Office Hours For Practice Owners

Justin Marti

Office Hours for Practice Owners is the go-to podcast for healthcare practice owners who want to start, grow, protect, and eventually exit their businesses with more clarity and confidence. Hosted by attorney and healthcare business advisor Justin Marti, the show breaks down the legal and strategic issues that matter most to practice owners — from ownership, compliance, and contracts to scaling, buying, selling, and structuring a practice for long-term success. If you want practical insights that make law simple and help you make smarter business decisions, listen to Office Hours for Practice Owners.

Episodes

  1. 6d ago

    DSO or Doctor-to-Doctor? How to Exit Your Dental Practice the Right Way — with Matt Sutton & Andrew Kobylski of McLerran & Associates

    Host Justin Marti of Marti Law Group sits down with Matt Sutton and Andrew Kobylski of McLerran & Associates, one of the country's leading dental-specific sell-side brokerages. Matt brings over 20 years in the dental space as a banker, broker, and former VP of Business Development for a fast-growing, PE-backed orthodontic DSO, while Andrew — a former healthcare-focused wealth advisor and CFP — leads valuation and transition advisory work across both the private and DSO markets. Together they unpack the real difference between selling to a fellow dentist and affiliating with a DSO, why the “why” behind your exit matters as much as the dollars, and what today's market is actually rewarding. If you're a practice owner who wants to exit on your terms — not leave money (or your sanity) on the table — this conversation is your roadmap. What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy the smartest sellers get a valuation three to five years before they plan to exit — and what that head start lets you fixHow DSO deals and doctor-to-doctor sales really differ across valuation, work-back expectations, and tax treatmentThe reason a headline multiple can be deeply misleading — and why your true, defensible EBITDA matters far moreWhat's driving today's seller's market on the private side, and what cooled the DSO gold rush after 2023How to spot a deal structure padded with unattainable earn-ups before you sign the letter of intent Timestamps[00:00] Intro [01:28] Two operators, one mission: meet Matt & Andrew [04:24] Why McLerran keeps everything in-house [08:03] Selling with the end in mind: the fiduciary approach [13:05] The half of your exit nobody talks about — your “why” [16:07] Equity structures and the power of optionality [17:50] Why the private market has never been stronger [20:37] The valuation you should've gotten three years ago [24:07] After the gold rush: the DSO “hangover” [32:45] Multiples lie. EBITDA doesn't. [34:34] The $17M offer that wasn't [40:22] How to work with McLerran Resources MentionedMcLerran & Associates — DentalTransitions.com Connect with Matt Sutton & Andrew KobylskiWebsite: https://dentaltransitions.com/ Matt Sutton on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/contactsutton Andrew Kobylski on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrew-kobylski Email: matt@dentaltransitions.com | andrew@dentaltransitions.com Free discovery calls are available daily through the McLerran website. Connect with Justin MartiLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/justinmarti Email: justin@martilawgroup.com Website: martilawgroup.com

    42 min
  2. Jun 2

    Inside the Med Spa M&A Boom: How to Maximize Your Exit with Chris Hubble of Lux Med Transition Strategies

