Podcast Episode #539: Building People First: Creating a High-Performance Dental Practice and Business – Dr. Matt VanderMolen
Episode #539: Dentist Freedom Blueprint Podcast
Building People First: Creating a High-Performance Dental Practice and Business – Dr. Matt VanderMolen
Want to know more about leadership, culture, and creating a business that thrives? Joining the show today to share his story is, Dr. Matt VanderMolen. From starting his dental career in the Navy, to building a top dental practice in Springfield, Illinois. Matt talks about why your team comes before the patient, and the importance of defining a clear mission within your business.
Dr. VanderMolen shares how his military background instilled a passion for structured advancement and people development, and how it inspired him to create a five-level system for his dental staff to empower them to grow in skills and leadership. True success comes not just from clinical excellence, but from fostering a culture where team members are developed, mission-driven, and inspired to advance. Matt also shares his unique approach to hiring (hint: he asks candidates if they are fast or slow walkers) and how culture, core values, and a clear mission are non-negotiables for attracting and retaining top talent.
Minute Markers:
01:44 – Introduction to Dr. Matt VanderMolen.
05:14 – How the Naval Academy’s premiere dental residency became a part of his pathway.
07:18 – What Matt learned about leadership from his time in the Navy.
10:32 – The journey from starting a small town practice to practicing in a larger city.
13:18 – The importance of your staff having a place to grow and the 5 level system Matt came up with.
15:36 – Culture and defining the purpose of your business.
18:01 – How all generations will still rally behind a mission and authenticity.
20:04 – The power of being in a “People Building” business.
24:38 – High performance and the crucial part of maintaining your high-level staff well.
26:14 – The value of mentorship and its necessity to grow as in individual.
31:41 – The number one problem in running a dental office.
39:03 – David’s experience with building a good work culture.
Featured on the Show:
Dr. Matt VanderMolen | Website
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In this episode, we finish up the second part of my interview with Rob Swanson and his eight rules of investing. (If you haven’t listened to part 1, be sure to go back and give that a listen before jumping into this one.) Today, we pick up where we left off, covering rules four through eight and talking about everything from decision-making to cash flow and risk reduction.
Listen in as Rob shares his incredible insight and experience in real estate and investing to give us a few rules that help make our decisions and investments more solid. You will hear about the importance of looking at margins before buying and what boxes need to be checked when it comes to predicting a solid income stream. Rob also discusses how to define and mitigate the different risks involved so that you can come out on top.
Alastair MacDonald is a private advisor to established entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners, as well as a TEDx speaker who lectures on economic, social, and financial forecasts. Join me today to hear part two of our conversation at the Freedom Founders Mastermind, where we dive into the concept of certainty, how to hedge against a volatile economy, and why the abdication model is no longer one that works.
Listen in to learn the reasons why Alastair is not worried about consumer price inflation (and what he’s really worried about instead) and why the 401(k) is not always the investment that it is made out to be. You’ll learn why he is most concerned about the issue of division and polarity in the Western world, why your business is your best asset in a volatile economy, and how you can maintain its viability to weather the most intense economic storm.
1. Get Your Free Retirement Scorecard:
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2. Attend A Workshop:
If you’re committed to Freedom, but still building a practice, paying down school debt, or growing investment capital, our hands-on Freedom Blueprint Workshops are your entrance ramp onto the fast track! Visit www.freedomfounders.com/workshop to claim your seat!
3. Apply To Visit The Mastermind:
If you’d like to join dozens of dentists, docs, and practice professionals on the fast track to Freedom (5-7 years max), visit www.freedomfounders.com/step-1 to apply for a seat.
4. Want to Work Directly with Me?
If you’d like to work directly with me and a small group of my closest investment colleagues, with direct access to the dealmakers and asset classes that I invest in, just send a message to my Executive Assistant (Lindsey@FreedomFounders.com), and put “Fast Access” in the subject line. Or, call (972) 203-6960 Ext 144 and leave a brief voicemail for Lindsey. Let her know you’re interested in the Fast Access program – we’ll set up a time with you to talk, find out about your goals, and see if there is a fit.