Shownotes

Lesley Logan chats with Jill Allen, orthodontic consultant, business strategist, and host of the Hey Docs! podcast, about building a thriving business by balancing logic, courage, and heart. Jill shares how she niched into startups, overcame imposter syndrome, and grew a national consulting practice from scratch with clarity, confidence, and a willingness to figure it out. Together they explore how curiosity and smart decision-making helped her be it till she saw it—and how you can too.

If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co.

And as always, if you’re enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe.

In this episode you will learn about:

• How Jill discovered her entrepreneurial path in the orthodontic industry.
• Why niching down can create more opportunity and success in your business.
• What it takes to build confidence and overcome imposter syndrome as a founder.
• How block scheduling and focus can transform the way you work.
• The mindset shift that helps you make smart decisions without getting lost in emotion.

Episode References/Links:

• Practice Results Website – https://www.practiceresults.com
• Hey Docs! Podcast – https://www.practiceresults.com/hey-docs
• Jill Allen on Instagram – https://instagram.com/jillallenandassociates
• Book: Brave Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani – https://a.co/d/gpsWODM

Transcript

Jill Allen 0:00
When I’m making business decisions, I try and really take the emotion out of it and just say does this logically work? I don’t want to lead with my heart. I want to lead with good business decisions. And if it’s meant to be, it’s going to work out, the doors are going to open. And if it’s not, hey, there’ll be something else that you know that will come my way.

—-

INTRODUCTION

Lesley Logan
Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I’m Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I’ve trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it’s the antidote to fear. Each week, my guests will bring Bold, Executable, Intrinsic and Targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It’s a practice, not a perfect. Let’s get started.

—-

Lesley Logan 0:57
All right, Be It babe. This is really fun. Because of the world of podcasting, I get to do things where I get to meet people that I probably would never have, like, thought about for the show, and also need for the show, like, definitely need it. So this is, like, a total win for both our guests and I today. In fact, I’ll get to be on her podcast soon. But our guest is Jill Allen, and I wanted to say, like you’re going to hear when she introduce herself that she’s a consultant for brand new startup orthodontics. And then I want you just to insert whatever it is that you are wanting to do, whatever it is you’re already doing, and apply everything she says to that, because it applies to everyone. And it was such a fun conversation for us both. I got reminders about some things that I did in my early business. And I was like, oh, pat myself on the back. I got to, like, agree on the things that I’m actually teaching Pilates instructors everywhere about their startup. So, like, it actually doesn’t matter that her work is in consulting orthodontics. That being said, if you want to be an orthodontist, or, you know, someone who is and they want to have their own practice, this is your expert. I got her for you. She’s great, and so please enjoy the fabulous interview and the Be It Action Items are important, no matter if you never want to work for yourself, and especially if you do, so make sure you stay till the end. Here is Jill. Allen.

Lesley Logan 2:15
All right, Be It babe. I am super excited to have this awesome conversation we’re gonna have today, but mostly because anyone from Denver is a friend of mine. Jill Allen is our guest today, and she is coming to us from Denver. She is the host of the Hey Docs! Podcast. Jill Allen, can you tell everyone who you are and what you rock at?

Jill Allen 2:32
Sure. Sure. So my name is Jill Allen. I am an orthodontic consultant, actually, and I have been in the orthodontic field for a little over 19 years, with my own business a little over 30 within the industry. And you know, I specialize on helping doctors start up their orthodontic practices and get their practices off the ground and running. And then I also host a podcast that I’ve been doing for little over a year now, just helping get good information out there to new business owners.

Lesley Logan 3:06
Yeah, well, because, I mean, like, even though you specialize in orthodontic offices, a lot of the same systems apply to everything, to all doctors, but also to, like, any small business, anything and like, this is the funny thing you guys like, when you go to law school, when you go to orthodontics school, tennis school, like, Pilates school, they don’t teach you how to be a business owner.

Jill Allen 3:32
Absolutely. Yep, yep.

Lesley Logan 3:34
They don’t tell you any of that. Well, that’s a shame, because then the best dentists and orthodontists and doctors out there might not actually get the clients, because they don’t have the business acumen. So how did, okay, yeah, so 19 years in that world, that’s a long time I’d already done braces by then. So, like, it’s, thank goodness my parents invested in that at an early age. But how did you did you like, always want it, like, tell us how you got into this in the first place? Take us back.

