Conversations with Chris: Recent Episodes
Chris Barrow
In this episode I’m joined by Paige Abbs, Practice Manager at Woodborough House Dental Practice in Pangbourne, Berkshire.
Paige arrived three years ago from a corporate operations background and has since made a marked impact on a large, multi-disciplinary private practice. We talk career pivots, culture, systems and why the right kind of structure liberates people to do their best work.
Paige describes being recruited through networking rather than advertising — a reminder that, in 2025, great hiring is a relationship game.
She shares why she instantly aligned with owners Nick Fahey and Sarah Fitzharris: a genuine, people-first culture coupled with a restless desire to keep improving.
We explore the “two culture shocks”: swapping South London for rural Oxfordshire, and stepping from corporate life into dentistry.
Her verdict? Clinical technology is world-class, but the business infrastructure lags. She argues for more scalable processes and questions legacy norms (such as hourly pay for qualified clinical support staff), not to corporatise the profession, but to value skill and create consistency.
On leadership, Paige embraces my old triad — Mother Superior, Ward Matron and Sergeant Major— and explains why many practices over-index on kindness and under-deliver on boundaries.
In a team of 40 with eight surgeries and 14 clinicians (GDPs, hygiene/therapy and specialists, with referrals), clarity of roles, simple rules and steady accountability prevent burnout and drift.
We also look ahead. Paige sees AI as an Industrial Revolution-level shift: brilliant for contemporaneous notes, compliance and freeing clinicians’ time—provided we protect humanity in the patient journey.
Her advice to practice managers for the next three years:
- Learn to have the difficult conversation — including with principals.
- Set boundaries and defend recovery time; model sustainable pace.
- Build trainable systems so knowledge outlives individuals.
If you enjoy the conversation, please share the episode with a colleague who’d benefit. Thanks for listening.
In this insightful and candid episode of Conversations with Chris, Chris Barrow speaks with Fiona Teasdale, Practice Manager at Myton Park Dental Centre. Fiona shares her inspiring career journey—from her early days helping in her family's hotel business in Scarborough to leading a successful dental practice in the North East.
Fiona discusses the transition from NHS to plan-based dentistry, the transformation she led upon joining Myton Park in 2023, and the challenges and rewards of implementing structured business systems in a previously manual environment. With a passion for leadership, team development, and business strategy, Fiona gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the evolving role of a modern practice manager.
Chris and Fiona delve into topics such as leadership style, team cohesion, financial acumen, and the ongoing need for self-development and resilience in management roles. The episode offers both practical insights and emotional resonance for dental professionals—particularly practice managers navigating the complexities of their role.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Fiona’s early work ethic shaped by her family’s hotel business
- Her transition from retail into dental nursing and then into management
- The strategic and operational overhaul of Myton Park Dental Centre
- Building trust and buy-in from an existing team during periods of change
- The value of clear communication and training in driving performance
- Balancing clinical independence with structured business oversight
- Apprenticeships as a recruitment and development strategy
- The challenges of HR and the emotional labour of leadership
- The power of vulnerability and authenticity in management
- Fiona’s ongoing commitment to personal growth and team empowerment
Notable Quotes:
“Even though it’s not my business, I treat it like it is—because I care deeply.”
“A lot of people find it very difficult to let go. But if you get the right people and train them well, you don’t have to do it all yourself.”
“We’re flying at the moment, and I feel very proud that I’ve had a small part to play in that.” – Fiona Teasdale
Who Should Listen:
- Dental practice managers
- Dental business owners
- Aspiring leaders in the dental sector
- Team leads and senior nurses
- Anyone interested in resilient leadership and effective change management
In this latest episode, Chris Barrow welcomes Dr Alec Granville, co-owner of a thriving Dublin-based dental practice, for an inspiring and candid conversation. Alec, joined in life and business by his wife Hannah, shares the fascinating journey from financial mathematics in New York and oil trading in London, to co-founding a successful private dental practice in Ireland.
