1184 Dental Office Lease Negotiations and Buildout with Brandon Ryff DDS of the Scottsdale Smile Center : Dentistry Uncensored with Howard Farran - a podcast by Howard Farran: Dentist | Dental CE Speaker | Founder & CEO of Dentaltown.co

Dr. Brandon Ryff grew up in Tempe Arizona, and attended the University of Arizona, where he graduated with dual degrees in Physiology from the College of Medicine, and Molecular & Cellular Biology from the College of Science. Upon graduation, Dr. Ryff then attended the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry. After Dental School, Dr. Ryff became an associate in a small group of privately owned dental practices in Arizona. Subsequently, this group was approached and acquired by a national DSO backed by private equity investors. This transition was a complex process that Dr. Ryff found very interesting. Watching his father-in-law successfully serve as the President & CEO of a multibillion-dollar international corporation only further fueled Dr. Ryff’s interest in business and executive leadership. Accordingly, Dr. Ryff then completed a 2-year business program, earning a Professional Graduate Certificate in Strategic Management from Harvard University Extension School. 

Alongside completing his business program and practicing dentistry, Dr. Ryff was also appointed Vice President of Business Development within the private equity DSO group that had acquired the practice. Dr. Ryff was involved in multiple acquisitions made by the DSO from 2013-2015, during which time the company ranked #14 for the Inc 500’s fastest growing companies in America. 

A drastic shift in executive leadership and corporate strategy at the DSO prompted a strategic transition for Dr. Ryff himself. In August 2016, Dr. Ryff left the corporate practice environment and acquired a private practice in Paradise Valley Arizona. During the first year, Dr. Ryff applied knowledge he had gained from his tenure in business development and business school to create a unique team environment. After hearing through social media of a themed ‘team-unity lunch’, held in good fun to help mend wounds of the 2016 post-election divide, the Washington Post featured an article about the unique atmosphere and team at Dr. Ryff’s practice. 

Among many factors, the leadership and management lessons Dr. Ryff acquired through his work and educational experiences contributed to a 33% growth in his new practice during the first year. Behind the scenes, Dr. Ryff negotiated improved terms with suppliers, vendors and labs with whom he had previously established positive relationships. On the front line, Dr. Ryff focused on leadership and worked to build a culture of positivity and appreciation. With the simple mission of providing clinical excellence and uncompromising service, Dr. Ryff rallied an exceptional team of focused, motivated, and accomplished professionals to take the practice to the next level. To reward their hard work and dedication, Dr. Ryff also implemented a unique bonus program, which resulted in pay increases of 24%, on average, for each employee. The combined result of applied strategic management principles, his consistent focus on positive leadership, and implementing a generous employee bonus program was a 75% increase in profit dollars for his first year as owner, 2017. 

The journey for Dr. Ryff and his team was not without some turbulence however. Months after becoming the new owner, Dr. Ryff learned that his landlord had suddenly passed away, leaving the entire property to charity.  A big commercial real estate developer made intentions made clear that the plan was to demolish and redevelop the property. Accordingly, Dr. Ryff found a new location to continue the 60-year legacy of the practice. With the unwavering support of his loyal team and their active participation in all levels of the process, Dr. Ryff and team built a brand new state-of-the-art facility, which will serve to take the practice well into the next generation. 

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