Episode 32: Practice Acquisition Vs. Start-Up Episode 10 with Dr. Izzat Sebeih

In this episode, Dr. Izzat Sebeih shares the story behind launching his large, 5,000 sq. ft. dental startup—built from scratch after a failed partnership opportunity pushed him to create his own path. Dr. Sebeih explains how he evaluated acquisition opportunities, why the numbers didn’t make sense for the practices he considered, and how his risk tolerance shaped his decision to open a fee‑for‑service startup in a highly competitive market. He also breaks down the realities of growing slowly, expanding operatories over time, and securing financing when traditional lenders initially said no.

Listeners gain a candid look at space selection, loan challenges, insurance strategy, and why starting from scratch—despite higher upfront risk—gave him the control and long‑term scalability he wanted.

Topics include:

● Why he rejected multiple acquisition opportunities despite bank approval

● Opening a 5,000 sq. ft. startup and growing it from 4 to 10 ops

● How fee‑for‑service impacted early growth and patient flow

● Lease negotiation challenges and selecting the right location

● Overcoming multiple loan rejections and finding the right lender

● Evaluating practice purchases as a risk‑averse dentist

● How systems, metrics, and financial analysis guide long‑term success