelle's Media:Practice Website: https://www.totalcaredental.com/Living Well with Dr. Michelle Website: https://livingwellwithdrmichelle.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwellwithdrmichelle/‍Other Mentions and Links:‍Tools/Resources:IAOMT - The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology‍Companies/Brands:UPSDelta DentalMetLifeNuCalm‍Terms:IVF - In Vitro FertilizationChlorella‍Host: Michael Arias‍Website: The Dental Marketer Join my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/‍Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer Society‍‍What You'll Learn in This Episode:The real reason behind Dr. Jorgensen's transition from associate dentist to leading her own practice.How she navigated her mysterious health issues and the valuable lessons she learned along the way.The impact of her health journey on her approach to dentistry, in particular safe procedures for mercury filling removal.How unexpected challenges fueled her decision to shift to a fee-for-service model, and why this could be a game-changer for patient care.The power of joining trend topics in mommy groups on Facebook as a marketing strategy and how to optimize the promotion of your practice.Please don't forget to share with us on Instagram when you are listening to the podcast AND if you are really wanting to show us love, then please leave a 5 star review on iTunes! [Click here to leave a review on iTunes]‍p.s. Some links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. Please understand that we have experience with these products/ company, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something. Please do not spend any money unless you feel you need them or that they will help you with your goals.‍Episode Transcript (Auto-Generated - Please Excuse Errors)Michael: All right. It's time to talk with our featured guest, Dr. Michelle Jorgensen. Michelle, how's it Michelle: going? Great. Thanks for having me today. Michael: No, thank you so much for coming on and being part of the podcast. If you don't want me asking, tell us a little bit about your past, your present, how'd you get to where you are Michelle: today?Yeah, so mine's definitely an interesting story and I know you shared with me, you know, largely part of your audience are people who are starting out and I was a lot like them, you know, I was a lot like all of the, all of you who are listening right now. My father is actually a dentist. So I was an associate for four years in a practice where I learned a lot, but I wasn't a very good associate and that I really like to be in charge and I like to call the shots and I like to, you know, do my own thing.And so. Uh, my father and I actually started a new practice together and all we had were a few patients that came from my associateship. So it was definitely, uh, um, you know, starting from ground zero and, and building it up from there with two practitioners. So we started building and our focus was really on extreme care.That was, this was in the early two thousands and, uh, the kind of the spa dentistry and all those things were really the focus. And the practice group, it grew well and it grew quickly and people liked what we were doing. And thing was, things were great. You know, I, I just thought I would probably practice like that for my forever.My father's still practicing in his seventies. And unfortunately, that's not what happened for me. So at about eight years or so in, I started getting really sick. And I didn't know what it was and I had, uh, really, I started looking for answers everywhere, everywhere, you know, doctors, chiropractors, MRIs, physical therapists, you know, I just went everywhere and my big ones, really, that was it. we're, uh, career ending, potentially, is my memory. I literally couldn't remember a patient's name from room to room. Didn't know why. I've always had a really good memory. And the second one was numbness. I had such numbness in my hands, I was actually not able to even change my burrs anymore. So I didn't have the dexterity to even push the back of the handpiece and pop a burr out.I'd have to hand my handpiece to my assistant. She would change the burr out. And then I thought, Maybe I shouldn't be doing dentistry. You know, if I can't, I can't actually change a bird or perhaps I'm not doing my best work here. So I actually had the practice for sale, my portion of the practice for sale.And I didn't know what I was going to do. I was in my mid thirties and I was the sole breadwinner for my family. My husband was actually working for the practice too, at the time. And we had four little kids and it just looked really bad about that time. So I started reaching out to a whole bunch of different practitioners and finding out You know, what else could I do in dentistry?Could I coach or consult or, you know, all the different options. And finally, one of them just said, you know, have you ever, have you ever thought about mercury? Could it, could that be your problem? And I said, well, I don't know what you mean. I don't have any amalgam fillings. And he said, no, it's not the ones you have.It's the ones you've been drilling out. For the last, you know, decade between dental school and practice, and I'd never given it a second thought ever had never been told that that could be a problem for a dentist ever, but I didn't have anything to lose at this point. You know, the practice was already for sale.So I got tested and that's what it was. There's mercury toxicity off the charts. So all of a sudden, all of my symptoms made sense because mercury is a neurotoxin. And so all of a sudden, my brain issues, my memory issues, my nerve, my hands, everything. Made sense. And the doctors just said, listen, if you're going to keep being a dentist, you can't keep putting this in because it's what's making you sick.Finally, we have an answer for you. You have to figure out, can you do it in a different way? So I had to find out, was there a different way? Was there a different way inside of dentistry? And I'm really glad I'm actually sharing this with young practitioners because I didn't know. That this could be a problem, that this could be a, you know, a hazard in this, in this profession, but it's a very, very real hazard and there's a certain genetic predisposition to not being able to detox things well, and I have that.My dad has one. My mom has one. I have two. So how many of us have that? Well, research is showing 30 to 40 percent of the population. So 30 to 40 percent of the dentists that are listening could also have the same genetic variant that doesn't allow you to dump mercury very easily. So I figured out I could remove this with certain precautions.There was an organization I found that was already doing this. I didn't even know they existed. And I just started doing it for my patient or for me, I started doing it for me, you know, for my own health. And, but patients started saying, What are you doing? Like, this is, you know, this is a little different here.You've covered me up, and you're wearing a different mask, and we've got a big vacuum by my chin, and you know, what's happening here? And so I would share my story, and they were very intrigued, and started saying things like, you know, my doctor might be interested in that. So they started sharing what we were doing with doctors, and all of a sudden doctors started reaching out saying, You know, I've been looking for someone that does this, because I have patients that are looking for it.Can I send them your way? So the practice started growing in a very unusual, unexpected way. All of a sudden, people were coming and asking for this procedure that I was doing just because of my own health. So then they started asking, well, if you do this, do you also do this? And they would ask me other things.Do you do ozone? Do you do PRF? Do you do, you know, and they were asking things that I had never heard of. Again, these doctors were more educated than I was. So I would have to go to some course somewhere and find how to do the thing they were asking about. And then I could start saying, yeah, that's what we do now.We do that now. And the practice continued to grow and continue to grow as we started offering more of these services. And now I have six doctors. And we're multi specialty. We have a full time periodontist, a full time sleep specialist, two full time restorative specialists, a pediatric dentist, all working under the same roof, providing care that's focused on how does the dentistry affect your health?And the practice has grown exponentially because of this. We're one location, but we have Three kind of standalone offices all in one campus, we call it. So, uh, we have, uh, we're just working on building our 19th operatory right now. big location, big office, all focused on one thing. And it's basically a practice I never intended to have.you know, I didn't come out of dental school thinking I would do this. And now I found that this is an incredible opportunity for dentists to talk about health. Yeah. All because Michael: of Really interesting. Yeah, what, what happened? So look, if we could rewind a little bit, um, rewind a lot of it when you decide to be an associate, right?And then you're like, okay, I'm gonna, I'm looking at it. And I'm like, I'm not a good associate. How did you know you weren't a good associate? How did you know you just didn't have to be consistent and stick with it? Michelle: Because I was the one that was now doing all of the staff meetings. I was, uh, I was organizing the supply cabinet.I was doing, I was like setting up all of our off site meetings. I was doing all of those things. I remember I was pregnant with twins and I was sitting in a staff meeting and had like this Big old belly out here and I'm the one running the show and I'm thinking, wait a minute, I don't even own this practice.I should be home sitting in bed right now. Why am I, why do I have so much ownership in this when I don't have ownership in this? And that really was the, the answer for me. Like, all right, you're, you're, you're owning too much to not own here. And that's just my personality. You know, that's just who I am.I'm super bossy. You know, I'm the oldest of five children. I have four younger brothers. I'm used to telling people what to do. it didn't work for me to, to not do, you know, to not be the one that was calling the shots. And I had grown up inside of dentistry too. In fact, I joke that, um, I knew all of only old timers are going to know this, but Linda miles and Paul homily were two practice consultants that were in the, in the eighties and I would ride to school with my dad.And all the way on the way to school, he would listen to Paul Homily and Linda Miles on cassette tapes on my way to school, on my way to high school. And it was a half an hour drive, we lived a long way from the high school, so I could run a dental practice by the time I graduated from high school.Because I had listened to all of those consultant cassette tapes for two years or three years, you know, driving to high school every morning. So I knew what should happen, and I was in this practice, and it wasn't. And it was really hard for me because I was always trying to change things and do things, but I wasn't the one that was really in charge.So that's how I learned. That's how I figured it out. Michael: Did they ever sign with you, like an agreement, like, Hey, stick around and you'll be a partner or anything like that? I don't know. Michelle: No, wasn't something I wanted to do either. I knew that I would have my own practice. I knew that I wanted to be able to practice the way that I wanted to practice.And I didn't see that practice ever going that direction. Michael: Okay. And then we fast forward a little bit. You said, y'all, you and your dad wanted to focus on extreme care. Mm hmm. What, what is Michelle: that? So, what we decided is we said, what are all of the reasons people don't like going to the dentist? Like, list them off.So we just started listing them off. What are they all? Well, pain. Uh, it's expensive. It smells bad. You know, people will say, Oh gosh, it smells like a dental office in here. The noise. You know, all of these things. The chairs are uncomfortable. Our mouths are uncomfortable holding open. We listed off everything.Your hair's messed up when you're done. I mean, even this. My makeup's all washed off when I'm done, you know. Even just little things like that. We listed everything and we said, okay, how can we reverse that? How can we reverse those concerns? So we did things like massage chair pads on the chairs. We had, you know, mouth props all the time for anybody.We used all sorts of, uh, new columns called new calm, kind of a natural sedation. We had. Headphones, you know, noise canceling headphones. We had makeup and hairspray in the bathroom so that people could freshen up after. We had cookies, we were giving away cookies every single day, and fresh bread. We have, and we still have to this day, silver platters with hot towels and chapstick and a mint that goes to every single patient after care. just things like that, that you would get at a high end we're a high end restaurant or high end spa. We incorporated all of those pieces into the dental practice. And this is kind of cool. Actually, we applied or were nominated. I think we were nominated to, for something called best of state in the state that I live in, which is Utah.And we were in the category, I think of healthcare and we actually won in the category of healthcare, which was really cool. But then we were invited to a, an awards banquet. It was televised. I mean, that was in the days when television was like a thing, you know, and, uh, you know, there was, there was a real like, like the newscaster that everybody knew because people watch the news, you know, they were the ones that were running the whole show and we were at this big banquet and it was so cool.And we didn't know, but there were overall categories for also best of state things. So we were under the category of consumer services. So we're in the same category as hotels, um, car lots, like, you know, car sales place, hospitals, everything that served the consumer. So we didn't realize that we were going to get our, you know, our little healthcare award, but that we were also in the running for these bigger awards.And we laughed when we looked on this, the program, because we saw we were against an enormous, very high end hotel in Salt Lake City. We were up against a huge car dealership, a huge hospital, like all these things, we were up against them. And we were like, well, we'll never win. We did. We won. We won the entire category for the state of Utah that year.Because this was so revolutionary. Because this was something that no one was doing. No one was talking about it. No one had seen it before. It was so cool. And so, we really figured out that you can make a difference inside of your Inside of your profession by just being different, just saying, what do people want and how can we actually do it?And so we did that and we have since carried on. We don't make cookies anymore. That's one thing we did give up, unfortunately. But, um, we, we, we went through, I can't even tell you, probably hundreds of thousands of cookies over the, over the span of time that we were making cookies. Even, you know, the UPS guy would pick up his cookie on the, on the drop off his boxes.But, um, we've kept a lot of those high touch services in the practice. And it enabled us, this is a whole different thing. I never even talk about it enabled us to go fee for service about five years into that practice, into that startup practice, we completely went off all insurance, everything. And it's because people were coming to us for a reason and it wasn't because we were on their plan.So years and years ago, that was a long time ago. We made that switch because there was a reason to come a reason other than we were just on their list. And we've continued that way. We're still fee for service today. So we've been that way for about 15 years. Michael: Interesting. So when you went into fee for service, did you have that?Like, okay, we're going to drop Delta now. And then we're going to drop next. Or were you more like, we got it. We can drop it all at once if we wanted Michelle: to. No, we took out the worst ones first, but you know, there was a day when I realized I had to do this. I'll always remember this day. I was treatment planning on a woman, and she wanted some cosmetic work.Well, I, at the time, and it probably still to this day, I don't know, MetLife, even if it wasn't a covered service, so Veneer wasn't a covered service under MetLife, but even if it wasn't a covered service, I was still required to adjust my feet. And I knew that. So even though, you know, let's say 1, 000, you know, it was 1, 000, I had to adjust my fee down to 700, even though they paid 0.So, I was treatment planning this woman, she wanted some veneers, and I knew she had MetLife insurance. And I was hesitant to actually treatment plan her. And that day I said, I cannot. Be true to who I am. I cannot be honest with my patients and myself if I'm treatment planning based on the dollar. I will not do this anymore.So that day was the day we decided we're going to start taking these down one at a time. So, you know, we took the one that we had the fewest patients on or was the worst compensation, you know, had the lowest compensation. That one went first. We kept building up everything, like everything we increased, we increased our service.We increased our high touch. We increased the, you know, we real huge focus on the way we cared for patients in the reception room, on the phone and everywhere. We just really ramped up the service as we started dropping those. And did we lose patients? Absolutely. But you know what? We kept the large majority.So we just started dropping them. And there's some studies, really interesting studies that show that. If you are adjusting off a certain amount, you know, of the fee, let's say you adjust off 30 percent of your fee and I don't, I'm going to just make up the numbers, but it's something like you can actually do like 40 percent less work and make the exact same dollar amount if you get full fee.So we could lose like 40 percent of our patients and not see one drop in our bottom line because we weren't giving the money to the insurance company. You know, we were giving the money to the insurance company at this point, and then we decided, well, let's just, like, give money to our patients instead, or give, you know, money to our team, and let's give it to somebody else.We could see a significantly fewer number of patients and make the same amount because we weren't writing off for every procedure. These are just things that we realized, and it was, it was really a practice changing thing for us. Michael: How did you, I guess, how did you tell your patients, and then how did you increase your high touch points at the same time?So for example, I know you said you dropped off the cookies, right? But like, what Michelle: else? Then we have the cookies.Michael: Yeah. Like right there, you up the cookies, which I was thinking like, it's pretty brilliant because it covers the smell too, you know what I mean? It's absolutely Michelle: right. That's exactly Michael: right. Yep.So what were you turning the knob on drastically? And then while you were kind of like turning the knob down on, or how were you telling your patients? Michelle: Yep, so we weren't telling them through a letter. We were just telling them as they would come in. And so it was a real honest conversation and I've really prided myself on just having those real honest conversations.I just say to the patient, you know what? I care about you. You're the one that I care for. And unfortunately, the way the insurance company has, has set themselves up as they are between you and I, and I don't want anything between you and I. I want to be your care provider. And so in order to do that, what we're going to do is be a out of network provider for your plan.So we didn't say we're dropping it. You can't come. You know, we just said you were an out of network provider for your plan. What does that mean for you? It means that if we were writing off previously to provide the care that we're going to provide for you. Then that will now be a charge that you will have.We're going to explain it ahead of time. We will help you know what that means. We're going to offer discounts, cash discounts, that sometimes it's all going to come out in the wash for you. So we'll give you a discount at the time of, you know, paying at the time of service and. We want to be the place you want to come for forever.So in order to be able to provide the kind of care that you've come to know and love, this is something that's going to be really important for us to do. So I just have that conversation, need a new patient. And you know, one of the things that I've really stood by is in this world, there are wanters and needers.This is kind of an interesting concept. So wanters and needers, and if you need this patient, they will feel it and it repels them. So if you need them to stay, you're going to, you're going to phrase it differently. You're going to come off differently, your energy is going to be different, you're going to feel very desperate.And typically patients are going to be like, I don't know why they're so desperate and so clingy and needy, or you know, I'm going to leave. So, versus wanters. A wanter is what do you want for your practice and what do you want for your patient? I wanted to be able to do better care for them. And that's how it came across.I don't need you to stay. I want you to stay you're not going to get better care than what you get here. So we, that was what we communicated is I want you to stay. So what are we going to do? Well, we are going to do some pretty dang cool things around here. If you haven't noticed, we're already pretty cool as it is, but we are even going to take better, you know, and so we would do things like every time a patient would leave, we would write a quick little note.They're going to Hawaii next week or, you know, whatever it is, and every patient before they got seated, the team member would check that note. They would sit them down. How was your trip to Hawaii? I'm sorry. But if you remember that next time they come, that 20 they have to pay in your office versus the guy down the street doesn't really matter as much anymore, because especially today, like this was, this was 15 years ago, especially today, who gives you customer service?Mm hmm. No one. Yeah, you're right. Like, it's AI anymore, you know, I mean, that's like, it's, nobody cares for you. Nobody gives you extraordinary service. If you do extraordinary service today, nobody, you have no competition. Zero. Michael: No, that's true. That's true. When, now, that's an interesting, uh, concept, the wanters and needers, because. I feel like especially at the beginning phase you're in so much debt and then you're like I need to break even I Need to do all these things right and so you're even Major discounting sometimes like your services and all these things. How do we fight that I guess, and change our mindset because waking up the next day, you're like, Oh crap, I need money.Right? Like I need income here coming in. Michelle: Have you ever heard the quote that says that those that have get more? Yeah. Why? Because they don't need it. Needing is a very negative emotion. And you know how when you walk into a room and you can tell somebody's been talking about you? You know how you can just feel like the energy?You're like, somebody's been talking about me. Or, you know, what's going on in this room? You can just tell. There's energy based around the way that we present ourselves to the world as well. If you present yourself as a needy person, you know, have you ever met a needy person? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Do you want to hang with them?No. No. Do want to give them what they want? Not really. So if you present yourself as needy, it's actually going to repel patients. So how do you avoid this? Do you need them? Change it to a want. What do you want for them? For them, not for you, for them. What do you want for them? Man, I want to provide the best crown I can get anywhere.Guess what patient, I am so excited you're here because that tooth is cracked and I do not want that happening when you are on a cruise. So the cool thing is, is we have the most amazing lab you're going to absolutely love. The crown that we're able to provide for you because no more emergencies on a, on a cruise.You don't have to worry about it anymore. So excited you're going to get scheduled for this. You know what? If you can get this in next week, that would be great. Does that sound needy? No, that's not. I want something for them. Michael: Yeah. It sounds very like nonchalant. Like you're like, okay, yeah, yeah. Thank you for thinking of my cruise.Right. Michelle: Kind of thing. Yep. You're wanting something for them. You're not needy. It's not about you. It's about them. You have to phrase things in a way that's wanting instead of needing. Michael: Okay. That's really good to keep in mind. Every time we're like treatment except, you know what I mean? Like planning and talking and checking out, handing off all that stuff.Awesome. Okay. Then if we fast forward a little bit more, the symptoms and how you got sick. So starting off here. And I'm sure like this can go real interesting, real quick, but like, how did you start realizing? Because I feel like we all kind of experienced that sometimes, Michelle, where we're like, Oh, I forgot.Oh, I don't know. I forgot. And you don't think about it. Right. But, and it can be something real quick. Like, okay, I got to remember the license plate. L2, And then you look at it and you're like, Oh, what was it again? What Michelle: was it? And I never Michael: think about it like it's, if it's a memory issue, numbness maybe, but anyway, so how did the symptoms, when did it start becoming alarming for you?Yeah. Michelle: So, again, good old days, we would have, traditional film x rays. And on occasion, in our charts, you new guys don't even have charts or film x rays, but in those days we did. I'm so, I sound so old, don't I? Uh, so we would have a real chart, and occasionally those film x rays would fall on the ground.And so you'd see a film x ray falling on the ground. My team would always bring it to me because they would say, who is this? I could look at that film and I would know which patient it was, like nine times out of 10. And they'd be like, what? How do you know? You're right. How do you know this patient? How do you know?Cause they didn't know which chart to put it back into. But I just had that kind of a memory. I have a very visual memory. If I see something, if I read it on a page, I know exactly where it is. If you know, that's just the way my brain works, which is I think why I'm a dentist. And I think a lot of dentists have the same gift.We're very visual, which is why we're good at what we do. We can reproduce. Something visually, you know, so I had a very good memory. I've always had a good memory and it got to the point where I would see a patient. I would go to a next room and somebody would come back and say, um, what do you want to do for the lab?You know how they come. Oh yeah. By the way, you know, what did you want to, what did you want to do for that crown? And I'd say what crown? I didn't even remember that. I just done a crown. Like it was bad. Yeah. So I got from, I could identify any x ray on the ground too. I couldn't even remember the procedure.I just did 10 minutes ago, but those were the bad, bad days. The semi bad days were just why can't I think, you know, and people use words like brain fog and, you know, in fact, or brain fart, you know, brain, but, you know, did you, or is your brain actually not working as well as it should. So I really do want to go to the mercury piece just for a minute because I didn't know.And I wish someone had told me when I was five years out of school. You know, I wish someone had told me we learn in dental materials, right? We learn that those fillings are 50 percent mercury. Well, they are. So when we drill them out, what you're doing is releasing mercury vapor. Well, where's your head?Right? Smack over the vapors, right? Vapors go up. So, mercury deposits, I like to think of it in neighborhoods. It goes to different neighborhoods. One of its favorite neighborhoods to go live in is the brain. So when you have mercury in the brain, I mean, when you, if you break a thermometer, you got a hazmat team coming to your house, right?We have mercury separators. We can't throw those away in just normal old places. But yet we can breathe it in just fine. They have no issues with us doing that. But you can't get rid of it when it goes down your suction. You can't just throw that away. That'd be terrible. It doesn't make sense. That we don't think of mercury the same way as it's being thrown up into the air and splattered all over.I mean, you know, when you've been doing dentistry, you're like, covered in your mask. I mean, you're gross when you're done. Why don't we think of it the same way? Why do we need a hazmat suit when we break a thermometer? But yeah, we can breathe it in all day long and it's not, no problem. There's no problem with that.There's no way that can make us sick. It makes no sense. So I think a lot of this comes from years ago when doctors were telling people, I'm going to be able to cure your MS. If I take out your mercury fillings, this was the talk I got in dental school was if you tell a patient that you'll lose your license.And that was the truth. Well, I don't tell people that I don't tell them that, you know, I'm going to cure their MS because I take out their mercury fillings. What I say is that those have fillings have mercury. Do you still want them? Well, no, I don't know. People know about mercury. They're not supposed to eat fish anymore, you know, because it could have mercury, but you're at, you're walking around with big old hunks of it sitting in your mouth.Really? So then. Do you really want to be breathing that in? I mean, really, do you want to really sacrifice your brain for that? I don't want to sacrifice my brain for that. And there's an interesting statistic that you've probably heard that dentists have one of the highest rates of suicide in any profession.Guess why I think it is? Because our brains are being fried by mercury. So we're not thinking right anymore. Really? I mean, is dentistry that much worse than other jobs? I can think of some other jobs that are way worse. Yeah. Why are we, you know, so why are we committing suicide over other people? Why are we doing it?Because our brains are fried. They're filled with a toxic neurotoxic substance. That's Michelle 101, but I lived through it, so I don't want anybody not to even have this little inkling of a thought in their head like, Oh wow, could that, could she be right? Michael: No, it's good. It's good that they're interesting because you're right.All that stuff is true in the sense of like you are over it, you are breathing it, there is precautions for everything else but that. Yep, and Michelle: guess what else? I never had a baby, naturally, never, in all my years. I was, I was able to have twins through in vitro and then I adopted two more children because I went through multiple, I mean years and years and years and years of fertility treatment.Guess what I think it was? Mercury. And how many women are sitting in our dental offices? Between the dentists, the dental assistants, the receptionists, the hygienists, and if mercury could potentially affect fertility. So my, partner, also a woman, she went for years without being able to have a baby. And she changed practices, stopped removing mercury fillings, was doing other, just other procedures, and was able to get pregnant.Then got back in, started removing a bunch of mercury, then she came to my practice, and, surprise, surprise, was able to get pregnant! Every single time she removed herself from mercury, all of a sudden, even though she'd had years. Uh, fertility issues. In fact, she just got pregnant again for the third time.Her baby's only a year old. She thought it would take forever, but because she has no mercury exposure anymore, surprise, real surprise. She's going to have babies a year apart now because she did not expect. That she would be able to get pregnant like that, but I strongly believe it was because she didn't, doesn't have mercury exposure anymore.So these are just little nuggets that I like to throw out to say, just think about it. Michael: That's so crazy you're talking about that right now. Literally two hours ago, I was talking to a friend about that, how they have to go through another version of a IVF because they All right. You know what I mean?They're just like trying and Michelle: I went three, one to get twins, two more failed. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. The money, the emotion, the toll on your body, all of the above, it's not worth it. Especially because removing mercury safely, all you have to do is use that big vacuum you bought for, for COVID, you know, everybody bought the vacuum.Good. That's, that's what you're going to do. You're going to put that thing in front of you and all you're going to do is just put a few barriers and you're just going to put a higher filtration mask. Like it's nothing hard, literally it costs almost nothing to do this. Why would you risk it? Michael: So then let me ask you, Michelle, from the moment you started doing that.I guess from the moment you realized, Oh my God, it's mercury. And then the moment you started implementing all the procedures and protocols and right, like the vacuum and everything. How quickly did you see a Michelle: change? Oh, it took for a while. It took a long time to get a hundred percent back. Like it was like eight years before I went, I think my brain's back.But I started noticing incremental change immediately. You know, immediately I would, okay. You know, the numbness is a little better. Numbness is a little better. I'm able to, you know, do a little bit more fine detail work here now. And, and I was just so conscious about it as well. So if I was going to be removing mercury, we were like, man, we, you know, everything precautions.And I was working really hard systemically with my system to detox as well. So I was doing two things, making sure nothing was coming in, but also getting things out very, very, you know, vigorously. And I also think that's important for dentists to know is we are around, think of the, think of the toxins we are around, you know, it's not just mercury radiation.How much radiation? How many times do we just hold that x ray? Yeah, go ahead. Just go ahead. You know, how many times? All the time. Holding that x ray. Just go ahead. Yeah, just go ahead. Take it. It's fine. Um, you know, so radiation, mercury, nitrous. All the BPA stuff, all those chemicals, I mean, nothing stinks that we're using, does it at all?I mean, have you ever smelled porcelain etchant? My gosh. You know, any of those things. So all of those toxins are just swimming around in the world we're living in. Yeah, you ought to be probably working to get all that junk out. Michael: Interesting. Okay. So then, and now, does that, when you say getting it all out, does that also mean like, so for example, are you still eating fish and stuff like that or Michelle: no?Sure. Sure. Yeah. Yeah. I'm just, I'm conscious about it. You know, obviously I'm not going to eat all the, they talk about, you don't eat the big ones, you know, you don't eat the tuna very often. You eat the other stuff. So we, you know, salmon, we eat halibut. Yeah, we absolutely do. But getting it out is more about giving your body.So there's two things that you need. You need a grabber. It's called a chelator. That's the word that medicine uses. But it's basically a substance that'll go in and grab the toxin. Then you need somebody that escorts it out of the system. So really the detox component is those two things. So there's some chelators that are very simple.Chlorella, which is just like a little single cell green, you know, thing. You can throw it in a smoothie. Um, cilantro. Is a great one is a great help for detoxing. Mercury. Um, pectin, pectin is an apples. So apples and dates are phenomenal for helping to detox, you know, so there's just little things like this that I'm just real conscious pumpkin seeds that I'm just conscious about throwing into my diet and adding extra up.Now, actually, interestingly, when I was going through this, the doctor said, you need to have 97 Ivy chelation treatments, And I said, I don't have time. I've got four little kids. I've got to practice. It's like slowly sinking into the, into the, you know, the, the black sea right now because my health is suffering.And I don't have time to sit here for an hour, 97 times in a row. So you're going to have to give me another option. So there were other options that I took mostly oral, you know, pills and things that I was taking. I've since learned that those IV chelations didn't do what we thought they did. So I'm really glad I didn't get 97 hours of my life away.I'm actually quite, quite happy about that, but there are things to do. And I really recommend that you work with a functional medicine practitioner because they're going to find out, okay, are your elimination systems working? Basically, are your kidneys and your liver and your gut? Are they operating as they should be?Because that needs to happen first. Otherwise you're going to grab all this stuff and just dump it there and it's not going to go anywhere. And then you're just going to get sick in a different way. So they need to make sure everything's moving first and then they can help give you the supplements to actually grab and move it out.Michael: Gotcha. Interesting. Okay. So right now, if we're in year one to year five of our practice ownership, what precautions would you coach us with? It's Michelle: easy stuff, easy stuff. So that big COVID vacuum. You know what I'm talking about? The big like the elephant nose thingy. Yep, stick that in front of the patient's nose or patient's mouth.Why? It's just gonna suck the vapors, right? It's just gonna pull everything their direction. You can get a very simple mercury filtration mask and I can give you, uh, I'll give you the sites that you can put on show notes so people can check it out. But the I, I'll say it fast, they'll have to look it up probably, I A O M T.is the organization that I went and found. So I a o m t. org. That's the organization. If you go on there, they have so many resources for dentists. They have entire kits. You can buy, they have mercury filtration masks. I started out with like these giant crazy talk masks. I couldn't fit my loops over them.I couldn't even like get close enough to a patient to actually like. See what I was doing. It was terrible. So I, I backed off that. And so I wear a regular mask with this special mercury filter mask over the top. And it's just a cloth mask that fits right over the top, but it has, it has added filtration for mercury.Absolutely. Do that for the patient. Then that's really big one for those. Those are the two for you. Big vacuum mask. For the patient, use some coverings. do something to cover their body. Make sure you're using either an isolator or a rubber dam. Keep it out of their mouth. Make sure you're suctioning.Your assistants know, suction every single last bit of that junk when you're drilling those babies out of there. You know, just make sure that everybody's very, very conscious about what they're doing. It's easy. But here's the other thing I would do. I would talk about it. Because when you're year one to five, guess what?You need a market differentiator. You need a reason that people are going to find you because they're not going to find you because you have experience. They're not going to find you because you have, you know, 10, 000 Google reviews. They're not going to find you because, you know, they've been seeing you for 10 years.They're not going to find you for those reasons. So you have to find a reason. You have to create a reason that they can find you. There is an entire Subset of the population that's huge, that's looking for a more natural health focus in all of medicine. You know, you're probably talking about it too.Every single person on here has probably been hearing or thinking about this also. COVID switched this narrative. They switched this narrative where all of a sudden we all start questioning. Maybe everything that people tell us isn't exactly as it really is. And, um, are there things I could do to keep myself safe that wasn't?The vaccine or wasn't a pill or what? You know, people started looking and started asking these questions and A large portion of the population are still doing that saying, I kind of like that approach. Not just taking everything at face value that the medical, you know, world tells me. So what else could I be doing natural?This is why all these Instagram or influencers are taken off like crazy because they're all selling all this information and these products. You know, they're selling the natural, the no dyes, the no chemicals. I guarantee you, you know, it's. Mostly driven by women. I'll tell you that. So most women listening or most men listening have a wife that's also in this thing, you know, and women make health care decisions, right? You've probably been told this. Women make health care decisions and guess the health care, the health care decisions they're making right now are those that are better for their body. So if you can say we have health focused treatments here at our practice, then all of a sudden you're different than the guy down the road.There's a reason to come see you. Interesting. Michael: Okay. And is that what you're kind of, cause I know your Instagram Pretty big, or actually all your social medias are pretty big, well like your Instagram I want to say you're at over 100, 000, right? Michelle: Yeah, 146, 000 actually, as of yesterday. I know this. Yeah,Michael: do you just handle that or does that, you have a team Michelle: who handles that or how does that work?I did for a long time. I now have a social media coordinator that answers most of the things on there because it's a lot, all day long. Michael: Yeah, and what was the strategy behind that, I guess, to grow it that way? Michelle: I started talking about things that people were talking about. And for me, that's all marketing has been.So if you look even through my career, all of a sudden, you know, clear back at the very beginning, this high touch environment, people were talking about that. They were talking about why they hated dentists. Well, let's join the conversation. Then when the economy fell out of everything in 2008, all of a sudden, cosmetic dentistry was not the thing anymore, right?Because nobody had extra dollars. So what was the thing? We turned to disaster dentistry. So I said, well, gosh, if people don't want their teeth to be pretty, they at least want teeth. So let's start taking care of all these people who have a bombed out mouth because they will put their dollars towards that because they can't chew.So then we started, we joined that conversation. Now we've joined the conversation of health because it started in 2020, March of 2020, that conversation started. So we said, well, if that's the conversation, let's join. Let's be part of it. Let's say we can contribute. So that's what I do on my Instagram.That's what I do on all my social sites is I just contribute to what People are already talking about. If they're talking about health, I talk about how dentistry contributes to their health, either in a detrimental way or in a positive way. So I talk about all sorts of things. We talk about procedures, we talk about materials, um, we talk about, you know, things as far as growth and development and ways you can prevent things. all the crazy talk questions that, you know, dentists roll their eyes at, like, can you heal a tooth? You know, can you, can you, you can regrow, you can regrow a tooth. People roll their eyes and I'll say. Yeah, you can actually depends on the size of the cavity, but absolutely let's talk about how and let's talk about this product that you should use that I can sell to you that will help you do it.Yeah. Just join the conversation. Michael: Okay. So then how are you finding these conversations? Cause I feel like sometimes we, we, you know what I mean? Where you started up and you're like, should I just post a new patient special? Right? Like, or something like that. And then Michelle: what's different about that? That's so boring.Yeah. Everybody does that. So instead of a new patient special, what you should post instead is, did you know the mercury is a neurotoxin and that there's mercury in those fillings and here in our dental office of X, Y, Z, we know how to remove that safely. We'd love to talk to you, talk to you about it. And by the way, if you come in today, we will throw in that mercury removal fee for free. this is a huge one too, huge one. Don't discount your procedure, discount a thing. If you discount a procedure, they're never going to want to pay full fee for the procedure ever again. It's just like when you go to a restaurant and you use a coupon. You get 20 percent off to that, to that restaurant.Well, you don't ever want to pay full fee at that restaurant again. Cause it's like, Oh, I've got 20 percent off last time. I don't want to come unless I, it's 20 percent off. So don't discount your procedure discount a thing. So I'll say you get a free tube of toothpaste when you come in for your new patient appointment, or you get the mercury removal fee.That's like 25 bucks a tooth for free. If you come in on this, because they're not going to need that again. They're going to need a cleaning again. They're going to need an x ray again. And I don't want them to keep wanting a discount. I want them to pay the full price the first time. And I want them to keep paying the full price.I'll give them the free stuff. Come in and get free cookies. Get, you know, whatever. So discount a thing. Don't discount a procedure. That's always been my philosophy. Michael: Yeah. No, I love that. That's fantastic. And so I see now for you, especially on Instagram or on your social media, you're, you're starting a lot of these conversations, right?Uh, with that. But when you're starting out, how can, when nobody's watching or anybody's listening really, where do you find these conversations and how do you become like a part of it so where you start gaining traction? Mommy Michelle: groups, mommy Facebook groups, because remember we talked about the mommies are the ones that are talking about this.So mommies are talking about BPAs and sealants. What would you say if somebody came and said, do you have sealants? They're talking about it on their forums. So you go and join their forum, you find out what they're talking about, and then you comment now and then. You go, oh my gosh, we just found out that BPA, the sealant material we were using, did have BPAs.Good news, here at XXY Dental Office, we now have BPA free filling material. It is a low impact ad. Do you know what I mean? It's a free ad, basically. You're, you're doing a service. But you're also advertising your service. So get team members on those mommy Facebook groups. There's gonna be some in your, in your community, I guarantee.But also, if you just start talking about things on social media. So just put a camera in front of your face, or if you're not good at it. Somebody on your team is I guarantee you there's someone on your team who's on Instagram way too much. That's the person you want. That's the person you want. You say, okay, guess what?You're already on Instagram way too much. So I'm going to utilize that skill you've got right there. And what should we be talking about? Have them put it on Instagram. Is it, nobody's going to see it at the beginning, but that's when you use hashtags. So if you put hashtag BPA free sealant, dental sealants, kids dentistry, now when somebody searches that in your area, it's going to pop up. Michael: Interesting. So mommy Facebook groups, but have your team involved in it and so forth. I like that a lot. Okay. Michelle: They know how to use it. You don't know how to use it, but they do. Michael: Yeah. Yeah. And then, I mean, like, it's good to always chime in, right? And Michelle: in the comments.You should be on there. You should be doing it. But they are the ones who are going to tell you what to do. Because they know way better than you do. So they're going to tell you, you're going to talk about this. Yeah. Michael: Interesting. And then did your practice ever sell or no, you never decided because you said you put it up.I didn't Michelle: sell it. I stayed with it. So I stayed with it. Yep. Michael: Were you, were there buyers where you're like, I think I'm about Michelle: to or no? Yep. I actually had my practice for sale three times. That was time. Number one, time. Number two was when my dad sold his portion of the practice and I was going to just exit at that point as well.And again, didn't know what I was going to do. Third time is I had a DSO buyer. And we were a week away from sale and it fell through and it was the best thing that could have happened because the practice then doubled that next year and doubled again, the next. Michael: Wow. So the moments where you decided that you were thinking to sell, why?Michelle: This is actually a really important point, I think. And I love to talk to new dentists about this because a lot of times there's different personalities obviously in the world, but my personality is one that's a fast start, quick start. So I like to start stuff. I love to start stuff, new stuff. And um, when you do personality profiles and things, you can find, is this you?Well, quick starts. Aren't very good at finishing stuff. we typically would get to the point where I'd be real dissatisfied and I thought I was just dissatisfied with the practice. Like just dentistry in general. I just hate it. You know, I just hate this. I just want to get out. I'm so tired of it. I'm so burned out.You know, nobody's ever used any of those words before. You know what I found every single time? Is that it was because it wasn't anymore. It wasn't exciting anymore. I had nothing to start. Like it was so done and over. So, really for me now, this is a really interesting evolution that's happened inside of practice.I, I would go all in on something. So I would say, okay, I'm gonna bring Clear aligners into the practice, you know, whatever it might be. And I'm going to go all in and I'm going to learn all about this. And now all of a sudden, every single patient you see needs clear aligners. You didn't realize before you took the course, now they all need clear aligners, but that's exciting.And that's something new. And it's something that the whole team can get behind and change is good. And then you do that for a year or two or whatever it is. And then you need something else to kind of give you that little bit of a rocket boost, a little bit of, you know, to, to get you excited again.Where am I now? I'm at an entirely different place. I am only in the practice one and a half days a week now. All I do is see new patients and I have two businesses that I'm building on the outside of dentistry. They're still integrated, but they're really on the outside of dentistry. I still contribute and I still have a ton that I bring to my pract

