The Making of a Dental Startup

About the Guest: Dr. Hiral Patel is the owner of Solid Smiles in Lewisville, Texas. As an "OG" member of The Making Of community, she transitioned from searching for acquisitions to building her own startup from the ground up in 2019. Episode Summary: Collin and Dr. Patel discuss the full evolution of a startup—from the first "silent" months in 2019 to a thriving, five-op practice seven years late...

The Money Deep Dive: Loans, Leverage, and the Cost of Day Zero Episode Summary: Happy New Year! We are officially in 2026, and we are kicking off the year with a masterclass in startup finance. To celebrate our recent win as Course Karma’s 2025 Best Facebook Group for Business Management , we are diving straight into the "Day Zero" realities of Dr. Toni Torres and Bloom Dental Co. In this episode,...

"Thank you for tuning in to the very last episode of The Making of Podcast 2025. I can't believe we're here! We are doing a rewind this week, going back to Episode 2 with Dr. Ashley Joves and Michael Arias. There has been so much going on behind the scenes. From Dr. Toni Torres’ daughter’s 5th birthday to Ashley and Brian’s anniversary. It was also my birthday yesterday! I’ve been hosting eight Au...

????️ The Pivot: Finding Your "Why" & The Origin of Smile & Co. (Rewind) "We are not promised tomorrow, so don't get stuck in the day-to-day stupid stuff. Go for your dreams." In the spirit of our favorite word here at The Making Of— PIVOT —Collin takes the mic for a solo intro to reflect on an emotional and transformative 2025. Between the rush of the holidays and the heavy reality of per...

EPISODE 10 — “AMA Part 2: Real Startup Questions, Real Answers” Collin steps in for Ashley and sits down with Dr. Toni Torres to finish the AMA questions doctors have been sending in after following Bloom Dental Co’s startup journey. This episode is packed with practical build-out advice (ops, cabinetry, sterile flow, signage), plus the very real frustrations of insurance denials—and how community...

In this week’s episode of The Making Of Bloom Dental Co., Dr. Ashley Joves and Dr. Toni Torres switch things up and dive into a full AMA-style conversation, answering the real questions doctors have been sending Toni as they follow her startup journey. If you’ve ever wondered about social media, associateship hours, pre-opening tasks, or what actually happens behind the scenes of those early start...

In this festive and refreshingly honest episode of The Making Of Podcast, Dr. Ashley and Collin take a step back from startup playbooks to talk life, business, and the chaos in between. What starts as a lighthearted holiday check-in quickly turns into an episode full of laughter, vulnerability, and lessons for every practice owner—especially as the year winds down. From decluttering your closets t...

Grand Openings, Team Dynamics, and Holiday Fun In this episode of The Making Of, Dr. Ashley Joves and Collin are joined by Dr. Toni Torres to discuss the latest updates and challenges at Bloom Dental Co. They discuss team dynamics, holiday plans, temp staffing solutions, and Dr. Torres’ upcoming grand opening event. The trio also dives into engaging topics such as personalized patient experiences,...

EPISODE 7 — “Full-Time, Fired Up, and Figuring It Out” In this episode of The Making Of Bloom Dental Co., Dr. Ashley Joves and Dr. Toni Torres dig deep into what it really means to go all-in on your startup. Toni drops a major update. From fine-tuning her team’s daily flow to balancing growing pains and unexpected wins, she walks us through exactly what it feels like to be three weeks in. This one...

???? EPISODE 6 — “Marketing, Mishaps, and Making It Happen” In this episode of The Making of Podcast, Dr. Ashley and Dr. Toni Torres dive deep into what it’s really like to get new patients through the door in the early days of practice ownership. Dr. Toni opens up about her third week of seeing patients at Bloom Dental Co., the tech hiccups she’s troubleshooting behind the scenes, and the (someti...

On this episode of 'The Making Of' Dr. Ashley Joves and Dr. Toni Torres sit down to discuss the exciting first day of Bloom Dental Co. Listen along to the ladies talk about the highs and the lessons learned. First Day Insights and Hurdles at Bloom Dental Co. In this episode of the Making of Podcast, co-host Ashley Joves discusses with Toni the journey leading up to and including her first day seei...

