Podcast Episode #541: Advanced Practice Management: Influence, Growth, and Building Self-Managing Businesses – Dr. Chris Phelps
Episode #541: Dentist Freedom Blueprint Podcast
Advanced Practice Management: Influence, Growth, and Building Self-Managing Businesses – Dr. Chris Phelps
Joining us today is Dr. Chris Phelps, dentist, entrepreneur, and CEO of the Cialdini Institute. We explore the evolution from clinical practice to scalable, self-managing businesses. Chris shares how his first entrepreneurial breakthrough came from simplifying dense dental school material into condensed study guides—eventually monetizing his problem-solving ability. That same skillset has fueled the creation of multiple companies born from pain points in his own practice.
Listen in to gain powerful takeaways on using behavioral psychology to drive team performance and patient commitment, the transformative power of Kolbe assessments for building high-functioning teams, and how marketing strategy must begin with clarity around the ideal avatar. Dr. Chris Phelps emphasizes that real influence is less about charisma and more about the sequence and framing of conversations—whether you’re leading staff, attracting top talent, or improving patient show rates. This episode is a must-listen for practice owners looking to escape the grind, buy back their time, and lead with strategy—not stress.
Minute Markers:
02:33 – Introduction to Dr. Chris Phelps.
04:51 – What first inspired Chris to become an entrepreneur and problem solver.
06:15 – How information overload in dental school became the catalyst for simplification and mentorship.
08:24 – The value of solving a problem and how each business Chris has started, started from a pain point in his own practice.
10:10 – Balancing building businesses and family, and why you shouldn’t be the only one spinning plates.
12:23 – Kolbe training and it’s instrumental impact for Chris in hiring and his businesses successes.
14:01 – The importance of creating a job that fits a person and their strengths.
17:21 – How Chris’s initial success when starting his dental office was a blessing and a curse.
20:08 – Marketing yourself, your dental practice, and what to do when there’s a labor shortage.
24:06 – The work that Chris has done with Cialdini and principals of persuasion.
26:47 – Two forgotten principals: Liking and Consistency.
30:04 – What Sunrise Dental is, and how they help their clients both expand and exit practices.
34:50 – Why many practice owners are surprised when faced with a decrease in income after exiting practice.
Featured on the Show:
Dr. Chris Phelps Website | LinkedIn
Sunrise Dental Solutions
The Catalyst for exponential success (The Free For Life Masterclass)
Request the Path to Freedom Newsletter
Request Your Discovery Call
P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are some other ways I can help fast track you to your Freedom goal (you’re closer than you think) :
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:
Benchmark your retirement and wealth-building against hundreds of other practice professionals, and get personalized feedback on your biggest opportunities and leverage points. Go to www.FreedomFounders.com/Scorecard to take the 3 minute assessment and get your scorecard.
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.