Ever wondered how the accomplished force behind Houston Business Women effortlessly incorporates terms like 'evolve' and 'mistakes' into her narrative of success? It's a compelling question, and you no longer have to speculate. Join us as we invite you to hear directly from the founder, Vanessa Agudelo, as she shares the fascinating journey of shaping Houston Business Women.    Vanessa, a dynamic entrepreneur and visionary, has meticulously crafted a platform and membership for accomplished women in business to forge meaningful connections. As she unfolds the story, it becomes clear that the future holds a tapestry of opportunities for women to not only 'work hard and play hard' but to do so in a truly fabulous manner. Don't miss out on the insider insights shared in this episode of the Redesigning Your Relationship podcast.   Info about Vanessa Agudelo: Website: https://houstonbusinesswomen.org/ Email: info@houstonbusinesswomen.org Instagram: @houstonbusinesswomen https://www.instagram.com/houstonbusinesswomen/ Airbnb: https://www.instagram.com/prettyinpinkhome   Hosts:  @ygcollaborations   @yvettevaldenegro   @geovannaburgesswhite   Complimentary Virtual Connect:  https://calendly.com/ygc/cc   Tools & Resources:  https://www.ygcollaborations.com/     This episode is sponsored by YGC: You can use our code YGC to receive $30 off of your ticket and there is a payment plan to make it easy to join us. Are you ready for GROWTH?  Learn more and grab a ticket at www.thegrowthsummit.info      This episode is edited and managed by Haili Murch LLC. If you are interested in starting a podcast or you are currently a podcaster needing help managing or relaunching your podcast, to book a call: click here  Or you can directly contact Haili Murch at hello@hailimurch.com or on Instagram