Jill Allen 4:02
Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, it is kind of a fun, a fun story. And I was, you know, really thinking about this, you know, as as I was preparing, you know, to be on the show here today. And, you know, it’s kind of funny, because even before I got started, I have always had a very entrepreneurship, just, personality from, you know, being a being a little girl, and my mom, you know, I, I’m going to date myself here, but, you know, being like, hey, you want to make some money go out and sell Amway. Here’s some, you know. Here’s some bottles of cleaner, you know. And she’s sending her third grader out to, you know, rack on doors. And be like, hey, you want to buy some, you know, cleaner or whatnot. But, you know, for for me, just in my, you know, kind of who I am and who I was, I have always just had that spirit of, I want to be my own business owner. And so, as you know, I was, you know, kind of coming up through, you know, my my years, and then getting into orthodontics, I had an opportunity to work in an ortho office, and, you know, was just like, oh, this is just really cool. I like, I like, just the synergy of of this, this business industry, and it’s such a niche industry. So with that in, you know, kind of, you know that that mindset, I was actually really blessed to work with some really progressive orthodontists who really believed in continuing education and just, you know, being on kind of the cutting edge of making their business better. So it wasn’t just about treating the patient, but it was about, how do I, you know, make my team better? How do I make myself better so that I can provide this really great patient experience? So I got an opportunity at an early age to really get in and see, I’ll say, some sages of our time within our industry, kind of at their peak. And for me, I was like, oh my gosh, this is exactly what I want to do, you know. I want to be able to, you know, kind of work in this field and help people, you know, just see what a, what a great field this is. So that’s, that’s kind of how I got into it. And, you know, for me, I kind of worked my way up and through the practice. And then, you know, 19 years ago was like, okay, I’ve kind of done everything that I need to do to learn about the business side of doing business. And then, you know, kind of stepped into the orthodontic space and said you know what, I can do this. I can step into this space as a consultant, and just kind of jumped off from there. Now, now, of course, you know, it was, you know, a really, you know, kind of, kind of trying, because I’m like, well, who am I? You know, like usually most consultants in big industry. You know, with within our industry, we’re, we’re pretty nichey, but, you know, I mean, there’s, there’s only a certain amount of people that do what I do. And you know, to speak to what you originally talked about with the startups, you know, what I saw is that there was a lot of great sages out there, but none of them were really working with the doctors who were starting their business, and I saw such a need, and thought, you know, this is crazy, and it’s probably a horrible business decision, because I should be going after the people that actually have money and want to pay to make themselves better, versus the ones that haven’t figured out how to make money yet.

Lesley Logan 7:19
Right.

Jill Allen 7:20
And, you know, and get going. But I saw such a need, and I also saw that there were a lot of doctors kind of holding themselves back from taking a chance on themselves because they just didn’t know how to run a business. And so that’s kind of where I I, you know, I kind of stepped into that space and said you know what, nobody else is here, it’s a blue ocean, and I’m gonna, I’m gonna build my business in that space.

Lesley Logan 7:47
Yeah, I think it’s, okay, I just wanna highlight couple things. Like, first of all, like, orthodontics is its own niche, in (inaudible) on its own. But like, if you actually were to think about it, I’m sure almost every city has at least one orthodontist, you know? Oh my gosh, yeah, at least every city has one, right? And so so then. But I also would like this, like, just point out, because I think people are like, oh, I don’t want to niche down. We have a lot of people who listen to this, who are are starting up their own thing, and they’re like, if I niche down, then I’m like, what if I fail and all this stuff. And it’s like, but you niched down even more, you’re like, okay, I’m in the, I’m not just helping the medical field start an office. I’m helping people start orthodontic offices. And I I can imagine that was really scary to do that, but also that something that I think is really important. It’s like, it’s kind of freeing, because you’re like, this is exactly what I’m talking to. I’m not trying to talk to the orthodontics who do this over here, and the one that does this over here, I’m talking to your office is new, and this is what we needed to set it up. I think that’s really quite bold. And also, clearly, after all these years of doing it, a testament that it was the right thing to do is to niche down as specifically as possible.

Jill Allen 8:58
Yeah, it was, and it has been, it’s been a great success, and I am still the only one in our industry that just specializes in startup, you know, orthodontic practices. And, you know, as you know, when you talk about, you know, kind of taking, you know, it is scary. Number one, it’s just scary to start a business and be like, I’m gonna, I’m gonna take a chance on myself. I didn’t have a big company backing me, backing me. You know, that was like, hey, come in and speak for us. And, you know, kind of get your, you know, cut your teeth, you know, with with us, backing you. It was really, truly bootstrapping. Like, I’ve got a message, I think I can do this, and I’m gonna, I’m gonna go out there and, you know, just do the hard work to drum up business. And, you know, because I’m in Colorado, you know, originally I was like, oh, you know, I’ll get started here in Colorado. And, you know, back in the day when I was getting started, we didn’t even have that access, like we do now with internet.

Lesley Logan 9:57
Oh, my God, that’s, you know, how crazy, like, (inaudible) 19 years ago, no one was looking on Facebook for a coach.

Jill Allen 10:04
No, you know (inaudible).

Lesley Logan 10:05
No one was looking on Facebook for an orthodontist.

