Dental Entrepreneur Woman - Winter2026

2026

Dental School Didn’t Teach And Why I Couldn’t Look Away

BY ROBYN DAMARIS

Winter Editor and Publisher

Anne M. Duffy, RDH

Project Manager

Tari Sixpence

Director of Operations & Business Development

Karla Moreno

Creative Consultant

Beth Linesch

Design and Layout

Brian Rummel

Production [CURAtive]

James B. Kennedy

Web Management

Golden Proportions

Cover Photo

Quinn Coble

Winter Contributors

Shelbey Arevalo

Dr. Sandra Calleros

Michelle Cummings

Robyn Damaris

Rio Esqueda

Shireen Firouzian

Katie Franklin

Kendra Glacken

Sara Mahmood

Brenda McNulty

Rachel Miller

Jaclyn Nona

Michelle Repash

Shalini Sethi

Lorie Streeter

Beverly Wilburn

Editorial Office

8334 Pineville Matthews Rd

Ste. 103-201

Charlotte, NC 28226

704-953-0261

Fax 704-847-3315

anneduffy@dew.life

Charter Sponsors A-dec Crest

Mary Fisher-Day

Inspired Hygiene

Patterson D5

Patterson Fuse Shofu

Advisory Board

Emeritus

Linda Miles

Advisory Board

Malika Azargoon

Kristie Boltz

Debora Carrier

Angela Davis-Sullivan

Dee Fisher

Brandi Hooker Evans JJ Litrell

Sara Ritchie

Aimee Vail

Beverly Wilburn

Ten years ago, DeW Life began with a simple but radical idea: that women in dentistry deserved a space where they could show up fully, not just as clinicians or professionals, but as whole humans.

What I couldn’t have predicted then was how deeply this community would shape not only careers, but lives.

As you move through the pages of this Winter issue, you’ll meet women who didn’t follow straight lines or tidy timelines. Women who trusted quiet nudges. Women who asked harder questions. Women who stayed when it was easier to leave, and left when staying no longer fit. Their stories are different, but the thread connecting them is unmistakable: they showed up.

You’ll read about the power of intention and identity through The Power of One Word, a story that reminds us how a single word, chosen quietly, personally, can become a compass over time. How words like Empower, Rise, Connect, Audacity, and Bold don’t just describe who we want to be, but teach us who we are becoming. That practice mirrors what so many women in this community do each year: pause, reflect, and recommit to growth that starts on the inside.

You’ll feel the depth of purpose in Robyn Damaris’ journey, a career shaped not by a straight ascent, but by curiosity, detours, service, and resilience. From a borrowed book to a storage-closet desk to leading teams that shape how dentistry shows up in the world, her story is a reminder that impact is rarely loud at first. It’s built by showing up consistently, even when no one is watching.

Michelle Repash takes us behind the curtain of dentistry’s most overlooked systems, naming what dental school never taught and why integrity matters most in the unseen work. Her story speaks to so many women who’ve felt the weight of holding practices together quietly, determined to bring ethics, clarity, and humanity into places where confusion once lived.

And in Kendra Glacken’s reflection on partnership, trust, and growth, we’re reminded that leadership is not about holding everything together alone. It’s about letting others see you, asking for help, allowing mentorship, learning that vulnerability is not a liability but a strength.

Michelle Cummings’ story of design, business, and purpose beautifully illustrates something we talk about often at DeW: your path does not need to be linear to be meaningful. The crooked paths, the career pivots, the instincts you can’t quite explain, they’re not distractions. They’re directions.

There are many more stories in this issue, and each one carries its own lesson. But together, they tell a collective truth I want to underline as we step into our next decade.

For 2026, my word is vulnerability.

Not vulnerability as oversharing. Not vulnerability as weakness. But vulnerability as showing up wholeheartedly. Showing up to conversations before you feel ready. Showing up to community instead of doing everything alone. Showing up to opportunities, writing, speaking, leading — even when your voice shakes. Because the truth is, the best parts of DeW Life don’t live only in these pages. They live when you raise your hand to write for the magazine.

When you say yes to being on the podcast.

When you log into DeW Connect calls and actually speak.

When you commit to your Mastermind and stay engaged.

When you participate in the private Facebook group, asking questions, offering support, sharing wins and struggles alike.

This is where the magic happens.

As we celebrate 10 years of Dental Entrepreneur Woman, I don’t want this to be a moment we simply commemorate. I want it to be a year we activate.

Ten years of women sharing stories that might otherwise stay hidden.

Ten years of choosing community over isolation.

Ten years of leadership that looks human, grounded, and real.

And now, I want to hear from you. Your story. Your voice. Your becoming.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you belong here, let this be your answer: you already do. But belonging deepens when you show up.

So as we step into this next chapter together, my invitation is simple and sincere:

Show up, vulnerably, imperfectly, wholeheartedly. We’ll meet you there.

With gratitude and belief in what’s ahead,

Love, Anne Duffy

Winter 2026

MAKING MY IMPACT: A LIFE SHAPED BY ADVERTISING & PURPOSE

When I look back at my career, I realize making an impact rarely follows a straight line. Sometimes it winds through humbling detours, unexpected decisions, and moments when someone takes a chance on you that you never thought to take on yourself. My path has taught me that meaningful work isn’t about the industry you land in – it’s about showing up where you’re needed, over and over again.

My journey began with a book.

I was a straight-A student in high school; school came easy to me and I coasted through classes with ease, which is a nice way to say I was utterly bored out of my mind. My marketing teacher, Mr. Eric Peterson, noticed. One day, as I trudged out of his classroom, he stopped me and handed me a book: Ogilvy on Advertising. “I have an extracurricular assignment for you,” he said. He told me to simply read the book, absorb it, and then tell him what I thought about it. Simple, yet profound (he was a great teacher). I don’t think either of us realized it then, but that moment changed the trajectory of my life.

The book, written by advertising legend David Ogilvy, introduced me to the transformative power of creative work. Two stories in particular stayed with me. The first was about Volkswagen, the struggling car manufacturer attempting to get a foothold in the automobile market in post-World War II Germany. Because of the role Germany played during WWII, the world ignored German products, and Americans especially wanted nothing to do with them. But Volkswagen dared to ask Ogilvy for help.

The result? A bold ad featuring a yellow Volkswagen Beetle with the word “Lemon” emblazoned across it. The

By Robyn Damaris Director of Operations Phoenix Dental Agency

self-deprecating humor was unexpected and brilliant. But what was most impressive?

It worked.

That single ad didn’t just sell cars – it revived an entire country’s economy. Manufacturing opened, the job market began to stabilize, and Germany went from financial despair to renewed hope in a single campaign. One ad, one idea, made an undeniable impact.

The second story in Ogilvy’s book was about Puerto Rico. At the time, perceived as dangerous and undesirable, the island was in an economic crisis, unable to attract tourism. Ogilvy again stepped in. Through a series of ads, he showcased Puerto Rico’s beauty — its beaches, culture, and vibrancy.

Tourism exploded. Puerto Rico became a destination for American beachgoers. Again, advertising changed lives.

When I read these stories as a teenager, I realized something profound: I wanted to do that. I wanted to create work that made people think, that solved problems, that changed lives. I decided then and there that advertising wasn’t just a job – it was a calling.

After earning my degree in advertising, I landed a job at Young & Rubicam, one of the largest ad agencies in the world. I got to work on the Hot Wheels account. It was my dream — until it wasn’t. On my fourth day, the agency lost a major client, and since I was the newest hire, I was the first to be let go. I’ll always remember the humiliation of walking out of that office with a check and a letter in hand, my dreams temporarily shattered.

From there, I spent the next few years bouncing between uninspiring gigs just to help put food on the table. Those years were humbling but also formative. The problem solving skills I gained as a Girl Scout in my youth became more important than ever (thanks, Mom!).

Each position taught me something new — from understanding clients’ unspoken needs to the importance of clear communication in building trust. But eventually I landed a job working with Dr. Gale D. Kloeffler, a TMJ specialist who was well into his 80s and practiced with his wife out of a modest dental office that still used paper charts and a typewriter. He only treated workers’ comp cases - some of the most challenging in dentistry - and he fought fiercely for every patient, even though he could barely stand for more than two hours at a time. One patient, a special education teacher whose jaw had been fractured in a classroom accident, shared how nerve damage altered her personality and unraveled her life. I watched as Dr. Kloeffler slowly helped her heal - not just physically, but emotionally. I wasn’t a medical person (and teeth honestly grossed me out), but that year and a half showed me how powerful and life-changing dentistry could be. Dr. Kloeffler never stopped fighting for the little guy, right up until the day he died. I was proud to work for him.

Then life threw me a curveball: my father, who was disabled since my childhood, needed care. My mother, his full-time caregiver, required surgery, and they lived 1,100 miles away. I was torn between my advancing career and taking care of my family.

My husband made the decision for me. He came home from work the next day and announced he’d quit his job and rented a U-Haul. “We’re moving back to take care of your parents,” he said. He knew deep down in my heart that’s where I wanted, and needed, to be. A week later, we

were on the road, and we moved from Southern California back to the Pacific Northwest. It was terrifying and beautiful all at once.

Back home, I scoured the classifieds for marketing jobs and stumbled upon an opening for a project manager at a local agency called Productive Dentist Academy. I walked into the interview and immediately hit it off with the team leads, Victoria Peterson and Regan Robertson. After two hours of talking about marketing, dentistry, and my portfolio, Victoria admitted… they’d filled the position the day before.

“But I really like you,” she said. “Show up tomorrow, and I’ll find something for you to do.”

That’s how I started working in the storage closet at Productive Dentist Academy. My first desk was wedged between boxes. I wasn’t even technically in marketing yet – I was assisting the bookkeeper. But I didn’t care. It felt right, like I knew I’d found my place.

Over the years, I worked my way up. I moved from bookkeeping to design, from design to strategy, and eventually, to shaping the way dentistry communicates with the world. My work wasn’t flashy, but it was meaningful.

Dentistry saves lives. Early detection of oral health issues can prevent serious diseases. But for people to seek care, they need to feel a personal connection to their dentist. My job was to create those connections. Through authentic ads, videos, and campaigns, I helped dentists show patients why oral health matters.

I’ve calculated that, over the last decade, I’ve helped sell more dentistry to more people than any other single individual. That’s not hyperbole. Those visits to the dentist represent healthier lives, prevented illnesses, and confident smiles. The campaigns I create for the dentists we work with – just like those Volkswagen and Puerto Rico ads – make a tremendous impact.

But the journey didn’t stop there. Leading teams became an essential part of my growth. As I moved into leadership roles, I discovered a new kind of fulfillment: empowering others to do their best work. At Phoenix Dental Agency, we believe marketing is more than just strategy and execution — it’s about building trust and creating experiences that resonate. Watching my team collaborate, innovate, and tackle challenges head-on is as rewarding as the creative process itself.

One of my all-time favorite campaigns was with Dr. Ryan Yakowicz, a former football player who became a dentist after losing his teeth in a game and being inspired by the dentist who treated him. Practicing in a small Wisconsin town, Dr. Yakowicz wanted to make a meaningful impact – especially with local families and kids. Together, we launched a $10 concussion prevention campaign that offered custom mouthguards for young athletes. It wasn’t just about dental care – it was about showing up for the community. Dr. Yakowicz spoke at schools, connected with students, and became a trusted figure in town. The campaign brought families through the doors and built lasting relationships. What made it so successful wasn’t the strategy on paper – it was his genuine passion and team buy-in. That’s the magic of grassroots marketing: small effort, big heart, long-term impact.