    In this episode of Office Hours, host Justin Marti of Marti Law Group sits down with Chris Hubble, Founder and CEO of Lux Med Transition Strategies, an M&A advisory firm dedicated to the medical aesthetics and wellness space. With a 20-year career in healthcare , including senior operational roles at Med Synergies and a multi-year run building a speciality dental DSO — Chris brings a rare perspective shaped by sitting on both the buyer and seller sides of the table. Together, Justin and Chris unpack what aesthetic and wellness practice owners need to know about today's buyer landscape, the operational and financial metrics that drive valuation, and the costly missteps that can quietly erode a deal. If you own a med spa, plastic surgery practice, or wellness business , or you're even three to five years out from a potential exit , this conversation is a strategic playbook for getting ready the right way. What You'll Learn in This Episode The real difference between selling to a family office vs. private equity , and why the source of capital changes how you'll be managed post-closeThe operational, compliance, and financial KPIs aesthetic practice owners should be tracking now to protect (and grow) their multipleWhy introducing a buyer to your team too early can cost you a million dollars at the eleventh hourHow to evaluate whether you're actually ready to go to market , or whether you need a 2–3 year runway to fix structural issues firstWhy partnership fit, not just price, determines whether your exit becomes a legacy win or a long, painful "marriage" Timestamps (Audio Version) [00:00] Intro [01:50] What Lux Med actually does for sellers in the aesthetics space [02:48] From hospital MSOs to dental DSOs: Chris's path through healthcare consolidation [07:17] Why medical aesthetics looks like dental did 10 years ago [10:26] Family office vs. private equity: the distinction sellers miss [17:02] The operational and financial metrics buyers actually care about [21:35] Why going it alone almost always leaves money on the table [24:48] The $1M lesson: what happens when you introduce the buyer to your team too soon [28:48] Selling in 5 years vs. selling tomorrow: how to prepare either way [33:17] Inside Julia AI: the first AI-powered buyer–seller matching tool in M&A [35:31] How to get a no-obligation valuation from Lux Med Resources Mentioned Lux Med Transition Strategies: https://luxmedtransition.comProfessional Transition Strategies (PTS): https://professionaltransition.comJulia.ai (PTS/Lux Med's proprietary AI-powered buyer–seller matchmaking tool): https://professionaltransition.com/julia-ai/Kyle Francis (Founder & President, Professional Transition Strategies): https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylewfrancis/MedSynergies (acquired by Optum in 2014): https://www.optum.com/business/about/news/optum-to-acquire-medsynergies.htmlOptum (UnitedHealth Group): https://www.optum.comAuthority Magazine — Chris Hubble interview: https://medium.com/authority-magazine/chris-hubble-of-luxmed-transition-strategies-five-things-you-need-to-know-to-succeed-in-the-modern-112469feeb77 Connect with Chris Hubble Website: https://luxmedtransition.com (Contact Us page)Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/luxmed-transition-strategies Connect with Justin Marti LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinmartiEmail: justin@martilawgroup.comWebsite: martilawgroup.com

    40 min
  3. May 26

    From One Tiny Room to a Concierge Powerhouse: How Aesthera MedSpa’s Founders Scaled the Right Way

    In this episode of Office Hours for Practice Owners, host Justin Marti of Marti Law Group sits down with two of his own clients and longtime collaborators: Shonra Weiss, Co-Founder and CEO of Aesthera MedSpa, and Dr Megan Malzone, Co-Founder and COO. Shonra is a board-certified nurse practitioner and Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist with more than two decades of clinical experience, while Dr Malzone is a board-certified internal medicine physician who brings a whole-patient approach to aesthetics. Together, they built Aesthera. A self-funded, one-room operation launched in the middle of the 2020 pandemic into a full-service concierge med spa with eight treatment rooms, fifteen employees, and a second location. This conversation goes deeper than the usual growth-metrics talk. They explore the emotional reality of partnership, the discipline necessary in aesthetic practice, to treat the practice as a serious business rather than a physician’s side hustle, and the systems that made disciplined scaling possible. What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy treating a med spa as a “side gig” almost guarantees burnout, and what full commitment actually requiresHow to structure a multi-partner business so that disagreements, retirements, and exits don’t blow it upThe hiring philosophy that led Aesthera to turn away seasoned providers in favor of culture fitsWhy a fractional CFO may be one of the highest-leverage hires an aesthetic practice can makeHow to resist chasing shiny equipment and trends, and invest only when the data and patient base justify it Timestamps[00:00] Intro [02:04] Two unlikely paths into aesthetics [04:55] Where the Aesthera vision was born [08:03] Launching a business in the middle of COVID [10:29] The scrappy “one-room” beginning [13:39] Partnership as a marriage, and the prenup that protects it [18:42] “Assigned to everyone is assigned to no one”: owning your roles [19:53] Why a med spa can’t survive as a side gig [23:08] The human side: trust, vulnerability, and going dark for a week [28:52] The fractional CFO that became a “proxy MBA” [36:35] What’s next: a second location and integrative wellness [37:54] Hiring for core values over a full book of patients Resources MentionedAesthera MedSpa — Concierge medical aesthetics practice in Pismo Beach, CA. Website: https://www.aestheramedspa.com/ Instagram: @aesthera.aesthetics Contact: 931 N Oak Park Blvd, Ste 101, Pismo Beach, CA 93449 · (805) 574-4037 Maven Financial Partners — Fractional CFO firm specializing in med spas, dental, and aesthetic practices; referenced as the pivotal early hire that gave the founders their "proxy MBA." https://www.mavenfp.com/EOS / "Traction" (Entrepreneurial Operating System) — The "rocks" and accountabilities framework the team uses for quarterly goal-setting. Based on the book Traction by Gino Wickman. https://www.eosworldwide.com/ Connect with Shonra WeissWebsite: aestheramedspa.com/about/our-team/shonra-weissLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shonra-weiss-msn-npCompany: aestheramedspa.com Connect with Dr Megan MalzoneWebsite: aestheramedspa.com/about/our-team/dr-megan-malzoneLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/megan-malzone-mdCompany: aestheramedspa.com Connect with Justin MartiLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/justinmartiEmail: justin@martilawgroup.comWebsite: martilawgroup.com

