"Staffing is the most challenging part."
 
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Summary

In this episode of Hey Docs, Dr. Dan Pan and Dr. Fiona Shi from Emerald City Orthodontics share their inspiring journey from residency to starting their own practice. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of launching a startup in a competitive market, the importance of branding and patient experience, and the financial realities of their first year. The couple emphasizes the significance of teamwork, adaptability, and leveraging technology to create a unique practice that stands out in the orthodontic field. 


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Emerald City Orthodontics - https://www.ecortho.io


Takeaways

• Both Dan and Fiona met during their residency and share a strong background in dentistry.
• They decided to start their practice together after gaining experience in various settings.
• The couple emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision for their brand and patient experience.
• They took an unconventional approach by diving 100% into their startup without maintaining associate jobs.
• Building a strong online presence and community engagement was crucial before opening their practice.
• They faced significant challenges in staffing and training new team members without prior experience.
• The couple believes in the importance of a seamless patient experience to stand out in a competitive market.
• They chose to go digital from the beginning to streamline operations and enhance scalability.
• Dan and Fiona highlight the need for continuous learning and adaptation in their practice.
• They aspire to create a strong referral network by collaborating with other dental professionals.

Chapters
 
00:00 Introduction to Emerald City Orthodontics
01:07 Journey from Residency to Practice
04:52 Deciding to Start a Practice Together
10:53 Navigating Competition in a New Market
18:52 Building a Unique Brand Experience
21:59 Financial Realities of Year One
26:54 Building a Trusting Team
29:35 Hiring for Potential Over Experience
31:48 Training and Developing Staff
35:07 Lessons Learned in the First Year
36:15 Embracing Digital Transformation
42:30 Connecting with Emerald City Orthodontics

Episode Credits:
 
Hosted by Jill Allen
Produced by Jordann Killion
Audio Engineering by Garrett Lucero

Are you ready to start a practice of your own? Do you need a fresh set of eyes or some advice in your existing practice?

Reach out to me- www.practiceresults.com.
   
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