Alec recounts the bold leap into dentistry at the age of 30, driven by a desire for autonomy and hands-on work. Together with Hannah, the couple navigated the turbulent waters of launching a squat practice during Ireland’s post-recession period. They took over an abandoned surgery, rebranded, and built from scratch, using flyer drops and community engagement to fill the appointment book.
Their unique alternating-day clinical schedule offers a masterclass in work-life balance, allowing both to remain hands-on with their young family while growing the practice. The conversation explores how they expanded into a purpose-built, five-surgery facility and successfully integrated another local practice – all while pursuing postgraduate training in endodontics and implants.
Chris and Alec delve into the operational structure of the practice, the impact of digital dentistry, and Alec’s optimistic view of future technology, including AI and robotics. The discussion highlights not just professional milestones, but a lifestyle built on considered choices, shared values, and long-term vision.
Listeners will take away key insights on building a sustainable, family-focused dental business, the importance of partnership, and embracing change while maintaining quality and community roots.
Tune in for an honest, insightful discussion filled with practical takeaways for dental professionals at any stage of their journey.
In this inspiring episode of Conversations with Chris, dental entrepreneur and leader Dr. Andrea Ubhi joins Chris Barrow to share the story of her remarkable journey—from building a successful multi-surgery practice to surviving cancer during a global pandemic, and now leading a purpose-driven life rooted in joy, service, and resilience.
Key Takeaways:
Business Brilliance: Andrea shares how she founded and grew Clock House Dental in York from scratch into a thriving 10-surgery practice before selling in 2014.
Resilience in Crisis: Hear how Andrea faced a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis during the COVID-19 lockdown, managing her business while undergoing treatment and recovery.
Life Beyond Dentistry: With a renewed focus on balance, Andrea is now writing a leadership book, Lead from the Edge, and continues her charitable work with Asha Nepal, supporting trafficking survivors.
Purpose and Perspective: A powerful conversation on finding clarity, joy, and meaning in life’s most difficult moments.
Topics Covered:
- Andrea’s early life, education, and entrepreneurial upbringing
- Building and exiting a high-performing dental practice
- Navigating cancer, COVID, and cognitive recovery
- Outdoor life, writing, and maintaining wellbeing
- Ongoing advocacy and impact through charitable work in Nepal
- The upcoming release of Lead from the Edge
Andrea’s new book, Lead from the Edge, will be available within the next few weeks. Follow her blog and Instagram for updates—and stay tuned for Chris’s signed copy! @andreaubhi
Listen now to hear a story of courage, clarity, and leading with heart.
In this episode of Conversations with Chris, we welcome Alex Blake, the non-dentist co-owner and managing director of Blake Dental, a thriving independent private practice in Witham, Essex. Alex shares his fascinating journey from teaching mathematics to leading a dental business, bringing fresh perspectives on financial management, leadership, and sustainable practice growth.
Key Topics:
- From mathematics to management – How Alex transitioned from a decade-long teaching career into dental practice leadership.
- Practice growth – The journey of expanding Blake Dental’s private patient base 4.5x since 2019 while maintaining NHS services.
- Data-driven decision making – The role of spreadsheets, KPIs, benchmarking, and a traffic light system for effective management.
- Leadership & team development – Applying educational experience to team management, communication, and delegation.
- Work-life balance – Strategies for maintaining a sustainable workload and avoiding burnout.
- Advice for aspiring Practice Owners – Insights on financial literacy, networking, and continuous improvement.
Key Takeaways:
- Clear data tracking and financial planning are essential for long-term success.
- A structured leadership approach creates a productive and motivated team.
- Work-life boundaries and strategic delegation help maintain a healthy balance.
- Small, consistent improvements lead to significant practice growth.
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Dr. Abeer Al-Adhami, the founder of Abi Dental in Sutton, Surrey. From surviving personal hardship to building a thriving boutique dental practice, Abi’s story is a testament to resilience, passion, and perseverance.
She shares how her mother’s imprisonment in Iraq shaped her determination, her journey from Baghdad to the UK, and the challenges she overcame to establish her own dental practice from scratch.
