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In this episode, Dr. Eric Block sits down with husband-and-wife dentists Dr. Eric Applesies and Dr. Alex Kantor; hosts of the Just a Couple of Dentists podcast. Together, they share their rollercoaster of a journey through dental school, military service, multiple practice transitions, and the wild world of dental startups.
You’ll hear how they met at Indiana University, moved across the country, and faced more than their fair share of surprises… like a sewage flood that hit just five weeks after opening their brand-new office.
They talk openly about what it’s like to build a practice from the ground up, the lessons they learned from a not-so-great partnership, and how they managed to push through when things got really tough.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build your dream dental practice or you’re in the middle of your own challenges, you will enjoy this episode filled with real talk, relatable struggles, and lots of laughs along the way.
Key Takeaways
- Startups come with surprises; sometimes literal ones.
Dr. Kantor shares how a sewage backup flooded her brand-new dental office just weeks after opening.
- Military service offers unique experiences.
Dr. Applesies explains how his time in the military helped him grow as a dentist and gain respect for service members.
- Not all partnerships are created equal.
Alex and Eric describe a business partnership that looked good on paper but fell apart in real life, teaching them the value of full ownership.
- Commuting can take a toll.
They talk about long drives to work, how draining it can be, and the freedom they felt after moving to a location closer to home.
- Social media isn’t always the full story.
The couple reflects on the pressure of comparing your practice launch to “highlight reel” success stories online.
- Perseverance is key.
Through setbacks, stress, and tough decisions, they stayed committed and eventually found success on their own terms.
Episode Timestamps
- 00:00:12 – Introduction
- 00:02:00 – Meet the Guests
- Eric and Alex talk about starting their podcast and their background as dentists.
- They explain how they met at Indiana University.
- 00:04:00 – Why Dentistry?
- Both guests share why they chose dentistry over other careers.
- Eric talks about the appeal of the lifestyle and shorter education path.
- 00:06:00 – Life After Dental School
- Eric details his military path and moving around the country.
- Alex explains her first job and buying her first practice.
- 00:08:00 – Early Practice Experiences
- Alex talks about flipping a low-production practice.
- They discuss the challenges of working in California and moving to Denver.
- 00:10:00 – Starting Over in Colorado
- They share the decision to move, build a new practice, and how timing worked out with Eric’s military exit.
- 00:12:00 – The Flood
- Alex describes how her brand-new office was flooded with sewage.
- A contractor called her to alert her and it was a literal mess.
- 00:14:00 – Cleaning Up and Moving On
- They talk about the cleanup, stress, and trying to stay open.
- Share the gross realities and funny moments looking back.
- 00:16:00 – Lessons from Partnerships
- Alex reflects on entering a partnership where she did most of the work but didn’t have majority ownership.
- They talk about buying out their partners.
- 00:18:00 – Breaking Free
- They share how the partnership ended and how they became sole owners.
- Discuss lessons about risk, reward, and believing in yourself.
- 00:20:00 – Final Thoughts on Perseverance
- All three dentists reflect on how common struggles are in practice ownership.
- Encourage others to push through tough times and stay the course.
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