Jill Allen 10:09
No, absolutely not. And so, you know, like, when I think back to, you know, I mean truly a grassroots approach, you know, and and my husband and I were young, and you know, you know, I always, you know, kind of took the approach. And I would say this for any business owner, is, you know, I would always say, okay, what’s the worst that’s going to happen if I, you know, if I take this and and it doesn’t work, you know, I mean, like, I’m committed in my head to do, doing the work. But if it doesn’t work, what’s, what’s the worst that’s going to happen? And I would, you know, go through all these scenarios like, well, maybe bankruptcy, maybe we’ll run out of money, maybe, you know what, whatever it was. And I always came back to, well, if that’s the worst, I mean, like, yeah, it’s scary to think about. But if that’s the worst thing that that happens, I can recover from that. And I think that was really freeing for me, for when I decided to kind of move into that niche and say, well, you know, what’s the worst? I’m, you know, I’m, I’m playing in an arena where the other consultants don’t even have their eyes on me, so I can do what I want. And you know, nobody’s coming after me as I’m building my business. And, you know, kind of starting my slow burn.

Lesley Logan 11:22
Right. Because I think about, like, you know, we coach a lot of people in their Pilates business, and to start a Pilates studio back in the day, people would just start a studio with, like, one of everything, and, like, call it a day, so you can do it like, like, $25-$30,000. Now people think that they have to have like, 12 of everything, you know. And like, I think, like, all these things, and I’m like, that’s a that’s a huge barrier to entry, you know, and you have to be making money like, day one. I imagine, in your industry, the amount of things you have to buy for an office to function, that’s quite the investment. So that is scary. So are you, like, are you finding them before they even make this investment. Are they finding you after they made the investment and they’re freaking out?

Jill Allen 12:05
Yeah, yeah. Actually, you know, it’s kind of interesting how I find my clients. I mean, I, you know, like when I very first got started, I would just reach out to all of the colleges and be like, hey, you want somebody to, you know, to talk to the residents about running a business. And, you know, that’s, that’s kind of how it started, but, you know, now you know, now I, you know, I get, I get clients from, you know, from people who are just like, okay, I think I’m ready. I’ve been associating for a while, or I’m in school, and I just know I don’t want to work for anybody else. And they’re, you know, you know, kind of reaching out or whatnot. But it’s, it’s, it’s, it’s really been fun to see, you know, that that evolution of, you know, not just going after doctors, you know, in Colorado, but now I’ve got, you know, doctors across the United States and into Canada and so kind of all over.

Lesley Logan 12:57
It’s so cool. It’s so cool. And I imagine, like, some things have changed and made it easier to start a business, because now we have so much technology that can, you know, like, they can just, they can buy this software, and it does a lot of the things that you had to do with other people and by hand. Can you talk about, like, you know, you’ve had to be it till you see it in a way to, like, go from what you were doing to like being a consultant and like believing in yourself. But I imagine you have to also get these, these doctors, to find a way to be it till they see it, to go from an associate to being a business owner, like, what are, what are the things that you see that they need to do to make that happen?

Jill Allen 13:35
No, I think, I think with any business owner, I think I think number one is just being confident to stand in the space and and I truly do the work that it takes, because it is not easy to be a business owner. I don’t care what what business you’re doing. It takes grit. It takes hard work, and, you know, and it takes, you know, pumping yourself up, even if you don’t believe it 100% yet. And I think you know, for all of us, you know, and I see this a lot with my doctors, that, you know, Superman, Superwoman syndrome, you know, where it’s like, you know, I need to be doing it all, but I don’t know how to do it all. And, you know, and it’s just, it’s a hard thing to, you know, learn to trust, to learn to, you know, move, move past, okay, you know, I don’t know at all. So I can, you know, get somebody else to help me. But yet, I have a little bit of imposter syndrome, because, you know, you know, I’ve got to go from zero to 300,000 in my first year. I’ve got to go from, you know, 300,000 to 800,000 in my second year. You know what I mean. And so they’re, you know, like, they’ve got big numbers that they have to hit, but it’s all on them. So they think, and, you know, just, just getting out of their own way, if that, if that makes sense, to be like, I always tell my my clients, I’m like, you know, let’s, let’s just take it like, like we’re eating a cookie, just, you know, one, one little bite at a time, and keep moving forward, and then just be sure to look backwards and be like, high five yourself. Like, hey, I just did that. You know, I just, I just got 20 new clients on my books that I had zero before. So high five to me, versus comparing myself to somebody out there on Facebook that got 40 in their first month, and you’re like, oh, I, you know, I should have been better.

Lesley Logan 15:28
Yeah, yeah. Well, because, I mean, like, you know, SEO is a real thing. Takes a while to get searchable. And then also, like, in that field, similar to the field I’m in, like, referrals go a lot, a long way. So if you’re brand new, just don’t have it yet. And then the hard thing is, the ideal world is that you only see orthodontist for a short period of time, and you move on like you should get the smile, yeah, and you go.