Welcome to another episode of the REdesigning Your Relationship podcast, hosted by Yvette Valdenegro and Geovanna Burgess White. In today's episode, they sit down with Susan Loggins, founder of S.I.T.S Haven, to explore her remarkable journey. Susan shares the touching story of receiving an inheritance from her mother. This catalyst fueled her commitment to preserving her mother's legacy of caring for and supporting women. Before launching S.I.T.S Haven, Susan spent a transformative year delving deep into self-discovery and personal growth, highlighting the importance of preparing oneself for a purposeful endeavor. The conversation reveals Susan's profound insights into the various transformations life brings, whether through wealth, family, dreams, or personal experiences. Listeners will discover how Susan's journey exemplifies the fulfillment that aligns with life's changes and challenges. Join Yvette, Geovanna, and Susan Loggins on this episode to gain valuable perspectives on honoring legacies, the significance of self-work, and the potential for fulfillment in life's transformative moments. Tune in to REdesigning Your Relationship to learn about Susan's story and how she redesigned her own life and became a source of hope for women through S.I.T.S Haven.   Hosts:  @ygcollaborations   @yvettevaldenegro   @geovannaburgesswhite   Complimentary Virtual Connect:  https://calendly.com/ygc/cc   Tools & Resources:  https://www.ygcollaborations.com/     This episode is sponsored by YGC: You can use our code YGC to receive $30 off of your ticket and there is a payment plan to make it easy to join us. Are you ready for GROWTH?  Learn more and grab a ticket at www.thegrowthsummit.info      This episode is edited and managed by Haili Murch LLC. If you are interested in starting a podcast or you are currently a podcaster needing help managing or relaunching your podcast, to book a call: click here  Or you can directly contact Haili Murch at hello@hailimurch.com or on Instagram

