Private Practice Playbook

Welcome to another episode of the Private Practice Playbook. Today, host Jay Geier sits down with Dr. Robert ¨Bob¨ McCulla, the Founder of Turlock Dental Care. The conversation focused on the remarkable 40-year journey of Dr. McCulla in Turlock, California, who transformed personal and professional challenges into a legacy of growth, community impact, and family success. A key theme that emerged was the transition from burnout and debt to energizing expansion, growing from a small, struggling practice of 10 staff members and a handful of new patients to a thriving, award-winning office with over thirty team members and more than a thousand new patients annually. The discussion explored the pivotal moments that led to this transformation, including the importance of mentorship, faith, and a commitment to generosity, as well as concrete strategies for debt reduction and leadership development. Several points were raised, including the value of investing in both infrastructure and people, empowering team members, and fostering a family-driven approach to business. The episode highlights lessons learned, advice for younger practitioners, and the power of integrating personal values into professional life, all set against the backdrop of a vibrant local community. Visit mypgi.com to schedule a discovery call. We'll learn more about your practice, where you want to go, and help you determine the program that best fits your goals.   Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the podcast 05:19 Discussing a dentist's career journey 09:48 Moving from Southern California 12:30 Reaching the first million-dollar year 14:49 Feeling burned out from overwork 16:56 Attending Jay's event with Karen 22:06 Becoming debt-free and inspired 26:03 Decision to go to dental school 27:47 Expanding the team and community support 30:04 Balancing faith and finances 34:06 Building flexibility and future growth 39:04 Value of quality investments 40:57 Realities of running a business 45:54 Morning routine and financial focus 48:04 Managing small vs. large staff teams 50:36 Quarterly team training insights

Welcome to another episode of the Private Practice Playbook. Today, host Jay Geier sits down with Dr. Clay Sims of Sims Orthodontics in Pensacola and Dr. Drew Ferris of Ferris Orthodontic Group in Santa Barbara — two top orthodontists from the PGI coaching community. In this candid conversation, they dive into the realities of building and running modern orthodontic practices: balancing personal growth with business success, navigating the shift from traditional braces to aligners, and managing the evolving relationship between general dentists and specialists. The discussion also explores broader themes such as the emotional impact of patient care, the importance of community and mission work, and the ongoing challenges of growing not just wealth, but happiness and fulfillment both in and out of the office. Whether you’re a seasoned dental professional or just starting your journey, this episode offers practical wisdom, heartfelt stories, and a reminder that pursuing excellence in practice and in life requires continual learning and connection. Visit mypgi.com to schedule a discovery call. We'll learn more about your practice, where you want to go, and help you determine the program that best fits your goals.   Timestamps: 00:00 Discussing perceptions and giving advice 05:05 Orthodontics in the dental industry 08:02 Getting referrals from dentists 11:26 AI impact on healthcare professions 13:33 Strategies for dental practice expansion 18:57 Why long-term coaching is valuable 21:11 Focusing on personal growth and relationships 25:01 Volunteering abroad for perspective 28:26 Helping a young boy with braces 30:32 Impact of emotional dentistry 35:46 Discussing orthodontists and business scaling 37:54 Challenges for specialists in professions  

Welcome to the Private Practice Playbook with Jay Geier, where we dive deep into the real challenges and triumphs of life in private dental practice. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Mark and Shayne Fixari, co-founders of Fixari Family Dental in Columbus, Ohio — a thriving family business built over four decades. From humble beginnings with little more than vision and determination, Mark and Shayne scaled their practice into a multi-location, community-anchored organization, all while raising seven children and building enduring family traditions. Today, they share candid insights on leadership, the importance of embracing mistakes, and the challenges (and joys) of growing a business well beyond the work only the founders can do. Listeners will hear stories about navigating partnership, bouncing back from hiring stumbles, cultivating leadership in young doctors, and building a family culture that’s as intentional as their practice. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking inspiration for long-term growth, this episode delivers wisdom for every stage of the professional and personal journey. Ready to build a stronger team? Schedule a complimentary discovery call at mypgi.com to learn how Practice Growth Institute helps private practice owners build, scale, and exit more profitable practices. And don't miss future episodes — subscribe for podcast alerts at podcastfordoctors.com.    Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Private Practice Playbook 06:37 Shayne's role and female empowerment 09:32 Reflecting on key life milestones 11:32 Discussing Personal Strengths 14:37 Treating All People Equally 20:02 Discussing friction in relationships 23:14 Family commitment and gender roles 24:37 Balancing family and business 28:47 Discussing leadership and marriage tips 31:40 Transitioning to Private Practice Authority 34:51 Continuous learning in leadership 40:10 Perfectionism in everyday life 41:44 Focusing on future solutions 45:31 Reflecting on hiring choices 50:13 Ending on personal connections 51:24 Dealing with demand in dentistry

