The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes

On today's Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes welcomes back Troy Eckard for another deep dive into the macroeconomic trends shaping today's investing environment. As one of the most downloaded guests in Dentalpreneur Podcast history, Troy brings 40 years of oil and gas experience to the table, helping dentists and high-income professionals understand how to navigate an uncertain market. The two discuss the current global liquidity crisis, rising interest rates, and why so many private equity deals are stalling. Troy breaks down what he learned from the 2008 crash and shares why having dry powder—and the courage to use it—is critical in downturns. He also makes the case for oil and gas as an alternative investment that offers not only strong returns, but also aggressive tax benefits, especially for high earners. With powerful lessons on emotional discipline, long-term thinking, and investing like you're on the brink of retirement, this episode is packed with clarity for anyone looking to protect and grow their wealth in today's economic landscape. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://eckardenterprises.com/dentalpreneur/ https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down live from the Thrive Live exhibition hall with the dynamic Katherine Eitel Belt, founder and CEO of LionSpeak. Catherine shares her remarkable journey from dental assistant to international speaker and communications coach, emphasizing the transformative power of language, leadership, and clear communication. Together, they explore the framework behind courageous conversations, how to make a clear invitation to your team, and why many dental leaders feel held hostage by their staff—often due to a lack of tools, not leadership potential. Catherine unpacks her A.R.C.H. model for tough talks and gives us a preview of her upcoming book, Something's Got to Change. This episode is a must-listen for any practice owner or manager looking to elevate their culture and lead with clarity and compassion. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.lionspeak.net https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

On today's episode, Dr. Mark Costes kicks off a special series of live interviews from the Thrive Live exhibition hall in Las Vegas with Ryan Gross, founder and CEO of CMOshare. Ryan shares the origin story of his fractional CMO journey and how his company has grown into one of dentistry's top marketing firms. The two dive deep into the evolution of dental marketing, with a particular focus on data-driven decision-making, ROI transparency, and the increasing role of AI in transforming both marketing strategies and operational efficiencies. Ryan discusses current trends in patient behavior, especially in uncertain economic times, and outlines key indicators that practices should consider when choosing a marketing partner. This is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve patient acquisition and streamline their dental business operations. Be sure to check out the full episode from the Dentalpreneur Podcast! EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.mycmoshare.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

In today's Part 2 episode, Dr. Mark Costes chats with Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS, about his unlikely journey from mechanical engineering and lawncare deals to leading one of the most influential dental software companies in the U.S. Eric opens up about acquiring Planet DDS via a search fund, scaling through two private equity recapitalizations, and how his team has grown from 25 to over 350 employees. They explore the evolution of Denticon as a cloud-based platform, its open API ecosystem, and where AI and automation are heading in dental practice management. Eric also dives into the shifting private equity landscape, the challenges of vendor trust in dentistry, and why his leadership team is focused on culture and innovation over politics. This episode is packed with insights for anyone navigating the intersection of tech, dentistry, and entrepreneurship. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.planetdds.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

In today's Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes sits down with Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS, for a deep dive into how a Harvard-educated engineer ended up revolutionizing dental software. Eric shares his journey from nearly buying a lawn care business to acquiring Planet DDS through a unique entrepreneurial path called a search fund. He breaks down the evolution of their cloud-based platform, Denticon, and why DSOs are drawn to its open API structure and advanced revenue cycle management tools. The two discuss the cultural quirks of the dental industry, the pain of PMS switching, and the future of automation and vendor trust in dentistry. It's an insightful look into how innovation and business acumen are shaping the tools that drive modern dental practices. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.planetdds.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

In this episode, Brannon Moncrief returns to the podcast to unpack what's really happening in the DSO market—from tightening deal structures and smarter buyers to the harsh reality that not every recap delivers. With over two decades in the game and 13 years leading McLerran & Associates, Brannon shares what makes a practice desirable in 2025 and why some of the biggest players in the space are hitting walls. Whether you're a mid-career doc holding high EBITDA or just building toward scale, Brannon breaks down how private equity thinks, how deal terms have shifted, and how to avoid being locked into a losing outcome. EPISODE RESOURCES https://dentaltransitions.com/ https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

In today's Part 2 episode, Dr. Mark Costes and Dr. Paul "Nacho" Goodman dive deep into what it really takes to build sustainable, freedom-giving dental practices—and they don't hold back. The duo talks through the importance of proper associate onboarding, the risks of working interviews, and why most dentists are more willing to invest in a CBCT than a top-tier team member. Paul shares a revealing story about his wife's unexpected run-in with a trainee piercer, contrasting it with five-star staff training at Tavern on the Green. They unpack how building redundancy and a strong "bench" in your practice can be the key to lowering stress and unlocking true lifestyle flexibility. The conversation also zooms out to big-picture business lessons from NFL salary caps and sushi masters, and touches on current hiring trends from Paul's work at Dentist Job Connect. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.dentalnachos.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

In today's Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes catches up with the always-insightful Dr. Paul "Nacho" Goodman for a fun, wide-ranging conversation covering everything from birthday ice baths to elite dental event planning. The duo shares behind-the-scenes insights on the upcoming Dental Success Summit and Boost Camp, riffing on the rising challenge of getting people to attend in-person events and the psychological tricks that sometimes work. They also dive into deeper reflections on burnout, practice infrastructure, and the power of creating businesses that thrive without you. Paul shares entertaining stories from a whirlwind family trip to New York City, complete with Central Park strolls, Slime Museums, and a surprise dinner at Heidi Klum's Crazy Pizza. Plus, they discuss what the dental world can learn from Tavern on the Green's elite staff training process—and why dentistry desperately needs to raise its onboarding game. It's thoughtful, it's hilarious, it's classic Dentalpreneur. EPISODE RESOURCES https://www.dentalnachos.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

In today's Part 2 episode, Dr. Mark Costes continues his deep dive with Dr. Kyle Hale, exploring the pivotal moments and decisions that shaped his transition from high-producing clinical dentist to visionary entrepreneur. Kyle opens up about the real reasons behind selling his multi-practice group—including his wife Callie's battle with burnout—and how that led to the creation of Airway Dentist, a practice model with a clear clinical North Star. He shares powerful insights on why selling might be the right choice for some, the importance of having a "dentist as backup plan" mindset, and the value of intentionality in both business and personal life. Dr. Kyle also discusses the explosive growth of Dental Life, his innovative clear aligner support company partnered with Invisalign and Itero, which is transforming how GPs approach aligner cases. This is an inspiring look at how stepping away can lead to purpose-driven success. EPISODE RESOURCES https://theairwaydentists.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast

In today's Part 1 episode, Dr. Mark Costes catches up with longtime friend and powerhouse entrepreneur Dr. Kyle Hale. Kyle opens up about life after selling his DSO, why he took a step back, and how he spent his sabbatical reconnecting with family and rediscovering his passion for racing. He shares his reflections on the stress of clinical dentistry, how his wife Callie's burnout influenced their business decisions, and what it took to prepare their group of practices for a smooth and successful exit. The conversation also dives into the challenges and lessons learned from scaling quickly, the importance of systems, and how stepping away opened doors to new ventures like the Airway Dentist. This is part one of an inspiring conversation about transition, purpose, and designing a life by intention. EPISODE RESOURCES https://theairwaydentists.com https://www.truedentalsuccess.com Dental Success Network Subscribe to The Dentalpreneur Podcast