    44 min
  4. May 19

    Inside the Med Spa Roll-Up: How Cosmetic Physician Partners Built a Founder-Owned Platform Without Private Equity

    In this episode of Office Hours for Practice Owners, host Justin Marti of Marti Law Group sits down with Daniel Schacter, CEO of Cosmetic Physician Partners (CPP), and Sean Walsh, VP of Partnerships, to unpack what actually happens when a med spa owner partners with a platform. Daniel, an Oxford MBA who spent his early career at Deloitte and McKinsey before founding multiple companies valued at over half a billion dollars, built CPP with a clear vision: scale a provider-led organization that lets practice owners retain control, unlike most private equity-backed platforms in medical aesthetics. Sean, also an Oxford MBA and former Boston Consulting Group consultant, joined Daniel in 2022 and has since become a household name in the industry, working directly with physician-owners to enter mutually successful partnerships with CPP. Together, they share the origin story of a platform now operating 75+ locations with no private equity dollars on its cap table, and walk through the realities of multiples, cultural fit, and the advisor decisions that make or break a deal. If you're a practice owner thinking about a transaction in the next year or the next five, this episode is a practical map of what to look for, what to avoid, and what really drives valuation. What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy the cheapest legal bill in an M&A deal often comes from the most experienced lawyer, and how owners get burned by hiring family friends to negotiate transactionsThe real multiple ranges for single-clinic and multi-site med spas in 2026, and the specific factors that move you up or down the bandHow CPP screens partners using a rubric where financial performance is the fourth item on the list, and what comes firstThe unfair advantages that command premium valuations (hint: it's never price)Why opening a second location to chase a higher multiple often destroys value instead of creating itWhat "partner-owned" actually means when a platform has no private equity and no preferred shares in the stack [00:00] Intro [01:55] The Montreal building, a struggling dermatologist, and the accidental founding of CPP [06:42] What "partner-owned" actually means, and why there's no PE on the cap table [09:48] The No A*****e Policy and why every CPP doctor has a veto on new partners [11:01] The rubric: why financials are the fourth thing CPP evaluates, not the first [13:11] Staff turnover as the hidden culture metric every buyer reads [18:20] Buy-out vs. buy-in: the mindset shift owners get wrong [25:51] The "education tax", why hiring the wrong lawyer is the most expensive mistake in a deal [30:30] Multiples decoded: the 5x–8x range for single clinics and what moves the needle [33:04] Why a second location can earn a negative multiple [37:05] What to look for in a partner when every good offer lands in the same range Resources MentionedCosmetic Physician Partners (CPP): https://cosmeticphysicianpartners.comVictoria Park Medispa (CPP's Canadian sister brand): https://vicpark.comMcKinsey & Company: https://www.mckinsey.comBoston Consulting Group (BCG): https://www.bcg.comUniversity of Oxford: https://www.ox.ac.ukSkytale Insights Podcast (Skytale Group): https://skytalegroup.com/podcast/American Med Spa Association (AmSpa) — Medical Spa Show: https://www.medicalspashow.com Connect with Daniel SchacterDaniel Schacter is the CEO of Cosmetic Physician Partners. After earning his MBA from Oxford, Daniel spent years consulting at McKinsey and Deloitte before moving into COO and CEO roles. He founded CPP with the vision of scaling a provider-led organization that lets clinicians retain control, a deliberate alternative to private equity-backed platforms in medical aesthetics. CPP has since scaled to 75+ locations and counting. Website: https://cosmeticphysicianpartners.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-schacter-20782221/Email (Partnerships): partnerships@cppclinics.com Connect with Sean WalshSean Walsh is VP of Partnerships at Cosmetic Physician Partners. An Oxford MBA grad, Sean spent time in investment banking and consulting at Boston Consulting Group before joining Daniel to accelerate CPP's growth in 2022. He has since become a trusted voice in medical aesthetics, working directly with physician-owners to structure mutually successful partnerships with CPP. Website: https://cosmeticphysicianpartners.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sfwalsh/Email (Partnerships): partnerships@cppclinics.com Connect with Justin MartiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinmartiEmail: justin@martilawgroup.comWebsite: https://martilawgroup.com

