Tony Robbins & Me

I want to share the unique journey that led me to focus on dentistry. You might be wondering, why dentistry? The answer is simple: my father.

Ever since I was a little boy, my father, a dentist, advised me against following in his footsteps. He faced numerous challenges with insurance companies and corporate dentistry over 20 years ago and believed that success in this field required strong business acumen. So, he encouraged me to build my skills accordingly, with the goal of becoming a Fortune 500 CEO.

Building Business Skills

My journey began with a focus on business. I had the great pleasure of co-authoring a bestselling book on business skills with Brian Tracy and sharing the stage with Michael Gerber, the author of “The E-Myth Revisited.” My career took a significant leap forward when I became a top coach for Tony Robbins, but that’s a story for later.

Turning Point: Helping My Father’s Practice

While working with Tony Robbins, my father’s dental practice was nearing bankruptcy. Seeing his struggles, I offered to help. He agreed, and I took over the marketing and administration of his business. Although we attracted a flood of new patients, we faced difficulties converting them into loyal customers. It was clear that we needed a different approach.

Collaboration with My Wife

At the time, my girlfriend (now wife), Heather, was working for Bloomingdale’s and Kate Spade as a top sales consultant, manager, and trainer. Despite having no experience in dentistry, she brought valuable retail systems and processes to our practice. Heather took over the phones and customer service, and together, we transformed my father’s $1 million practice into a $2.3 million success within 18 months. We attracted high-profile patients, including heads of state and celebrities, by applying the best business practices to dentistry.

A Memorable Moment with Tony Robbins

One of the most memorable moments of my career was at a Tony Robbins conference in Vegas. Tony, known for his high energy, asked me to share a story. I told him about my father’s practice and how we doubled and improved it within 18 months. I included some Tony-isms and highlighted how special it was to make a difference not just financially, but for my family and our patients. Tony smiled and said, “Alex, that’s a good story,” shaking my hand—a moment that planted the seed for All-Star Dental Academy.

Founding All-Star Dental Academy

Inspired by our success and Tony Robbins’ encouragement, I founded All-Star Dental Academy. Our company has since partnered with major dental organizations like the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Dawson Academy. We are now the leading training and coaching company for service-based phone skills and practice management training.

Applying Business Skills Across Industries

Whether you’re a dentist or an entrepreneur in any field, the business skills I’ve shared apply universally. Tony Robbins taught me to model the best in business and always seek improvement, regardless of the industry. I hope my journey inspires you to apply what you learn to your own business endeavors.