Let’s be real for a second—fear is very real.
It’s the voice in your head that says,
“Maybe I’ll wait another year.”
“What if I can’t find patients?”
“I don’t know the business side of dentistry.”
And before you know it, you’ve spent years stuck in the same associateship, still daydreaming about your own practice—but too scared to take the leap.
Here’s what I’ve learned after helping hundreds of associate dentists launch successful startups:
Fear isn’t the enemy. Inaction is.
In this episode of The Startup Dentist podcast, I break down the most common fears that keep smart dentists playing small—and how to flip that fear into fuel for your next big move.
Here’s what we cover:
✅ Why fear is actually a sign you’re on the right path
✅ What really happens when you wait too long to act (spoiler: it doesn’t magically get easier)
✅ Stories of real doctors who pushed through fear—and built million-dollar practices anyway
✅ What failure actually looks like (and how a plan protects you from it)
✅ Why debt, marketing, and patient acquisition aren’t roadblocks—they’re just part of the journey
Let’s face it—there’s no such thing as the “perfect time” to open a practice. But there is a right time to take action. And that time could be right now.
If you’ve been wrestling with the idea of ownership—or wondering whether it’s possible for you—I want to invite you to take the first step.
Join me and a small group of fellow doctors at the next Startup Practice Blueprint event. We’ll lay out a plan that’s personalized to you, your vision, and your future.
➡️ StartupPracticeBlueprint.com
Fear doesn’t mean stop. It means go—with a plan.
Let’s do this,
Stephen