Abi also opens up about balancing motherhood, running a business, and her plans for the future, including expanding Abi Dental while staying true to her compassionate approach to dentistry.Join us for an uplifting conversation about personal growth, professional ambition, and the power of perseverance.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How Abi navigated adversity, including her mother’s imprisonment and emigrating to the UK
- The story behind Abi Dental and its unique, boutique approach to patient care
- Balancing clinical dentistry, business growth, and personal life as a mother
- Future plans for practice expansion and mentoring the next generation of dentists
Key Topics Covered:
- Abi Dental: A compassionate, patient-centred dental practice in Sutton, Surrey
- Early Life: Growing up in Baghdad, studying dentistry during the Iraq-Iran War
- Family Resilience: Her mother’s imprisonment and the strength it instilled in her
- Starting from Scratch: Moving to the UK in 2000 and building Abi Dental from nothing
- Work-Life Balance: Raising two children while growing a business
- Future Aspirations: Expanding the practice, mentoring associates, and supporting her son’s athletic career
Listen now for a story of courage, perseverance, and success against all odds.
In this episode of Conversations with Chris, we sit down with the inspiring Carol Somerville Roberts, the visionary founder of Evolve Dentistry in Portishead. Over the course of our conversation, we explore Carol’s journey from her childhood in Dublin to becoming a leading figure in private dentistry. Her story is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication to building her ideal practice.
Carol shares how her path to success wasn’t always smooth. Born as the youngest of five children, she grew up in Dublin, attending a French-speaking school until the age of nine. Her academic journey included retaking A-levels after an initial setback and a gap year before pursuing her studies in dentistry at Bristol University. After starting her career in NHS practice, she transitioned to private practice in 2000, inspired by progressive models of dentistry like Paddi Lund’s and the insights gained from BACD conferences.
The founding of Evolve Dentistry in January 2009 marked a pivotal moment in Carol’s career. Opening as a private squat practice with just two chairs, Evolve was strategically located in Portishead—a town chosen for its growth potential and the presence of a Waitrose, which signaled the target demographic for her practice. The journey to launch wasn’t without its challenges, from complex lease negotiations to the demands of building out a brand-new practice. But Carol’s unwavering belief that failure wasn’t an option saw her through.
Over the last 15 years, Evolve Dentistry has grown organically, expanding to soon include four fully utilized treatment rooms. Carol attributes this success to a clear vision, tight financial control, and a focus on their unique offering rather than competing with others. Empowering her team has also been a cornerstone of Evolve’s culture, fostering autonomy and trust.
As Evolve looks to 2025, exciting developments are on the horizon. The fourth treatment room will be dedicated to facial aesthetics, and a remote office will allow the reception team to focus fully on in-practice patient care. Carol also plans to reintroduce enhanced patient experience elements, taking inspiration from her earlier influences. With a vision of stepping back from clinical work over the next 17 months, Carol is investing in her team’s growth to ensure the practice can run independently while maintaining its high standards.
Join us for this insightful conversation, where Carol reflects on the lessons learned, the milestones achieved, and the plans ahead for Evolve Dentistry. Whether you’re a dental professional or someone fascinated by entrepreneurial journeys, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable insights.
In this episode of Conversations with Chris, we sit down with Rachel Addison, the principal and owner of Cotteswold Dental Care in Gloucestershire. Rachel shares her incredible journey, from an unplanned start in dentistry to running a thriving 7-chair private dental practice. She opens up about the challenges of practice ownership, the impact of COVID-19, and how resilience and patient-focused care have driven her success.
Key Takeaways:
- Rachel's journey began with a dream of becoming a vet, but a pivotal experience in RAF dental training redirected her path to dentistry.
- Her career trajectory was reshaped by a car accident during her vocational training year, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity.
- Rachel’s decision to purchase Cotteswold Dental Care was driven by a desire to maintain independence from corporate dentistry, supported by her father’s business expertise.
- The pandemic provided an unexpected opportunity to redesign systems, boost efficiency, and focus on patient loyalty through membership plans.
- The practice has expanded significantly post-pandemic, growing from 5 to 7 chairs, with a strong emphasis on quality care and personalised service.
Topics Covered:
- Rachel's Background
- From Cheshire roots to Bristol University, discover what sparked her passion for dentistry.
