EP 67: Navigating Growth and Legacy: Dr. Todd Sala on Dentistry, Family, and Business Expansion

Welcome to this episode of the Private Practice Playbook with Jay Geier. Today, we dive into the remarkable journey of Dr. Todd Sala, a dentist whose story spans four generations and over a century of family practice. From buying into his father’s practice and continuing to build alongside his family to expanding from a modest eight-operatory clinic to a bustling 34-chair practice, Dr. Todd Sala reveals the lessons he learned along the way. We’ll hear about the challenges of earning patient trust, embracing mentorship (even when it’s hard to hear), managing finances and capital expenditures, and, perhaps most importantly, learning to delegate and become a true leader. Dr. Todd Sala opens up about balancing business growth with personal life, coaching others in the field, and the mindset shifts that unlock true potential. If you’re seeking not just growth, but lasting impact in private practice, you won’t want to miss this conversation.   Timestamps: 00:00 Todd's professional journey and insights 04:22 Discussing their close friendship 08:32 Decision to retire after vacation 12:22 Discussing business growth challenges 15:39 Understanding capex in business growth 19:08 Paying off the building 20:09 Expanding dental practice team 24:31 Balancing work and family life 27:06 Understanding others' perspectives on business 31:42 Preparing for leadership transition 32:48 Reflecting on early struggles 36:54 Reflecting on personal growth process 40:55 Building a dental clinic abroad 45:16 Turning point: focusing on others 47:30 Discussing time and money freedom 50:34 Thinking about saving money 54:09 Haggling story at Sam's Club 55:49 Discussing client ranking and feedback 58:57 Discussing the company's operational strategies