Episodes

The Making Of Smile and Co. #2 — Smile Design Studio | The Come To Jesus Moment, Insurance, and Financing In this episode Ashley and Collin sit down inside Smile Design Studio, the very office they are talking about building, for a raw and honest conversation about the decisions that shaped both Smile and Co. locations. From the come to Jesus meeting that almost stopped the second location from happening, to getting out of network at the worst possible time, to the financial side of owning tw...

Branding, Culture, and the Vision Behind Evelina Smiles In this episode Ashley sits down with Dr. Rich Constantine to go behind the brand. From the story behind the name to the team he is building from scratch, this one is equal parts heart and strategy. What You'll Hear in This Episode: 05:00 – Where the Name Comes From Evelina is named after his grandmother Evelyn. Why he chose a name with meaning that is not tied to him personally. And the little coffee corner called Cup of Jane, honoring ...

The Hospitality Standard There is a reason Michelin-star restaurants have people coming back again and again. It is not just the food. It is the way they make you feel from the moment you walk in the door to the moment you leave. Ashley Joves has spent years applying that same philosophy to dentistry at Smile & Co. In this episode, she breaks down exactly what she does so you and your team can start doing it too. The best part? None of this requires a renovation, a bigger budget, or a com...

In this episode, Collin and Ashley take a moment to pause the regular schedule and check in. Between navigating personal health journeys and managing a growing business, the duo realizes they’ve been sitting on a treasure trove of history. While the podcast continues to spotlight new dental startups across the country, Ash and Col are officially opening "The Vault" to finally tell the story of Smile & Co. Roseville. This isn't a new series—it’s a long-overdue documentation of the "Making Of" As...

Location, Demographics, and Financing Your Dream Build In this episode Ashley sits down with Dr. Rich Constantine for a deep dive into the decisions that happen long before a single wall goes up. Real numbers, real mistakes, and real talk for anyone thinking about a ground up build. What You'll Hear in This Episode: 05:00 – Location and Site Selection How Rich found his first lot on a downtown walk. How his non-compete shaped the search for lot number two. What to look for in a real estate pa...

The Marketing Truth Every Startup Doc Needs to Hear | Josh Scott of Studio 8E8 and Dr. Toni of Bloom Dental Co. In this episode, Ashley sits down with Josh Scott, founder of Studio 8E8, and Dr. Toni Torres of Bloom Dental Co. for one of the most practical and inspiring branding and marketing conversations we have ever had on this podcast. From building a brand before you have a lease to finding your story when you think you don't have one, this episode is the conversation every startup doc needs...

The Making Of 323 Dentistry with Dr. Brian In this episode, Collin sits down with Dr. Brian, founder of 323 Dentistry in Newhall, CA — a practice built on prevention-first care, fee transparency, and hard-earned pivots. From a bank-robbing former employer to a ground-up build finally breaking ground, Dr. Brian's journey is one of the most raw and relatable we've ever heard. What You'll Learn: From Chaos to Clarity: Dr. Brian's first practice ended with a locked-out office, the police, and a f...

This episode serves as the ultimate "Intro" to a brand-new chapter of The Making Of. We aren't just talking about a new office; we’re documenting the evolution of Dr. Rich Constantine as he embarks on his most intentional project yet: Evelina Smiles. Rich pulls back the curtain on his entire career arc—a journey that has seen him go from a high-level Associate to launching his first successful Startup, navigating the complexities of Selling that practice, and now, returning to the arena to bu...

"You can't have beauty without that foundation of health and function." In this episode of The Making Of..., Collin sits down with Dr. Megan of Soleil Dental Co. to pull back the curtain on a truly unique path to ownership. Dr. Megan didn't just decide to open a practice; she decided to build a "village" in her hometown after realizing the standard associate track couldn't contain her vision. Her story is a masterclass in the "Shell-Start"—buying an existing facility with equipment but zero p...

Collin sits down with Dr. Toni Torres to see how Bloom Dental Co. is flourishing five months post-launch. 1. Clinical & Financial Milestones The Profit Pivot: Bloom hit profitability in Month 3 and doubled it in Month 4, fueled by a successful All-on-X case. The $30k Tax Surprise: Toni shares the relief of a $30,000 tax refund due to startup investment losses—a crucial "cash cushion" as she navigates not yet taking a personal salary. 2. Anatomy of a "Wedding-Style" Grand Opening The Results: ...

In this episode, Collin Al-Samarrie talks with Dr. Dixie Mobley, an Air Force veteran and founder of Pearl and Pine Dental Studio. They discuss her rapid transition from military dentistry to building a "bomb-shelter" startup in the Florida Panhandle. Episode Timestamps [00:00] Intro & "This or That" with Dr. Dixie. [05:42] The Origin Story: Following her father’s private practice footsteps. [08:15] Military Life: The elite training and the "dual military" commute struggle. [14:30] The Turni...

Life, Wellness, and the "Marathon Mindset" In this raw and intimate "living room session," Ashley, Collin, and Brian sit down to pass a single mic and share a major life update. This isn't your typical clinical podcast; it’s a deep dive into the "Not Alone" mission that defines The Making Of. From Brian’s miraculous PET scan results to a surprise marathon challenge and the role of AI in personal wellness, this episode explores the grit required to navigate the "messy middle" of both dentistry...