Jill Allen 15:51
Yeah, two years and you’re out of there.

Lesley Logan 15:52
Yeah, yeah. I appreciate you talking about like, that Superman syndrome, because I do think so many people like I have to do it all. I can’t afford to hire people. I can’t afford this. And it’s like, in a lot of cases, you can’t afford not to like you like, it’s you’re it’s, you know, I joke when I hire my first business coach, like, what are you doing? I’m like, I’m taking my business to private school, and they’re like, what? I’m like, well, you know, public school is great, and that’s how I got my education. And I learned a ton. I learned I got to meet so many, I got to see all walks of life. And I’m very grateful for that education. But I need to move a little faster with my business. So it’s going to private school, because that’s where you meet the networks. Like, I didn’t go to a sorority, so, so like, you know, having a consultant kind of can speed up the process, because it helps you see, like, no, you actually don’t need to know exactly how the scheduling tool works. You need to hire someone who can do it, because you need to be doing the work with the clients that brings them the money.

Jill Allen 16:47
Yeah, yeah. Well, and I think, you know, a lot of times when we’re when we’re working with clients, you know, the other thing that we’re really doing is helping, you know, kind of see that big picture. Because a lot of times, as a business owner, you you don’t see the big picture yet, you’re still kind of in that step by step, head down. I gotta do this. I gotta reconcile my books, I gotta meet clients. I gotta, you know what I mean, and you’re just in a very linear movement with your business. And I think having a coach, you know, to be able to kind of see, like, that big picture, like, hey, you’re kind of getting off track, like, like, your head is down and you’re working, but you may be veering a little too far in one direction, and you’re kind of missing some of these other things. And so you know that, I think that’s that’s also the beauty of, you know, doing what we do, or having a coach involved, is somebody that can really see that bigger picture and also maybe even help you refocus. Because sometimes you do think that what you think is important is important, and it may actually not be as important as as as you may think, or you may have heard.

Lesley Logan 17:56
Yeah, no, I totally, I mean, like, there’s an it’s an interesting thing about, like, the idea of working on the business versus working in the business, right? And, like, it’s really easy. I was, like, working in the business for a few weeks recently, and, like, and it needed to be, I needed to be in the business. We had clients coming. We had a lot of things we’re doing. We had events going on. So, like, I was in it, and when I was able to take a step out of being in it, and I looked around, I was like, hold on, what is this ad that’s going out? Whoa, whoa. That doesn’t make sense to the that is, that is, that’s actually the and I got a little mad at myself, like I should have caught that sooner. And it’s like, yes, I should have. But also, like, you have seasons of your business, and you, you know, as long as you’re maybe what I took away is, like, you know, even if I’m doing three weeks in the business, because that’s what’s scheduled, there needs to be a day where I just take a little zoom out moment, what’s going on, you know, to catch things. Because you you get so close to something, it becomes more important. And then there’s that sunk cost fallacy that you just, like, I’ve worked so hard on this, it has to work. And it’s like, you gotta, like, you gotta, like, detach from that as well, and you need someone to remind you.

Jill Allen 19:03
Yeah, yeah, for for sure. And it is, it is hard, you know, I say the same thing to my clients. You know, we got to take time to work on the business while we’re in the business. And, you know, one of the things that I really, you know, coach a lot on, is really making sure that my doctors really utilize block time scheduling. And I would suggest that for any business owner, and sometimes it feels so rigid, like, you know, I’m a personality that doesn’t like to be told what to do. But yet, if I’ve got, you know, a whole day in front of me, man, I can find 100 things to do with that day if I have not, you know, kind of planned my time out and to have start and stop times, you know, because I can, you know, get dialed into something, and then at the end of the day, it’s like, well, what did you do? Well, I worked on this one thing, but did that one thing really, really move me the way, you know, the way I wanted so I totally agree with you.

Lesley Logan 19:04
I love that you brought up a lot, and I also appreciate that you’re honest at like, you’re not someone who likes that because, like, I so I have ADHD, my husband has ADD, like he’s a rebel. As far as the tendencies go, I’m an upholder. So, like, I don’t need to tell anyone I’m going to do something, but if I say I’m gonna do it, I’ll do it. But I definitely had to learn early on, like, if you have three hours to work on something, you’ll take three hours to work on that thing. If you have 45 minutes, you’ll take 45 minutes, and if it takes longer than 45 minutes, that’s okay, because now you can come back to it a different day, but you got to move on to the other things that have to get done. Like, when people are like, oh, I’m gonna, Mondays are my days to work on the business. I’m like, if you don’t block out what’s happening at nine, 10, 11, 12, you will get nothing done on the whole Monday because you just, you need that. Like, we need timers. We need a lot, whatever it is to, like, tell you, like, we have a kitchen timer, clock, and I’ll set, like, Ookay, I’m going to do 15 minutes on this. Okay, do 20 minutes on this. And when I do that, I’m so much more focused. I don’t go, oh, what’s happening over on my Instagram. I wonder how that post is doing today.

