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Our Team
The experts behind
nearly 1,000 successful dental startups.
Every client gets the full team. Not a single advisor, not a handoff. The whole operation behind you from vision to opening day.
The people you'll work with from day one.
CEO
Stephen Trutter
Stephen built the 13-stage process that every Ideal Practices client follows. He's the author of The Startup Dentist, host of The Startup Dentist Podcast, and the architect of the vision-first methodology behind nearly 1,000 successful practice launches. Every client's journey is grounded in the process he created.
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Director of Consulting
Mike Gharib
Leads demographics analysis, real estate strategy, and financing guidance. Mike also manages the Equipment, Construction & Technology team, ensuring every piece of the process connects.
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Director, StartupMBA & A5G Advisor
Stacey Peters
Leads the StartupMBA and teaches every client the A5G marketing framework — Ideal Practices' proprietary system covering agency selection, ground marketing, community give partnerships, and full pre-opening marketing strategy.
The call that starts everything.
Before anything is decided, you'll have a free Ownership Clarity Call with Jen or Deana. No pressure, no commitment — just a real conversation about whether ownership is right for you and what your path forward looks like.
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Startup Strategic Advisor
Jen Gilbert
Leads Ownership Clarity Calls, helping prospective clients get clear on their ownership path before any commitments are made.
Community Development Manager
Deana Zost
Leads Ownership Clarity Calls, helping prospective clients get clear on their ownership path before any commitments are made and manages community development for Ideal Practices.
In-house experts for every physical decision.
Real estate, office design, equipment, construction, and financing. All in-house. No outside vendors handed off to you.
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Office Planning & Design
John Malone
Has designed 6,000+ dental office floor plans and earned two ADA Design Innovation Awards. Every client's space is built around their vision, not a template.
Credentialing Specialist
Carol Crooks
Handles credentialing for every Ideal Practices client entirely in-house. No outside vendors, no handoffs.
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Startup Consultant, Financing
Tristyn Gies
Builds every client's business plan, manages bank relationships through funding, and works across the team to keep buildout budgets on track.
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Startup Advisor, Equipment, Construction & Technology
Mary Robbins
Guides clients through every equipment, construction, and technology decision from the first bid to opening day.
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Startup Advisor, Real Estate
Tod Grice
A licensed real estate agent in-house. Reviews every LOI, manages real estate partner relationships, and guides clients through every lease and purchase decision.
Startup Advisor, Equipment, Construction & Technology
Joe Wilson
Guides clients through every equipment, construction, and technology decision from the first bid to opening day.
The business training no dental school provided.
Directed by Stacey Peters, the StartupMBA is Ideal Practices' proprietary business training program, integrated into the 13-stage process. Clients build the leadership, marketing, and business systems they need before they ever open their doors.
Senior StartupMBA Advisor
Liz Mulderig
Guides clients through building the leadership systems, culture, and business foundation they need before opening day.
StartupMBA Advisor
Jennifer Byington
Guides clients through the StartupMBA, helping them build the systems and strategies they need for a strong opening.
StartupMBA Advisor
Brooke Hermann
Guides clients through the StartupMBA, helping them build the systems and strategies they need for a strong opening.
The team that keeps everything running.
Operations Manager
Carolyn Hoyt
Keeps the Ideal Practices operation running behind the scenes, so every client interaction runs smoothly from first call to opening day.
Client Experience
Christy Lindsey
Works across all divisions to tie processes and client experience together, ensuring every touchpoint reflects the standard Ideal Practices is known for.
Ready to meet the team?
Your first step is a free conversation.
An Ownership Clarity Call puts you in touch with one of our Startup Advisors. No pressure, no commitment. Just clarity on whether ownership is right for you and what your next step should be.
Book an Ownership Clarity Call