My journey from a bored high-school student to a dental marketing leader wasn’t planned. It was a series of open doors, unexpected turns, and a willingness to take risks and grow. Looking back, I’m grateful for the seemingly

small moments that shaped my journey: Mr. Peterson handing me David Ogilvy’s book, working with Dr. Gale D. Kloeffler, my husband taking the ultimate leap of faith, Victoria giving me a chance at PDA. Each one was a spark that led to something greater. Your path won’t be linear. Embrace the detours. Learn from every experience. And never underestimate the power of showing up - even if it’s in a storage closet.

Now, 13 years into my career, I know I’ve found my purpose. Advertising isn’t just about selling products –it’s about telling authentic stories, creating change, and, yes, making an impact.

But impact looks different in every chapter of life.

In early 2025, I learned that I have multiple sclerosis, the same condition my father lived with. While the news required adjustment, it also reinforced something I’ve long believed: impact isn’t measured by the challenges we face, but by how we choose to respond to them. This diagnosis hasn’t slowed my mission or dimmed my purpose. If anything, it has sharpened my focus on what matters most, using my work to help improve lives. My life of impact is defined by the patients whose lives I’ve been able to help change, and that’s greater than my own struggle.

Recognize the challenges in your own life. Resilience doesn’t mean avoiding hardship, it means meeting it head-on, with a full heart and total confidence. I’ve overcome setbacks, reinvented my path more than once, and built something incredibly meaningful from a storage closet. I still believe the most important work of my life is ahead of me.

If there’s one thing I hope people take from my story, it’s this: figure out where you can make your own impact. It doesn’t matter if it’s through advertising, dental hygiene, teaching, or coaching. What matters is doing something you love, something that leaves the world a little better than you found it.

About the author:

Robyn Damaris is the Director of Operations for Phoenix Dental Agency – the comprehensive marketing arm of Productive Dentist Academy. With a passion for aligning marketing strategies with practice goals, Robyn oversees a holistic approach that helps dentists clarify their message, connect authentically with patients, and achieve sustainable growth. Under her leadership, Phoenix Dental Agency has become known for its ability to transform dental marketing into an energizing and results-driven experience, ensuring practices are not only seen but celebrated in their communities.

HOW A DECADE-LONG CONNECTION DEFINED MY PATH IN DENTISTRY

By Kendra Glacken

They always say that your life changes when you least expect it, and for me, everything changed with a simple phone call.

You wouldn’t think that applying for a job at a dental billing company would have such a long-lasting impact – I was just hoping for a new chapter. Before I applied to be a revenue specialist at Bond Dental Billing, I was working as an office manager in a dental practice in the greater Seattle area, commuting long hours, juggling responsibilities, and constantly putting everyone else first. It’s a story so many office managers can relate to: you’re holding it all together for everyone else, but deep down, you’re running on fumes.

One day, I came across a post from Ashley Bond on Facebook, and something about it clicked immediately. Within an hour, my résumé was in her inbox. I didn’t know exactly where it would lead, but I knew I wanted to be part of whatever she was building.

A few days later, I got a call from a number I didn’t recognize. When I answered, I heard, “Hi, this is Ashley Bond!” She told me she had watched my video interview and had this inkling that I was going to be her next W2 employee, not just a biller. She admitted the position was still being created and didn’t even know what the role or title would be yet, but she said, “I just know it’s going to be great.”

We talked like old friends. Something about her energy felt familiar, like the big sister I never had. I didn’t know her, had never met her in person, and yet I trusted her completely. Right there on the phone, before even seeing an offer letter, I said yes.

That leap of faith changed everything for me.

Finding My Footing

The early days at Bond were a whirlwind. Shifting to remote work was a huge adjustment both personally and professionally. I had to figure out what worked for me, how to stay organized digitally, and how to manage my time across different time zones and client needs. Every day brought new challenges: credentialing issues, clearinghouse problems, even embezzlement cases. I often found myself thinking, How did I end up being the person people call to fix this?

But Ashley was my guiding force. She mentored me constantly, pouring into my development while giving me freedom to figure things out on my own. She trusted me to build and run my department and to make the onboarding process my own. That kind of autonomy and belief in me, especially so early on, was transformative. She didn’t just give me a job, she gave me space to grow.

Looking back, I realize I was in my mid-20’s managing a team of people old enough to be my mom (sorry, Mom!). Sure, I had drive and passion, but I was also a little naïve. My leadership style was what I now call “the tyranny of the urgent,” meaning I was reactionary, always putting out fires and addressing only what was right in front of me. Over time, that changed. I learned that leadership isn’t just about being available for everyone else; it’s about being intentional. You can’t pour into others if your own cup is empty.

The Power of Permission to Fail

One of the biggest lessons I learned early on was that it’s okay to mess up. As a recovering perfectionist, that was hard to accept. I was suddenly serving dental practices

nationwide, representing a growing business, and I didn’t want to be the person who got it wrong.

Ashley reminded me that mistakes don’t define you; how you respond to them does. There’s power in grace and in allowing yourself to show up authentically, even when you stumble. That mindset has shaped the way I lead, communicate, and connect with others. I learned to laugh more, forgive faster, and stay rooted in purpose rather than perfection.

Chaos, Grass Walls, and Grace

One of my favorite memories from those early days was AADOM 2023. It was the company’s second year attending, but my first time experiencing it with the team. We’d spent months planning and coordinating every little detail. When we arrived, half the supplies didn’t make it, and our beautiful grass wall backdrop refused to stay up no matter what we tried.

It could’ve been a total disaster, but instead, it became one of those unforgettable bonding moments. We laughed and made the best of what we had. We focused on connecting with people instead of obsessing over perfection. Looking back, that moment perfectly captured who we were — innovative, resourceful, and full of heart.

That experience taught me something vital: success isn’t about things going perfectly. Sometimes the most meaningful memories come from the messy moments in between.

Becoming Wisdom

When Bond transitioned to Wisdom, it wasn’t just a rebrand. It was a personal turning point. The shift forced me to look inward and to ask who I was becoming, not just as an employee, but as a person. Growth isn’t comfortable, but it’s necessary. I like to say, “Get comfortable being uncomfortable,” because that’s exactly what that season required.

The first year as Wisdom was intense. New systems, new leadership, new people — it felt like everything changed at lightning speed. But through it all, Ashley and I had this unspoken rhythm, this almost telepathic understanding of each other. We’d say things like, “You got me, right?” and somehow the other person always knew exactly what needed to happen.

There were plenty of tears, doubts, and “Are we crazy?” moments, but underneath it all was an unshakeable belief that we were building something meaningful. That

season taught me that our partnership is built on belief: in the mission, in each other, and in the idea that what we’re doing matters.

And it still does. Maybe even more now than ever before.

The Anatomy of a Partnership

From day one, Ashley and I have had this unspoken understanding that we were meant to build something bigger than ourselves.

She’s the big-picture dreamer; I’m the structure and relationship builder. We complement each other perfectly because we lead from the same core values: doing good work for good people.

I’ll never forget one call during a particularly difficult season. I was managing team transitions, growth goals, and some personal challenges. I was trying to keep everything together, and Ashley stopped mid-sentence and said, “You don’t have to hold it all together to be valuable.”

I’ll never forget that moment; it reminded me that real leadership is human. That’s the kind of space I try to create for my own team now — the reminder that who they are matters just as much as what they do.

The Glow-Up

Over the years, Ashley and I have grown in confidence, in how we show up, and in how we use our voices. We push each other to step outside our comfort zones, sometimes literally (Yes, I once made her do karaoke onstage with a live band. She survived, and honestly, she crushed it!).

Now, as we prepare for a six-hour co-speaking

engagement, we’re equally nervous and excited, but that’s what growth looks like. We keep betting on ourselves and each other, no matter how scary it feels.

Leading with Wisdom

Today, I lead Partnerships at Wisdom Dental Billing, and it feels like the most natural extension of everything I’ve ever done. In the beginning, I built trust one-on-one with clients. Now, I get to build it at scale, partnering with consultants, coaches, and leaders across the dental industry to create something bigger together.

Every chapter leading up to now has prepared me for this. My time in the practice gave me empathy, operations taught me structure, onboarding taught me the power of relationships, and now partnerships allow me to bring it all together – blending strategy, creativity, and genuine human connection.

It’s incredibly fulfilling to see how the trust I once built with individual offices has rippled outward – connecting and strengthening an entire community.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

If I could go back and talk to my younger self — the one who said yes to a stranger over the phone, I’d tell her this: take

D eW DATES

Mark your calendars:

Smiles at Sea

February 4 - 9, 2026 Cozumel, Mexico

2026 Midwinter Meeting February 19-21, 2026 Chicago, IL

The Denobi Awards February 28, 2026

Portland, OR

Women in DSO Annual Conference March 5-7, 2026 Las Vegas, NV

the leap. The universe rewards courage. You don’t have to have it all figured out; you just have to trust yourself enough to say yes when it feels right.

And to every woman reading this: whether you’re leading a business, a team, or just yourself through a season of change, remember this: your intuition is your superpower. Listen to it, bet on yourself, and surround yourself with people who see your potential before you do.

When I look at everything we’ve built over the past decade, I can’t feel anything but gratitude. Every twist, every turn, every leap of faith brought me here. And I wouldn’t trade any of it for the world.

About the author:

Kendra Glacken leads Partnerships at Wisdom, where she works closely with industry partners to help dental practices run smoother and smarter. With a background in dental operations, she’s passionate about building meaningful relationships and practical solutions. Outside of work, Kendra loves checking out from reality and exploring the waterways of Washington by boat with her boyfriend, Chase, and their dog, Captain—she also loves cooking and tackling any type of DIY projects.

Thomas P Hinman Dental Meeting

March 12-14, 2026 Atlanta, GA

American Dental Education Association March 21-24, 2026, Montréal, Canada

CE on the Beach

June 26-27 2026 Maui, HI

If you want to arrange a meetup, please email anneduffy@dew.life for a complete updated list of dew dates go to the private FB DeW Life crew page.

THANK YOU!

DeW Life Retreat 2025 Was A Great Success!

We at DeW are deeply grateful to our 2025 Retreat sponsors whose commitment made this gathering possible. Their support reflects more than partnership, it reflects a belief in the power of women in dentistry and the importance of creating spaces where connection, growth, and leadership can thrive. By standing with us year after year, they help ensure that this community continues to grow stronger, more visible, and more impactful in shaping the future of our profession.

November 13-15 Charlotte, NC

See You In 2026!

DEW Dish

Shelbey Arevalo Founder/CEO-

National Dental Advocacy Program

501c3 & Elite Dental Systems elitedentalsystems.com

What’s your favorite part of the work you do, and why does it light you up?

"My favorite part of the work I do is bridging the gap between providers and patients. On one side, through Elite Dental Systems, I help dentists and their teams create billing systems that are clear, compliant, and financially healthy—because when providers thrive, they’re able to deliver better care. On the other side, as a Board-Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) and founder of the National Dental Advocacy Program, I get to stand shoulder-toshoulder with patients, helping them navigate insurance, treatment planning, and access to care.

What lights me up is seeing the transformation that happens when clarity replaces confusion. A provider who once felt overwhelmed by billing suddenly has systems that bring stability and growth. A patient who once felt powerless now has the tools and support to advocate for their health. Both sides find relief, confidence, and empowerment—and being the connector that makes that possible is what fuels me every single day."

Tell us about a woman who’s deeply influenced your life or career. What did she teach you?