Jill Allen 20:57
Yeah, and it’s, and I’m a very similar personality, and, like I said, I mean it, that’s a hard thing, and that was a hard thing for me to learn, but it definitely makes, makes all the difference. And when, when we are so busy already, it’s, you know, it’s, I think it’s just something we have to do as business owners, even if, even if our personalities rail against it, because mine definitely does.

Lesley Logan 21:22
Yeah, yeah, no, I had, I was, I’m a little bit behind on this one project. I’m, okay, I normally don’t work after like, four o’clock, which is not true. It’s like, means I don’t have any meetings. I can’t have it after four. And it’s kind of like, okay, what does tomorrow look like? What like did I wrap as much up today? Did I put the balls back in other people’s courts so that I can just, you know, like, I don’t want them to wait on me. And so anyways, I had this thing. I was like, okay, I’m gonna go home, and I spend an hour doing it. I’m just gonna do it. I’m gonna set a timer doing for an hour, and at 45 minutes, I’m like, we’re no longer good at this. We did, we did 45 minutes of it, and we have to stop. Otherwise it’s actually not gonna be better. It’s gonna be a mess. So, you know, like, sometimes I think we even need to, like, put it on shorter time blocks on some of these things, because our brains can only focus for so long on one task, anyways.

Jill Allen 22:10
Yeah, yeah. And, and I think just to give yourself permission that I can’t force myself into creativity, or I can’t force myself into, like, there are just times, my husband jokes, your squirrels are running wild. Yeah, they are, you know, but yeah, and, and I can’t, I can’t do anything about it, so maybe I need to go take a walk and, you know, unlock whatever it is that I’m, you know, thinking through or working through, you know. And I think just giving ourselves permission to pivot to, even within work, kind of focused things, to be able to say, I can, I can shift or switch this up, it doesn’t mean I’m a failure, because I didn’t get my block time in. Sometimes I just need to change it up, because that is what will actually help me move, move forward and progress through what I need to get done.

Lesley Logan 22:59
Yeah, and I think it’s like that permission structure we have to give ourselves the grace and like, also just awareness of, like, how do we like to work? And when do we like to work? Like, when are we most creative? When is it better to be on calls with people? And when is it like, no, please just, I cannot. I need. So I wonder like, you know, you’ve been doing this for so, so long. Have you ever worried, like, is there going to be enough orthodontists? Like, do you ever get like that? Or do you do, you know, because I have people who are like, they’re they have an uncle or an aunt or a friend who’s like that, you’re going to run out of the there’s not enough people for that. For example, we have flashcards. And, like, sometimes Brad and I are like, do we sell all didn’t, didn’t everyone buy the flashcards already? And then, like, there’s a bunch more people, right? And so. And then this guy who manufacture Pilates equipment, his uncle, was like, how many of these things can you make? You know, like, so there’s these doubters. Like, you’re gonna run out. Do you ever get like that? And like, how do you talk yourself out of doubt like that?

Jill Allen 23:55
It’s a great question, you know, I guess, when I started this business originally, and when I got into, especially, specifically working with startups. You know, the one thing that I always thought was, I want to be in a business that, that there will always, it’s kind of like a wedding, wedding dress, if you’re selling, there’s always going to be people that are getting married. And the way I look at it, within our industry, at least, there will always be new doctors coming. So I feel like, you know, there’s there there is not an end in sight to, you know, unless our industry were to end, which that you know that that’s not going to happen. Now is there, and could there be a cap to how big my business, you know, gets? Absolutely. And I think that is probably more of a struggle that I have had when you think about, Do I have a lifestyle business, or do I have a business that is actually going to be something that I can sell, and that’s that’s probably been something that I have been really working towards and thinking a lot about in, you know, especially in these last five years as you know, as, you know, when I look forward and say, okay, how much longer do I want to do this? And you know, a lifestyle business is great, you know, it gives us great money. It gives us, you know, there’s all these things, but my personality says, you know, I want more legs under my business. You know, I want more verticals. And so, you know, good or bad, my personality says, well, well, what, what can I bring on, which is, you know, some of the things that I’m actively even looking at right now at purchasing another pretty big business to kind of bring under the wing of mine. But it’s more, it’s it’s more because, you know, I’m looking at that exit strategy, which I never thought I’d be looking at an exit strategy. You know, I was like, how do I just get this business off the ground? And I want to love what I do, and I do love what I do, but it definitely, I think with any business, there comes this point where you have to make that assessment. Am I good with where it’s at, and will I be good with winding it down when I’m ready, if, if there is not an opportunity to sell, or what do I need to do to start looking at those verticals to maybe, you know, kind of take it to that next level of, you know, moving and, you know, hopefully getting, you know, a bigger buyer to come in.

