MB2 Underground

Dr. Steve Luccarelli has been through every phase of dentistry you can imagine. A former college athlete turned orthodontist, he's gone from junior partner to solo owner, to senior partner, to now, an MB2 Dental partner. In this episode, he shares the wild story of playing Division I baseball behind his dad's back, how a bad hop and two fractured teeth ended up steering him toward dentistry, and w...

Justin Carroll, Chief Operating Officer, is back to help make sense of a word that gets thrown around a lot: recapitalization. What does it actually mean? Why do companies do it? And how has MB2 approached it differently? In this episode, Justin walks us through the basics, breaks down common deal structures, and explains how recap events with Sentinel Capital Partners, Charlesbank Capital Partner...

Scott Peterson has worn many hats, pastor, college leader, fundraiser, and now Vice President at OneWorld Health. In this episode, he shares how his work is helping build locally run, self-sustaining hospitals that deliver real healthcare in underserved communities. From CrossFit and home projects to humanitarian work in Uganda, Scott talks about what drives him, what he's learned from Bob Goff, a...

Eric Gallegos didn't just join a startup; he helped shape a market that barely existed. In this episode, the VP of Revenue at InsideDesk talks about what it takes to scale something new, why listening beats knowing, and how dental groups can stop leaving money on the table. It's a real look at product-building, partnerships, and learning on the fly. ------------------------------------------------...

Braden Wayne, Partner and Attorney at Steckler Wayne & Love Law Firm in Dallas, TX, sits down with Jonathan Tyroch and Sarah Keifer for an episode full of good stories, hard-earned lessons, and advice every dentist should hear. They cover everything from his early FBI and Supreme Court dreams to his slow glide into law, plus what he's learned along the way—about litigation, leadership, and what re...

Dr. Colleen Mohn, owner of Health Centered Dentistry in Midland, TX, talks about her early immersion in the MB2 Dental culture, her experiences transitioning into ownership, and the support she received from mentors in the company. She also discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing her career with motherhood. Furthermore, Dr. Mohn details the growth of her practice, the integration of new...

Kelley Birschbach, President of ProEdge Dental Waters Labs, didn't grow up dreaming about dental waterlines—but he's now leading the lab that handles more than 80% of the industry's testing. In this episode, we talk about how he ended up at ProEdge, what's changed since he first joined as a marketing manager, and what it looks like to actually build a company around people. From culture to complia...

You've heard the story of MB2 Dental—but maybe not like this. Dr. Chris Steven Villanueva, the company's Founder and CEO — or "Dr. V", as most know him, shares how a childhood shaped by discipline and disruption, a last-minute decision to enter dentistry, and a tight circle of friends led to the country's most respected dental partnership organization. Along the way, he reflects on putting his fam...

Dr. Jeff Cook—orthodontist, entrepreneur, and second-generation dentist—didn't exactly have a straight path to private practice ownership. From a childhood surrounded by jets on a Marine base to pursuing a degree in zoology with dreams of aviation, Dr. Cook eventually found his calling in orthodontics, joining his father in the same Yuma, Arizona practice that helped shape his upbringing. Tune in...

Chuck Cohen, Managing Director and third-generation owner of Benco Dental shares his experience growing up in the family business, starting out in the warehouse, and navigating the challenges of expanding a regional company into a national powerhouse. From dating to his deep passion for connecting with customers, Chuck's stories offer insight into what it takes to lead a company through decades of...

Chuck DiNardo, CEO of DDS Lab, joins us to talk about his path from medical devices to dental labs, the technology shaping the industry, and why culture is the foundation of a successful organization. From digital dentures to AI-driven workflows, Chuck shares insights on what's next for dental labs and how DDS Lab is keeping offices ahead of the curve. Plus, we dive into leadership, mentorship, an...

Dr. Ashley DeMarco , owner of Gulfside Dental & Orthodontics in Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Bridge City, TX, shares the twists and turns of her journey with MB2—from a unique job interview for an associate position t o becoming a n owner of multiple practices . As one of MB2's OG doctors, she talks about growing a practice in an unexpected market, the early days of MB2's expansion, and even how she...

