Trailblazing Transformation: Tiffany Wuebben and the Hygienepreneur Revolution

Tiffany Wuebben  00:00 

And then I was reminded about this, that I could be an entrepreneur and I do like to take risks, especially because when you’re older, you’re like, who cares? I’m gonna go for it. And if someone doesn’t like it, whatever, that’s me. But if they like it, that’s fun. Right? Join in on the fun. 

 

Shawn Zajas  00:19 

The future of dentistry belongs to the innovators. Welcome to innovation in dentistry. I’m your host, Shawn Zajas. And I believe that the future of dentistry is going to be unbelievably great over the next decade in two decades. But the question isn’t that the question is, are you going to be part of what makes dentistry great? Okay, so today, I could not be more excited to have with me, the hygiene hygienepreneur, Tiffany Wuebben. And before I set you up, Tiffany, let me just say thank you so much for letting me interview you today. 

 

Tiffany   01:04 

Oh, my gosh, you’re so welcome. It’s my pleasure and my absolute opportunity to be on your show. I mean, your podcast is awesome. So thank you, Shawn. 

 

Shawn Zajas  01:14 

Well, Tiffany, just even in kind of like pre interview, even though we don’t spend a lot of time there, just catching your energy. I am super excited for this episode. And so dental like innovation in dentistry? Like what what am I specifically talking about? Right? Because there’s, there’s lots of clinical breakthroughs. There’s lots of technological breakthroughs. And I think those are all incredibly important. But before you get either of those innovations, it starts with someone crazy enough to say, why not? Why not me? Like why? Why can’t I step up? Step out, and pioneer positive change. And that is exactly what you’re doing. I would love to know about your story in dentistry. And we can find out exactly how you got to where you’re at today. But just starting out, how in the world did you even get into dentistry? 

 

Tiffany  02:07 

Well, I was really lucky, I had a dentist who absolutely cared about me. And I was her patient. And I was young with a newborn baby. I mean, this is a long time ago, Sean, I mean, I’m 51 now. So, you know, this was over 30 years ago. And she said, What are you going to do with your life? And I said, I don’t know, just be a mom and, and raise my son and, and maybe be a waitress? I mean, that was my answer. And she said, You know what, after I get done cleaning you and taking care, you’re gonna sit and I want you to be an assistant for just an hour, do you have an hour with me? Well, that hour changed my life, because she threw a lab coat on me. And I got to share in the moment with she and her patient. And I assisted with the filling and got so close that she kind of had to push me off because I was so engaged. And so like, excited about that moment. And I saw the happiness and care that she delivered to her patient. And it was like I was hooked. I was absolutely hooked. And so she mentored me, 

 

Shawn Zajas  03:16 

I had to stop you because I’ve never heard anything like this. I’ve never heard about someone being in the chair and then getting offered for that. Right immediately after to work with that. That was it was at the height hygienist saying this, it was at the dentist, 

 

Tiffany  03:33 

it was the dentist and and then from there, she took me and she said okay, there’s there’s the back that’s assisting. So how about tomorrow, you show up and for an hour, you can be in the front office and just greet patients and I and I had done like the reception of major salons like hair salons and things in the past. But I said okay, you know, this is fine. And later she had said to me, the reason why she gave me that opportunity is because I had a gift with people. And she saw that in me like previous visits, she had been my dentist for me, my family, dentist for a long time. So she said you have a gift with people and I think you should be doing something more than what you’re thinking, right? I mean, we just don’t know till we know. And the minute that she let me serve that in that role. I was just like, hooked and just bought in and I loved it. I love taking care of people I love serving. 

 

Shawn Zajas  04:36 

So from that time period to when all of a sudden you decided to go to school for hygiene. How long of a gap was that? 

 

Tiffany   04:44 

Oh gosh, I was I went from her office to working in a big big practice with like 13 operatories. Then went on to hospital dentistry where I helped with the developmentally disabled and to get their dental care or in the hospital setting. And then from there went on to regional management where I’ve managed multiple practices, wrote systems manuals, and on boarded doctors and staff, and worked a long time as far as for an office administration. And then I had a life changing experience that, you know, had me kind of sit back and go, Okay, I need to do something else in either in this field or somewhere else, I went through a relationship change, I went through a divorce. And I had two small children. And it was like, I’ve got to make a move here to make sure that my children’s livelihood were taken care of, and, and I love dentistry. And I love the hygienist that worked with us. And I thought, What about hygiene, she always looks like she has so much fun, and she has those great relationships with our patients. And, and so you know, when my, my dentist I worked for totally supported me, He even paid the down payment for my hygiene school, which was unheard of. And then I was off and running. So, you know, practiced hygiene for, gosh, since 2015. and saw how many times I grew the dental practice from the front. And then I figured out a way to grow the practice from the hygiene chair and do it super effective. And was able to deliver that message and the and the way it’s done to other hygienist and, boy, it’s just been great. The way that my career has evolved, but I’m just so thankful. I’m so thankful for everybody who has supported me through the years. 