Lesley Logan 26:19
Yeah, I thank you for sharing that, because I think, like, you know, when I got into teaching, like, and all this stuff, I was like, I’m just gonna teach, and then I’ll retire, you know, and then, like, we started, I started building other businesses that went along with it, because I saw a need. And then when my husband came on full time, he’s like, okay, well, what is our exit strategy? Is like, I’m sorry, why are we talking about the end? And you know, then along the way, I met one of my dear friends, Kareen Walsh, and she’s been on the show, and she is, like, very big on like, before you start something, you got to know how you want to end it, because it changes what you create, how you create it. And like, if it’s going to die with you, that’s fine, or if you want to retire, but it continues on, or someone else runs it for you, or you sell it, you know? And there’s that and that that changes the systems, it changes the client, it changes everything. And so yes, of course you can, you can, in the middle of your business, go, oh, I’m gonna think about this and make changes. It just, it just is a different route of going through it. So I love that you what a what a bold move like, that’s crazy. Did you ever think you were to buy another business?

Jill Allen 27:22
No, no, I, you know, I didn’t. And when I started this, that was not, you know, again, that that was not, not what I had in mind. I mean, I really within our industry, kind of the, you know, when you look at the sages in our industry, they really were just lifestyle, and they’d wind them down, you know, they’d work to a certain point, and then wind him down, and, you know, and I just was like, that’s, it’s just not for me. That’s not, not my mentality. And so, you know that that has been something I have been actively working towards, and, you know, looking at, you know, and again, like, I go back to my original you know, well, what’s the worst that’s going to happen? You know, I go after this big business and either it, you know, it doesn’t work. You know, I always look at when I’m making business decisions, I try and really take the emotion out of it and just say, does this logically work? I don’t want to be leading with my heart, even though my heart may want it. I don’t want to lead with my heart. I want to lead with good business decisions. And if it’s meant to be, it’s going to work out, the doors are going to open. And if it’s not, hey, there’ll be something else that you know that will come my way.

Lesley Logan 28:30
Thank you for sharing that. Like I was just listening to Zarna. Her last name, I’m it’s Zarna the G, but she’s a comedian, and I just learned a movie, and she was being interviewed on LinkedIn, and so she’s like, she said, yes, she’s like, the difference between a lot of comedians that I see and the ones that are making the money is like, I’m not attached to a joke. If I tried it three different ways, and it doesn’t get the laugh that I’m expecting, it gets tossed out. Because at the end of the day, this is a business and the analytics matter. And if you are, like, no, this is a joke. This is the thing I want. She’s like, there’s a that’s a hobbyist, that’s not a business owner, and, I think, like, yes, we all need to be connected to our heart. There needs to be some love and empathy for the people that we’re working with. But the end of the day, if you’re wanting it to be not even just a lifestyle business even, but like, anything that’s actually going to be consistent income for you, you have to take the emotions out of it and go, okay, hold on, if I like 30,000 foot view, is this working? Like, would other people say it’s working like, could I, you know, all that stuff. So I think that that’s a really great question. Does it logically make sense? We have a thing we’re wanting to maybe potentially do. And like, my brain is like, I can do this. I can, like, figure, like, I the business makes sense to me. And then my heart is like, the time and energy and emotion this is going to take is actually I don’t have it right now. Like, if I’m going to do this, then I actually need to take some time to set up the space in my life and the other businesses for me to have the emotional pull that needs to be there to push through the obstacles. So, like I can see on a logical standpoint how it works. But then there’s the heart. So you have to have both, but you kind of make sure that you’re not leaning into one more than the other too much, because it can keep you from seeing the forest for the trees, you know.

Jill Allen 30:22
Yeah, well, and I think, I think that is one of the really, you know, tough things. But I also think it’s just where, you know, we as business owners grow, you know, where, you know, the Jill Allen that I am 19 years into business, is very different than the Jill Allen I was 19 years ago when I started this business. And you know, when, when I look at these decisions, you know that I’m looking at, you know, I’ve got, you know, 11 employees that I support. I’ve got, you know, this, as you’re talking about, you know, when I’m looking at bringing on this other business, I’m having to put directors and level, you know, level, you know, things in place in my own business so that I can free myself up if I’m going to run another business, you know, and it’s just this totally different way of looking at it, but yet, I don’t want to be disconnected from the thing that I love the most, and I absolutely love the consulting so it, it really is, you know, interesting to just kind of sit under that weight of where am I and what do I want? And, you know, I know it’s going to be hard. I know, you know, like my husband and I have discussions, you know about this, because my husband also works in the business. He was able to retire from his first career. And, you know, come in and start working in our business as well. And, you know, and we have these discussions, you know, like, you know, are are you going to have the time? Do you have the bandwidth, you know, to do it? And it’s, it’s, it’s hard to kind of sit under that weight sometimes and again, you know, take the emotion out of it. And do I have the time? Do I, you know, I’ve got, I’ve got grandbabies. Do I want to give up my time, you know, with, with my grandbabies, when I have to go and do the hard work, you know, of you know, you know, bringing it on and getting another business off the ground. But, you know, I don’t know that there’s a right or wrong. It’s more just can, you know, am I thinking it through, and can I pivot if I need to?

