Episodes

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...

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, 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...

In this week’s episode of The Making Of Bloom Dental Co., Dr. Ashley Joves and Dr. Toni Torres switch things up and dive into a full AMA-style conversation, answering the real questions doctors have been sending Toni as they follow her startup journey. If you’ve ever wondered about social media, associateship hours, pre-opening tasks, or what actually happens behind the scenes of those early startup days—this episode is your roadmap. From the truth about showing up on Instagram, to the unexpec...

In this festive and refreshingly honest episode of The Making Of Podcast, Dr. Ashley and Collin take a step back from startup playbooks to talk life, business, and the chaos in between. What starts as a lighthearted holiday check-in quickly turns into an episode full of laughter, vulnerability, and lessons for every practice owner—especially as the year winds down. From decluttering your closets to decluttering your team, Ashley and Collin cover what it really looks like to simplify, to set bou...

Grand Openings, Team Dynamics, and Holiday Fun In this episode of The Making Of, Dr. Ashley Joves and Collin are joined by Dr. Toni Torres to discuss the latest updates and challenges at Bloom Dental Co. They discuss team dynamics, holiday plans, temp staffing solutions, and Dr. Torres’ upcoming grand opening event. The trio also dives into engaging topics such as personalized patient experiences, the importance of proper documentation and inspections, and fun group chat about Thanksgiving tr...

EPISODE 7 — “Full-Time, Fired Up, and Figuring It Out” In this episode of The Making Of Bloom Dental Co., Dr. Ashley Joves and Dr. Toni Torres dig deep into what it really means to go all-in on your startup. Toni drops a major update. From fine-tuning her team’s daily flow to balancing growing pains and unexpected wins, she walks us through exactly what it feels like to be three weeks in. This one covers it all: new schedules, pre-payments, comfort menus, marketing strategies that are actuall...

🦷 EPISODE 6 — “Marketing, Mishaps, and Making It Happen” In this episode of The Making of Podcast, Dr. Ashley and Dr. Toni Torres dive deep into what it’s really like to get new patients through the door in the early days of practice ownership. Dr. Toni opens up about her third week of seeing patients at Bloom Dental Co., the tech hiccups she’s troubleshooting behind the scenes, and the (sometimes hilarious) reality of being alone at the office late at night. From unexpected visitors to AI in...

On this episode of 'The Making Of' Dr. Ashley Joves and Dr. Toni Torres sit down to discuss the exciting first day of Bloom Dental Co. Listen along to the ladies talk about the highs and the lessons learned. First Day Insights and Hurdles at Bloom Dental Co. In this episode of the Making of Podcast, co-host Ashley Joves discusses with Toni the journey leading up to and including her first day seeing patients at Bloom Dental Co. Key topics include overcoming OSHA compliance hurdles, setting ...

Building Bloom Dental Co: From Concept to Certification with Dr. Toni Torres In this episode of 'The Making of a Dental Startup,' host welcomes Dr. Toni Torres to discuss the real-time progress of her new practice, Bloom Dental Co. Dr. Torres shares updates on passing building and fire inspections, securing a certificate of occupancy, and navigating construction challenges. Key topics include tenant improvement allowances, contractor communications, and the importance of daily onsite visits....

Building a Dental Practice: Navigating Challenges and Triumphs with Dr. Toni Torres In this insightful episode of 'The Making of a Dental Startup,' the journey of Bloom Dental Co. continues with Dr. Toni Torres sharing her latest experiences. The episode begins with a series of light-hearted 'this or that' questions before diving into the serious business of setting up a dental practice. Key highlights include Dr. Torres's progress on passing a fire inspection, the importance of tenant improv...

Navigating Dental Practice Setup: Equipment, Budgeting, and Consulting Insights This episode, Dr. Toni Torres details their journey of setting up a dental practice, focusing on the selection of operatory chairs, custom cabinetry, and other essential equipment. They discuss their decision-making process, including advice from mentors like Scott Leune. The challenges of managing a tight budget, securing a substantial loan, and dealing with construction and equipment delays are highlighted. The ...

In this exciting episode of 'The Making of a Dental Startup,' co-host Ashley Joves returns from a hiatus to introduce Dr. Toni Torres, who shares her journey of creating Bloom Dental Co. in Henderson, Nevada. Dr. Torres talks about her background, the inspiration behind starting her own practice, and the challenges she has faced. She also discusses her experiences with social media, highlighting how it has helped her connect with her community and attract patients. The conversation touches on...