Welcome to Episode 91 of the 'REdesigning Your Relationship Podcast,' where we embark on an inspiring journey with the visionary Lori Gasca at the helm of the 2nd Annual Growth Summit 2024. This extraordinary conference, specially curated for women, is a harmonious blend of inspiration and connection. In this space, personal growth takes center stage.   In this episode, we explore Lori's insights into the Growth Summit and the heart of her vision. The summit is not just a conference but a transformative experience providing a nurturing environment for women to flourish. Attendees can expect to be inspired, find a sense of safety, and connect with like-minded individuals, fostering a community that propels personal development.   Lori's vision for the summit goes beyond the ordinary—it's about entering one way and leaving with an entirely new perspective. She invites you to embrace the transformative power of growth, setting the stage for a year of unprecedented personal development in 2024.   Join us on this episode on January 26, 2024, for an engaging conversation that serves as a compass for your journey toward a renewed and empowered self.   Link to purchase your ticket: www.thegrowthsummit.info  Use DISCOUNT CODE YGC for $30  Hosts:  @ygcollaborations   @yvettevaldenegro   @geovannaburgesswhite   Complimentary Virtual Connect:  https://calendly.com/ygc/cc   Tools & Resources:  https://www.ygcollaborations.com/     This episode is sponsored by YGC: You can use our code YGC to receive $30 off of your ticket and there is a payment plan to make it easy to join us. Are you ready for GROWTH?  Learn more and grab a ticket at www.thegrowthsummit.info      This episode is edited and managed by Haili Murch LLC. If you are interested in starting a podcast or you are currently a podcaster needing help managing or relaunching your podcast, to book a call: click here  Or you can directly contact Haili Murch at hello@hailimurch.com or on Instagram