 

Shawn Zajas  06:47 

Tiffany, it sounds like regardless of what role you were in, you couldn’t help but learn, understand what was going on and make improvements to, to the practice that you’re a part of, I mean, as so. So did you stay as an assistant as you’re growing into helping with management? Or did you go straight from like an assistant to actually like an office manager, 

 

Tiffany   07:11 

I went from an assistant to a file manager, like, that was my turn, like, I just took files and put them in 13, prac, 13, operatories, this practice was huge. And that was my only job was to get up and down on a ladder. And this is this is before they had electronic charts, right? I had I had the physical charts. And that was my job. And I remember after one week of doing that job, my arms were hurting, because there was so taxing with all the charts and all this stuff. And so, but from there, I just worked really hard and continued in the different areas of the front office. And I love systems, I loved writing systems and making areas that whatever area was in making it really, like really systemized and have operational and streamlined and, and so I found out pretty quick what I actually was supposed to be doing. 

 

Shawn Zajas  08:08 

It was crazy, though, because it seems like you have two gifts that are not always complimentary in the sense that you have the gifting with people and the emotional intelligence, and that ability to connect with other people, which is pretty rare. And then you also have this almost like more engineering type mindset, or brain of being able to create systems and processes, which is a very different skill set. So the fact that you have both of those that come together, that makes you a pretty dangerous asset in the practice because you can offer value in the the main areas where a practice needs value, like really connecting with patients and at the same time providing those systems and those processes that can really elevate the practice. So like practice owners must have loved you. 

 

Tiffany  08:53 

Yeah, it’s you know what, it’s been so nice, because also, I’m kind of, I don’t know, when you think about that, that racehorse that’s like, okay, there’s the prize winning racehorse, but you got to hone her in you got to hone her in Well, luckily, I worked for dentists that were just like, oh my gosh, look at this. Look what I’ve got here. Okay, okay, we got to sit down, and we got to figure this out. And so, you know, the last dentists that I worked for, for 11 years, he and I had have still a great relationship where we can sit down and look at things and go, Okay, how can we systematically make this work for everybody, streamline it, so it’s really easy, and then make sure that it’s repeatable? So that way we don’t have to think about it again. It’s like muscle memory, right? Which makes work environment a lot less stressful, more productive, and then you can just focus on the fun of the act, not doing that. Right. 

 

Shawn Zajas  09:57 

Now, I didn’t want to pass over this but you will Through hygiene school as a single mom, 

 

Tiffany  10:02 

yes, I actually fast tracked it I did the fastest program because I had adult bills I owned a home and I had to do it like no breaks. And you know, thankfully both of my children were super body and they were young, you know. And we juggled travel baseball and softball, we, we we juggled life stuff. Right. And, and I, for a time period did work full time then. And also went to school full time because I had to provide so you know, I, I learned from my parents to be a hustler. And to you know, we always had a couple of jobs. So, but then hygiene school made me quit the one job, they were like, No, you can’t do this anymore. You’ve got to really focus on this. And But thankfully, I was able to get through it, I passed the first time, I had a lot of support. And I was the first one working out of my class. I mean, the license hit at 2am. And I was working at 8am tamping. And it was so cool because that doctor gave me a check on the first day and I was like, Oh, this so awesome, because I haven’t made any money in a couple of years. So this is fabulous, you know? So 

 

Shawn Zajas  11:19 

you just seem like boundless energy. And like joy. But still, there must have been times when you got up. And it’s like, life was challenging. This was this was difficult. And yeah, you had little mouths to feed. But, you know, like, there’s probably tons of times where you could have given up. Can you think of like a moment when, I don’t know, like, did you ever hit like a rock bottom in this in this journey of yours and dentistry where where you didn’t really want to get out of bed or you didn’t want to keep going? 

