Manrina's Mentorship Podcast

From Four Rejections to Rediscovering Dentistry: Dr Baiju Kothari on Imposter Syndrome, Burnout and Saying Yes to Growth In Episode 21 of Manrina's Mentorship Podcast, Dr Manrina Rhode sits down with Dr Baiju Kothari, a Glasgow-based dentist with around 14 years in practice and one of the newest members of Manrina's Mentorship Programme. Baiju grew up in a big, close family in Harrow, was sent to boarding school in South India at the age of eight, and was rejected by four dental schools before Glasgow gave him a second chance. He talks openly about burning out seeing 30 patients a day in the NHS, the practice purchase that fell through in March 2020, and how imposter syndrome kept him away from the dental community, and off Instagram, for years. Since joining the Mentorship Programme, he has started to enjoy dentistry again. In this episode we discuss: growing up in Harrow and the story behind the name Baiju, being sent to boarding school in India at eight, with one phone call home a week, four dental school rejections and the life lesson in getting a second chance Glasgow, dental school friendships and a fusion wedding with kilts, a dhol player and a ceilidh NHS burnout, and wanting to do more artistic work. The practice purchase that Covid stopped, and why it was the right call, imposter syndrome, the "gremlin", and finally starting an Instagram page Marketing veneers in Glasgow, despite the stigma around them, and what the Mentorship Programme has changed for him. His parting advice: "What's the worst that's going to happen?" and the word "sonder" "What's the worst that's going to happen? Everyone's got so much on in their lives. They care about themselves more than they do you." Dr Baiju Kothari Follow Baiju: https://www.instagram.com/dr.baijukothari/ Want to learn from the best? Download Manrina's free eBook: https://www.drmr.academy/free-ebook Ready to take the next step? Explore our courses and Manrina's Mentorship Programme: https://www.drmr.academy Or get in touch directly: [email protected] Follow us on Instagram: @drmr_academy If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave a rating. It helps more dental professionals find us.

Stop Discounting, Start Converting: Get your Dental Treatment Plans Accepted  Cut your fees by 10%, and you could be losing 30% of your bottom line. That's just one of the practical, slightly uncomfortable truths Ashley Latter shares in this episode of Manrina's Mentorship Podcast. Dr Manrina Rhode sits down with Ashley, the communication guru of UK dentistry, for a conversation 24 years in the making. Ashley shares how two dentists on a sales training course changed the direction of his career, why he decided to go all in on dentistry-specific training, and how word of mouth and a weekly newsletter (still going, 28 years later) built one of the most respected names in the profession. He also opens up about imposter syndrome, why dentists struggle to charge what they're worth, and shares the three tips that have shaped how thousands of dental professionals talk to their patients. Whether you're newly qualified or 20 years into practice, this episode is full of practical, immediately usable advice on communication, confidence, and consultation. In this episode we cover: How two dentists on a sales course led Ashley into dentistry-specific training Building a name through word of mouth and a weekly newsletter, before social media existed Why imposter syndrome and fee-discounting are so common in dentistry The story behind his three books, including his newly rewritten The Perfect Dental Consultation The "aeroplane" analogy: why dentists lose patients by focusing on technical detail instead of outcome Why you should treat every existing patient like a new one Being proud of your fees: why a 10% discount can cost you 30% of your profit How Ashley structures travel, exercise, and time with his wife around a demanding schedule His closing advice: keep learning, and find a mentor  Connect: Follow Manrina's Mentorship Podcast for more conversations with the people shaping dentistry If you're looking for a mentor, find out more about Manrina's Mentorship here. Join Ashley Latter's newsletter: www.ashleylatter.com