    42 min
  5. May 12

    Buying In: How to Structure Associate Ownership Without Wrecking the Practice

    In this episode of Office Hours, host Justin Marti of Marti Law Group sits down with Jessica Nunn, founder of Maven Financial Partners, for a candid conversation on one of the most consequential decisions a healthcare practice owner will make: when and how to bring an associate into ownership. Jessica, a CPA-turned-fractional CFO whose firm advises dental, medical aesthetics, plastic surgery, concierge, and functional medicine practices, breaks down the full lifecycle of an associate — from first-year hire to equity partner. Together, Justin and Jessica unpack compensation models, valuation timing, financing structures, and the legal and financial guardrails every owner needs before “putting a ring on it.” If you’ve ever wondered whether to stay the king of your kingdom or build a partner-driven practice, this episode lays out the trade-offs in plain English. What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow to structure associate compensation at each stage, from daily minimums and flat salaries for new hires to production-based models for established providersWhy owners should wait at least 18 months before offering equity, and the warning signs that an associate is ready (or not) to become a partnerThe right way to value a practice at the moment of buy-in, and why “sweat equity” arguments from associates usually don’t hold upHow to choose between bank financing and a seller note when an associate buys in, and the risks of becoming your partner’s bankerWhat needs to be papered up before the deal closes, repurchase rights, fiduciary duties, non-competes, distribution policies, and division of operational dutiesWhy locking yourself into a rigid 5- or 10-year succession plan can backfire, and how to build flexibility into your exit strategy [00:00] Intro [02:55] The two associate archetypes every practice owner needs to recognize [04:35] Compensation that evolves: from daily minimums to production-based pay [07:14] “Be the king” vs. building a partner-driven practice [08:35] Why 18 months of working together comes before any equity conversation [10:46] Bank financing vs. seller notes, and why you don’t want to be your partner’s banker [12:38] Papering for the worst-case: repurchases, clawbacks, and the partnership “prenup” [14:23] The danger of mapping out the rest of your life in legal documents [18:18] Why you should value the practice the day of the buy-in, not the day the associate started [21:18] Why partner deals can be harder than third-party M&A [22:02] Cleaning up the books before a partner buys in [23:40] Dividing duties so ownership doesn’t quietly turn into resentment Resources MentionedMaven Financial Partners — https://www.mavenfp.comMaven Financial Partners on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/mavenfinancial/ Connect with Jessica Nunn Website: https://www.mavenfp.comBio: https://www.mavenfp.com/team/jessica-nunnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-nunn-cpa-1474a417/Email: jessica.nunn@mavenfp.comPhone: 972-999-6947Instagram (Maven): https://www.instagram.com/mavenfinancial/ Connect with Justin MartiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinmartiEmail: justin@martilawgroup.com Website: https://martilawgroup.com

    27 min
  6. May 5

    Banking Built for Doctors: How Panacea Financial Is Changing the Way Dentists and Physicians Borrow, Build, and Grow