 

Tiffany  11:49 

Absolutely. So before I went to hygiene school, I did experience burnout from being a regional manager. And I did leave for a year, and I came back. But the biggest moment of my life where I hit rock bottom was when I was doing that hygiene and single parent back and forth working. I mean, I worked 5656 just to provide and, you know, pay the student loans and all of that. And I looked at myself in the mirror, and I was like, oh my god, I’m physically unhealthy. I weighed 300 pounds. This has got to stop, like, Yeah, I’m like, I’m doing my superstar the best I can as a hygienist and I’m doing my rah rah for my children. But I was looking at myself and I’m like, Okay, this is not okay, I’m not paying attention to me. And so, at that moment, I just, I did exactly that I hit rock bottom, I was really scared. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea by my doctor, and I was trying to be an example of my patients. And I took the test and I was like, oh, gosh, okay, I don’t have diabetes, but I do have high blood pressure. And I do have sleep apnea. It’s time for me to lose this weight. I got to stop. I gotta stop acting like it’s not happening and get real with the scale, just get real with my health, you know. And so it took me about a year, and it’s all in my book, I put it all in there. And I lost all the weight. And I’ve kept it off since 2016 is when I finally had it all off. But it’s like something in me that drives me like anytime I see a challenge. I’m like, You know what, I lost 158 pounds, I can do that. Even if I’m scared I can do that. You know? So I think that’s my little lightning. You know my little boom, get going TIFF. You’re good. 

 

Shawn Zajas  13:49 

I was just going to ask you how much did you lose? Yeah, 158 pounds in 12 months? 

 

Tiffany   13:56 

Yeah, I hired my daughter’s trainer. Both of my kids play collegiate baseball and softball. And when the doctor told me I was allowed, I hired my daughter’s trainer. And boy, he he was amazing. I mean and I was again the support. I mean I honestly feel like I would be nothing unless I had the support of not just my family which I have a great family but also the people that my little circle family of dental all around me and and baseball softball parents that surrounded me with so much love and my patients to because they saw me losing the weight. They were the ones that also every time they come see me every three months or six months or they would say good job keep it up. You look great. You’re doing How do you feel? And I’m like, Oh my gosh, I don’t have sleep apnea anymore. All these positive things were happening I had I had energy then But then I really have I mean you know we love to do As we love to have fun while we’re doing our continuing education, cruises and all of this, and, and I’m the first one out there because I can. That’s the motivation. It’s like, oh my gosh, I feel so good, you know, I can finally just do whatever. So, 

 

Shawn Zajas  15:17 

Tiffany, I have this podcast simply because I believe there’s so many dental professionals out there that can hear between what we’re saying, and they know that thing in their heart. That is a dream that there may be scared to pursue, maybe they’re scared to step up, step out, and try something new or make that serious life change. And just like you said, the importance of a support system, the importance of a community that is around you. No one needs to try to go solo and be like Rambo, and just do it on their own. That’s the surest strategy for burnout, and for failure. And I think the dental industry right now, there are so many beautiful communities that are supportive, that encourage just growth and mental challenge. I absolutely love that. But your story is so encouraging. I mean, that’s like, I know, sometimes the starting is the hardest, because maybe you get excited, you’re willing to do this, but but the connective tissue says no, like, you know, you have a few workouts and then all of a sudden, you’re super sore. And then your body goes into shock. And then you’re like, what was I? What was I thinking, like thinking that I could actually do this, because I maybe got used to a sedentary life. And now all of a sudden, I’m having to restart the system, right? And yet you pressed on, through all the obstacles that normally come to just get someone to fall back into whatever lifestyle they had before. Can you share a mindset shift that happened during this time that you learned or or mindset that you had to get rid of in order to continue to press on and persevere? 

 

Tiffany  17:03 

Of course, well, it’s all a timing thing, right? I mean, everybody always says, oh, it’s not the right time. It’s not the right time. And for me, it really, it was the right time in that moment, because I was in a place in my life where I could focus on me. I didn’t have infant children that I was getting up in the middle of night with or anything like that. I wasn’t having to study for hygiene school. Everything was like, Okay, it’s time. And so I didn’t want to let anybody down that supported me that was another thing is that I really love to surf, I also really like to make sure that anybody around me is like proud, proud, proud of how I’m doing and proud of me and not, I don’t want to disappoint anybody. And so, for me, it was like I had all these people support me, I’m not going to let them down. I had my family behind me, I’m not going to let them down. And my children, they need me in 30 years, I’m not going to let them down. And so I really did feel like after I lost the weight that I had a bigger calling. And I didn’t know exactly what it was. But again, my doctor and then my my boyfriend who is now my husband was like you should write a book. And I said, really? I’ve never written a book, you know, I’ve never read we’ve written an article for like a magazine or anything. And they said, No, it’s time you write all these systems, all you have to do is put it in a book and but it took me two and a half years to write that book. It wasn’t it wasn’t easy. But once I got it all done, I can’t believe how many people have embraced it. And, you know, I wrote the book before I had a company, most people have a company. And then they write a book. Well, I wrote this book, just to have is like a systems and inspirational type of a novel because it’s kind of thick, I I kept writing and my husband’s like, You got to be done. It’s almost 300 pages, you got to be done. And so I wrote the book, and then the business came and a lot of business and and a lot of people that are like, come tell us your story. Will you help me? I mean, I get I get emails every day and I answer from from people in our industry, new grads, people that have been practicing a really long time, male and female coming to me and saying, I need help with this. What are your thoughts on this? And it’s my duty. It’s my it is part of my service to answer everybody and, and just make sure they have the support like I had. That that’s out. Yeah, Tiffany, 