Welcome back to another inspiring episode of "REdesigning Your Relationship Podcast"! In Episode 90, a special guest, Cabi Stylist Heidi Furlong, shares her remarkable journey with us. Finding the right balance between personal life and professional growth can be challenging in today's fast-paced world. We all have dreams, ambitions, and the desire to succeed in our businesses while managing our roles as parents, partners, and community members. Heidi, a dedicated mom, loving wife, and active community member, understands this struggle firsthand. Heidi's story is relatable and inspiring. Like many of us, she found herself at a crossroads after her kids left for college, expecting more time and opportunities to pursue her passions. When the reality didn't match her expectations, she took a deep, introspective look and embarked on a transformative journey. Discover how Heidi turned her challenges into opportunities by enrolling in our YGC courses. Through her determination and commitment, she found the keys to balancing her roles effectively. Her experiences resonate with entrepreneurs like you, juggling the demands of daily life while investing in personal and professional growth. Join us in this episode as Heidi shares her wins, challenges, and valuable insights. You'll find motivation and encouragement in her story, realizing that you are not alone. Heidi's journey mirrors the struggles and triumphs many of us face, making her story a source of inspiration for all.   Hosts:  @ygcollaborations   @yvettevaldenegro   @geovannaburgesswhite   Complimentary Virtual Connect:  https://calendly.com/ygc/cc   Tools & Resources:  https://www.ygcollaborations.com/   Shop this Fall's Line Theme: ICON & I WILL!  Shop here: https://www.cabionline.com/collection/clothes/   SHINE, THRIVE, INSPIRE, EVOLVE, EMPOWER, CHAMPION  Styled by Heidi McCormick Furlong  IG @heidistylegirl     This episode is edited and managed by Haili Murch LLC. If you are interested in starting a podcast or you are currently a podcaster needing help managing or relaunching your podcast, to book a call: click here  Or you can directly contact Haili Murch at hello@hailimurch.com or on Instagram