    Justin Marti of Marti Law Group sits down with Brandon Finazzo, Head of Practice Solutions at Panacea Financial, for a candid conversation about what it actually takes to finance a healthcare practice in today's market. Panacea was founded by two practicing physicians who were turned away by traditional banks during their residency — and built something better. Brandon brings over a decade of healthcare lending experience from Wells Fargo, Citibank, and US Bank, and now helps dentists, physicians, and veterinarians navigate everything from their first startup loan to multi-location growth. This episode cuts through the noise on construction costs, interest rates, student debt, and the costly mistakes doctors make before they ever open their doors. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why timing matters more than most doctors realize — and what financial habits to build before you're ready to ownThe unique lending products Panacea offers that most traditional banks won't touch, including an unsecured partner buy-in loanWhat headwinds are hitting healthcare practice financing right now — and how to plan around rising construction costs and elevated interest ratesThe hidden dangers of stacking an equipment loan on top of a startup loan, and why it can lead to bankruptcyHow to build the right advisory team from day one and why industry-specific professionals make or break a deal [00:00] Intro [01:59] How Panacea Financial Was Founded — and Why Two Doctors Built a Bank [04:32] Unique Lending Products: Partner Buy-In Loans and Conventional Construction Financing [06:30] The One-Stop-Shop Vision: From Residency to Multi-Location Ownership [08:24] What Every Growing Doctor Needs to Hear From Their Banker Before Loan #2 [10:21] Current Market Headwinds: Construction Costs, Interest Rates, and Reality Checks [13:36] How to Prepare Financially Before You Ever Apply for a Practice Loan [18:50] The Equipment Loan Trap That's Putting New Practices in Financial Crisis [22:03] What the Startup Loan Process Actually Looks Like from Application to Open Doors [25:44] Why Industry-Specific Teams Change Everything (And a Contractor Story That Proves It) [28:21] How to Connect with Panacea Financial and Find the Right Representative Resources Mentioned Panacea Practice Solutions (practice loans for dentists, physicians & vets) — panaceafinancial.com/all/panacea-practice-solutionsAmerican Dental Association (ADA) — ada.orgOhio State Medical Association (OSMA) — osma.org Connect with Brandon Finazzo Website: panaceafinancial.comEmail: (reach out via the website inquiry form for the fastest response)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-finazzo/ Connect with Justin Marti LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinmartiEmail: justin@martilawgroup.comWebsite: martilawgroup.com

    30 min
  7. Apr 28

    Signals vs. Noise: What's Actually Happening in the DSO Market 2026 with Bill Neumann

    Justin Marti of Marti Law Group sits down with Bill Neumann, co-founder and CEO of Group Dentistry Now, DSO consultant, and a two-decade veteran of the dental industry. They have a candid conversation on what's actually driving the dental market right now. Bill has been at the forefront of DSO media and intelligence since the early days: he co-founded Efficiency in Group Practice, the first print publication dedicated to DSOs, and later launched Dental Sales Pro Connect, the first app built for dental product literature and information. Today, Group Dentistry Now is the number one destination for DSO news, M&A data, and emerging trends. From the feeding frenzy of 2020–2021 to today's more disciplined deal environment, Bill breaks down how DSOs are evolving, where AI is making real operational impact, and why the dentist-entrepreneur may be the most exciting story in dentistry today. If you're a practice owner, group operator, or advisor trying to cut through the noise, this episode delivers the signal. What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy the DSO M&A market looks nothing like 2021, and what today's deals actually look like in terms of structure, diligence, and termsHow AI is already reshaping front-desk operations and revenue cycle management, and how to evaluate which solutions are worth your attentionWhy private equity may not be the right capital partner for dentistry, and what alternative funding structures are gaining tractionThe rise of the dentist-entrepreneur, and how emerging group models are creating new pathways to scale that don't require a DSO partnershipWhat Bill expects in the next 12–24 months, including major consolidation plays and which DSOs are quietly positioned to make big moves [00:00] Intro [01:54] Who is Bill Neumann and why Group Dentistry Now matters [03:24] How the DSO space evolved, from "undercover" to information overload [08:09] AI in dentistry: what's actually here vs. what's still hype [10:15] Front desk AI and the 30% missed call problem [14:37] The hangover from the 2020–2021 acquisition frenzy [17:34] The dentist-entrepreneur opportunity: why emerging groups are outperforming [22:55] Why private equity may not fit dentistry's timeline — and what else is working [24:21] Park Dental Partners goes public: what it means for DSO transparency [30:19] Crystal ball: what the next 24 months hold for deals, consolidation, and growth Resources MentionedGroup Dentistry Now: groupdentistrynow.comDental Innovation Alliance (DIA:Venture capital firm funding early-stage dental technology companies; https://www.dialliance.comPark Dental Partners: DSO based in Minnesota/Wisconsin; completed a $20M IPO on Nasdaq (ticker: PARK) in December 2025 https://www.parkdentalpartners.comElite Dental Partners: DSO referenced for its associate earn-in partnership model ("Elite Advantage") https://www.elitedentalpartners.comPearl: Dental diagnostic AI platform (FDA-cleared); one of the first AI tools adopted at scale in DSOs https://www.hellopearl.comOverjet: FDA-cleared dental AI for caries detection and bone level quantification https://www.overjet.comVideaHealth: Dental diagnostic AI platform; FDA-cleared for caries detection https://www.videa.ai Connect with Bill NeumannWebsite: groupdentistrynow.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dentalsalespro/ Connect with Justin MartiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinmartiEmail: justin@martilawgroup.com Website: martilawgroup.com

