Operatory Empires

Operatory Empires

By Jackson ScheidhauerBusinessEntrepreneurship
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Operatory Empires episodes

  • 035: How He Is Building a $100M Brand | Dr. Aakash "Kash" Rana

    Try Enamelogic for 7 days free!


    In this episode, I interviewed Dr. Kash about the gap between dental school and real-world dentistry, why corporate can be a powerful training ground, and how he is building Prana into a startup, med spa, and implant learning center in Miami. This is a one of the best conversations about confidence, clinical reps, leadership, marketing, and what it actually takes to build a dental brand that puts you in the top 1% of dentists


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    57 min
  • 034: Finding Your Niche in Dentistry | Dr. Steven Kale

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    Dr. Kale's Instagram!


    This episode is an interview with Doctor Steven Cale, a New York City dentist who built a niche around fee-for-service endodontics without completing an endo residency. We discuss how social media, mentorship, reputation, and long-term planning can shape a modern dental career. Dr. Kale shares the grind behind his path, from Medicaid root canals and cold outreach to now working across 12 offices and building a brand around emergency endo and patient comfort. It’s a practical conversation about what it really takes to grow in dentistry today.


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    52 min
  • 032: Why Every Dentist Should Be Building a Personal Brand | Frank Young

    Frank's Website!

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    In this episode, Frank Young, founder of the Dental SEO Consultants, shares expert insights on how dentists at any stage—students, associates, or owners—can develop a powerful personal and practice brand. Discover how strategic branding and online reputation management can set you apart in a crowded market, especially amidst increasing commoditization.


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    47 min
  • 031: How Dentists Can Save $100k+ in Taxes | Kingsley Ifedi, CPA

    Talk to Kingsley About Your Taxes!


    In this episode of Operatory Empires, Kingsley Ifedi, a dental CPA, shares expert insights into dental practice ownership, tax strategies, and navigating the financial landscape of dentistry. Whether you're just starting out or expanding your practice, this episode covers essential tips to optimize your wealth and operational efficiency.


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    45 min
  • 030: What You Should Know Before Owning a Dental Practice | Joe Persichetti

    Contact U.S. Bank for your loan here!


    This episode explores the ins and outs of starting or acquiring a dental practice, with a focus on financing options, macroeconomic trends, and strategic advice for new dentists. Our guest, Joe Persichetti, the head of healthcare banking at US Bank, shares insights on loan qualification, real estate decisions, and the future outlook of the dental industry.

    About Joe: In July 2023, Joe Persichetti was named head of healthcare business banking at U.S. Bank, overseeing a team that works with small-to-midsized healthcare practices and practice owners. Persichetti has almost 20 years of experience in the healthcare field, previously serving as the head of sales practice finance at Huntington National Bank and holding senior positions at Henry Schein Financial Services and at Bank of America. He lives in Columbus, Ohio, with his wife and four children.

    Main Topics:

    • How student loan debt impacts financing for new dentists
    • Key criteria for qualifying for practice startup and acquisition loans
    • The importance of building a strong advisory team (CPA, attorney, industry-specific consultants)
    • Differences between leasing and owning dental practice real estate
    • Trends in practice ownership, including startups versus acquisitions and quick starts
    • Geographic growth hotspots and underserved communities
    • The changing landscape of DSO versus independent practices
    • Strategies for practice growth and patient base development
    • Student loans can be a significant factor; federal programs offer income-based repayment options that can help.
    • Practice loans are cash flow-based; longer repayment terms (10-15 years) provide more flexibility.
    • Building a reliable team of industry-aware professionals saves money and sets a solid foundation.
    • Real estate ownership is feasible with 20% down, but consider long-term location stability.
    • Growing regions like Columbus and Austin continue to attract dentists due to population growth and infrastructure investments.
    • Both DSO and independent models can be successful if patient care remains the priority.


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    45 min
  • 029: How To Build Brand Like the Top 1% of Dentists | Zac from PASTED

    Check out Practice By Numbers!


    In this episode, Zach Orender, a branding expert for aesthetic dentists, shares how authentic content, consistent messaging, and strong patient relationships can elevate a dental practice beyond traditional marketing. You’ll hear practical guidance on case acceptance, systems, soft skills, and defining success in a way that actually fits the life you want.Key Topics:

    • ​Why authenticity matters more than viral content
    • ​How top dentists think about consultations and case acceptance
    • ​Building a brand through consistency and patient experience
    • ​The difference between necessity-based and elective dentistry
    • ​Why systems should improve both efficiency and the patient journey
    • ​Overcoming limiting beliefs that hold dentists back
    • ​The role of soft skills and emotional intelligence in growth
    • ​How to define success on your own terms
    • ​When office aesthetics and equipment should actually matter

    Email us: [email protected]

    56 min
  • 028: How to Build a Practice that Runs Without You | Drs. Craig Spodak and Peter Boulden

    "BPEMPIRE" for $100 off the Summit!

    Check Out Practice By Numbers!


    Dr. Craig Spodak and Dr. Peter Boulden are dentists with over 50 years of combined experience in dentistry and building and scaling practices. They started Bulletproof Dental Practice, a company that helps dental practice owners grow their practice by marketing, and scale to have the ability to make money without being in the chair.


    Email us: [email protected]

    1 hr 8 min
  • 027: Building "Made By Dentists" To A Global Brand | Dr. Lisa Creaven

    Check Out Practice By Numbers⁠


    What happens when dentists stop thinking only about the operatory and start building products for millions of consumers?

    In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Creaven, co-founder of Made by Dentists, to discuss the journey from clinical dentistry to building a global oral care brand.

    We explore what it takes to launch a consumer product company in a market dominated by multinational corporations, why dentists have a unique advantage in building trust with patients, and how the future of oral healthcare may extend far beyond the dental office.


    By the Numbers

    Approximately $18 million in revenue was reported for the year ending June 2021.

    The company reportedly experienced more than 130% year-over-year sales growth in 2023.

    The business raised €12 million (roughly $13 million USD) in growth capital in 2021.

    An additional $3.7 million Series A round was later raised from Backed by Dentists, a network of more than 450 dentist investors.


    Email us: [email protected]

    41 min

About Operatory Empires

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Conversations with business-minded people in the dental space.