 

Shawn Zajas  19:51 

you are such an agent of transformation. I mean, the fact that you were able to go through your own transformation the way you did Seriously, it’s still boggling my mind because I have such respect for that. Thank you. Oh, even just the struggle you had to go through, to keep motivation to keep it in front of you to hang on to the vision to overcome every single obstacle and including, like, just cravings. I love food. Yeah, I love food. And there’s so many times where I’m like, Okay, I need to be like a little three or seven day fast. And the timing never seems right. Because there’s always a holiday, there’s always a celebration, or, you know, even just my wife and I, we like celebrating just with, like, dessert or special food. Yeah. And to finally just be like, You know what, I’m comfortable. And this is my life. But I’m going to be radical about what it is. I’m going after. Have Yeah, tenacity in that resilience, Tiffany, is what so much of the world needs. Like you’re such a beacon of light. And I think the whole world needs it, not just dentistry, but I’m so thankful that Dentistry has you. Because you’re not just someone that can lead transformation, you know, personal transformation, you can. But so many dental professionals need what you have. Let’s go back to when you were starting to write the book, you know, and you’re kind of like, I don’t know, I tell me about what, what was the self doubt that was there? Because like you said, you don’t have this history of being a writer, you probably didn’t identify yourself as a writer. What were some of the struggles you had to overcome while writing your book? 

 

Tiffany 21:31 

Well, I’m an extrovert. And so my whole thing is social. And people, I just have to engage with social and people. And that’s why I love hygiene and being in a dental practice with the team. But for me, it was those moments of just sitting in solitude, with my thoughts. And I’m writing and it’s not natural for me at all. And so I found a way to do it, which, I guess is kind of unconventional, but maybe it’s maybe it’s okay. Every day I would when I would go to work. I would speak into my phone. And so, you know, I started with my 25 chapters, you know, and that’s how I started. And then I just, whatever was my inspiration that morning, I was like, Oh, I’m talking about that chapter. I’m remembering things. Maybe I dream about it the night before. And then I would speak into my phone. And it was conversational. And when the book was all said, and done, when you read it, it turned out conversational, which is, it’s perfect because it fits my social vibe, right? And so it’s it’s a different, it’s a different type of read, because it is that conversational read, but it was, it’s that way, because I spoken to my phone. So I was over, I was able to overcome that challenge. That unnatural part of me that, you know, and I just found a way somehow I found a way and it worked, thank goodness. 

 

Shawn Zajas  22:59 

Well, I was just gonna say you are a speaker, you have a voice and that voice needs to be heard. I imagine you have a lot more speaking opportunities now that you have the business and the book, do you podcast. 

 

Tiffany   23:15 

That’s our next step. I do have my digital digest that goes out. It’s called Your Hygiene Headquarters. And I thought to myself, you know, once the Tennessee move is kind of dust is settled there, because it’s, it’s gotten a lot of it’s a little crazy moving across country, that I would start a podcast called Your Hygiene Headquarters, because it’s not about me, it’s about all the hygienists in our industry and dentists that I want to make sure we’re supporting their practices, their vision, and the hygienist vision as well. And that real team unity, so yes, we’re, that’s that’s next step. Absolutely. 

 

Shawn Zajas  24:00 

Well, 100%, I’m like behind you, and I love what you’re doing. I’ve been podcasting for about five years now with under a different podcast, The Authentic Dentists with my dear friend, Dr. Allison house. She’s amazing. And then I just started this one. I don’t know, maybe, maybe. Well, by the time this is aired, it would have been in June of 23. So anyway, I can help even just with like, the technical aspects, whatever, I am a resource for you. Because I want your podcasts to launch simply because your voice is just so important. I love your message. So tell me you launch the book. Yeah. And you say out of the book started the company. Tell me about what happened there. 