Welcome to Redesigning Your Relationship Podcast with your hosts Yvette Valdenegro and Geovanna Burgess White. Today, we're tackling the topic of excuses and their profound impact on our lives. Excuses send a message of avoiding responsibility, leading to a loss of self-respect and trust. This pattern affects relationships, work, and more. We offer valuable tips: uncover the root cause, align goals with objectives, and be brutally honest about your obligations. Join us as we explore the psychology of excuses and provide practical strategies for breaking free. Tune in and empower yourself to foster honesty, authenticity, and genuine connections in all aspects of life. Hosts:  @ygcollaborations   @yvettevaldenegro   @geovannaburgesswhite   Complimentary Virtual Connect:  https://calendly.com/ygc/cc   Tools & Resources:  https://www.ygcollaborations.com/   Shop this Fall's Line Theme: ICON & I WILL!  Shop here: https://www.cabionline.com/collection/clothes/   SHINE, THRIVE, INSPIRE, EVOLVE, EMPOWER, CHAMPION  Styled by Heidi McCormick Furlong  IG @heidistylegirl     This episode is edited and managed by Haili Murch LLC. If you are interested in starting a podcast or you are currently a podcaster needing help managing or relaunching your podcast, to book a call: click here  Or you can directly contact Haili Murch at hello@hailimurch.com or on Instagram

In today's episode, we tackle a crucial aspect of human behavior: the art of making excuses. Excuses, no matter how seemingly harmless, send a powerful subconscious message: "I don't take responsibility." We explore the intricate ways these excuses affect our lives, especially in the realms of leadership and authority. When we constantly resort to excuses, we inadvertently invite skepticism about our capability and authenticity. But breaking this habit is not easy. Excuses have become so ingrained in our communication patterns that we often find ourselves becoming defensive when questioned. It's a form of self-sabotage that hinders personal growth and genuine connections. In this episode, we challenge the status quo and encourage our listeners to embrace their true selves. We explore the liberating power of authenticity, urging you to stop trying to be the person you think you should be and instead, embrace who you really are. It's time to step into your truth, take responsibility for your actions, and communicate assertively. Join us as we unravel the layers of excuses, understanding their impact on our relationships, leadership, and personal growth. Together, let's embark on a journey to break free from the cycle of excuses and rediscover the transformative potential of genuine, responsible communication. Hosts:  @ygcollaborations   @yvettevaldenegro   @geovannaburgesswhite   Complimentary Virtual Connect:  https://calendly.com/ygc/cc   Tools & Resources:  https://www.ygcollaborations.com/   Shop this Fall's Line Theme: ICON & I WILL!  Shop here: https://www.cabionline.com/collection/clothes/   SHINE, THRIVE, INSPIRE, EVOLVE, EMPOWER, CHAMPION  Styled by Heidi McCormick Furlong  IG @heidistylegirl     This episode is edited and managed by Haili Murch LLC. If you are interested in starting a podcast or you are currently a podcaster needing help managing or relaunching your podcast, to book a call: click here  Or you can directly contact Haili Murch at hello@hailimurch.com or on Instagram

Welcome to REdesigning Your Relationship Podcast, where hosts Yvette Valdenegro and Geovanna Burgess White talk through the complexities of human interactions. In this episode, titled “Excuse Me Pt 2: Why Are We Making Excuses?", we explore the pervasive pressure to say yes in various aspects of our lives. Somewhere amidst the societal norms we've been taught, there's an unspoken rule: never say no. Saying no is often viewed as unacceptable unless you can present a seemingly valid reason. But why is it so hard for us to simply decline without an elaborate excuse? The fear of rejection, uncertainty, and a lack of purpose often hide behind these justifications. In this episode, Yvette and Geovanna unravel the layers of this phenomenon. They discuss how our inclination to make excuses often stems from a lack of direction or a misalignment with our true purpose. We examine the social scenario where we find ourselves entangled in commitments we're not genuinely interested in. Why do we opt for excuses instead of the truth? Join us as we challenge the status quo and encourage authentic communication. Let's break free from the pressure to always say yes and explore the liberating power of an honest, respectful, and assertive no. Tune in to this episode of REdesigning Your Relationship Podcast and discover the transformative potential of embracing your truth.   Hosts:  @ygcollaborations   @yvettevaldenegro   @geovannaburgesswhite   Complimentary Virtual Connect:  https://calendly.com/ygc/cc   Tools & Resources:  https://www.ygcollaborations.com/   Shop this Fall's Line Theme: ICON & I WILL!  Shop here: https://www.cabionline.com/collection/clothes/   SHINE, THRIVE, INSPIRE, EVOLVE, EMPOWER, CHAMPION  Styled by Heidi McCormick Furlong  IG @heidistylegirl     This episode is edited and managed by Haili Murch LLC. If you are interested in starting a podcast or you are currently a podcaster needing help managing or relaunching your podcast, to book a call: click here  Or you can directly contact Haili Murch at hello@hailimurch.com or on Instagram