The woman who has most deeply influenced my life is my mother. As a single mother, she modeled resilience, responsibility, and a tireless work ethic. She made sure her children never went without, no matter the circumstances. Watching her strength and determination taught me the value of perseverance and the importance of providing stability for those you love. Today, as a single mother

myself, I strive to carry forward those same lessons for my daughter—showing her that hard work, sacrifice, and dedication can build not only a career, but also a life rooted in love and security.

How do you personally define success—and how do you know when you’ve hit it?

I define success as the balance of two things: knowing I’ve positively impacted patients’ lives while also driving financial success for providers. When patients feel seen, supported, and empowered—and providers have thriving systems that allow them to focus on care—I know I’ve achieved what I set out to do.

What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is imposter syndrome—the fear of not being “enough” in a field full of talented professionals. I overcame it by leaning into what makes me different: doing something unique, following my passions, and stepping into uncharted territory. It’s not always easy and often scary, but it’s also exciting. By focusing on filling the gaps and offering services that others aren’t, I’ve found both my value and my voice.

What’s a quote or personal motto that keeps you grounded or inspired?

“There’s no such thing as failure—only lessons that prepare you for your next success.” This perspective keeps me grounded, especially when navigating uncharted territory in my career. It reminds me to view challenges as opportunities for growth, and it’s a mindset I carry into both my advocacy with patients and my consulting work with providers.

What inspired you to join the DeW Life community? What called you to become a DeW?

I was drawn to the sisterhood and sense of community that DeW Life represents. In both my consulting work with providers and my advocacy work with patients, I know how powerful it is when women come together to support and uplift one another. DeW offers that same strength—a space where we can share, learn, and grow side by side. Being part of this community feels like belonging to something bigger than myself.

Dr. Sara Mahmood

Founder & CEO brush365 & ZENITH www.sarathedentist.com @zenithdfw, @dentalinjurytexas, @brush365dental @sarathedentist___ @suresmilesuperstar

What’s your favorite part of the work you do, and why does it light you up?

The journey itself is the joy. Every day in healthcare leadership challenges me to refine systems, innovate, and grow—not just as a clinician, but as an executive. The constant pursuit of improvement keeps me energized. Entrepreneurship in healthcare is the greatest personal and professional development tool. It really forces you to stretch, adapt, and elevate, all while creating meaningful impact for patients and teams. That daily growth, compounded over time, is what truly lights me up.

Tell us about a woman who’s deeply influenced your life or career. What did she teach you?

It would have to be my sister. When we were young, we endured the deep trauma of losing our little brother in a car accident. That loss shaped us, but it also forged an unbreakable bond between us. To this day, she is my person—my best friend, my biggest fan, and the one I trust most. She reminds me of resilience, love, and perspective in every season of life. In my world, she’s my Oprah—the voice of wisdom, encouragement, and truth when I need it most.

How do you personally define success—and how do you know when you’ve hit it?

For me, success isn’t a finish line—it’s a mindset. I feel profoundly grateful for the blessings in my life—my husband, my children, our home, and the life we’ve built together. At the same time, I carry a deep drive to create meaningful, positive impact through my work. I don’t believe success erases challenges; if anything, the lows give depth and perspective that make the highs even more meaningful. True success is

found in that balance—being relentlessly determined to do more while holding an unshakable sense of gratitude along the way.

What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

The challenge is the here and now. Growing a business can feel incredibly lonely. Entrepreneurship is demanding in ways that friends outside of it often can’t fully understand. Layer in raising a young family at the same time, and that sense of isolation can compound. What’s helped me is seeking out communities of women who are walking similar paths. That’s why DeW is so meaningful. It reminds us that we’re not alone, that our struggles are shared, and that there’s strength in being seen by people who truly understand.

What’s your go-to way to reset when you’re having a rough day?

There’s no better antidote for me than being home with my family. The greatest peace I’ve ever known is simply being with my husband and our kids in the safety of our home. That’s my reset. And if I need a little extra, a long hot shower always does the trick—it’s my time to think, breathe, and let the heaviness of the day wash away.

What advice would you give someone starting their journey in your field today?

My advice is simple: bet on yourself. Too many people talk themselves out of opportunities because they’re scared, but fear is usually a sign you’re headed in the right direction. If it feels uncomfortable, that’s where the growth happens. And remember—whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right. The only limits that exist are the ones you place on yourself.

What are the strengths you lean into most in your life and work? (Think about your natural gifts or the traits you’ve grown into—what helps you thrive?)

I recently took a personality test that said I’m “enormously intolerant of inefficiency”—and honestly, I see that as one of my greatest strengths. That drive for operational efficiency has allowed me to scale practices with focus and discipline, while also keeping things running smoothly at home with three little kids and all the moving parts of our lives. I thrive when systems are streamlined, people are empowered, and energy isn’t wasted.

What inspired you to join the DeW Life community? What called you to become a DeW?

I first heard about DeW over a year ago, but it wasn’t until I attended the mastermind at the Super Dentist Boot Camp that it really clicked for me. The energy in that room, the sense of community, and the way the women showed up for one another was so powerful. I left feeling inspired and supported in a way I hadn’t experienced before—and I knew in that moment I wanted to be part of DeW.

Rio Esqueda

Chief of Operations - Restfull www.linkedin.com/in/rioesqueda

What’s your favorite part of the work you do, and why does it light you up?

My people! Operations is fun when you have a bunch of skilled team members who have different qualities and you get to utilize them to their fullest potential when you understand what motivates and excites them! Leveraging my team and making them feel successful is what lights me up!

Tell us about a woman who’s deeply influenced your life or career. What did she teach you?

My first career I was a professional dancer. My dance instructor, Kathi Nallia, taught me to always say, yes I can, (and then figure it out later). Fake it til you make it....that sounds like cheating but reality is, most of us have more potential then we give ourselves credit for. I have found that most professionals are actually highly under qualified in the leadership positions they hold, but they got to that point by personifying who they wanted to be! (even if they weren't quite there yet)

How do you personally define success—and how do you know when you’ve hit it?

I hit success when I could afford whatever toilet paper I wanted! Jokes aside, on a deeper level, being able to focus on the positive of each situation, makes me feel successful.

What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

I was at a fork in the road once on whether to continue building what I had been building, or retire from the project

to focus on my family. I chose both, however I didn't do it the way my husband at the time wanted me to. I had to make some tough decisions, but I overcame it by reminding myself how much effort and energy I had spent getting to this fork in the road. Was anyone going to work harder than me to get me where I wanted? I had to bet on myself.

What’s your go-to way to reset when you’re having a rough day?

YOGA AND MY DOG!

What’s a quote or personal motto that keeps you grounded or inspired?

While you were all arguing whether the glass was half empty or half full.....I sold it. Actions speak louder than words.

What’s your walk-on stage anthem—the song that pumps you up?

"Work Bitch" - Brittany Spears

What’s one guilty pleasure that always brings you joy (no guilt allowed!)?

Fantasizing about when I sell my company and go to Costa RIca!

What movie or TV show always makes you laugh no matter how many times you’ve seen it?

Curb your enthusiasm

What inspired you to join the DeW Life community? What called you to become a DeW?

Strong women doing hard things! I wanted to meet more of them and not feel alone!

Sandra Calleros DDS

Owner Calleros Dental

www.drcalleros.com Callerosdental for Instagram

What’s your favorite part of the work you do, and why does it light you up?

I love doing cosmetic dentistry. Seeing a patient cry from happiness is a lot more rewarding than seeing a patient cry from fear.

Tell us about a woman who’s deeply influenced your life or career. What did she teach you?

I worked with Bethany Piziks as my coach. She's a retired dentist who coaches dentists. She's helped me get through so many transitions, goals, visions, both in my business and personally. As a dentist who owned her own practice herself, she understand what I go through day to day, week to week, and year to year.. She taught me how to be a leader and how to accomplish my life vision.

How do you personally define success—and how do you know when you’ve hit it?

I define success as waking up, feeling happy and peaceful, and looking forward to what I have planned for my day. I feel successful when everything is working out the way that I want it to, not as something that just happens to me. Success means I have a say in my life's outcome.

What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

There were many challenges over the years but the biggest challenges for me have been with team issues. Those were the most stressful. I overcame it with the help of Bethany, a supportive husband, and legal advice.

What’s your go-to way to reset when you’re having a rough day?

"Breathe, and the experience to know it won't last.

""This too shall pass"". "

What advice would you give someone starting their journey in your field today?

Find a mentor, don't skimp on continuing education, learn to write and create a vision for your future, meditate daily, consistent exercise, eat healthy, and surround yourself with people who lift you up.

What does real work-life harmony look like for you these days?

These days, at my age, it looks like working on patients 2 days per week, doing the procedures I love to do and the rest of the week playing tennis and pickleball, spending time with my husband, kids, grandkids, and friends. On the non-clinical days, there are meetings, payroll, admin, and working with my marketing director. My days in the office are Tuesday and Wednesday, so I would say I have very long weekends :)

What’s the most meaningful gift you’ve ever received—and what made it so special?

My children. Children are a blessing.

What inspired you to join the DeW Life community? What called you to become a DeW?

Early in my career, I did not have a mentor or feel like I had support of any kind. I truly appreciate the power of a group of supportive women, even at this point in my career. The energy is inspiring and I hope I can give back and inspire other women myself.

What are the strengths you lean into most in your life and work? (Think about your natural gifts or the traits you’ve grown into—what helps you thrive ?)

Grit, perseverance, a belief that it'll all work out for the best, humility, the pursuit of joy and happiness, and not letting negative situations and people control my mind.

Shireen Firouzian

Business Partner for Firouzian Dentistry

Firouzian Dentistry

ColumbusCosmeticDental.com

Instagram firouziandds

What’s your favorite part of the work you do, and why does it light you up?

Patients are always my favorite part of what we do and it lights me up because we can transform smiles with cosmetic dentistry, impact patients quality of life with pain relief of debilitating TMJ Disorders and improve longevity by diagnosing and addressing Obstructive Sleep Apnea in adults and preventing it in children.

Tell us about a woman who’s deeply influenced your life or career. What did she teach you?

My mother is probably the greatest influence in my life and career. She taught me to stay committed to your belief even when obstacles arise and to always stay true to your authenticity. No matter how many obstacles she had, they only strengthen her resolve to succeed at anything she attempted and she remained calm which I find myself returning to and being reminded to.

How do you personally define success—and how do you know when you’ve hit it?

I define success by keeping my mind focused on the gratitude I have for the opportunity to interact with our patients. Our true success lies in our ability to communicate effectively with them, ensuring they gain the clear information necessary to make informed decisions about their condition. Communication is a gift; the lack of it is where we fail, and the mastery of it is where we succeed. We are privileged to be a part of our patients' lives because they choose us. Being fully present for them, meticulously gathering information, and then delivering an efficient and comprehensible communication of their condition makes

the world of difference in accessing and utilizing the best available treatments today. While it is incredible to have the best-trained team, state-of-the-art equipment, and advanced diagnostic tools, if we cannot deliver an efficient and effective communication of that value and information to our patients, its impact is diminished.

What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

"The most significant challenge I've encountered in my career stems from the unique role I took on within our dental practice, which we founded. While my formal degree is in accounting, my professional life shifted when my husband, Mike, chose to establish the practice. As partners, we saw this venture as our ""second child,"" with the crucial difference being that, unlike our children, our practice continually grows(in size), demanding our corresponding evolution.