    36 min
  8. Apr 21

    Why Healthcare Practices Need a Real Estate Specialist with Stephanie Principe

    In this episode of Office Hours, Justin Marti sits down with Stephanie Principe of Practice Real Estate Group to discuss how healthcare providers can make smarter real estate decisions when starting, growing, or expanding a practice. Stephanie specializes in advising healthcare professionals who are launching their own practices and guiding established providers as they grow, expand, or open additional locations. Together, they break down how market data, lease strategy, tenant improvement negotiations, and the right advisor team can materially impact a practice’s success. For dentists, veterinarians, optometrists, dermatologists, and other healthcare founders, this episode offers a practical look at how to approach real estate with more clarity, confidence, and strategy. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How healthcare founders can use demographic and competitive data to make better location decisionsWhy lease term length, tenant improvement allowances, and free-rent periods matter more than most providers realizeThe startup mistakes that can create unnecessary cash strain early in a practice’s growthHow to build the right advisor team around a transaction so that legal, construction, equipment, and real estate decisions alignWhat can quietly derail a deal late in the process and how to avoid it [00:00] Intro [00:41] Stephanie Principe’s background [03:58] The healthcare specialities Practice Real Estate Group supports [05:22] The data that helps Doctors and Practice Owners make strategic decisions [08:29] How first-time owners should think about the search process [10:42] Why every startup needs this special advisor team around transactions [12:00] Planning buildout, equipment, and space utilization for profitability [14:18] Common deal killers in healthcare real estate transactions [17:04] How to leverage Tenant improvement allowances [19:10] Why healthcare providers need a real estate specialist, not a generalist Connect with Stephanie Principe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-principe-465b44254/Website: https://practicerealestategroup.com/bio/stephanie-principe/ Connect with Justin Marti: LinkedIn: Justin MartiEmail: justin@martilawgroup.comWebsite: martilawgroup.com

    23 min
  9. Apr 14

    From Ghana With No Running Water to a Multi-Million Dollar Empire w/ Lesley Kuffour

    In this episode of Office Hours, Justin Marti sits down with Lesley Kuffour for a conversation about mindset, discipline, and long-term wealth building. Kuffour is a 2024 Hartford Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and the owner behind Hillstone Holdings, Hillstone Recovery, a Connecticut Home Instead franchise location, and Total Health Club. He shares the story of growing up in Ghana with limited resources, earning his way to the U.S. for college, and using persistence, delayed gratification, and systems thinking to build businesses that create both income and impact. For founders, operators, and practice owners, this episode is a practical reminder that real growth is built on sacrifice, structure, and vision. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why delayed gratification can accelerate growth far more than early lifestyle spendingHow persistence and follow-through can create opportunities that look closed to everyone elseHow to use a career as a springboard for investing, ownership, and long-term wealth creationWhat business owners should systemize before trying to scale with AIWhy giving back and building in your community can become part of a powerful business philosophy [00:00] Intro [03:53] Growing up in Ghana without Money and electricity [07:05] The opportunity and path to the U.S. [09:24] The breakthrough that changed everything, against all odds [13:11] The hidden drive most miss [17:16] Why giving back became part of the business model [23:09] How to fund the entrepreneurship journey [27:18] Building the means to seize the first Real Estate Deal [31:10] How he leverage corporate leadership [35:05] What business owners are getting wrong about AI [42:15] The most important step before AI and Automation [46:53] A visionary’s Advice for entrepreneurs Connect with Lesley Kuffour: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-kuffour-668a9272/Hillstone Holdings: https://www.facebook.com/HillstoneHoldingsLLC/Hillstone Recovery: https://hillstonerecovery.comHome Instead (Tolland, Connecticut): https://www.homeinstead.comTotal Health Club: https://thetotalhealthclub.comProperty management/apartment inquiries: (860) 977-7117 Connect with Justin Marti: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinmartiEmail: justin@martilawgroup.com Website: https://www.martilawgroup.com

    51 min
  10. Apr 7

    Why Dental Practice Deals Fall Apart and How to Actually Get Them Closed with Kevin McGonigal