- How a car accident reshaped her career plans.
- Journey to Practice Ownership
- The unplanned opportunity to acquire Cotteswold Dental Care.
- Navigating the transition to ownership with support from family expertise.
- Navigating the Pandemic
- Redesigning systems during COVID-19 for long-term efficiency.
- The critical role of patient loyalty and membership plans in sustaining the practice.
- Scaling the Business
- Adding 2 new chairs to meet demand and improve the dentist-to-hygienist ratio.
- Cultivating a strong brand around quality, personalised care.
- Looking Ahead
- Future goals to optimise operations and explore potential for expansion.
- Balancing growth while maintaining a commitment to genuine patient care.
If you’re curious about the challenges and rewards of practice ownership, Rachel’s story offers invaluable insights into resilience, business growth, and the power of patient-focused care. Her journey is a testament to the importance of adaptability, strong leadership, and an unwavering commitment to quality dentistry.
Visit Cotteswold Dental Care to learn more about Rachel’s practice.
Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Subscribe to Conversations with Chris on your favourite podcast platform, and share this episode with anyone passionate about dentistry or small business success.
Get ready to be inspired! In this episode of “Conversations with Chris", I sit down with Bob To, a remarkable dental practice owner whose life journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of hard work.
Born in Hanoi, Vietnam in 1975, Bob's childhood was marked by conflict and hardship. His family, of Chinese-Vietnamese heritage, faced immense challenges during the China-Vietnam war, eventually leading them to seek a new life in the UK when Bob was just 12 years old.
From navigating a new language and culture to excelling in the UK education system, Bob's path to success was far from easy. But through sheer grit and unwavering support from his family, he achieved top marks in his A-levels and graduated from Birmingham University dental school. Today, he's the proud owner of a thriving dental practice in Berkshire.
But Bob's story is much more than just a tale of overcoming adversity. He's also a savvy businessman with keen insights into building a successful dental practice. In this episode, he shares invaluable advice for aspiring and current practice owners, emphasising the importance of:
- Mastering communication: Building strong patient relationships is crucial.
- Strategic investment: Prioritise equipment that enhances patient care, not personal luxury.
- Business acumen: Develop skills beyond clinical expertise to ensure practice growth.
Bob doesn't just talk the talk; he walks the walk. He's a firm believer in pushing boundaries, both personally and professionally. He even conquered the gruelling Marathon des Sables – six marathons in five days across the Sahara Desert!
Tune in to hear Bob's incredible story, learn from his hard-won wisdom, and discover his ambitious plans for the future, including expanding his practice and achieving even greater success in the dental field. This is an episode you won't want to miss!
Listen to the podcast now using your usual podcast streaming service or via the player below.
Join me for a very informal chat with Joel, who has been advising clients on purchases and sales since 2018 in Scotland and has been recently promoted head up the whole UK operation for Christie & Co Dental.
We discuss:
- The impending threat of a Labour Budget;
- How the activity in the market is shifting from corporates to smaller dental groups and independents - some remarkable statistics;
- Top tips for first-time buyers;
- Top tips for first-time sellers;
- A look at the orthodontic landscape;
- Multiples in the current market;
- The next 12 months.
A great chat with a best friend that follows his career since selling his dental practice to Oasis, encompassing:
- The pleasures and pitfalls of a dental corporate earn-out;
- Building a handpiece repair business into a major dental supply company;
- How a chance trip to America turned into an innovation in the field of guided implant dentistry;
- Why guided dentistry is changing the face of dentistry;
- More pleasure and pitfalls - this time in connection with managing fast—growing businesses.
Chris and James discuss his experiences in the dental industry since selling his practice to Oasis, including his interest in 3D printing for dentistry and the establishment of Quoris3D in the UK and Irish market.
We also explore the growth of his business, the development of new systems, and the creation of education pathways for dentists interested in guided full arch, Quoris have now trained over 230 dentists and over 350 team members.
Lastly, we discuss the ongoing expansion of the business, including a 2,500 foot extension and the establishment of a full prosthetic digital department for dentures.