The challenge intensified when I moved from managing the business aspects externally to working full-time in the office. Navigating the perception of being ""the wife"" required me to re-establish my professional standing. My answer was relentless learning and education, ensuring I grew alongside my husband's three decades of clinical expertise. I focused intently on mastering effective patient communication regarding clinical knowledge, serving as a vital support and translator for both Mike and our team. Through the evolution of our practice and the natural changes in staff over the years, I've proven my commitment, becoming one of the practice's longeststanding contributors.

I clearly recall the first time a long-term team member resigned for another opportunity. The change, though common in our field (we have had team members with us 22-20-17yrs), felt devastating at the moment. As I look back, that initial reaction seems disproportionate, yet it revealed the depth of my investment in our team. Mike, recognizing my distress, offered a simple but enduring affirmation: ""I want you to remember that at the end of the day, it is just me and you in this together."" This statement, reflecting his appreciation for the stability I bring to our partnership, has stayed with me for years. It serves as a constant anchor and a powerful affirmation of the fundamental 'why' behind our shared mission."

What inspired you to join the DeW Life community? What called you to become a DeW?

A few years ago, my dear friend, Joanna Scott, invited me to a Dew event in her home. It was there that I finally met Anne in person, having first seen her during a COVID-era webinar. Being in her presence, I could immediately feel the incredible, positive energy that Anne projected and Joanna championed. During that visit, I had the opportunity to learn about Anne’s journey and her inspiring mission. I believe this connection was another instance where I followed my intuition, and once again, it has proven itself invaluable.

dr. Shalini Sethi

Periodontist

Dr.Shalini Sethi's Brite Smile shallbtrendy

What’s your favorite part of the work you do, and why does it light you up?

"Being a periodontist lights me up because I get to transform more than just smiles—I help restore confidence, comfort, and quality of life. I love that my work uses and combines science, artistry, and compassion.

What I love most about my job is the relationships I build. I meet patients who are often anxious, self-conscious, or in pain, and I help guide them through healing—physically and emotionally. Seeing someone walk in covering their mouth and eventually leave smiling freely never gets old. That moment—when a patient sees their new smile or feels relief for the first time in years—reminds me exactly why I chose this profession.

I also love the precision and challenge periodontics brings. Whether I'm placing implants, restoring bone, creating harmony in the gums, or designing a full-mouth rehabilitation, every procedure is like a carefully planned and executed puzzle. There’s something incredibly rewarding about using meticulous skill to rebuild something that’s been lost.

And beyond procedures, I love educating patients. Helping someone understand the link between oral health and overall health, and seeing them become an active partner in their own care, is one of the most fulfilling parts of what I do."

Tell us about a woman who’s deeply influenced your life or career. What did she teach you?

"My mom taught me what resilience, courage, and independence truly look like. My parents came to this country as immigrants from India, and faced uncertainty, financial

setbacks, cultural and social challenges, all which made circumstances hard and unpredictable. Yet, instead of letting those challenges define her, she chose to define herself.

She didn’t just look for another job—she created opportunity. She became an entrepreneur, built her own businesses, and proved that security and success aren’t always found—they can be built with vision, grit, and determination. Watching her start over again and again, never losing hope, and finally creating something of her own taught me that hardships don’t have to break you—they can build you.

She showed me that being an entrepreneur isn’t just about owning a business—it’s about owning your future.

What inspires me most is that she did it all while holding onto her values: integrity and humility. She chased her dreams not only for herself, but to create a better life for our family. She didn’t let fear stop her. She didn’t wait for permission. She created her own path.

And that’s why she’s my role model—not just because of what she achieved, but because of who she became in the process. She embodies strength, perseverance, and the belief that when doors close, you build your own."

How do you personally define success—and how do you know when you’ve hit it?

To me success isn’t a position—it's a feeling. Sucess is when you feel freedom, purposeful, independence, and financial stability. I know when I hit it when my efforts create impact, and I end the day at peace, knowing I helped someone feel healthier, happier, or more confident.

What’s your go-to way to reset when you’re having a rough day?

I go straight to the gym after a rough day and I like silence.

What does real work-life harmony look like for you these days?

"It means being fully present wherever you are.

- When I am with patients—I am focused

- When I am with family - I am engaged, relaxed, and emotionally available.

- When I am with myself—I try to rest, reflect, journal, excercise, and retail therapy without guilt.

Wellness — movement, yoga, mindful mornings, nourishing food, mental peace.

- Purposeful Work

- Personal Growth — reading, travel, journaling, courses, quiet reflection—things that feed my mind and spirit.

- Joy without productivity — coffee in silence, a walk without a destination, nature, sunsets, beautiful moments that don’t need to be turned into anything else."

Katie Franklin Director of Business Development DentalHQ

FB- dentalhq LI- dentalhq

IG- dentalhqofficial

What’s your favorite part of the work you do, and why does it light you up?

"My favorite part of the work I do is helping dental practices break free from the constraints of insurance and take control of their patient relationships. I love showing dentists that there is a better, more profitable, and more patient-centered way to run their practice—one that isn’t tied to complicated reimbursements or unpredictable fee schedules.

What really lights me up is seeing the shift happen: when a doctor realizes they can offer a simple, affordable membership plan that gives patients better access to care, encourages them to say yes to treatment, and strengthens long-term loyalty. I get so much energy from knowing that I’m empowering offices to operate on their own terms, increase case acceptance, and build a healthier, more sustainable business model.

At the end of the day, it excites me because I’m not just selling a platform—I’m helping practices gain freedom, helping patients get the care they deserve, and helping teams streamline and grow in a way that truly works."

Tell us about a woman who’s deeply influenced your life or career. What did she teach you?

"A woman who has deeply influenced my life is my grandma. She had the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known and an unwavering desire to help others. She taught me what it looks like to show up for people—with honesty, devotion, and genuine care—no matter what.

Her dedication to everything she did, whether it was caring for family or tackling a new challenge, showed me the

power of being eager and motivated. She had this big, bold personality that filled every room she walked into, and she carried herself with a warmth and confidence that made people feel seen and supported.

From her, I learned that kindness and strength can coexist, that being honest matters, and that putting your heart into your work and your relationships is always worth it. She shaped the way I lead, connect, and move through the world."

How do you personally define success—and how do you know when you’ve hit it?

"I define success by the impact I make on the people and practices I support. For me, it’s not about numbers or milestones—it’s about helping dental practices and professionals overcome real challenges and operate at their full potential.

I know I’ve succeeded when I see the transformation in the offices I work with—especially when I help them implement membership plans that allow them to move away from being so insurance-dependent. Success is seeing a practice run more smoothly, patients saying yes to the care they need, and teams feeling empowered and motivated. When a dentist can focus on providing excellent care, grow their practice sustainably, and feel confident in the business side of things, that’s when I know I’ve truly made a difference. Watching someone rise because of the support and solutions I provided is the ultimate measure of my success."

What advice would you give someone starting their journey in your field today?

My go-to way to reset when I’m having a rough day is to step away and take a walk. Getting outside, moving my body, and clearing my head helps me reset and refocus. I also take a moment to pray—it grounds me, calms me, and recenters my perspective. Combining the two always helps me come back with more clarity, peace, and energy.

What does real work-life harmony look like for you these days?

For me, real work-life harmony means finding a balance between family life and work life. It’s about showing up fully and giving 110%—whether I’m at work or spending time with my family—while also being able to switch gears and honor both sides. Harmony looks like being fully present in each moment, managing my responsibilities without feeling stretched too thin, and creating a rhythm where both my professional and personal life thrive together.

LIVING YOUR STRENGTHS

WHAT DENTAL SCHOOL DIDN’T TEACH — AND WHY I COULDN’T LOOK AWAY

When I first stepped into the world of dental billing, I didn’t have a grand plan. I wasn’t trying to start a company or redefine an industry. I simply wanted to help.

I loved the hum of a dental office, the scent of sterilized instruments, the rhythm of teamwork, and the mix of clinical precision and human connection. Dentistry, to me, has always been more than procedures and porcelain. It’s about trust. It’s about the unspoken promise between a patient and their provider: You take care of me, and I’ll be okay.

But behind that promise — behind the perfect restorations and confident smiles — lies a part of the profession few ever see. It’s the world of insurance claims, codes, adjustments, coordination of benefits, and denials. It’s the undercurrent that determines whether a practice thrives or merely survives. And it’s the part that no one ever teaches.

Dental school prepares clinicians for care, not commerce. It teaches anatomy, materials, and ethics, but not payer policy. It trains hands to heal, not to navigate EOBs and recoupments. Somewhere in that gap, millions of dollars — and countless hours — quietly disappear.

I didn’t realize how deep that problem ran until I saw it up close.

The Day the Numbers Stopped Making Sense

Years ago, I took a position at a dental billing company. I thought I could make a difference, help clean up processes, and bring structure to the chaos. But within weeks, I started noticing patterns that made me

By Michelle Repash

uncomfortable.

Claims were being sent incomplete, denied for easily preventable reasons, or ignored when they bounced back. Rejections piled up. Payments lagged. Office managers were told to “just resend it” rather than understand why it denied in the first place. And through it all, dentists — talented, hardworking, compassionate people — assumed their teams “had it handled.”

But they didn’t.

Most dental teams are stretched thin, wearing every hat imaginable: scheduling, answering phones, managing patients, verifying insurance, and somehow also mastering the complexities of billing. It’s an impossible expectation, and yet the financial health of the entire practice depends on it.

I remember staring at a claim that had been denied three times for something as small as a missing narrative. The procedure was done perfectly, the patient was happy, the documentation was clear — but because of one unchecked box, the payment was never made.

That’s when it hit me: dentists weren’t failing because they lacked skill. They were failing because no one ever taught them how to get paid for their skill.

The System No One Talks About

There’s a quiet unfairness in the way dental reimbursement works. A dentist can perform a flawless procedure, supported by strong clinical reasoning, and still face denial after denial. The insurance system wasn’t

designed for clarity; it was designed for complexity. In that complexity, practices lose money, time, and morale.

What bothered me most wasn’t just the inefficiency — it was the mindset. Billing had become a dirty word, something to push aside, something “someone else will handle.”

But billing isn’t a nuisance. It’s a language. And if you don’t speak it fluently, you pay the price.

I began to see that what dentistry desperately needed wasn’t another vendor or software tool. It needed education. Dentists didn’t need rescuing; they needed resources. They needed to understand the business of dentistry with the same precision they brought to their clinical work.

That realization changed everything for me.

Starting Over With Purpose

Leaving that job wasn’t easy. But staying meant accepting a system I didn’t believe in. So I walked away with no roadmap, no investors, and nothing but conviction.

I wanted to build something rooted in values, something that would bring transparency to a process that had become murky and misunderstood. I didn’t want to be just another billing service; I wanted to be a partner in restoration — not of teeth, but of truth.

My company was born from that belief: that ethical, accurate, and informed billing could coexist with compassion. I didn’t want to simply “do billing” for dentists. I wanted to empower them to understand it.

In those early days, I spent long nights studying payer manuals, CDT codes, state regulations, and coordination of benefits policies. The deeper I went, the more I realized how few people were talking about these concepts in real, human terms. Everyone was focused on “getting claims out,” but not on understanding why they were denied or how documentation tied directly to compliance.

That became my obsession: connecting the dots between documentation, compliance, and reimbursement. Because every note, every narrative, every code tells a story. It’s the story of what happened clinically, and it deserves to be heard — and paid.

The Lessons Dental School Forgot

I’ve come to believe that the biggest gap in dentistry isn’t

skill — it’s education on the business side of care.

Dentists graduate knowing how to diagnose, plan, and treat, but not how to navigate the claims process that determines whether they’ll stay in business. They’re not taught how to document with insurance in mind, how to coordinate dual coverage, or how to code ethically without undercutting their value.

