96: Built to Lead: From $450K to $3.2M and the Power of Intentional Ownership

From associate to multi-million dollar practice owner and now dental consultant, Dr. Megan Shelton joins Wes Read, CPA, CFP®, and Paul on this powerful episode of the Dental Boardroom Podcast to share the mindset, strategy, and systems that fueled her remarkable journey.

Dr. Shelton opens up about purchasing a struggling $450K practice—while carrying $450K in debt—and how she transformed it into a thriving $3.2M business in just six years. She unpacks how combining data-driven strategy with heart-centered leadership helped her earn patient trust, grow her team, and lead with clarity. She also discusses the pivotal role Practice CFO played in helping her shift from debt reduction to strategic reinvestment—and why intentional ownership and personal development were critical to her success.

Key Points:

• Ownership Journey: Bought a $450K underperforming practice while in debt—and believed in her ability to grow it.
• Financial Strategy: With Paul’s guidance at Practice CFO, she shifted from paying down debt to investing in systems, coaching, and team development.
• Patient-Centered Care: Built trust through deep communication and values-based diagnosis—not scare tactics or minimizing language.
• Practice Culture: Used role-playing, systemization, and strong leadership to create a high-performing, aligned team.
• Outcome: Scaled to $3.2M in revenue and now helps other dentists achieve the same through coaching and consulting.

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