In this raw, "on-the-go" episode, Brian and Ashley take you on a Thursday afternoon walk in California to discuss the most intense season of their lives. Recorded just after receiving life-changing medical imaging results, this conversation bridges the gap between the clinical "battle" and the human "journey." From the "hangover" of chemotherapy to a radical shift in nutrition, this is a deep dive into what it means to "make" a life when the foundation is shaken. 🎙️ In This Episode, We Discus...

Episode Overview: We are re-releasing one of our most popular and impactful conversations! In this episode, Dr. Ashley Joves sits down with the legendary Dr. Rob Ritter for a masterclass in dental practice longevity, leadership, and the art of the high-end consult. Dr. Ritter shares the hard-won wisdom from his 30+ years in practice, diving into the "benevolent dictatorship" model of leadership, the truth about dropping PPOs, and why valuing your time is the ultimate key to success. Whether you...

In This Episode, We Discuss: The Physicality of Dentistry: Toni discusses how she combats the postural strain and why ergonomic loupes have been a game-changer for her migraines and neck pain.The $17,000 "Happy Accident": Toni recounts her first All-on-4 restoration case. Relinquishing the Vine: Dr. Ashley Joves reflects on the "forced delegation" of her business, realizing that building a team-led practice has allowed her the freedom to be present for her family during a crisis.The CBCT...

In this raw "trifecta" episode, Ashley, Brian, and Collin sit down for a candid update on Brian’s battle with Stage 4 tongue cancer. Recorded just weeks before a life-altering surgery, the team discusses the physical toll of chemo, the overwhelming weight of "decision fatigue," and how the dental community has rallied to support them. This is an unfiltered look at resilience and the reality of navigating a healthcare system in crisis. 1. Life in the "Messy Middle" Family Strength: Brian share...

In this week’s episode, Collin Al-Samarrie sits down with Dr. Toni Torres of Bloom Dental Co. to navigate the high-stakes month leading up to her formal grand opening. From the logistics of hosting a city-sanctioned ribbon cutting to the sudden "panic" of realizing your practice is growing faster than your team can handle, Toni pulls back the curtain on the emotional and operational roller coaster of being four months into a startup. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: [07:05] – Home Life Update ...

Life in the Making — An Update from Dr. Ashley Joves After a brief hiatus, Dr. Ashley Joves is back in the booth with Collin Al-Samarrie. While The Making Of usually focuses on the grit of dental startups, this episode takes a deeply personal turn as Ashley shares the "life" part of the journey—specifically, the challenging season her family has walked through since December. In this transparent and heart-wrenching episode, Ashley opens up about her husband Brian’s battle with oral cancer re...

EPISODE 12 “The Business of Branding, Banned Words, and Burst Water Heaters” In this week’s episode Dr. Ashley Joves, Dr. Toni Torres, and Collin dive deep into the "messy middle" of the startup journey—moving from the dry world of legal paperwork into the high-stakes world of branding and insurance. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the "invisible" work of being an owner, this episode is a must-listen. Toni and Ashley pull back the curtain on the mistakes that cost six figures and the...

About the Guest: Dr. Hiral Patel is the owner of Solid Smiles in Lewisville, Texas. As an "OG" member of The Making Of community, she transitioned from searching for acquisitions to building her own startup from the ground up in 2019. Episode Summary: Collin and Dr. Patel discuss the full evolution of a startup—from the first "silent" months in 2019 to a thriving, five-op practice seven years later. Hiral gets transparent about the financial struggles of the early years, the importance of "bo...

The Money Deep Dive: Loans, Leverage, and the Cost of Day Zero Episode Summary: Happy New Year! We are officially in 2026, and we are kicking off the year with a masterclass in startup finance. To celebrate our recent win as Course Karma’s 2025 Best Facebook Group for Business Management, we are diving straight into the "Day Zero" realities of Dr. Toni Torres and Bloom Dental Co. In this episode, Toni pulls back the curtain on the phase before the lease is signed. We explore the terrifying trans...

"Thank you for tuning in to the very last episode of The Making of Podcast 2025. I can't believe we're here! We are doing a rewind this week, going back to Episode 2 with Dr. Ashley Joves and Michael Arias. There has been so much going on behind the scenes. From Dr. Toni Torres’ daughter’s 5th birthday to Ashley and Brian’s anniversary. It was also my birthday yesterday! I’ve been hosting eight Australians in my house for the last week (my husband’s family from down under), so life has been c...

🎙️ The Pivot: Finding Your "Why" & The Origin of Smile & Co. (Rewind) "We are not promised tomorrow, so don't get stuck in the day-to-day stupid stuff. Go for your dreams." In the spirit of our favorite word here at The Making Of—PIVOT—Collin takes the mic for a solo intro to reflect on an emotional and transformative 2025. Between the rush of the holidays and the heavy reality of personal loss and health battles within our circle, this year has forced us all to pause and ask the big ...

EPISODE 10 — “AMA Part 2: Real Startup Questions, Real Answers” Collin steps in for Ashley and sits down with Dr. Toni Torres to finish the AMA questions doctors have been sending in after following Bloom Dental Co’s startup journey. This episode is packed with practical build-out advice (ops, cabinetry, sterile flow, signage), plus the very real frustrations of insurance denials—and how community helps you keep going. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome + why community makes you braver 05:40 – W...