Building Bloom Dental Co: From Concept to Certification with Dr. Toni Torres In this episode of 'The Making of a Dental Startup,' host welcomes Dr. Toni Torres to discuss the real-time progress of her new practice, Bloom Dental Co. Dr. Torres shares updates on passing building and fire inspections, securing a certificate of occupancy, and navigating construction challenges. Key topics include tena...

The Making of a Dental Startup: Life Updates, Community Support, and Future Plans In this episode of 'The Making of a Dental Startup,' co-host Ashley Joves reunites with her right-hand woman, Collin, after more than a year. Ashley recaps Collin's journey from being her dental assistant to playing a crucial role in her various ventures, including in-person retreats and the 'Little Black Dress' podc...

Building a Dental Practice: Navigating Challenges and Triumphs with Dr. Toni Torres In this insightful episode of 'The Making of a Dental Startup,' the journey of Bloom Dental Co. continues with Dr. Toni Torres sharing her latest experiences. The episode begins with a series of light-hearted 'this or that' questions before diving into the serious business of setting up a dental practice. Key highl...

Navigating Dental Practice Setup: Equipment, Budgeting, and Consulting Insights This episode, Dr. Toni Torres details their journey of setting up a dental practice, focusing on the selection of operatory chairs, custom cabinetry, and other essential equipment. They discuss their decision-making process, including advice from mentors like Scott Leune. The challenges of managing a tight budget, secu...

This episode, Dr. Toni Torres details their journey of setting up a dental practice, focusing on the selection of operatory chairs, custom cabinetry, and other essential equipment. They discuss their decision-making process, including advice from mentors like Scott Leune. The challenges of managing a tight budget, securing a substantial loan, and dealing with construction and equipment delays are...

In this exciting episode of 'The Making of a Dental Startup,' co-host Ashley Joves returns from a hiatus to introduce Dr. Toni Torres, who shares her journey of creating Bloom Dental Co. in Henderson, Nevada. Dr. Torres talks about her background, the inspiration behind starting her own practice, and the challenges she has faced. She also discusses her experiences with social media, highlighting h...

In this deeply personal episode, Dr. Ashley Joves is joined by her husband, Dr. Brian Joves, just six days after his surgery for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Together, they share the emotional rollercoaster of the past month—from Ashley’s gut instinct and relentless advocacy to the medical whirlwind that followed. Brian bravely walks listeners through his diagnosis, surgery, and the critical impo...

‍ It’s the call you never expect: a loved one’s routine complaint turns your world upside down. In this raw, emotional episode, Dr. Ashley Joves invites you into her family’s recent journey: a journey that began with her husband Brian’s returning tongue pain and unraveled into weeks filled with anxiety, countless medical appointments, and a heart-stopping cancer scare. As a dentist, Ashley never i...

Type ‍ In this power-packed episode, Dr. Ashley Joves sits down with the one and only Dr. Anthony Price, also known as @memphisdentist , to talk all things branding, marketing, cosmetic dentistry, and redefining success on your own terms. From his early days working alongside his father to building one of the most recognizable brands in Memphis dentistry, Dr. Price shares his unfiltered journey—th...

In this episode of The Making Of, Drs. Ashley Joves and Brian Joves dives into the art and strategy of branding your dental practice. Drawing from her journey creating the Smile & Co. brand, Dr. Ashley shares the thought process, challenges, and lessons learned in building a practice that stands out. Branding isn’t just about choosing colors or designing a logo—it’s about creating a feeling, a...

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‍ Welcome to another cozy episode of "The Making Of," hosted by Ashley and Brian Joves. This episode is quite special as it’s a laid-back session recorded post-retreat, right from the comfort of their own couch! Dive into their casual yet deeply insightful conversation as they reflect on the recent retreat, discuss the nuances of community building, and the unique experiences that set this year's...

‍ In this powerhouse episode of "The Making Of," Dr. Ashley Joves sits down with the incredible Dr. Paul Etchison, a renowned dentist, coach, author, and podcast host. They dive deep into the realities of practice ownership, from building a $6 million dental practice to achieving work-life balance and everything in between. Paul shares his journey, the challenges he faced, and the lessons learned...

‍ ‍ ‍ Episode Summary: In this lively and personal episode of "The Making Of," Dr. Ashley Joves is joined by her husband, Brian Joves, as they dive into the latest happenings at Smile & Co., their recent family adventures, and the exciting upcoming retreat in Vail, Colorado. From discussing the growth of their dental practice to navigating the challenges of family vacations, this episode offer...