I’ve seen dentists who were clinical artists, their work impeccable, yet their AR reports told another story. They were losing tens of thousands each month simply because systems weren’t in place to protect their revenue.

So I began writing, teaching, and sharing. I created checklists, webinars, and compliance guides not to sell, but to educate. I wanted to demystify the process, to make billing less intimidating and more empowering.

Because when dentists understand why something matters — not just what to do — that’s when real change happens.

Integrity as a Non-Negotiable

Integrity isn’t just part of my company’s name; it’s the standard I live by.

I’ve seen what happens when billing becomes about shortcuts — when companies outsource overseas, cut corners, or rush claims to meet a quota. Those decisions may speed things up temporarily, but they erode the trust dentistry is built on.

To me, every claim represents a patient encounter — an exchange of trust and care. It’s not just data on a screen. It’s proof of a promise kept.

That’s why accuracy matters. That’s why compliance matters. And that’s why integrity matters.

Ethical billing isn’t glamorous. It’s tedious, technical, and time-consuming. But it’s also where integrity shows up

most clearly — not in the big moments, but in the small, unseen ones.

The Human Side of the Business

I often tell people that billing is as much about humanity as it is about numbers. Behind every claim, there’s a patient. Behind every denial, there’s a doctor who stayed late, a hygienist who went the extra mile, a team that showed up with heart.

When those efforts go unpaid — when a claim sits rejected for something avoidable — it’s not just money that’s lost. It’s morale.

I’ve walked into offices where the energy was heavy and the tension palpable. Teams felt like they were failing, not realizing the system itself was setting them up to struggle. But I’ve also seen what happens when systems start to click — when clean claims flow, when documentation is tight, when AR drops.

The air changes. Hope returns.

That’s the part of my work I love most — watching that shift happen. The moment when dentists realize they don’t have to choose between caring for patients and running a profitable, compliant practice. They can do both — and do it well.

Beyond Billing — A Calling

Today, my company works with practices across the country, from solo practitioners to multi-location groups. But the mission remains the same: to make sure dentists are paid for the work they do, ethically and completely.

It’s not about growth for the sake of growth. It’s about impact. It’s about bringing integrity back to the business of dentistry, one clean claim at a time.

I still see myself as a teacher first. Every claim, every audit, every conversation is a chance to educate — to shift how the profession views the financial side of care. Because when dentists understand the system, they can stop fearing it.

And that’s the point.

This isn’t just my career. It’s my calling. To make sure no dentist ever feels defeated by a denial again. To ensure every team knows their worth — and is paid for it.

Because in the end, billing isn’t just about the bottom line. It’s about restoring fairness to a profession that gives so

much of itself to others. It’s about doing the right thing, even when no one’s watching.

That’s integrity. And that’s why I couldn’t look away.

About the Author

Michelle Repash is the Founder and CEO of Integrity Dental Billing & Consulting LLC, a national dental revenue-cycle firm rooted in transparency and compliance. A passionate educator and advocate, she’s on a mission to bridge the gap between clinical care and the business of dentistry — teaching what dental school doesn’t. When she’s not decoding payer policies, Michelle can be found mentoring dental professionals or sipping coffee while writing her next article on ethical billing.

Instagram: @integritydentalbilling

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ integritydentalbillingandconsultingllc/ Website: billingwithintegrity.com Facebook- Integrity Dental Billing You tube: The Dental Insurance Detective

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Feel the Care

UNSTOPPABLE: A STORY OF GETTING BACK UP (AGAIN AND AGAIN)

I’ve been a Dental Office Manager, worked at a DSO, was the VP of a large dental association, was named one of the top 25 women in dentistry, and won businesswoman of the year. How did I start? As Billy Bob, a costume character at Showbiz Pizza.

If you had told me years ago that I’d end up in dentistry because of a bar gig, I would’ve laughed and ordered another drink.

But that’s exactly what happened.

I was on stage one night, singing with my ex-husband (who was an Elvis Impersonator), when a dentist walked up afterward and asked if I’d ever considered working in his office. I thought he was joking. Spoiler alert: he wasn’t. And that random encounter turned into a three-decade career that has taken me places I never could’ve planned and wouldn’t trade for anything.

I used to tell people, “Dentistry found me. I sure wasn’t looking.” But that’s kind of the theme of my life. Most of the best things that have happened to me showed up sideways, in moments I didn’t expect and definitely didn’t plan.

Long before I was talking about leadership and culture, I was living on adrenaline and coffee, fronting a six-piece band, getting little to no sleep, and hoping to “make it” in music. I wrote songs like “Fly On” and “Wherever You Float,” and even got to open for Neal McCoy, Colin Ray, Tracy Bird, Garth Brooks, and Rascal Flatts when I was, get this, almost 35, performing in front of 50,000 people. Music was my heartbeat. Then life, in all its unpredictable glory, hit pause.

When I had my son, Rhett, things went very wrong. I almost died.

By Lorie Streeter

That kind of experience rewires you.

It changes how you see time, not as something you have, but as something you get to spend. When I recovered, I knew I wanted to do something that mattered, something that helped people feel better inside and out. That’s why I opened a wellness center. It was my way of saying, “Okay, I’m still here. Let’s make that count.”

So while many of you know I worked day in and day out at AADOM, helping build a community, behind the scenes as a servant leader I was also building a wellness business where people could come to heal.

I’ve never followed a traditional path. No fancy degree, no linear ladder climb. My education came from showing up, falling down, and figuring it out, sometimes all in the same week. My grandmother, Dorothy, was the same way. She had severe Multiple Sclerosis but still taught piano every day with dignity and grit. Watching her work through pain and still find joy shaped me. She was proof that even when life strips things away, it can’t take your purpose.

Somewhere along the line, that same stubborn optimism became my brand. Whether I was running a dental practice, launching a marketing firm, or building a community, I always treated every business like it was mine. I wasn’t an employee; I was an owner in spirit. And that mindset changed everything. It’s how I built, led, and earned trust in an industry I didn’t plan to join but ended up falling in love with.

Of course, love stories come with plot twists.

Mine came in the form of losing the job I adored. Getting released, dismissed, let go, or fired — however you want to say it — from something you’ve poured your whole heart into feels like the floor disappearing beneath you. It’s

grief, embarrassment, and freedom all mixed together in one uncomfortable package.

But here’s the thing:

The comeback is never comfortable and it’s always worth it.

For a while, I wasn’t sure who I was without that title, that role, that rhythm. But eventually, I remembered something my own lyrics had been trying to tell me all along: “Failure isn’t why we keep on trying, so come on and get out of your way.”

So I got out of my way.

I leaned back into faith, music, and the belief that purpose isn’t tied to a paycheck. I remembered that leadership isn’t about being in charge; it’s about being in service. I started again, bringing the same heart and drive to a new chapter with MaxAssist, building community and opportunity in a different way but with the same fire. I created a “Maxed In mindset” for myself that changed everything. I leaned into learning how to operate at a SAAS company and at the ripe old age of 56 I reinvented myself yet again.

People ask how I stay balanced, and the honest answer is: I don’t. I just keep showing up.

Some days I’m full of grace, other days I’m full of fear, and that’s okay. I remind myself that FEAR is only False Evidence Appearing Real. I’ve got this. My secret weapon has always been perspective. Every morning, I flip a little desk calendar to a new quote, and today’s said, “I am my own cheerleader. Don’t let the bad days win.” That always hits home.

Outside of work, my husband Roger and I hop on the quad and ride around the lake near our home. It’s our therapy: the sound of the engine, the smell of the pines, the reminder that joy isn’t in perfection; it’s in presence.

If I’ve learned anything from all of this — the songs, the Code Blue, the spotlights, the healing, and the setbacks — it’s that resilience has rhythm. Sometimes life sings lead, sometimes it makes you hum harmony from the sidelines. But either way, you keep playing. You keep getting up because it’s not the sunrise or the sunset that matters. It’s that you were there to see it.

To anyone standing in the middle of a hard season, hear me: your story isn’t over. You don’t need to have a plan. Just have the courage to get back up again and again. Because that’s where the magic happens.

Author Bio

Lorie Streeter is a national dental leadership expert and the Vice President of U.S. Expansion for MaxAssist. A former senior executive with AADOM, she has been instrumental in supporting the modern dental office manager’s role and advancing education for practice leaders. Lorie is widely recognized for her dynamic presence on her social platforms “LorieStreeterMaxedOut” and for helping practices strengthen culture, accountability, and team performance using the right software. Her work continues to empower dental professionals to lead with clarity, confidence, and connection. Lorie lives in Idaho with her husband and two furry friends.

ROOTED IN RESILIENCE: LEADING THROUGH GRIEF AFTER MY BROTHER’S SUICIDE

It’s still fresh, only a few months old now, and yet it seems like forever ago that I got a call that changed everything.

I was sitting at dinner with a client when my phone buzzed. It was a message from my older sister: “Call me immediately”. She never texts me. I excused myself from the table, stepped into a quiet corner, and dialed her number. I didn’t know what to expect. As she answered, her words came fast and heavy; my brother Ron had taken his own life.

There weren’t many details. Just the finality. The kind of finality that makes your heart pound and your head go silent at the same time. I hung up, tried to hold back the inevitable tears, and walked back to the table.

I attempted to keep it inside, but grief has a way of showing itself whether you give it permission or not. My client noticed I wasn’t ok immediately and asked what happened. I blurted it out, “my brother just committed suicide.” It was the first time I had said it out loud. I hadn’t even told my husband yet; it was all so startling. My client was understanding and immediately asked me if I needed to leave. I told them that I wanted to continue the training with their team. I promised that if at any point they felt that I wasn’t providing value, I would come back another time. I excused myself for the evening and promised to compose myself for the morning. I gave them all I had for the next 2 days until I flew home to my husband.

It wasn’t that I wanted to push through the pain or hide what had happened. I just didn’t know what to do with it yet. Who do you tell? What’s appropriate to share and with who? How do you lead while your heart is breaking? It was all still new to me.

By Brenda McNulty

My brother Ron was the second oldest of seven children, and I am the youngest. I looked up to him in ways I didn’t fully understand until adulthood. My earliest memories of living at home are blurry, but I remember his wedding vividly. I wasn’t a bridesmaid; I was just the littlest sister in the background. But that night, he danced with me like I was the most important person in the room. For those few minutes, he made me feel special, seen, and loved. That was Ron’s way.

He built an impressive life: marrying his high school sweetheart, raising two sons, and earning a degree in electrical engineering before climbing the corporate ladder of an international company. He was deeply proud of his boys and grandchildren. His talents extended beyond his career. He loved cooking, fly fishing, and hunting—those were his pockets of joy.

But about 20 years ago, Ron was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. True to his determined nature, he threw himself into understanding and fighting the illness. He tried nearly every treatment, including an advanced medical study involving a surgical implant meant to alleviate his symptoms. Instead of relief, it left him worse off. That was too much for him to bear. Ron was more than his illness. He was a son, a husband, a father, a brother—flawed and human, like all of us, and deeply loved.

Ron died a few days before I was scheduled to leave on vacation. My family encouraged me to go, but guilt settled in my stomach like a stone. Was I being selfish by leaving the country for my vacation? Was there a rule for how long I was supposed to sit in my sadness? Was I abandoning my family to handle the details while I went off to celebrate? In the end, I listened to their urging and went. And they were right. Nothing changed while I was

gone. Nothing would bring him back.