Many of you both followed and supported my recent “Everest Cycling Challenge”, supporting Asto Clinics, who provide treatment for those debilitated by OCD.
As Steve Turnock and I climbed 29,030 feet over 6 days around the Préalpes d'Azur Regional Nature Park, we shared our adventure with you each day via my blog - and also added a patient testimonial to each blog post.
Thank you to all those who helped us to raise funding for 5 patients.
In this conversation, recorded around Steve’s home on our last day in France, I wanted to ask Steve to share his own story, including:
- How a maths graduate and chartered accountant became Chief Executive of Practice Plan.
- How, after selling the business and retiring at age 46, Steve suffered one of the most severe versions of OCD, resulting in stopping his life in its tracks;
- How he found treatment and was able to overcome the condition and
- How and why he created the registered charity Asto Clinics, to bring the treatment he received to more people who would otherwise be left stranded.
- It’s a very open, honest account and we hope will resonate if either you or a loved one needs help, especially in an environment in which the awareness of mental health issues is so relevant.
Only dental cave-dwellers over the last three years would have missed Marcos’s “Digital Growth Program" and his pioneering work on the successful integration of:
- The Dental Therapist;
- The Digital TCO;
- The Intra-Oral Scanner;
- The onsite digital lab.
Now, we explore the next evolution in his thinking - The High Performance Dentist.
In this conversation we explore how Marcos will:
- become Better, not Bigger;
- achieve Mastery not Growth.
He is now deep in thought and analysis of how The Courtyard will develop over the next few years.
Join me for a look inside the mind of one of dentistry’s most prolific innovators.
I make no apology for saying that, if you don’t listen to this podcast in the next 12 weeks, then don’t bother at all.
That’s because I wanted to talk to one of my best mates (and an expert on leadership) about how to deal with the situation we find ourselves in TODAY.
In December, there was a short-lived sense of hope generated by the delivery of the first vaccines and the anticipation of some Christmas cheer.
Soon enough we were slapped down by restrictions on our holiday activities and then, just when we thought we were seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, along comes lockdown 3.0 and a daily diet of gloomy news.
It has hit many people hard - including patients, team members and owners (even me!
So I wanted to talk to Mark about his advice on how to keep your own chin up and how to continue to lead and inspire those around you.
In this candid conversation, recorded on 13th January, Mark and I explore:
- What The Stockdale Paradox tells us about the winners and losers in tough times;
- How to show up as a leader every day;
- How best to communicate with your team and patients right now;
- The power of storytelling in leadership;
- Delivering on empathy, authority and planning;
- Tips on keeping your mental health intact.
Mark has the ability to take these thorny issues and offer simple and instantly executable tactics.
Both you and your managers will gain from listening to his wisdom and experience.
I simply cannot believe that the last “Conversations with Chris” podcast was broadcast in February 2020 - but then again, we have all been a bit distracted and busy haven’t we?
It would also be fair to say that the podcasting world has grown exponentially during 2020 and became a much favoured way of communicating in the year of Covid-19.
However, my ever-watchful support team (a.k.a. Phillippa and Rachel) decided it was about time I got back in gear with this and so booked an interview time in my calendar and ordered me to “go and get a guest”.
As always, this podcast is intended to be more of a hobby than an enterprise, more of a social experiment than a marketing device - and for that reason I want to get back into the habit of interviewing people who simply fascinate me.
So welcome a very old friend Dr. Simon Thackeray - a dentist whose reputation and reach have extended far and wide this year and on many different fronts.
I decided not to follow the usual podcast pathway of “tell us your life story” but just to jump in with both feet and talk about how Covid-19 has affected Simon and his business, as well as the wider dental community.
What follows is a conversation with no beginning, middle or end - just two old mates catching up and looking back, looking in the mirror and looking forward - I’ve even left in the gaffs 9as you will discover) as we aren’t trying to win a prize for podcasting.