Are you a know-it-all, a learn-it-all, or a little bit of both? Whichever way you tend to lean reveals plenty about the kind of leader you are and the level of success you can achieve.   Damon Lembi is the CEO of Learnit, a global leader in corporate training solutions that has upskilled more than 1.8 million professionals in the past twenty-seven years. After dedicating the initial 22 years of his life to the pursuit of becoming a Major League Baseball player, Damon pivoted in 1995 to help his father, Walt Lembi (Founder of Learnit), by investing his heart and soul in Learnit. His aim was to help individuals gain the knowledge and confidence they needed to attain their professional goals through the value of education.   Long before his brush with fame in a hotel room party with Axl Rose of Guns N' Roses, Damon was drafted by the Atlanta Braves out of high school. A series of events eventually led him back to the family business, where he found himself unsure of the skills he was bringing to the table. He recognized that while business was in his blood, he had a lot to learn about every aspect of the work.   After years of incredible success, Damon's key life takeaway is that there is immense value in being your true, authentic self. Whether you work for a billion-dollar business or a startup, the way you treat people matters. Life doesn't always turn out the way you expected it to, but when it's time to pivot — whether it's from baseball or business — the more you are willing to learn from people who are smarter than you, the more successful you will be.   Damon recognizes that he is a know-it-all when it comes to sales, but he is also very open to learning more when it comes to scaling up. He shares the lessons he learned from the pandemic, where he turns when he is ready to learn something new, and the value of approaching leadership in curious and humble ways.   Interview Links: The Learn-it-all Leader: Mindset, Traits and Tools   Resources: 20,000 Scaleups Scaling Up Summits (Select Bill Gallagher as your coach during registration for a discount.) Bill on YouTube Recruiter.com Short List (use code scaleup)   Scaling Up is the best-selling book by Verne Harnish and our team for Scaling Up Coaches (formerly Gazelles). We share how the fastest-growing companies succeed where so many others fail.   Bill Gallagher, Scaling Coach and host of the show, is an international business coach who works with C-Suite leaders to achieve breakthrough growth.   We help leadership teams with the biggest decisions around People, Strategy, Execution, and Cash so that they can Scale Up successfully and beat the odds of business growth. Scaling Up is based on Verne's original best-selling business book, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits.   Did you enjoy today's episode? If so, then please leave a review! Help other business leaders discover the Scaling Up Business Podcast so they, too, can benefit from the ideas shared in these podcasts.

ONCE UPON A GENE - EPISODE 190 SCN8A Rare Mom - The Inch Stone Project and DEE-P Connections - Creating Better Tools, Resources and Research for the Most Severely Affected Families with Gabi Conecker Gabi Conecker is an incredible advocate who has worked in the rare disease space for over 10 years. She's accomplished a lot, all while caring for her for her son Elliot with SCN8A and a severe variant of epilepsy.  EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS Where does your rare disease journey begin? My son Elliot was diagnosed with SCN8A in 2014, and there were only about ten known cases in the world. We founded Wishes for Elliot as a way of doing something when nothing was being done. It has evolved into the International SCN8A Alliance and we are focused on research, advancing the field, providing resources and supporting families.  What is DEE and DEE-P? Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), is a hard to control form of epilepsy that cannot be treated with the drugs currently on the market, accompanied by developmental delays and/or regression. Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathy-Project (DEE-P) was formed to break through the isolation families face while researching their children's symptoms and challenges, to facilitate connections and share critical resources with families facing similar challenges. What is the Inchstone Project? The Inchstone Project is a multidisciplinary group of consumers, stakeholders, researchers and clinicians collaborating to accelerate outcome measures development. We came together to address an unmet need and to identify and develop tools to measure patient response to therapies. Our goal is to release a survey soon around head control so we can begin measuring and capturing data. We will continue to test and adapt the tools in preparation for clinical trials.  How can parents and other patient advocacy groups get involved? Visit our website and get in touch with me. For the Inchstone Project, we want to get as many families involved as possible so that when we're developing tools, your voice is heard and you can ensure your child is included.  LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED 2023 CTNNB1 Natural History Study, Family Meeting, and Research Conference https://www.curectnnb1.org/research/research-conference/ Wishes for Elliot https://www.wishesforelliott.com/ International SCN8A Alliance https://scn8aalliance.org/ SCN8A Unraveled https://scn8aalliance.org/scn8a-unraveled/ DEE-P Connections https://deepconnections.net/resource-center-main/ Inchstone Project https://deepconnections.net/inchstone-project/ TUNE INTO THE ONCE UPON A GENE PODCAST Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/5Htr9lt5vXGG3ac6enxLQ7 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/once-upon-a-gene/id1485249347 Stitcher https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/once-upon-a-gene Overcast https://overcast.fm/itunes1485249347/once-upon-a-gene CONNECT WITH EFFIE PARKS Website https://effieparks.com/ Twitter https://twitter.com/OnceUponAGene Instagram https://www.instagram.com/onceuponagene.podcast/?hl=en Built Ford Tough Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1877643259173346/ Interested in advertising on Once Upon a Gene? Email advertising@bloodstreammedia.com for more information!

  We shine the spotlight on Ritter Insurance Marketing - the field marketing organization that powers the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Curious about partnering with Ritter? Need help with leads and marketing? Get those details and more in this special episode! Want more information on field marketing organizations? Download our eBook: How Insurance FMOs Work Have questions about working with Ritter Insurance Marketing? Email us at ASGPodcast@RitterIM.com   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim Twitter, https://twitter.com/RitterIM and Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ and Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Resources: 4 Reasons Why Ritter Should Be Your FMO Insurance Agency: https://agentsurvivalguide.podbean.com/e/4-reasons-why-ritter-should-be-your-fmo-insurance-agency/ College Majors That Work Well In the Insurance Industry: https://agentsurvivalguide.podbean.com/e/college-majors-that-work-well-in-the-insurance-industry/ How Insurance FMOs Work eBook: https://www.ritterim.com/how-insurance-fmos-work/ FMO vs. IMO vs. NMO vs. MGA vs. GA – What's the Difference?: https://agentsurvivalguide.podbean.com/e/fmo-vs-imo-vs-nmo-vs-mga-vs-ga-what-s-the-difference-2023/ Ready to Join an FMO? 10 Things to Consider: https://agentsurvivalguide.podbean.com/e/ready-to-join-an-fmo-10-things-to-consider/ Ritter's Tools & Resources for Insurance Agents featuring Harry Rittner: https://agentsurvivalguide.podbean.com/e/ritter-s-tools-resources-for-insurance-agents-featuring-harry-rittner/ The Benefits of Joining a Top Insurance FMO: https://agentsurvivalguide.podbean.com/e/the-benefits-of-joining-a-top-insurance-fmo/ Training Opportunities for Insurance Agents at Ritter Insurance Marketing: https://agentsurvivalguide.podbean.com/e/training-opportunities-for-insurance-agents-at-ritter/ What Are Insurance Hierarchies & How Do They Work? https://agentsurvivalguide.podbean.com/e/what-are-insurance-hierarchies-how-do-they-work/

Today we unpack the TOOLS/RESOURCES that we believe all SPORTS CARD RESELLERS should have in place. What TOOLS do you consider MUST HAVE'S and what items we find most helpful when running a larger eBay business. The VIDEO version of this here: https://youtu.be/FGXmfYMAP8M BUY A PILLOW CUBE: https://chasingcardboard.tv/PillowCube SMOOTH SLEEVES: https://chasingcardboard.tv/SmoothSleeves **Use Code *CHASING* for 20% OFF! *** OUR IMPORTANT LINKS *** Our eBAY STORE: https://chasingcardboard.tv/CCeBAYStore Find our HATS & SHIRTSat: http://www.chasingcardboardtv.com JOIN EMAIL LIST: https://chasingcardboard.tv/DailyChase WANT TO SELL A COLLECTION? --- Email us at Collections@ChasingCardboard.tv *** FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIAL *** INSTAGRAM ~ https://www.instagram.com/chasingcard... TWITTER ~ https://twitter.com/ChasingCardsTV FACEBOOK ~ https://www.facebook.com/CHASINGCARDB... **** OUR RECOMMENDED RESOURCES ARE BELOW **** *** SCANNERS *** Fujitsu 8170 (feed): (https://amzn.to/3xGQnwD) Fujitsu 7160 (feed): (https://amzn.to/41c86Zw) Epson V600 (Graded): (https://amzn.to/3Im1Oi6) *** CARD SLEEVES *** SMOOTH SLEEVES: https://chasingcardboard.tv/SmoothSleeves **Use Code *CHASING* for 20% OFF! Semi Rigid Card Savers: http://bit.ly/3KVDrdL Ultra Pro: https://amzn.to/3KmFS7l Cardboard Gold: https://amzn.to/3zKdFTb 168PT Super Thick Toploaders: http://bit.ly/3MuQUdC Graded Card Sleeves (BCW): http://bit.ly/3ZThTCr Graded Card Sleeves (UltraPro): https://amzn.to/3ZQT4XT *** LABEL PRINTER *** Rollo: -- (https://amzn.to/41ir811) Rollo Labels: -- (https://amzn.to/3KpbJWN) Brother QL1100: -- (https://amzn.to/3EtEopW) *** ENVELOPES *** #000 (4x8): (https://amzn.to/3KfWNbO) #0 (6x10): (https://amzn.to/3YSEHCS) #1 (7.25 x 12): (https://amzn.to/3Kr0cVl ) *** BOXES *** Blaster Box (6x4x4):(https://amzn.to/3lY6Zxd) Sets: (12x10x4): (https://amzn.to/3kqY0E6) *** IMAGING *** CANVA: (https://bit.ly/3XqxnNi) GIMP: (https://www.gimp.org/downloads/) *** PLATFORMS *** SixBit: (http://bit.ly/3EpkBrp) QuickBooks: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ *** SORTING *** Card Sorting Tray: (https://amzn.to/3lRDFbv) FREE USPS SHIPPING SUPPLIES: https://store.usps.com/store/results/shipping-supplies-free-shipping-supplies/_/N-17iopsj#ChasingCardboard #SportsCards #Pickers