    In this episode of Office Hours, Justin Marti sits down with Kevin McGonigal, co-owner of the DDSmatch Northeast team, to break down why so many dental practice deals stall, unravel, or die before the finish line. With 20 years of dental industry experience, Kevin has seen the full lifecycle of a practice, from startup and buildout to scale and exit, giving him a uniquely practical view of what makes a transition succeed. The conversation goes beyond valuation headlines and digs into the real issues that shape outcomes: emotion, confidentiality, staff stability, timing, and preparation. For dental practice owners weighing a sale, considering a DSO offer, or simply trying to preserve optionality, this episode is packed with practical guidance. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why the hardest part of selling a dental practice is rarely finding a buyerHow DIY sales break down and what to do about itWhy confidentiality and staff stability can directly impact goodwill and deal valueHow early planning creates more control over buyer fit, timing, and exit optionsWhat practice owners should do before reacting to unsolicited DSO offers [00:00] Intro [02:20] Why valuation is only part of the story in a practice sale [03:56] Why DIY dental practice sales often fall apart [05:18] The emotional side of selling and the broker’s role in a DSO Deal [07:22] Common mistakes that can quietly kill a deal [10:30] The biggest deal killers [14:50] A real example of a failed sale that turned into a better outcome [16:58] How early owners should start planning for a transition [19:47] The impact of geography, buyer profile, and practice goals [21:19] Building the right advisor team before you are ready to sell [22:28] How to look at unsolicited DSO offers Connect with Kevin McGonigal: Website: northeast.ddsmatch.comhttps://ddsmatch.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-mcgonigal/ Connect with Justin Marti: LinkedIn: Justin MartiEmail: justin@martilawgroup.comWebsite: martilawgroup.com

    26 min
  11. Mar 31

    How Dental Groups Scale Smarter: Financial Visibility, Systems, and Exit Readiness with Eric Pastan

    In this episode of Office Hours, Justin from Marti Law Group sits down with Eric Pastan, his former business partner in the dental services organization (DSO) they co-founded and scaled to 45 locations before achieving a private equity exit. Now serving as Director of Consulting at Elliott Davis, Eric helps healthcare organizations navigate financial complexity, build actionable growth strategies, and prepare for successful exits of their own. Together, Justin and Eric reflect on the lessons they learned while building a multi-location DSO, including what they got right, what they would do differently, and why growth without financial discipline can create serious problems. This episode is packed with practical insights for healthcare founders, dental group leaders, and anyone looking to scale with the end in mind. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why rising revenue can still leave your bank account flat, and the warning signs leaders often missThe financial systems and centralized reporting structures every growing DSO needs far earlier than most implement themHow culture, training, and operational consistency can directly increase enterprise value and support a better exitWhy growth for growth’s sake can destroy profitability without a clear ROI plan behind each new unit or acquisitionHow to think about debt, payer concentration, and long-term exit strategy before scaling gets too far ahead of the business [00:00] Intro [02:33] Eric’s background in helping healthcare businesses [05:24] Where growing groups should start: financial visibility, KPIs, and planning [08:37] How growth without planning can waste capital [09:15] The role culture, people, and employee incentives play in success [11:27] The hidden driver of value in a practice [15:12] Debt, self-funding, and capital strategy for scaling dental groups [17:37] Managing payer concentration risk and the Medicaid dependency challenge [19:43] How to build a practice ready to exit [20:10] Scaling a practice the right way [24:33] Final advice on bridging the gap between vision and execution Connect with Eric Pastan: LinkedIn: Eric Pastan Email: Eric.pastan@elliottdavis.com Website: elliottdavis.com Connect with Justin Marti: LinkedIn: Justin Marti Email: justin@martilawgroup.com Website: martilawgroup.com Subscribe to Office Hours for more conversations on scaling, transactions, and strategy in the dental and healthcare space. Leave a review if this episode gave you a new lens on profitability, growth, or exit planning. To connect with Justin or learn more about legal and strategic resources for your organization, visit martilawgroup.com or reach out directly.

    29 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Office Hours for Practice Owners is the go-to podcast for healthcare practice owners who want to start, grow, protect, and eventually exit their businesses with more clarity and confidence. Hosted by attorney and healthcare business advisor Justin Marti, the show breaks down the legal and strategic issues that matter most to practice owners — from ownership, compliance, and contracts to scaling, buying, selling, and structuring a practice for long-term success. If you want practical insights that make law simple and help you make smarter business decisions, listen to Office Hours for Practice Owners.