Welcome to another episode of the Private Practice Playbook. Today´s conversation with Jaclyn Dunn focuses on a hard truth facing private dental practice owners: the perfect hygiene team isn't coming. Instead of waiting for the "right" team before making improvements, practices should prioritize building intentional systems that ensure consistency, accountability, and quality patient care — regardless of staffing challenges. One concept discussed was the tendency to delay growth initiatives in hopes of future stability, when in reality, progress is made by taking action with the resources at hand. The discussion explored how even average team members can excel within strong systems, while talented individuals will struggle if processes are lacking. Several points were raised, including the dangers of waiting for ideal conditions, the critical role of systems over individual talent, and why accountability should be a celebrated component of every high-performing hygiene department.   If today's conversation got you thinking differently about your hygiene department, imagine what could happen if you applied that same systems-based approach across your entire practice. That's exactly what we help private practice owners do every day at Practice Growth Institute. Visit mypgi.com to schedule a discovery call. We'll learn more about your practice, where you want to go, and help you determine the program that best fits your goals.   Timestamps: 00:00 Challenges in dental practice staffing 06:02 Addressing Hygiene Staffing Challenges 09:28 Never a perfect time for kids 13:50 New clinicians gaining confidence 15:58 Importance of patient retention 19:29 Challenges in hiring staff 22:27 Importance of communication in dentistry 25:04 Building a resilient hygiene department 30:51 Cost of inconsistency in practices 33:08 Importance of Effective Training 37:35 Importance of consistent patient communication 40:20 Improving patient care and retention 43:25 Improving team consistency and patient care 45:08 Building adaptable, resilient teams

Welcome to another episode of the Private Practice Playbook with Jay Geier. In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Anna Berik, an acclaimed Boston-based dentist and practice owner, to explore her remarkable journey from ambitious associate to the leader of a thriving multi-location dental organization. Through candid stories and hard-won lessons, Dr. Berik shares the realities behind building her empire, including struggles with work-life balance as a single mom, navigating challenging team transitions, and overcoming the chaos of a faltering practice. Along the way, she discusses the power of perseverance, continuous learning, and the importance of evolving both as a clinician and a business owner. Whether you’re looking to improve your practice, learn how to scale successfully, or simply need a reminder that growth comes with its share of bumps and breakthroughs, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and authentic encouragement for every dentist on their own journey. Ready to build a stronger team? Schedule a complimentary discovery call at mypgi.com to learn how Practice Growth Institute helps private practice owners build, scale, and exit more profitable practices. And don't miss future episodes—subscribe for podcast alerts at podcastfordoctors.com.   Timestamps: 00:00 Shifting from biology to dental school 05:41 Growing Beyond a $3 Million Practice 07:33 Pursuing Excellence in Cosmetic Dentistry 10:35 Buying into the dental practice 14:51 Breaking up the medical team 17:09 Dealing with anti-growth personalities 22:14 Managing and improving the practice 23:40 Buying the right dental practice 26:28 Redesigning the reception area 29:39 Maintaining a professional office space 34:56 Designing a child-friendly therapy space 37:38 Growing into a leadership role 39:19 Advice on hands-on leadership 44:27 The challenges of growing a business 46:06 Importance of marketing visibility 49:21 Reflections on lifelong learning