Shaz shares the story of how design found him at age eight, being caught using his older brother's Amstrad computer, and how that early encouragement shaped everything that followed: registering Digimax at 18, working alone from a converted garage for years, and eventually building one of the most recognised marketing agencies in dentistry. We talk about the bold, almost unbelievable story of how he landed his first major client, the harsh but formative feedback that changed how he thinks about marketing forever, and the moment he turned away £400,000 of non-dental business to go all in on dentistry. Shaz also opens up about Wells on Wheels, the charity he founded almost by accident, and the parenting philosophy behind his own fearlessness. In this episode we cover: Growing up in a design household and being caught designing on his brother's computer at age eight Learning Photoshop in real time and designing for real clients from age ten Registering Digimax at 18, and the awkward trip to open a business bank account Years of working alone from a converted garage, and the burnout that followed Why his brother's simple question about hiring changed the trajectory of his business The story behind the Digimax name, drawn in a maths class at 16 The bold approach that led to his biggest early client, and the overnight scramble to deliver His first dental client, a leaflet mistake, and the two weeks that changed how he sees marketing Turning away non-dental clients to go all in on dentistry in 2017 Writing Instagram for Dentists and stepping in front of the camera How Wells on Wheels started, and its impact: over 3,000 girls now attending school since 2019 His advice on what good marketing actually looks like, and building a business around freedom Topics discussed, in order: Baby Shaz: growing up in London with two older brothers who were designers The Amstrad computer, Letraset, and being "caught" designing at age eight Learning Photoshop and designing for real clients as a child and teenager Studying e-commerce at university and registering Digimax at 18 Years working alone from a converted garage, and the toll it took His brother's advice on hiring, and bringing on his first team member at 22 The story and meaning behind the name Digimax How Digimax evolved from graphic design into a full agency The story of approaching James Caan, the overnight design sprint, and landing the client His first dental client, a red leaflet mistake, and shadowing a practice for two weeks The realisation that dentistry sells transformation, not treatment Turning away £400,000 of non-dental business to commit fully to dentistry in 2017 Writing Instagram for Dentists and learning to be visible on camera How Wells on Wheels began, and the impact it's had since 2019 His advice on marketing, freedom, and building a business that gives you your life back Connect: Follow Manrina's Mentorship Podcast for more conversations with the people shaping dentistry Learn more about Shaz and what he does here: https://shaz.co.uk/ Explore Dr Manrina's courses and mentorship programme here: https://www.drmrlondon.co.uk/dental-courses-london Or get in touch directly: [email protected]

In this episode of Manrina's Mentorship Podcast, I'm joined by Dr. Nieves Ros, a Spanish-trained dentist, practice co-owner, and now principal at Smmmile, to talk about her journey from Valencia to the UK dental world. Nieves shares what it was really like moving countries to practise dentistry: the paperwork, the language barrier, and the moment she turned up to her first UK job only to be mistaken for a dental nurse. We talk about building a life abroad while staying close to family in Spain, meeting her husband through her brother, and stepping into practice ownership almost by accident. We also go deep on one of the hardest moments of her career: a medical emergency in the dental chair during the COVID emergency hub period, and how therapy helped her process it. Nieves closes with honest advice on why comparing yourself to other clinicians on social media is holding you back. In this episode we cover: - Growing up in Valencia and her (surprising) synchronised swimming background - Why she chose dentistry over pure biology - Studying dentistry in Spain and an Erasmus year in Poland - Arriving for her first UK dentist job, and being told there was no dentist position - Learning English on the job, patients, and strong regional accents - Becoming co-owner/principal at Smmmile - Training in veneers on the Designing Smiles course and joining the mentorship programme - The hardest day of her career: a cardiac emergency in the dental chair - Going to therapy, and why it was one of the best decisions she's made - Her advice on comparison culture in dentistry and social media Connect: Follow Manrina's Mentorship Podcast for more stories from dentists building their careers and practices. Want to learn from the best? Download Manrina's free eBook for dentists - practical insight on building a career in cosmetic dentistry: https://www.drmr.academy/free-ebook Ready to take the next step? Explore Manrina's courses and mentorship programme: https://www.drmrlondon.co.uk/dental-courses-london/ Or get in touch directly: [email protected]

From Poland to King's — Dr Nikola Kulik on Self-Belief, Independence, and Finding Your Path in Dentistry In this episode, Dr Manrina Rhode sits down with Dr Nikola Kulik, one of her youngest mentees and a recently qualified dentist who has already packed more into her early career than most do in a decade. Nikola grew up in Poland, won a biology competition at 15 that set her on an extraordinary path, and moved out of home to attend one of the country's top high schools before relocating to London alone at 19 to study dentistry at King's College London — arriving in the middle of a global pandemic. Now eight months into her dental foundation training in a high-needs area of East London, Nikola is simultaneously completing a Level 7 diploma in facial aesthetics, training in cosmetic dentistry through the Designing Smiles course, and building her personal brand through Manrina's Mentorship Programme. In this episode we discuss: - Growing up in Poland and the biology competition win that changed everything Moving to London alone at 19 during Covid lockdown and navigating loneliness and imposter syndrome - Why a volunteering trip to Sri Lanka at 18 led her to choose dentistry over medicine - The reality of dental foundation training and why she now believes it is essential - How the Designing Smiles course confirmed cosmetic dentistry is her path - What she has learned about personal branding, patient communication, and building a career with direction - Why she is pursuing a Level 7 diploma in facial aesthetics alongside her foundation year - Her advice on training your mind to work in your favour and doing the hard things "I'm just at the beginning of my journey, but I'm so grateful for the opportunity to learn from the best." — Dr Nikola Kulik Want to learn from the best? Download Manrina's free eBook for dentists — practical insight on building a career in cosmetic dentistry: https://www.drmr.academy/free-ebook Ready to take the next step? Explore Manrina's courses and mentorship programme: https://www.drmrlondon.co.uk/dental-courses-london/ Or get in touch directly: [email protected]