Lesley Logan 32:15
Yeah, I agree there’s not a right or wrong. It’s kind of like, does it work? Does like, I just interviewed my yoga teacher, and he’s like, does it serve you? Like, he’s like, he’s like, most people would say that drinking at the end of the work day doesn’t serve them, but some people, if it takes the edge off, so that they can, like, be with their family, what, is it, is it the right answer all the time, no, but maybe so that they’re present for their family on that day. It did serve them. And so it’s like, we think that things are bad or good or right or wrong, but if it you have to ask, like, is this serving me? And if the answer is yes, the hardest part is that we don’t actually owe anyone the explanation. You know, if people are like, oh my god, don’t you miss your grandbabies on Saturdays, it’s like, that’s that’s them projecting. And we have to be able to go, yeah, of course I do, but I am so excited to see them on Sundays, or, actually, I see them on Thursday nights. So I think it’s just like, you know, the hardest part is dealing with the other people questioning the decisions that we make, and that’s really, like, where we have to, like, stand in our like, we’re the only person who could decide what’s what’s good for us, yeah.

Jill Allen 33:20
Yeah. And I think there are always going to be those people. I mean, I’ve, I’ve had it, you know, you know, oh, you just work so, you know, oh, you’re traveling again, oh, you’re speaking again. Oh, you know, you know, they like you said, they project that.

Lesley Logan 33:33
I get all the time, you’re so busy. And I was like, I mean, you I am busy, but if you think I’m tired, that’s a that’s different, or that I don’t like it. I like what I’m doing, and it is busy, but I but I’m also like, I sleep. I work out more than you do.

Jill Allen 33:53
Yeah, well, and I always say it, you know, I’d rather work 80 hours for myself than 40 hours for somebody else. So I’ll take, I’ll take this and the lifestyle that I lead, knowing that I absolutely love what I do, and I love the connections that I make with my doctors. And, you know, there is nothing more inspiring for me than to have, you know, you know, these long term relationships with my clients and have them be like, you know, hey, Jill, I’m a, you know, $3 million, $4 million practice now, I’m a, you know, and to think that the foundation that we built, you know, that that doctor that was so concerned about getting started or, you know, when we were looking at demographics and saying, yeah, this, this location is going to be a great location, you know, let’s, let’s do this. And then to have them come back and be like, I’m doing it. I’m killing it. I’m, you know, I’m loving life. I made the right decision. I mean, for me, I’m like, nothing’s better.

Lesley Logan 34:49
That’s so cool. I love that. That is so fun, that they get to say that and you get to celebrate with them. It also just lets you be able to turn around until the next person who’s worried, like this person was able to do it, and you can do it too. You know. And I think, like, as much as we don’t want to look outside ourselves for things, like, sometimes we need proof that what’s inside will work, you know, if we, if we work with it. This is Jill, you’re so fun. And I think everything you said is applicable to, like, anything we’re wanting to do, you know, like, so, thank you so much for sharing that. We’re gonna take a brief break and we’re gonna find out how people can find you, follow you, hear more of your amazing words.

Lesley Logan 35:24
All right, Jill Allen, where do you hang out? Where can people get to hear more of this wisdom, this advice that you have?

Jill Allen 35:32
Sure, sure. So if you wanna check out my website, I know probably most people are not in the orthodontic field, but if you just wanna check out the.

Lesley Logan 35:40
They could be being it until they see it to be orthodontics, or maybe their kid is, or maybe.

Jill Allen 35:44
Yeah, exactly, exactly. So, www.practiceresults.com is my website. I do a podcast called Hey Docs! H-E-Y-D-O-C-S with an exclamation. It comes out every Thursday, and it really is just, you know, business basics. You know, I interview anybody from bankers to real estate to just, just anybody and everybody you know, just, just trying to get good information out out there. And then, if you wanted to reach out to me, you’re always welcome to, you know, I’m on Facebook, Jill Allen and Associates, and Instagram as well. So, yeah, just, you know, just any of those places you can you can find me about anywhere.