Being away gave me space I didn’t know I needed. Instead of drowning in guilt, I looked for joy. I thought of Ron often and found myself asking how could he not see the beauty around him? The smiles of his grandchildren? The wonder of simple moments? His inability to hold onto joy became my new mission. I would notice, I would carry it, I would choose joy wherever I could.

One of the hardest lessons in grief is that life doesn’t stop, even when yours feels shattered. Work emails still come. Clients still need you. Teams still look to you for leadership.

Ron’s passing taught me that while I cannot control what life brings me, I can control my response. I can choose my attitude. I can choose how I react. I can choose whether grief defines me or becomes part of the soil where resilience grows.

I also learned that being professional doesn’t mean being invulnerable. My client at that dinner was not only gracious but supportive, even handing me a sympathy card the following morning. That small gesture reminded me that it’s okay not to be 100%. But it’s not okay not to give the best you can at each moment, however imperfect.

Grief and guilt often collide. For women in leadership, the pressure to always be strong can feel suffocating. But strength doesn’t always mean powering through. Sometimes strength means allowing yourself to be human.

Through this I have learned that grief looks different for everyone. There’s no timeline, no rulebook. It doesn’t matter how someone died, they died, and you miss them.

Find the good, even in the hardest moments. When problems arise, it’s easy to focus on the negative. But there’s always some good to build on. I am a believer and so was Ron. I will see him again in heaven. He is at peace now without the never-ending battle of mental illness that caused him to end his life.

Support matters. Lean on your true friends. I didn’t know what to do in the moment, this isn’t something that you will receive training on when you decide to open your business. I called a friend and within minutes we prayed together and I felt the support I needed. It was easier to talk to people outside of my family in that moment because my own family members were also navigating their own grief.

I will never stop missing Ron. But I have learned to carry him differently. Instead of focusing on the pain, I try to

remember the good memories like the way he made me feel at his wedding, the pride he had in his sons and grandchildren, the meals he cooked, the fish he caught, the quiet joys he found when life allowed him to.

His struggle has given me a renewed determination to embrace life fully. To be present. To notice beauty. To lead with both strength and humanity.

To any woman reading this who is carrying grief while still leading a team, a business, or a family, please remember that your grief is not a weakness. It is part of your story. Don’t let guilt drown out the permission to grieve in your own way. Choose joy where you can. Choose resilience when you’re ready. And when you can’t, lean on others until you can.

Ron’s death will never make sense to me. But his life, his love for his family, his talents, his determination all remind me that even in darkness, there are glimpses of light.

My hope is that by sharing this, someone else facing loss will know they are not alone. That grief doesn’t mean you can’t keep leading, loving, and living. And that sometimes, the most important choice we can make is to keep looking for joy. If this is you, and you don’t know who to call or share your story with, I am here for you. I will listen and if you want prayer, I will pray with you. You are not alone, and we all grieve differently. There is no right way to grieve.

About the author:

Brenda McNulty is the owner of DSO FACTS LLC and Root and Vine Specialty Dental Consulting. She has over 30 years in the dental industry. With experience in pediatric, orthodontic, specialty practices, and DSOs, she now helps dental leaders and teams achieve growth through compassion and strategic leadership. Brenda is passionate about empowering women in dentistry to embrace resilience, authenticity, and strength in both life and business.

HOW MENTORSHIP, PERIO, AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IGNITED MY PURPOSE IN DENTAL HYGIENE

Early Impressions: Growing Up in the Dental World I sometimes joke that I grew up in a dental office, but it is not far from the truth. My mother began her dental career at eighteen as an orthodontic assistant and grew into a true expert in office management. She was the person everyone relied on, the steady pulse of the practice, and the epitome of grace under pressure. Her commitment, her resilience, and her depth of knowledge shaped my earliest understanding of professionalism. The dental office was not simply where she worked; it was where I learned how a strong woman leads with competence, compassion, and unwavering poise.

I remember the sensory details vividly. There was the clean, familiar scent of the office lingering on her scrubs after a long day, the minty smell of impression material, and the comforting hum of conversations between patients and staff. For many, a dental practice induces anxiety. For me, it felt like home.

My mother always encouraged me to pursue dental hygiene, but like many young people, I believed I knew myself better. My passion for language and writing drew me toward English education. After one semester, I felt unfulfilled and eventually dropped out, unsure of what was next.

The Hygienist Who Saw My Future Before I Did

During this season of uncertainty, I visited the practice where my mother worked for a routine prophy. Sarah, my favorite hygienist, sensed something in me that I could not articulate. She encouraged me to consider dental hygiene and believed in my strengths long before I could see them myself. Because she also subbed in a periodontal office,

By Rachel Miller, RDH

she helped secure a job for me there as a dental assistant, and her belief changed the trajectory of my life.

Working with two periodontists opened a world I never expected to love. They were patient, generous mentors who taught me with kindness and precision. The work was intense and undeniably messy, but I felt strangely at home. I still remember emptying containers of blood and tissue after surgical days and recognizing that if this environment felt natural to me, I was probably meant to be in dentistry. That early exposure sparked my love for patient care, technical excellence, and the profoundly human elements of healthcare.

Surviving and Loving the Brutality of Dental Hygiene School

Once I recognized my path, I committed to dental hygiene school wholeheartedly. It was rigorous, humbling, and transformative, demanding emotional intelligence, clinical reasoning, and an unwavering work ethic. When I graduated with my associate’s degree, I felt ready for what mattered most: caring for patients. At that time, advancing my education did not feel urgent. The typical post-associate paths in public health or education did not resonate with me, and I believed my purpose was at the chairside.

Twenty-Five Years in the Trenches

For the next twenty-five years, I practiced clinical dental hygiene with dedication and joy. I worked with dentists of many styles and philosophies: some inspiring, others challenging. Regardless of the environment,

my commitment to patient care never wavered. I loved the relationships built over years of recall visits, the transformations from disease to health, and the trust formed through conversation and consistency.

For so long, I assumed I would remain in clinical hygiene forever; I used to joke that someone would have to pry the scaler from my cold dead hands. But as dentistry evolved, I felt a growing restlessness. Systems not built for prevention, production pressures, and resistance to innovation began chipping away at the joy I once felt. I started wondering whether there was more I could do for the profession I deeply loved.

How Innovation Reshaped My Purpose — and How My Husband Championed Me

The turning point came unexpectedly. Shortly before COVID-19, my husband attended an AI conference as part of the medical technology company he founded. In conversations with industry leaders, he spoke boldly about my experience, my strengths, and my potential. He believed I belonged in spaces I had not yet imagined for myself and returned home saying, “They need someone like you. You should reach out.” He championed me long before I believed I was ready, and his confidence became the spark that propelled me into an entirely new chapter.

✓ Patient Billing

I joined an AI company and stepped into a sector of dentistry that allowed me to use every facet of my background. I helped run studies for regulatory clearance, created training content, developed a learning management system, and trained clinicians on AIenhanced diagnostic tools.

It was in this setting that I discovered how my strengths could flourish outside the operatory. My developer mindset allowed me to see and nurture the potential in others. My empathy helped me understand clinicians’ fears about new technology and meet them where they were. My sense of connectedness helped me see the bigger picture and how innovation, education, and patient care fit together. My relator strength helped me build genuine relationships that supported collaboration and trust. My adaptability helped me embrace rapid change and guide others through it with confidence. Together, these strengths helped me translate complex ideas, support clinicians through uncertainty, and remain grounded in patient-centered care.

Expanding My Professional Reach

Today, I am privileged to work with organizations dedicated to prevention, innovation, and education. At

GreenMark Biomedical, I support a product with the potential to remineralize incipient decay. Already FDA cleared for dentin hypersensitivity, it represents an exciting shift toward early, minimally invasive intervention, and being part of a team advancing science-based preventive care aligns deeply with my purpose.

At Willo, I focus on building educational materials, training clinicians, and developing professional relationships. Their mission centers on shaping healthy habits early in life, and my role allows me to bridge emerging technology with practical education and real-world integration. These opportunities allow me to weave together my clinical expertise, my love of technology, and my passion for teaching.

Going Back to School For Me

With nearly thirty years of experience, I felt a pull toward completing the education I once walked away from. The accelerated AS-to-MS Dental Hygiene program at the University of Michigan offered the perfect bridge, allowing me to close the educational gap I had long felt while building a stronger foundation in research, public health, policy, and education.

People often ask what someone can do with a master’s degree in dental hygiene. The real question is, what can’t I do with that degree?

My Why: Shaping the Future of Dental Hygiene

My purpose is rooted in elevating the standard of care. I believe deeply in prevention and minimally invasive dentistry, and I see clearly how emerging technologies allow earlier detection, better patient education, and more personalized care. My mission is to ensure that technology supports clinicians and enhances outcomes while preserving the human connection at the heart of our work.

I am passionate about educating practicing clinicians and preparing students for a rapidly changing profession. Curriculum often lags behind innovation, and my goal is to help close that gap. I want to combine my love of English with my clinical and technological experience to write curriculum, create continuing education, and develop evidence-based training that empowers confident, futureready clinicians.

The Women Who Lifted Me Up

One of the greatest gifts of stepping into non clinical roles has been the community of strong women who

surrounded and supported me. They encouraged me, challenged me, and believed in me at moments when I doubted myself, shaping my confidence and fueling my growth. If any woman reading this wonders whether she played a part in my journey, the answer is an unequivocal yes.

Looking Ahead: A Profession Ready for Evolution

My story began with a mother who modeled strength and grace, a hygienist who opened the door for me, mentors who guided me, a husband who championed me, and a circle of women who lifted me higher. It continued through decades of patient care, seasons of burnout, unexpected opportunities through innovation, and an academic journey grounded in purpose.

My why is clear. I want to help shape the future of dental hygiene, elevate preventive care, empower clinicians with confidence, and help ensure that excellence becomes the universal standard. We are clinicians. We are educators. We are innovators, and my purpose is to help our profession embrace the future with clarity, confidence, and unwavering dedication to excellence.

About the author:

Rachel Miller, RDH, is a dental hygienist with nearly three decades of clinical experience whose passion lies in prevention, emerging technologies, and elevating patient care. Now pursuing her MS in Dental Hygiene at the University of Michigan, she works with innovative companies to create educational content, train clinicians, and support early-stage preventive solutions. Rachel is dedicated to advancing dental hygiene through evidence-based education, professional empowerment, and a commitment to excellence in the evolving landscape of oral healthcare.

THE BENEFITS OF PARTNERSHIP

“As the Founder and CEO of Whole Dental Wellness in Metro Detroit, MI, I partnered with ICON because it’s rare to find a platform that keeps doctors in the driver’s seat while unlocking growth at scale. I didn’t want to sell out–I want to level up. With ICON, I’ve kept full clinical automony and ownership, while tapping in to the resources and national team that free me up to focus on what I love most. It’s not about losing independence–it’s about multiplying impact. That’s what makes this partnership truly different.”

Less time on the phone, more time for patients.

– Dr. Whitney D. Weiner Director, 3D Study Club and Executive Advisory Board Member, Seattle Study Club

Mango Voice is a cloud-based phone system built for dental practices, with smart call routing, texting, and voicemail all integrated with your practice software. With tools like Mango AI and Margo, our AI Receptionist, calls are automatically transcribed, summarized, and added to patient notes so your team stays informed and no call is missed.

Unwavering support to help you build, grow, optimize and sustain your practice

When you choose Patterson Dental, you get the industry’s most responsive sales and service teams. We’ll listen to understand your needs and goals and offer solutions to meet them. We’ll be there when and where you need us – whether you’re purchasing routine supplies and everyday equipment or investing in breakthrough technology and cutting-edge software.

