In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Blair Feldman, former Phoenix Suns team orthodontist and co-founder of Retainer Club, to talk about everything from 3D printing and recurring revenue, to product innovation and mindset. Blair practiced for over 21 years, ran multiple startups, taught at AT Still, and ultimately made the leap to full-time entrepreneur after building a retainer program so effective, it demanded all of his attention.

We dive deep into how Blair transformed a frustrating problem—retainer replacements—into a venture-backed fulfillment platform that supports ortho practices across the country. We also talk about how he helps orthodontists with product ideas that actually bring them to life, what he's learned from Entrepreneur's Organization (EO), and how to tell whether your big idea is a real business—or just a fun hobby.

Quotes

“It’s a dirty secret in orthodontics: if patients stop wearing their retainers, their teeth move. Retainer Club was built to make sure that didn’t happen—without creating more work for the practice.”

— Dr. Blair Feldman

“A patent is not a business. It’s a tool. If you don’t know what to do after the patent, then you don’t have a plan—you have a prototype and a dream.”

— Dr. Blair Feldman

Key Takeaways

• Intro (00:00)
• From Penn to Detroit Mercy: why ortho won out over medicine (01:00)
• Blair’s unusual journey into ortho—and architecture (01:35)
• Dental school culture at Penn and its impact on specialty training (02:27)
• 21 years of experience: associate, buyer, builder, teacher, team ortho (17:10)
• The truth about being the “team orthodontist” for pro sports (17:58)
• How a casual idea about retainers turned into a funded business (20:30)
• Retainer Club: what it is, how it works, and who it’s for (25:00)
• How recurring revenue + 3D printing changed the business model (22:40)
• Competitors vs. the real challenge: docs who think they’re “fine” (26:43)
• Young orthodontists, hyper-efficiency, and outsourcing (28:25)
• Blair’s passion for helping orthos bring product ideas to life (29:00)
• “Do you want a business, or just to see your idea in the real world?” (30:00)
• Advice on patents, investors, and entrepreneurial mindset (30:30)

Additional Resources

I’ve seen firsthand how a smart retainer program can transform your practice—financially and operationally. If you're tired of broken systems, endless remakes, or patients who stop coming back, Retainer Club might be exactly what you need.

👉 Reach out to Blair at [email protected] and see how he can help you simplify your workflow and scale your revenue.

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