Lesley Logan 36:24
I love it. I’m telling you guys, before I hit record, I was like, Jill on this. I mean, like, you could be, like, you have the best name for anything. You could be a beautiful shoe line, a gorgeous clothing line, you know, a huge law firm like, you just the sky’s the limit. You’re so great, and you gave us such good stuff already truly, like, I even though I understand, like, oh, I’m like, in this space, but I feel like there’s so much in there that, like, we all need to remember. But for the people who are the too long and listen, but want actionable steps, what bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted steps do you have for people to be it till they see it?

Jill Allen 37:02
You know, I think I’m gonna, I’ve said this a couple times, but I think anytime you’re looking at making a, you know, a decision, just just really sit under the weight of, like, really, truly, what is the worst thing that’s going to happen if you move forward with this idea or with this venture. And if you can answer, well, I can handle that, then move forward with it. You know that the beauty of it is we can pivot at any point, and just because you picked a direction doesn’t mean you have to stick that direction. And I think you know the beauty of being able to change is, is also going to really just help maneuver you through as you’re as you’re getting your business or your idea or your vision off of the ground. And then the last thing that you know, that that I always, I’ve got, I’ve got two more things that, you know, I kind of live, live by. And sorry, I’m probably going longer than I should. But I, you know, I, I, I truly believe that we can figure out anything. And you know, I have a tattoo on my wrist that says, figure it out. And that has truly been my motto from from the beginning, like there is nothing that we can’t figure out. And I guarantee you, if you’ll be vulnerable enough to ask somebody for help, successful people will always give you help. They will always give you the right answers. And sometimes it’s just a matter of saying, hey, you know, when I didn’t understand how to do demographics, or I didn’t understand how to read a lease, you know, I would be vulnerable and go out and be like, hey, can you help me understand what triple net means? And people would gladly do it, and now, because of that mentorship, I can mentor others. And so just, just be vulnerable and and don’t be afraid to ask. I mean, yes, we’ve got to have that fake it till you make it, but, but don’t, don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and ask somebody that knows more. I think most people truly, intrinsically want to help, and, you know, versus want to, you know, squash you and you know, hope that you don’t. And then I just, you know, you know, there’s a book that that I read, and I’m going to mess up the author’s name, but, you know, Brave, Not Perfect. And I believe in that. You know, we should just be brave in what we’re doing. We don’t need to be perfect. Just, just be brave enough to try it, you know, you’ll, you’ll come into your own perfection.

Lesley Logan 39:23
Yeah, oh, I really, I’ve not heard that. I want to read that book. I like the title already, and I do agree, like, we can figure it out. And oftentimes, like, if we just actually do what your other thing is, your other point was, was like, what’s the worst that’s gonna happen? Oftentimes, we actually just have to address the fear that we’re having, because then we have that elephant out of the room, and we can actually figure it out. Like, sometimes it’s like a two punch. You gotta go, what am I? Why am I struggling so hard to like, what am I afraid of in this conversation? And then, like, go into it. So I agree so much, so applicable to anything in life, not just business. I think it’s true. And also you’re right, like most people, I didn’t grow up like, asking questions. I was like, I should probably know that by now. I should, I should know that by now, and my husband, he’ll just ask the question, and I’m like, oh, okay. And then people just answer it, and I’m like, oh yeah, well, that was so that was so easy.

Jill Allen 40:14
Yeah, it’s easy.

Lesley Logan 40:14
That was, that was so easy, you know, because, like, they could just say no, you know, in my life, I’ve had like, people, like, ask for things to me. I’m like, oh, yeah. And then I’m like, oh, I actually don’t have the time to take this on. It’s not that I don’t want to help you. I just, I’m not in a place to help you in this moment, you know. But, like, that’s also not crushing people. It’s just, like, an honesty is a really great thing, but it’s true, most people will just be like, oh, actually, call this person or it’s so and so. Oh, I learned it here. Oh, go read it here. So it’s quite it’s quite nice. So, Jill, you’re so fabulous. And I’m sure we can learn so much about your amazing podcast if we’re wanting to do the business stuff. Because, you know what? It all kind of leads itself into the same thing, like everyone has to have good customer journeys, great locations, you know, things that make sense and easy for people to find. So thank you for being you. These tips are amazing.

Lesley Logan 41:01
You guys, how are you gonna use them in your life? Let Jill Allen know, let the Be It Pod know. Share this with a friend, especially anyone who’s thinking to be an orthodontist we all know, or maybe you have one, and who they could be better. So share them with Jill Allen. And until next time, Be It Till You See It.

—-

Lesley Logan
That’s all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the @be_it_pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others BE IT TILL YOU SEE IT. Have an awesome day!

—-

Lesley Logan
‘Be It Till You See It’ is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @be_it_pod.

Brad Crowell
It’s written, filmed and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan and me, Brad Crowell.

Lesley Logan
It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.

Brad Crowell
Our theme music is by Ali at APEX Production Music and our branding by designer and artist Gianfranco Cioffi.

Lesley Logan
Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals.

Brad Crowell
Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.