MB2's Chief Revenue Officer Clint Ellenberg is back for another round to discuss what's happening with insurance right now and how dentists can ensure they're actually getting paid what they deserve.  Clint shares what he's seeing across the dental space, from reimbursement challenges to shifting views on in-network participation. We discuss how insurance affects practice profitability, why some d...

Ken Luce, Founding Partner and President of LDWW, a Dallas-based award-winning marketing and communications agency, built a marketing empire on the idea that good people—and good work —matter most. From launching brands to managing crises, his firm has handled it all, including high-stakes situations like an FBI hostage negotiation. In this episode, he shares how he built a people-first agency, wh...

The path for Logan Jack, Regional Vice President of Operations at MB2 Dental, to MB2, wasn't a straight line—from consulting to running practices to stepping into operations, he's tackled just about every challenge in the dental world. In this episode, we get into the unexpected connection that brought him to MB2, the lessons he's learned leading teams across multiple states, and what it takes to...

Paul Keel, CEO of Envista, joins the MB2 Underground podcast to talk about his unexpected journey from consulting and private equity to leading one of the biggest names in dental technology. With a background that spans 3M, Smiths Group, and global business leadership, Paul shares insights on navigating acquisitions, scaling companies, and the ever-evolving dental industry. He also dives into his...

Tammy Noah, MB2 Dental's Senior Director of Central Services,  didn't plan on a career in dental, but nearly 10 years later, she's played a major role in shaping MB2's central services. In this episode, she talks about leading several growing teams, such as Billing, Revenue Cycle, Credentialing, and more, as well as partnering on tech innovations like InsideDesk, and how the right mindset (and a l...

Dr. Greg Greenberg is an orthodontist with a fascinating journey in the dental field. Starting his career at age 31, he opened his first practice in Dallas , TX, and later expanded to Frisco, TX , strategically positioning himself in a rapidly growing area near the Dallas Cowboys' Star development. Inspired by his own orthodontist and influenced by his father's solo medical practice, Dr. Greenberg...

Dr. Kelly Tombs, an orthodontist and avid race car driver, shares his journey from rebuilding a 1964 MGB at 15 to competing in the 24 Hours of Daytona. He discusses his passion for dentistry, the importance of embracing new technologies like Invisalign, and his founding of Smiles Change Lives, a non-profit providing orthodontic care to underprivileged families. Dr. Tombs emphasizes the importance...

Nick Mahalec's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and adaptability. After finding success in the solar industry, he pivoted to e-commerce enablement, navigating the challenges of choosing the right capital partners. Now, with Pulse Equity, Nick is applying his problem-solving skills to the healthcare sector, developing tools that empower clinicians to maximize thei...

Florian Hillen, the CEO of Videa Health, initially pursued a career in medicine but ultimately decided to leave medical school after assisting in a neurosurgery procedure that made him realize the monotony of the job. He then founded a digital pregnancy app called Neenu and later became interested in applying AI to dentistry, leading him to pursue a master's degree in computer science at MIT. Hill...

Dr. Norman Poorman, a pediatric dentist from Abilene, Texas, shared his inspiring story. He and his wife Angel founded United Rescue Alliance, a nonprofit that provides disaster preparedness training and relief efforts globally. They also started a specialty coffee company, The One Cafe, which promotes transparency and fair-trade practices with Guatemalan farmers. Dr. Poorman discussed his passion...

Ethan Miller, the young CEO of the 134-year-old company Meisinger, discusses the company's history, his own background as a competitive skier, and how he is balancing the legacy of the business with innovation. Meisinger was founded in Germany in 1888 and manufactures precision dental instruments, evolving from steel to modern materials. As a fourth-generation leader, Ethan had to earn the trust o...

Kelly Boyd Rivera, the founder of Cadmus Dental Lab, shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey. After working at a previous dental lab for 11 years, she decided to start her own company in 2022 with just 7 employees. Despite the challenges, Cadmus has grown rapidly, reaching $60 million in sales this year. Kelly attributes this success to her team's commitment to integrity, relationships, and a...

Dylan Capshaw, son of our doctor partner, Dr. Amy Okun, is an 18-year-old entrepreneur from Scottsdale, Arizona, with an impressive story to tell. From starting a wildlife rescue in 5th grade to running a successful online flower business during the pandemic, Dylan has consistently demonstrated his drive and creativity. He then opened a unique coffee and flower shop called STEMistry, and began nav...