 

Tiffany  24:42 

So I would go to conferences again, because I’m social. And I always go with a mission. So I don’t know if a lot of people do this, but I’ll write down all the names of the people that I really want to meet that inspire me that just, I don’t know that I’m fans of And I’ll go there with a purpose. And that is to make new friends and friends that really that I can help support and that maybe their message speaks to me. And so when I would go to these conferences, and start meeting people, all of a sudden, they’re like, How did I not know you before? And I’m like, because I’m the shiny new penny that, you know, I’m just coming out right now. I mean, you know, I’m 51 years old, but I’m just now, you know, done with the whole raising kids thing. And I’m, I’m evolving into this whole other type of practitioner, and now I am, it’s servicing the industry more, you know, and I was, I was just servicing my practice my patients and all that, but now I get to go serve as the industry I get to serve as other dentists and their practices. meeting planners, I get invited, and I can go in. And if I can enhance any part of their meeting, with a little fun and joy and, and a ton of really great information, then that’s great. And, but it seems like the more people I mean, they like, you know, the authenticity, they like the book. And they’re, they’re diggin it. So it’s, it’s cool. It’s really fun. 

 

Shawn Zajas  26:23 

I love what you were just saying, because it reminds me of like just stewardship principles. So much of life is about stewarding what we’ve been given. And then once we’re faithful, you know, expanding kind of our reach and our influence and then stewarding our area there. And yet, so many people want to go straight to the stage, or straight to like National influence, without taking care of like their circles that they are responsible for. So you were such a faithful mom, here, you were in your practices that you’re there. You’re such a faithful, you know, hygienist and manager before that. And I just feel like that’s something that marks you like you’re just known by the faithfulness that you have. So again, Tiffany, I’m just such a fan of you. Like I can’t believe we haven’t met before. Like, did you always know you were an entrepreneur. Because the way you think, the way you take risks. It just seems so entrepreneurial to me, like when did that light bulb go on? Like, hey, I can, I don’t know I can I can pursue the dream in my heart because this is who I am. 

 

Tiffany  27:27 

So when I left dentistry, I experienced burnout as a administrator, regional manager, and I left for a year and I, I started a European body wrapping business. And it was the coolest thing because I did it all the spas, I did weddings, I would go to different event centers for for brides and, and all of this, and that was a lot of fun. And then I had an idea. I called one of the famous newscasters in San Diego, and his name was Rod Luck. And I said, Dude, I could wrap you, it would be so funny. We could put this muscle suit on you. Like before, you’re one way and then we break the camera, you know, you’re you’re not on air anymore. We’ll put the muscle suit on you, I’ll wrap you again. And then I’ll unwrap you on air. And you’ll have all these muscles exposed. It’ll be and he was he’s really funny guy. He went for it. So here I am not even like six months into business and I’m on I’m on television, wrapping this guy. And it was so fun. And I continue doing that and my business blew up. I had to hire people. And but then I missed dentistry. I missed it. And so I was like, You know what, I gotta put that aside, and I just left that and went right back to the dental practice. And I just kept being drawn back. And then I was reminded about this, that I could be an entrepreneur and I do like to take risks, especially because when you’re older, you’re like, who cares? I’m gonna go for it. And if someone doesn’t like it, whatever, that’s me. But if they like it, that’s fun. Right? Join in on the fun. And I think it was like it was last year that I was like, Okay, this book is done. It’s a good book. People are telling me they really like it. I was afraid at first to hand it out. But because it’s your heart, you know. But once they got it and then I heard the affirmations that they would say, Oh, we really like it. This is so good. And I’m like, okay, my doctor was right. My doctor who helped me and encouraged me my husband was right. You know, my encouraging husband was right and so now I have total confidence on anything I do and then I don’t take a second guess I just do it. Like the first time I spoke on stage last year, I was in the full On hygienepreneur costume, and you know what, who cares, like who gets on stage in a costume, but you know what I was feeling it. And I love I love what the hygienepreneur has to stand for for hygienist and, and for dental practices. And so I wanted to show that and so I wore the costume. And it was super fun. 