We’ll support your success at every step as you expand your geographic footprint, grow your practice, optimize your operations or sustain high performance.

Visit pattersondental.com to learn more.

FROM FRONT DESK TO FOUNDER

Iwas working at the front desk of a dental practice, responding to comments on our latest social media post, building rapport with patients, and planning our next community engagement endeavor, when I started to wonder: Why aren’t other practices doing this? We had created something special with our internal marketing approach - authentic, relationship-driven, effective. The question evolved: Why isn’t someone teaching other practices how to do this? And then, the one that changed everything: Why can’t I teach other practices how to do this?

I rolled the idea around in my brain. Could I do this? What would it take? What would it look like? Am I being ridiculous? I had no idea I was about to learn the lesson I’d most want my children to understand: that courage isn’t the absence of doubt. It’s moving forward with it

What I Want My Children to Know: You Can Question Everything

I have three children who watch everything I do with the intensity only kids possess. My oldest daughter is 11. She knows I’m building something, but doesn’t fully understand what yet. My youngest is 3 and has no idea what mommy does on the laptop after dinner. My 8-year-old son watches his father encourage my late-night work sessions and celebrate my small victories as enthusiastically as his own. What I want them all to understand, when they’re ready, is that what others expect of them is just a starting point, not a destination.

I never planned to work in dentistry. I had visions of huge publishing houses and skyscrapers. I certainly never imagined marrying my husband at 23, or founding a company while raising three kids under ten. But life has a way of leading us exactly where we need to be, even when - especially when - we can’t see the path ahead.

By Jaclyn Nona

When I first started at that front desk, I was just grateful for a good job with people that cared about my progress and put effort into helping me learn. What started with treatment plans and billing, led to a drive to actually use my degree. My practice manager and mentor, Sue, and I, saw opportunities and ways we could connect more authentically with our community through social media and community presence - bolstering relationships between appointments. She made space for me to deliver ideas and time to listen. I started small, updating social media, creating a YouTube channel, strengthening patient loyalty and connection. Each small success built confidence, and more importantly, it taught me that I would be rewarded for questioning what we could do next. For wanting to grow.

What I Want Them to Know: It Takes a Village

The first person I brought the idea of Clever Dental Co. to was Sue. It didn’t even have a name. She was the only person I trusted with the ability to distinguish between ideas I think are good because I thought of them, and ideas that are actually good. She’s brilliant, and she makes me brave. When I offered my vision for teaching other practices what we had learned and perfected over a decade working together, she didn’t just listen, she leaned in.

Sue helped me shape that initial spark into something presentable. She guided me through creating a pitch for our practice owners, sat with me through the presentation, and stood behind me when I needed backup. Having someone in your corner who sees potential you don’t see yet is transformative. She didn’t just believe in my idea; she believed in me.

The second person was my husband, Daniel. I didn’t want him to be first, just in case I needed the door

left open to change my mind. Of course, he’d tell me to go for it. He’d insist. As soon as I’d decided this idea was a worthwhile venture he’d be on board. He’s the kind of partner who forces me to keep going when I’m discouraged, and won’t let me quit even when roadblocks feel insurmountable. Daniel can always see where my heart is. He makes me feel capable of anything and commits to making that feeling reality. He’s my rock, but more than that, he’s teaching our children what true partnership looks like.

What I Want Them to Know: Persistence Beats Perfection

Christmas Eve, 2024. Daniel was watching a movie, the kids were quiet, and I was on my laptop creating quizzes for imaginary clients I wasn’t sure were ever coming. We were counting down to a January launch. I remember feeling this quiet thrill, this sense that I was building something meaningful, even if only a handful of people knew of it.

Those late nights and Saturday afternoons became my classroom. Daniel turned a corner of our house into a makeshift office. I was learning course creation, platform development, LLC incorporation - skills I was determined to master. I was figuring it out as I went, driven by conviction that what we had created could help other practices thrive. Dr. Weber and Dr. Kirk, my co-founders, gave me the space and resources to build this vision, advising me through the business formation and believing in the potential even when it existed only in my head.

The turning point came when I started hearing “yes.” Cold emails asking to submit articles resulted in published pieces. Podcast requests I sent into the void came back with interview dates. I realized that I didn’t need anyone’s permission to ask for a seat at the table. I just needed the courage to ask.

What I Want Them to Know: You Belong Wherever You Choose to Be

I am still in the scariest part of this journey. Even now, when we hit roadblocks, it’s hard not to listen to the voice that says it would be so easy to quit. There’s this persistent fear that I’m wasting everyone’s time, attention, and money. That I’m being silly.

But that fear is overridden by something stronger: the desire not to give up, and the wonder that Clever Dental Co. didn’t exist before me. Before you, it wasn’t. Because of you, it is. Proof that my presence matters. I’m here.

The imposter syndrome voice asks, “Who do you think you are?” But I’ve learned to ask a better question: “Who are we to decide that we’re not capable or worthy?” In my greatest moments of doubt, I’m propped up by the people in my corner who not only believe in me and my vision, but who invested their own resources because they knew I didn’t have it in me to quit. They will not let me give up.

What I Want My Son to Know: True Partnership Changes Everything

One of the biggest factors in our son’s future success will be how he watches his father treat his mother. I want him to build a better world for himself, his future partner, and his potential children. When the world tells him he can be anything, do anything, I want him to know that extends to everyone - not just boys, not just men. I want him to be the kind of man that lifts others up.

I want him to see what support and equality look like in practice. I want him to understand that when women are ambitious, it’s not threatening. It’s part of building a better world. I want him to know that his mom and dad are working hard for his future. Together.

What I Want My Daughters to Know: You Get to Take Up Space

This is perhaps the most important lesson: there’s more to this world than what society expects of you. Others may feel more comfortable if you stay small, but you have the freedom to grow and never shrink to keep others comfortable. You are in charge of your own destiny, even if life takes you somewhere you never thought you’d be.

I’m learning this lesson right alongside them. The guilt and judgment that can come with ambitious motherhood are real. Expectations for mothers come from every corner, and no matter what we do, it feels wrong or not enough. I know I can’t be in two places at once. But I also know that if I succeed in my dreams, I’ll not only provide a better future for my children, they’ll know it’s possible, and I can set them up for their own dreams.

Where You Are Is Not Where You Always Have to Be

To anyone feeling stuck, wondering if there’s more: there is. To anyone juggling dreams and obligations, wondering if they’re capable of both: you are. To anyone who has ever questioned whether their presence matters: it does.

I never imagined those days building patient relationships and community connections would lead to founding a company. I never expected to find my life’s work in an industry I’d stumbled into. The path wasn’t linear, and it wasn’t what I’d planned.

My children are watching. They’re learning that dreams don’t have expiration dates, that purpose can find you in unexpected places, and that the best life is often the biggest life. Not in terms of scale, but in terms of courage. They’re learning that their mother is still figuring it out, still scared sometimes, but committed to showing them

what’s possible when you refuse to stay small.

I’m planting seeds for a tree I may never sit underneath, but they will. The lessons they’re absorbing now about resilience, about questioning limitations, about building something meaningful will grow into their own understanding of what’s possible.

This is what I want them to remember: You matter. Your ideas matter. Your presence matters. And where you are right now is not where you always have to be.

The world needs what you have to offer. It’s time to start offering it.

About the author:

Jaclyn Nona is the CEO and co-founder of Clever Dental Co., a platform helping dental teams master internal marketing. She creates monthly training courses and resources for dental offices nationwide. She’s a member of DeW, AADOM and the American Marketing Association. When she’s not helping practices thrive, she enjoys spending time with her wild and active family and their golden retriever, Murphy.

Social media handles: Facebook: Clever Dental Co. Instagram: @cleverdentalco

LinkedIn: Jaclyn Nona

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THE POWER OF ONE WORD: HOW CHOOSING A WORD OF THE YEAR CHANGED MY LIFE

In 2016, I sat at my desk as an office manager in a dental practice feeling a quiet tug inside me. It wasn’t dissatisfaction exactly, but a sense that life was asking more of me and that I had more to give, more to experience, more to become. That year, I chose my very first Word of the Year: Empower.

At the time, it felt like such a small ritual, a word scribbled in my journal, a private vow. I couldn’t have imagined the ripple effect it would have. Within months, empower took on a life of its own. It wasn’t just a word anymore; it became a guidepost. It inspired me to leave a stable job and step into the uncertain but exhilarating world of coaching. It became the spark that changed the entire direction of my life.

That one word launched a practice that has shaped my personal and professional journey every year since. What began as an experiment has become nearly a decadelong ritual, each word pushing me, stretching me, and surprising me in ways I never expected.

A Decade of Words, A Decade of Becoming

Looking back, each word feels like a breadcrumb on the trail of my own becoming.

2016: Empower – I claimed my voice and stepped into coaching.

2017: Rise – I lifted myself beyond old limits and began building momentum.

2018: Connect – I reached outward, forming relationships that would later become lifelines.

2019: Ignite – I lit fires under dreams I had been quietly

By Sara Ritchie

tending.

2020: Limitless – In a year defined by global limits, I learned that freedom is an inside job.

2021: Fierce – I stood taller, saying yes to courage and no to compromise.

2022: Expand – My world and my confidence grew beyond what I thought possible.

2023: No – Two small letters, but the most liberating word of all. Learning to say no gave me room to say yes to myself.

2024: Peace – I slowed down, finding grounding in stillness and presence.

2025: Audacity – This year, I moved, launched my own business, and dared to claim more than ever before.

And now, looking ahead to 2026, my word is Bold. Boldness feels like the natural next step after audacity, less about daring and more about owning. It is not just the courage to take the leap, it is the strength to stand fully in where you land.

How One Word Becomes a Teacher

What I have learned is that these words are never just placeholders for good intentions. They are teachers. Each one begins as something I think I understand, but over time it reveals layers I could not have predicted.

When I chose Peace in 2024, I pictured meditation, calm mornings, maybe a yoga class or two. Instead, I received a crash course in letting go. Peace became about surrender, boundaries, and releasing the need to control everything. It was harder, deeper, and more transformative than I imagined.

When I chose No in 2023, I expected the word to feel limiting. Instead, it created expansion. Saying no to obligations, people-pleasing, and projects that didn’t align opened up space and energy for the things I truly wanted.

That is the magic of choosing a word. You set the intention, but life delivers the lesson.

The Ripple Effect on My Life

This practice has given me more than direction. It has given me resilience. Each word has helped me navigate seasons of uncertainty, transition, and growth. Together, they form a kind of compass, a narrative arc of who I am becoming.

It has also given me permission. Permission to evolve, to pivot, to dream bigger. Permission to redefine success on my own terms. Permission to be both ambitious and grounded, both driven and at peace.

And perhaps most importantly, it has made me more human. Choosing a word each year is not about perfection or being on brand. It is about being real. It is about honoring the woman I am today while holding space for the woman I am becoming.

An Invitation to You

If you have never chosen a Word of the Year, consider this your invitation. Do not overthink it. Do not worry if it feels too big or too small. Pick a word that whispers to you, one that nudges something awake inside you. Write it down. Sit with it. Then watch how it begins to show up.

Your word will not always look the way you expect it to. It may challenge you before it blesses you. It may demand more than you think you can give. But it will meet you where you are and take you somewhere new.

Boldly Forward

As I step into 2026, I carry the lessons of every word before it. Empower taught me to claim my voice. Rise taught me to lift higher. Connect taught me the power of people. Ignite taught me to dream. Limitless taught me to break through. Fierce taught me to fight for what matters. Expand taught me to stretch. No taught me to choose. Peace taught me to rest. Audacity taught me to leap.