Join us and you will learn:
- How Simon was one of the most popular panelists in our various lockdown and return to work broadcasts and how he helped more people in more ways then he may have imagined;
- A little bit about Mansfield, Notts (home of Thackeray Dental Care) - my own adventures with miners in a 1977 municipal sauna, how the town has changed since the pits closed and an overview of Simon’s patient database and core values;
- Why I got my Sarahs and my Saras mixed up;
- The two biggest lifesavers that kept Simon’s business afloat in 2020;
- Keeping a team together when they are “ragged and raw”;
- The shortage of dental nurses and what we have to do next;
- All “the other stuff” - the multitude of extra-curricular activities that Simon gets involved in - and why;
- Simon’s plans for 2021 and why he is confident about the future.
Enjoy listening to a man with opinions - that he isn’t afraid to share!
It’s an absolute pleasure to engage in conversation with a best friend about his life.
Most people in the profession would recognise Tim as the owner of Elmsleigh House Dental Clinic (EHDC) - a specialist referral practice in Farnham, Surrey - one of a decreasing number that are still owner-managed and not gobbled up by a dental corporate.
Tim has built from next to nothing one of the best in it’s breed - but there is more to him than that.
I haven’t met many people who I could confidently describe as a serial entrepreneur but Tim fits the title well.
Tim’s business life begins at age 12, when he runs the school tuck shop and takes the product line somewhat beyond the approved list - early signs of a budding speculator.
We follow him into dentistry and his early career as a dental associate who was sacked from an NHS practice for being too good at his job.
Borrowing every penny he muster, he bought the original practice in it's current location and literally had to sleep on the floor in the practice to make ends meet whilst he grew the business.
Later, he borrowed again to gut and refurbish the property, surviving 18% interest rates and recessions along the way, as well as a moment when 70% of his team had to be replaced in one hit.
A journey of 30 years through thick and thin to become a jewel in the crown of specialist practices.
Along the way, many diversions into other non-dental businesses, resulting in successes, failures and a deep understanding of what works.
There are, however, two key messages that the listener will recall long after the fun we have during our chat:
- The Four Hats principle of business ownership - and how most dentists fail to pay themselves adequately for the work they do - ending up with lifestyle, rather than proper, businesses;
- How Tim has reduced from 200 to 60 clinical days a year and less than 12 days working ON the business - by creating a self-managing dental business and a superb senior management team.
Tim now invests the majority of his time as a Business Angel and helps young tech businesses to get off the runway - he has experienced some spectacular success in this area and shares with me his tips for investors in other people’s start ups.
For all of that - he’s a best mate and one of the most generous men I know with his time and his money.
This month’s fascinating conversation began at a 2019 dental trade show, when I made the time to sit down with Shaz and find out more about his company.
I quickly discovered that Shaz isn’t a showman or a salesman, in fact 7/8ths of the person I met spends most of the time below the surface. The more I listened to Shaz’s story, the more I liked him.
Here we join him on his journey from 17-year old graphic designer in the bedroom of his parent’s home to an “office” in the garage where he spent the first years of his post-graduate life.
A classic “E-Myth” solopreneur, Shaz transitioned from graphic to web design in the early 2000’s and we learn how his first job for a dentist ended in a potential disaster that he was able to turn into opportunity.
After 3 years in the garage, working late nights and barely seeing the outside world, Shaz was burned out and demoralised but he did something about it and took the first brave step of hiring a part-time employee and pitching for bigger clients.
That grew to offices in Marylebone and a team of 23 - a real business!
In 2017 Shaz as a new father, Shaz realised that his balance could only be maintained by focus - hence the decision to concentrate on the dental market exclusively.
His team now limit themselves to no more than 5 new web sites per month and have a waiting list, born out of word of mouth recommendations.
The Digimax Dental mission is simply put - “to build the best web sites in the world for dentists” and during our conversation we explore what that means in real terms and Shaz’s predictions for how web sites will have to evolve in the next 3 years.
There’s more.
In the latter part of our conversation we take a look at the story of “Wells on Wheels” a charity formed by Shaz following a visit to India during which he witnessed young children and mothers walking for miles each day to carry water in harsh conditions.
Having resourced the manufacturer of a barrel that can easily be rolled, Shaz now finances the purchase and distribution of his “Wells on Wheels” and, since May 2019, has been able to help over 5,000 families. He intends to help many more. The charity has just been granted registered status and there are plans to grow.