 

Shawn Zajas  30:25 

I’m getting so inspired here because I, like this is what I’m even needing to hear. There’s still so many times that I second guess. Or I wonder about the negative outcome that could happen. So then I don’t do it. And nobody wins. When you don’t step up. Nobody wins when you choose not to shine your light. So you know, and I hope our listeners really get that because even what you’re saying about your mindsets, Tiffany is so uncommon, because you were saying, I don’t like letting people down. I don’t want to disappoint somebody. But that can be taken the other way too, right? Like everyone views me as a successful dentist, I don’t want to disappoint people. So if I start something new, I might let them down because it won’t be successful. And next thing you know, I’m embarrassing myself. And I might let people down. So that same exact the way that you’re wired could have been something that restricted you, or that you partnered with fear about. But instead you’re like, No, I’m going to use that to my advantage. Because I’m going to put myself on the line, I’m going to tell people what I’m doing. And because I don’t want to let them down. It’s just gonna be added motivation for me to succeed. And it’s like, that is such a high performing mentality to take even something that could be a weakness or vulnerability and turn it into something that’s just going to even provide more energy and motivation. Like I ah, you are awesome, 

 

Tiffany  31:49 

thank you. Well, it is you know, what’s really cool, is when you take a chance, and you’re like, Okay, this is gonna be crazy. I don’t know if they’re gonna like it. But you know what, I wasn’t on stage a month ago. So whatever, right? And then you do it, whatever it is, and it goes well, and then you’re like, oh, yeah, I’m never going to second guess myself again, ever. And so, you know, that’s, that’s what it’s about. It’s about speaking from your heart. And just speaking the truth at all times. And you don’t always have to be super polished, and, and all of this, and you don’t have to be always all put together. Because none of us are. And so the minute I think that, you know, we’re just kind of like have the courage be real with yourself, and just go out there and do it. And you know what the community will respect you because you had the gumption to do it. You had the gumption to push through anything that was telling you not to not to do it, and you just did it. And that’s a beautiful thing. I I just think that’s amazing. And I see people around me doing that all the time, all the time. And I just, I’ve just empowered by their power, you know 

 

Shawn Zajas  33:08 

Even that though, you see other people doing it, instead of being jealous or instead of being threatened by it, you allow their courage to encourage you and embolden you. Like, again, these are like world class outlooks that you have that just allow people to get uplifted toward action. One of my one of the main things that I see is like, I know, dentistry is going to be great in 10 years, right? And my encouragement to everybody is like, are you going to be part of what makes it great? And it’s like, when I look to the left and to the right, I feel like all of us pioneers are holding the same line where we’re just trying to advance dentistry. But when you look to the left and the right, Tiffany, there are some vacancies, right? There are some people that still aren’t at that show where they could have met you. Or they could have met me. There are some people that haven’t raised their hands yet. And I haven’t found them so I can’t interview them. I can’t tell the world about what they’re doing. Right. And that’s why to anyone listening right now. It’s like if that’s you don’t start tomorrow, just start today. Take a step. So many of the people I interviewed Tiffany when I talked to them. I’m like, did you know you’d get to where you’re at right now. And they’re like, when I first took a step I had no idea I didn’t brilliantly architect it. I just kept taking steps and opportunities happen. And things started taking shape. And I didn’t really know like, sure I had a vision. But it’s when we have this like we we get like that paralysis of man I have to perfectly figure out the strategy of how I’m going to succeed of how the market is going to receive me perfectly and it just doesn’t work. So Tiffany even now, you you launch the book, The business gets launched. Tell me about some of the things that you’ve been doing even since then, or or what’s in in works right now because there’s so many things you’re doing 

 