And Bold. Bold will teach me to live fully in all of it.

One word at a time, I have built a life that feels like mine.

And that, I think, is the ultimate definition of empowerment.

About the author:

Sara Ritchie is an operations strategist and fractional leader who helps executives turn chaos into clarity. As the founder of The Operator’s Edge, she blends data, intuition, and AI-powered systems to bring calm, structure, and growth to ambitious businesses. Sara empowers leaders to streamline operations, elevate their teams, and lead with presence, purpose, and confidence.

BECOMING: THE CROOKED PATH TO PURPOSE

By Michelle Cummings

Designing the Future of Dental Practices

The contractors had gone and new entry sign glowed softly on the dark parking lot as the owner arrived from the airport tired, but excited to see the vision for his practice come to life.

Coat still on he walked the space taking in all the details. The once fast-food restaurant had been transformed. New corridors stood ready to engage children and families on a travel adventure. Bright operatories, honoring exciting destinations around the globe welcomed patients with an oversized passport stamp on each doorway. The playfully named ‘Wanna Brusha Bay’ offered six hygiene chairs on a Hawaiian beach complete with a working volcano.

Returning the reception area illuminated by the lights of a lifesized train, we stood quietly basking in the promise of what this place would mean to all the families it would touch... the owner turned, hugged me, and whispered “Thank you.”

I’ll never forget it. My first dental office design project... the moment something inside of me clicked and I realized this was more than design, it was a mission.

Early Signals

It’s funny how experiences shape us even before we realize it. As a child in England, I loved exploring spaces rich with history from tiny shops to antique-filled family homes, each had a personality, an invisible energy. They told stories, and I listened… learning how rooms could hold tension or create comfort.

After we moved to America, I experimented with my findings in small ways… rearranging friends’ rooms for better flow, more play space, or a cozy corner to study. It was like solving a puzzle to think of their unique personalities, how they did things, and where they got hung up. And it was pure joy to see them thrive in the new space.

The teen-aged proclamation of “I want to be an Interior

Designer.” was not met with enthusiasm. And life, in its practicality, led me toward accounting and finance.

My career in financial services was rewarding, rounding out technical skills with a deeper understanding of business strategy, and managing team dynamics. Still, you would find me rearranging chairs and tucking cords away before big meetings, ensuring the conference room felt calm and balanced for a discussion on the five-year plan.

Have you ever found yourself doing one thing, enjoying it, yet feeling there’s something else you are missing?

Deciding to embark on another experiment, I enrolled in an interior design program to explore my creative instincts while continuing to work full-time. My business career evolved, and daily train commutes gave me time to work on side-projects, research design solutions, and prepare to meet with clients on weekends.

Looking back through the lens of my CliftonStrengthsTM: Belief, Futuristic, Ideation… I now see wasn’t meant to choose between business and design; I was meant to combine them.

The Catalyst

Years later, a friend and residential client approached me with an unexpected request, “Can you help turn this old fast-food restaurant into a pediatric dental office?”

My immediate (internal) reaction was no. Up to that point I had focused on designing purely for a family’s experience in their home.

Commercial healthcare design felt clinical and cold, but this was a chance to influence the experience of thousands of families, at a time when they may need reassurance and comfort the most. A chance to shape how children experience a visit to the dentist… something deeply meaningful to me, considering the first thing I bought with my accounting salary was braces. So, from somewhere deeper inside I said, yes.

Uncharted Territory

What do you do when you are in uncharted territory? “Make the unknown, known by using the familiar”.

Calling on my corporate experience, I anchored to the familiar objective of growing a business. In this case, the lever for expansion was the space itself. As the new practice would be a beacon in the community it needed to send a very strong signal.

Working with the owner to understand the mission, brand values, patient demographics, team requirements, and protocols as the first step in the design process made sense. With the goals for the practice as the foundation, we then aligned the interiors with intentional designs to convey a clear message and create an engaging experience for patients, families, and team members.

When you ‘do it scared’, you know it can be terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. The sleepless nights were an indicator I was way out of my comfort zone. This was more than finishes or colors, it was shaping how teams would function, how families would experience care, and how the business would grow.

All this paddling like a duck beneath the surface, learning how real-world dentistry works and discovering how I could make it better began to strengthen me and slowly revealed my purpose.

The Not-so-Silent Partner

In dental settings especially, the physical environment is the not-so-silent partner… an active force in the creation of the experience. It ‘speaks’ to patients before a provider ever says a word. This is why I view design as essential infrastructure to help the business reach its full potential.

As a result of my work, I have seen practices hit annual growth projections in a matter of months after opening their redesigned space, attract new associates and team members with ease, and even enter new organizational partnerships.

An intentionally designed space creates an immersive experience that steadily builds brand recognition, loyalty, and trust.

That’s the power of an aligned environment.

Bridging the Gap

As leaders in the dental industry, you know the stakes are high, and the environment deeply impacts the experience. I am grateful for the discovery that leaning into my business background, now blended with interior design, allows me to help practice owners bridge the gap from goals to growth… with strategy, empathy and vision.

Weaving each unique client’s goals, challenges, and dreams into the design itself, transforms the space into a living expression of the brand and sets the stage for its next chapter of growth.

Inviting Possibility

As I look ahead, my mission is to bring the design of the physical environment into the mainstream business conversation in dentistry. It’s a client experience heavy industry, yet the actual space, where all the magic happens, is still sometimes an afterthought… while other industries are building businesses around it.

GoodVets for example, leads with the luxurious design of their spaces in digital advertising, promising a premium experience. Using phrases like… “No scary visits here”, “Luxurious interiors”, and “Modern, elevated spaces”, they’ve grown from 22 to 80+ locations in only two years.

There’s power in aligned environments. My objective is to help leaders see their space as a lever. One that can reinforce brand visibility, trust, and expansion. I envision this becoming a movement to align your space and amplify your results.

Embrace The Crooked Path

Looking back, every part of my non-linear journey had a purpose. From childhood curiosity to corporate career, from discovering latent strengths to my instinct to nurture others in their own achievements.

All of it prepared me for that quiet moment under the glow of the lights of a life-sized train, when the owner whispered, “Thank you.”

What excites me most about this work is the expansion it creates… for practices, teams, patients, and the leaders who envision more.

May this story encourage you to follow the threads of your interests and trust the pull you can’t quite explain.

Your path has a purpose long before you understand it

About the author:

Michelle Cummings is the founder of Elle Interiors and the creator of the F.L.O.W. Framework, helping dentists and wellness-driven businesses design profitable, high-performing spaces. A former CPA, MBA, and corporate executive, she blends business strategy with interior design to transform how practices look, feel, and function. Michelle’s mission is to show how aligning your space with your vision elevates performance, enhances experience, and invites abundance into your business.

A TRIBUTE TO THE DEWBIES OF 2025

By Beverly Wilburn

Dearest DeW ,

If you were anywhere near Charlotte, North Carolina on November 13, 2025 you didn’t need a map to find the heartbeat of the evening’s event. You could hear it from miles away. That beat was coming from the room where the very first in-person love affair of DeWbies was buzzing about like they owned the place. If I’m being honest, they kind of did.

Each and every DeW Retreat holds its own special kind of magic and this year’s retreat did not disappoint. By introducing the 2025 DeWbie program, DeW took its first intentional step in curating a special welcome for firstand second-year attendees. The goal in carving a space for this was to give our newest members a soft place to land, a community to grow, and to show them that they never, ever have to walk in alone. We definitely got more than we bargained for.

When you launch something for the first time, especially at a large-scale event, you brace yourself. Will it land? Will people find it enjoyable? Will they participate?

DeW may have lit a match of connection in the fireplace of love, but the DeWbies built a bonfire.

Petals of Purpose

The Petals of Purpose activity with our “give and grow” tree was built to be a gentle segue into the evening’s fireside chat. My hope was for something meaningful that would nudge the DeWbies to step just slightly outside of comfort zones and into all of the magic of the next few days.

Every woman was invited to write one of two things on floral-shaped notes. If she was feeling a little zealous, she

should write one of each:

•  One thing she had to give another DeW.

•  One thing she hoped to receive from another DeW.

It was easy. It was simple. It was sweet.

As I unfurled the petals that night in the quiet of my room, along with the help of a few beautiful DeWs, Malika, Rosanne, and Aubrey, something clearly remarkable emerged.

The handwritten petals weren’t generic self-help confetti. They were honest, raw, and deeply human.

“I want to tell someone the truth they need to hear because they are so much better than they believe”

“I want to gift a DeW a connection to help her business grow”

“I want to give encouragement”

“I can give a safe place to be vulnerable”

“I want to share a business shortcut that helped my business grow”

“I can give my ears”

“I can give a laugh”

“I can give courage”

While the “asks” came in softly and in sparse numbers, the “gives” piled up like these women had been waiting years for someone to ask. Those notes were lined up longer than a CVS receipt waiting for their turn to be selected for placement. With a few giggles and sniffles, we read each one as we clipped them to their perfect spot on the tree. It was apparent that these women weren’t used to taking up space with their own desires. These women, authors of these words, were looking for opportunities to give. The contrast between ask and give said more

than any keynote, panel, or Canva slide ever could. I didn’t expect such a tidal wave of generosity that would make even the most stoic dental entrepreneur woman tear up in the corner pretending she suddenly had “allergies.” I’m definitely blaming the evergreen.

A tree purposed to display a balance of “give” energy + “growth” energy created a visual reminder of something we never say out loud. Women give until the branches bend.

The following morning, reading those petals from the stage, I could physically hear the room breathe in unison. The message was clear. The DeWbies understood the assignment. They brought an open-hearted presence and voices of sincerity that enriched the entire retreat.

They showed up. They leaned hard into the amazing speakers, messages, and small groups. They listened, immersed themselves into the activities, and asked the questions you only ask when you're ready to grow.

•  They formed sisterhood at warp speed.

•  They arrived as individuals and moved as a collective.

•  They made other women feel seen.

•  They shared stories they weren’t planning to say out loud.

Some people dip a toe when they are new to the neighborhood pool but these DeWbies cannonballed into the deep end with contagious energy. There is something special about watching women step boldly into a space that’s curated just for them that makes you want to sit back for a minute and just soak it in.

Women don’t need to be taught how to connect, they only need permission to begin.

Once the door opens, they run through it. Sometimes slow, and sometimes really, really fast. Sometimes they walk tall and proud and sometimes they trip and laugh. But they always move forward when they are together.

We are givers. We are growers. We are better together.

The purpose of every DeW Drops is to share the stories of women who have gone on to create great things based on a DeW experience or connection, this DeW Drops love letter belongs entirely to the DeWbies.

•  They flipped the script and created their own story.

•  They stepped into the space with intention.

•  They immersed themselves in DeW with their whole hearts.

•  They set the tone and offered inspiration for future retreats.

•  They created connection where there were once introductions.

•  They modeled vulnerability without making it dramatic.

•  They reminded me that giving multiplies us. The petals pinned to that tree weren't scraps of paper. They were tiny declarations of who we are as women, as leaders, as dreamers, and as DeWs.

Thank you for letting me witness it.

Thank you for trusting the process, even when it was less than perfect.

Thank you for walking into the room like you belonged there.

You did.

XO, Beverly

About the author: Beverly Wilburn is a proud Dental Entrepreneur Woman and serves as VP of the DeW Advisory Board. This column is Beverly’s opportunity to give back to her cherished DeW community.

If you have an inspiring story to share about how an amazing DeW or a DeW event has impacted your life or business, send an email to Beverly.Wilburn@dew.life.

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