Join me in the company of a quiet leader and hero.
Find out more about Wells on Wheels here - https://wellsonwheels.co.uk/
Find out more about Digimax Dental here - https://digimax.dental/
Chris Burton is, by his own admission, a good dentist but reluctant businessman.
We travel with Chris from school in Bolton to university in Newcastle (an experience he did not enjoy) and on to the practice he owns now as a newly qualified Vocational Trainee.
The journey from VT to associate to owner should have been an upward climb but events conspired to reverse the direction.
Yet at age 37 he is the owner of a beautiful private practice in rural North East England, with an enviable post-graduate education record, the latest in digital workflow and very profitable accounts.
Little did he think he would be in that situation when, just 5 years ago, he bought the controlling share in the practice.
Soon after he came close to throwing the towel in following the end of a personal relationship, the acquisition of a struggling business and a real sense of failure and isolation.
What fascinates me about the turnaround that has taken place is not just HOW Chris did it but WHO were the guiding influencers as he began the long and difficult climb out of the darkness.
This he shares with us very openly and honestly.
Chris, by his own admission, is an introvert and finds other people an effort to deal with - but in spite of this and the dire straits he found himself in - he has triumphed.
His story can inspire any listener and is deeply moving (with a happy ending).
There are some people in the dental landscape who really need no introduction.
Even more reason, in my opinion, to get behind the scenes with Ash and find out where he comes from and how his extraordinary career developed as THE go to guy for communication skills training in dentistry.
I’m going to let you into a secret - back in the summer, Ash cycled the 26 miles each way from his house to mine, so that we could record the first version of this interview.
Can you imagine my horror when I realised that the technology had let me down and our conversation was lost?
I offered to travel over to Ash’s training centre in North Manchester to start again - he graciously combined a personal trip to South Manchester to arrive back in The Barrow Bunker for take-two and here we have it.
Ash shares with us his career pathway from humble beginnings selling on a market stall in Liverpool to taking a leap of faith by enrolling on a sales training programme, after he had walked into the trainer's office to complain that delegates were parking outside his house.
From there, the pupil became a teacher and achieved #1 ranking in his organisation for UK sales and top 5 globally.
Along the way, Ash developed a lifelong appetite for learning and shares with us how and why that happened by a swimming pool in the USA. A defining moment.
Eventually, the call of independence enticed him into setting up his own business, then a series of equally chance encounters produced just 2 dentists who attended one of his courses in 1998.
The rest is history and (as we say) after 20+ years of hard work, he has become an overnight and international success.
This isn’t just the story of one lad from Manchester who did well for himself, it’s also how Ash has literally changed the lives of thousands of people along the way - a story that will inspire every business owner.
Enjoy listening to me chatting with one of my best mates in business.
Louise Spry is one half of the man and wife team who opened a private squat in Maidstone back in 2008 (exactly one month after the global banking collapse).
Louise as Practice Manager and Marcus as Principal Dentist have built Fresh Implant + Dental Care to over £1m per annum of sales in a beautifully branded and presented location that occupies a secluded (but very pretty) office complex on the outskirts of the town.
There is little or no drive by or walk by - only neighbouring small business offices - but they have succeeded in creating a thriving practice offering high end treatment in a business class environment.
As well as sharing a detailed explanation of “how we did it”, Louise begins her story as a London student studying 3-dimensional design and explains how her early graduate education has formed the bedrock of everything that has been invested into the business.
As you might expect, the journey hasn’t been an easy one. Marcus & Louise found themselves owners of a predominantly NHS practice in the Medway towns and, realising that their business wasn’t making them happy, they sold it to their associates.
They took some time (and a few false starts) to identify a new location and style for their business - far enough away from their first location that the term “squat” was very relevant.
Louise shares a detailed account of how much money it took to get started, what their projected J-curve on funding looked like - and how the reality compared with the projections.
This is a classic tale of a married couple making a success of the business of dentistry - and of one strong woman’s determination to bring her vision to reality.