Tiffany  34:59 

so Here’s what’s really important too, is that it’s okay to be in beta for a while, you know, and beta means for the listeners that don’t know, because I had to learn this term too, as a new entrepreneur, it’s being in the beginning of things and working through the little minutia. And then it figures that itself out or you figure it out, right. So for me, not having my business blow up, like, boom, right away was good, because I figured out what was the right path to take, and then do it slowly. And then I can maneuver and go around a corner and do all of this because I was in beta for a while. And there’s different aspects of my life, and my business, that I’m still in beta. And I’m still working through the minutiae of the specifics. So that’s important, I just want to make sure people know that, that it’s not like you step out on the stage, and you’re an instant star, you know, like, you know, these singers that are like, Oh, not none of them got instantly famous and recognized. No, they had to play those little nightclubs, they had to play for little weddings and churches, big churches, and all of this, right. And then they got discovered, and they, they figured out their path. So but what’s happening is because I’m kind of maneuvering very slowly and very methodically, now we’re getting into this whole other level of, you know, success supporting the industry. So I’ve seen through the years that I always like to have fun doing CES, like I gravitate towards the events that are not like 15 years ago, I gravitate towards the one where I can have fun, I can dance, I can be me, I can I can dress super amazing professional, or I can wear something glittery, or I can wear a costume, whatever. And so I’m finding kind of what makes me feel good as a dental professional and provider. And when I get my CES, I want to have a good time. So looking at that my husband and I discussed about doing CEs in the country, my family has lived in Nashville now for six years and totally enjoy it. They love the country, we’ve been coming every two months to Nashville. And I said to myself, we got to host the CEshere in the country we got to do because I love riding horses. My husband and I are super country style, we grew up with the animals and all of this. And so we were not successful in finding out an event center that wouldn’t give us we don’t like a lot of barriers and rules. And so we purchased 16.2 acres in the country and we are building an event center to host retreats, events, weddings, dental industry CEs we’re gonna have hygiene hoedown in the country, we’re gonna have dental dude ranch retreats in the country. And all of this is going to happen first quarter next year 2024. So, that’s the big one is like, I mean, who wouldn’t known a year ago, that I would have even said to my husband, hey, what do you think? And him go? Yeah, we’re doing that. So number one, thank God, I have John as the number one support ever. And the dental industry is like welcoming this news and just loving this. And so that’s the big one is is we’re talking backyard pick and party. Barbecues, music, hay rides a night in downtown Nashville, you know, having fun and yes, learning things for you to have the top 1% hygiene department anywhere, right building that hygiene practice within a practice. But having fun doing the networking, doing some mini masterminding over a couple of days working through issues that we have in our practices and doing it together. But country style. 

 

Shawn Zajas  39:15 

Okay, so I love that. You just showed exactly how innovation takes place. You and your husband have an idea. You pursue it and you realize, wow, there’s not a facility that is actually meant for what our dream is. Yeah. So what do we do? We decided to buy the land. Yeah. And build one. Yeah, like that is exactly. I think that’s a clue even for people listening. It’s like so often when you encounter pain, or when you encounter obstacles in your profession. That’s a great way to start thinking, how could I do this differently? Like, how would I want to do this? I think one of the favorite things I ever heard someone say is like write the book you want to read. Start up Podcast you’d like to listen to create the YouTube channel that you would want and like create the CTE event that Tiffany would have dreamt of being part of and that’s exactly what you’re doing. You are trailblazing you are pioneering. This is so exciting. So if I’m listening right now, and I’m like, Okay, well, I want to either find out where I can get the book, or I want to hire you for consulting or I want to be part of this. Where do you want people’s eyeballs to go? 

 

Tiffany  40:28 

Just email me at Tiffany at thehygienepreneur.com The website is the hygienepreneur.com and just yeah, you can connect with me there on any of the socials. I’m, I’m always on there. And God, we’d love to have you out at the ranch. And it’s it’s Cedar Creek Ranch. So their events at Cedar Creek Ranch, that’s what the ranch is called. So, and eventually, we will have a website called me to add cedarcreek.com Because we bought the URL, we’re such entrepreneurs. I mean, I own so many URLs, that’s a whole other conversation. 

 

Shawn Zajas  41:11 

Because of all the ideas I know, 

 

Tiffany   41:13 

I’m like a buy in that it’s so hygiene, hoedown, boom, dental do ranch retreat, Tiffany owns that, you know, and it’s, it’s just been so much fun, you know, just to have all of that in our minds. And I’m like, okay, when we’re building this barn, I need six horse stalls for the horses. And then my little niece is like, are you going to have a mini donkey? And I’m like, yes, we’ll have a mini donkey. Yeah, she’s like, can I name it? I said, yes, you’re gonna have to come out and clean up after your donkey. But yes, you can name your donkey. Super cute. Oh, my 

 

Shawn Zajas  41:48 

gosh. That is amazing. Yeah. So what, what is the mission for the hydrogenpreneur? What is the mission? 

 

Tiffany   41:56 

So here’s the mission, the mission is to absolutely serve and support the dental industry, all aspects from the dentist or the hygienist but to really serve that practice. So that way, it can be successful and be there the next day, so it can serve the team that’s working there, it can serve the patients that come there. It’s about that, when the practice wins, that we all have a place to go tomorrow. And I always say Thank God, thank goodness, our dentists went to dental school, because, you know, it all starts there. And then all the hygienist, whatever hygiene dreams they have, it all goes from there. So and it’s all fine and, and I just want to support any practitioner in where they want to go, whether it’s in the OP out of the office, if they’re in the height in that dental practice, and they need help with services, I’ll step in there. It’s just whatever helps really promote achievement, that transformation. And that support like I’ve gotten. And that’s it, that’s what it’s about. It’s about giving back.  