Wrapping up the 2023 version of 75+ Tools + Resources to CREATEIT with Communities Let's CREATEIT www.bit.ly/createitlkeaboss --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/create-with-katrina-julia/support

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? I share a TON in this jam packed episode! Let's #CREATEIT www.bit.ly/createitlikeaboss --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/create-with-katrina-julia/support

This episode dives deep into 10+ tools on marketing alone that may take your business 5-10x-1000x when you CREATEIT www.bit.ly/createitlikeaboss --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/create-with-katrina-julia/support

Want to learn insights into my wealth journey on my path to financial flow + freedom? You will love tips, tools + tech I share in this episode! Let's #CREATEIT https://bit.ly/createitlikeaboss --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/create-with-katrina-julia/support

Tune in as I share on Wellness Tips, Tools and Tech that have transformed my life in every way Let's CREATEIT Like a Boss https://bit.ly/createitlikeaboss --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/create-with-katrina-julia/support

Tune in to a intro to the 7 part series, my background, and part 1 of the series on Faith Resources https://www.fitlifecreation.com/post/75-tools-resources-to-create-a-life-and-business-you-love Let's CREATEIT https://bit.ly/createitlikeaboss --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/create-with-katrina-julia/support

Today, you'll hear the story of Krista Stryker, founder of 12 Minute Athlete. Krista is living a comfortable life. She's married, lives in Los Angeles, California. She's got her own fitness app, an incredible YouTube channel. Blogs for days on healthy living and activities featuring High Intensity Interval Training (HTIT). Life is good. Her business is doing well into the six figures and she's recently added numerous contributors to 12 Minute Athlete in a variety of capacities. But it wasn't always this way. After college she got married, she moved overseas, where Krista dabbled in writing and took a lot at teaching English to the Dutch...who, unfortunately, she discovered and you may already know...already speak English quite well, thank you very much. Things just weren't panning out. Meanwhile, she wasn't particularly happy with her health either. In this episode, you're going to hear about the Aha moment that turned things around and transformed her into a founder. You're going to hear how she went from personal trainer to app developer, to online course builder. You're going to hear how she struggles with what content to give away vs. what content she should charge for. And you're going to hear her future vision for 12 Minute Athlete, and how what you see on the home page and in other content will change. This episode aired originally on May 17, 2022. Tools/Resources in this episode: - Chris Guillebeau's “The $100 Startup” Complete show notes for this episode can be found on Millo.co Support our Episode Sponsors: Hectic - Everything you need to start, manage, and grow your freelance business — in one place. On Deck - Meet other founders. Build great things. LinkedIn Jobs - Find the candidates you want to talk to, faster. Felix Gray - Best-in-class Blue Light Glasses Dripify - Premium learning platform for entrepreneurs. SolidGigs - Get more freelance jobs Freelance to Founder is made in partnership between Millo, Dripify, and The Podglomerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have what it takes to succeed in multifamily investing? Multifamily syndication is beyond just buying apartment buildings and then selling them at a profit. If you want a successful and profitable multifamily business beyond a business venture that simply manages to survive, then you have to learn the crucial factors that make the difference. Given the current economic uncertainties and market cycle fluctuations, it's imperative to learn the dynamic forces at work and be able to use them to your advantage and grow your investment.   Mike Flaherty, founder and managing partner of L5 Real Estate Investments, joins us today to help us understand the systems, tools, and resources that multifamily syndicators can leverage to scale up your business amidst changing economic and market conditions. Find out how Mike navigates challenges in every aspect of syndication as he grows his portfolio. Learn what mindset to adopt as you evaluate potential deals and discover how he mitigates risks and seizes opportunities in multifamily investing while avoiding analysis paralysis. Hear his economic and real estate forecast for 2023 and know what pitfalls to avoid. All these and much more to learn in today's episode.   Key Points from This Episode: What happened to Mike's real estate business in the past two years during the Covid pandemic? Mike talks about buying and scaling during the pandemic and why the current conditions are more challenging for his business. Mike's outlook on the economy and multifamily real estate investing for 2023. Is Mike expecting a light or mild recession? How does Mike apply his analytical and engineering mindset in running his real estate business? Pitfalls to avoid and lessons Mike learned from mistakes made in due diligence Mike's advice on establishing systems to mitigate risks and seize opportunities in multifamily investing. In deal acquisition, how can you avoid analysis paralysis while performing due diligence with stringent buying criteria? The biggest lesson Mike has learned about asset management Team, tools, technology and resources needed to scale a multifamily investment business How Mike manages team accountability Mike's projections about property insurance and taxes How Mike navigates market cycle fluctuations Tailwinds and potential hidden risks in multifamily investing How is Mike investing in himself these days?   Tweetables: “Success is a function of doing the right thing over a long period of time.”   “The key to making good smart prudent investments really comes down to due diligence, and understanding the rights and the wrongs and the pitfalls of where you could have some problems.”   “Developing relationships with key people and companies can really help save you a lot of time, money and headaches over the long haul.”   “You can never fall in love with your real estate deal.”   “People say you make money on the buy, but you make money by performing on the buy.”   “You're always off track somewhere and you're always on track somewhere else.”   “Continue to listen, learn, read, and be prepared. The more prepared you are, the more often you'll make a great decision on buying a great investment.”   Links Mentioned: L5 Investments Real Page Juniper Square Invest with CF Capital   About Mike Flaherty Michael Flaherty is the Founder and Managing Partner of L5 Real Estate Investments. Throughout his career, Mike has been involved in the ownership, development and entitlements of over 200+ nationwide commercial and residential properties valued at over $1 billion in total – including multi-family, resort, hospitality, office, retail and large master-planned residential communities. His passion for multi-family investment performance is based on his niche for detailed due diligence, market analysis and acquisition of value-add opportunities.  Prior to founding L5, Mike was a partner with Cardinal Real Investments where the focus was on the astute repositioning and development of residential and commercial in Los Angeles and New York City.  Mike also managed British Petroleum's (BP) zoning and real estate development platform for Bovis Lend Lease, one of the world's largest real estate development, project management, and construction companies. Prior to Mike's work in the multi-family and commercial real estate industry, he managed numerous high-volume residential and master-planned developments for Toll Brothers, Inc., the nation's largest developer and builder of luxury homes. Mike earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Villanova University and an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California. Additionally, he is a Board Member of Kids Helping Kids and Advisor to the Board for Mychal's Learning Place, a non-profit organization focused on assisting children with developmental disabilities and low-income children in local communities and worldwide.

Episode Summary: In this episode of the L3 Leadership podcast, Doug shares all of his favorite tools, services, and resources that have helped him go further and faster in every aspect of his life both personally and professionally. About Doug Smith: Doug Smith is the Director of Development at Light of Life Rescue Mission and Founder and CEO of L3 Leadership. He is the author of his eBook, “Making the Most of Mentoring”, a step-by-step guide to help you build and cultivate relationships with mentors. He blogs at dougsmithlive.com, he is the host of the L3 Leadership podcast, and he is a sought-after public speaker. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Laura, who currently works as an Account Executive at Ivalua. Together, they love family, personal growth, travel, working out, and serving others.6 Key Takeaways:1. Doug shares some resources that he found helpful in his marriage, parenting, and family in general.2. He shares some of his favorite resources for journaling.3. Doug talks about some useful financial tools and the 7 Baby Steps that have helped him go further with his finances.4. He shares his favorite resources for traveling.5. He covers resources for both physical and spiritual wellbeing. 6. Doug talks about various work-related hacks and resources that help streamline his workflow. Quotes From the Episode:“I love finding out about new services, products and resources to help my life to help my life get better and then I”m very passionate about sharing those with others.”  Resources Mentioned:Find a comprehensive list of resources and their links here: https://l3leadership.org/336Connect with Doug:Website | Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin | Instagram