 

Shawn Zajas  43:16 

You know, I yeah, I’m such a fan and I think you listening are gonna become fans. Alright, so for the next five years of your life, if that was the chapter of a book, what would that chapter be called? Well, 

 

Tiffany   43:30 

I guess to absolutely pass the baton to others that can go on and do the same thing with their, with their vision and their heart. And just really lift them up, just like the cover of my book. I’m standing there, the superhero Hi, Janice. And it’s my doctor’s practice up there. It there’s the patients in that practice and the team? Well, that’s what the hygienepreneur wants to be for other practitioners just lifting them up, and whatever they want to fulfill in their life. We want to support that 100% 

 

Shawn Zajas  44:11 

I love that. Okay, so are you ready for this closing question? Okay. So, Tiffany, of today is walking down the street and far off in the distance you see 18 year old Tiffany and you know, you only have a brief moment to communicate one sentiment to her. What do you share? 

 

Tiffany  44:33 

I share to be you. Be you follow your heart. Don’t doubt it. And give back because it feels really good. It feels really good to give back and serve. 

 

Shawn Zajas  44:49 

Amen. So to our listeners, Tiffany is giving you permission and challenging you to be you to step out on Now is the best time. Follow your dreams. Tiffany, it has been so easy to honor you, as an innovator, as someone that’s pioneering positive change. The light that you have is so bright. And I’m so on board with it just being brighter, however I can support you help share what you’re doing. I am just a massive fan. I’m so thankful that that I got to discover who you were on this interview. And again, just thank you so much for letting me interview you today. 

 

Tiffany   45:35 

Gosh, thank you for having a platform for us to come on and just share and just, you know, just have fun and be ourselves, you know. And to all the listeners, thank you so much for subscribing to this podcast and being listeners and showing up for Dr. Shawn’s voice and mission to serve as well. And because, I mean, if we didn’t have everybody out there coming on board and listening, then, you know, it would be fun just to talk you and I but it makes it way more fun to have everybody else out there. Right. So 

 

Shawn Zajas  46:10 

hopefully, yeah, and I would love to schedule another one with you to hype the event right beforehand, because I would love to just get more eyeballs on that as well. 

 

Tiffany  46:21 

Absolutely. And you know, it’d be fun. If you did a live podcast from the barn. 

 

Shawn Zajas  46:28 

Hey, if you if I can come, I’m going Yeah, 

 

Tiffany  46:31 

yeah, you and your family, we could have you out as guests. And we could do a live during an event. It’d be so much fun, do a live podcast from the barn. And you know, just like in between, you know, swinging around dancing, then we can do a podcast and then jump back into a CEE and you know, all of that good stuff. 

 

Shawn Zajas  46:52 

So for the listeners, you do realize that Tiffany and I could do that for the next hour as entrepreneurs go back and forth. And that’s exactly what we’ll do when we stopped recording. I love this. 

 

Tiffany 47:02 

I love this symphony 

 

Shawn Zajas  47:04 

again. Seriously, thank you so much. 

 

Tiffany   47:06 

Thank you all. Thank you so much, Dr. Shawn. I appreciate you and just having me on today. I was so excited all morning. I was like, I get to see I get to get on there. This is so fun. It’s like the best podcast ever. So fun. Thank you. 

 

Shawn Zajas  47:20 

Well, now I do need to clear up one thing. I am not a doctor. Oh, for anyone listening. I am. Yes, I own a dental Supply Company and electric toothbrush. 

 

Tiffany   47:31 

Oh my gosh. See, okay. Look at See, see how it is when you just are real. And you’re just like, whatever. I thought this whole time that this was Dr. Shawn and, and here I’m calling you doctor, and you’re so sweet. Thank you so much for telling me. 

 

Shawn Zajas  47:49 

Maybe I need to get a doctorate. You’re speaking it into existence, and I just need to get my doctor. No, but 

 

Tiffany   47:54 

that’s so cute. I just think it’s so great. See how authentic I am. I’m like, whatever. Ah, sorry. But I love that. And you have a great podcast so and I had so much fun with you so much fun. 

 

Shawn Zajas  48:08 

Thank you definitely. You’re 

 

Tiffany  48:09 

welcome. Thank you. Thank you everybody who listened. 

 

Shawn Zajas  48:13 

Thanks for listening, and be sure to follow so you never miss an episode. To learn more about what’s going on in dentistry. Check out innovation in dentistry.com