8 Years of Smile & Co.

Dear friends,

This week, Smile & Co. turns 8 years old.

When I first opened the doors to our little office, I had no idea how much this practice would shape not only my career, but my life. What started as a dream — to create a dental office that felt nothing like a dental office — grew into something so much bigger.

Smile & Co. has been my training ground, my greatest challenge, and one of my proudest achievements. It’s where I learned how to lead through uncertainty, how to build culture intentionally, and how to create an environment where patients feel seen, cared for, and truly part of a community.

And just as importantly, Smile & Co. is where I realized that dentistry isn’t just about teeth — it’s about people. The joy, the frustrations, the resilience, and the growth I’ve experienced in these 8 years are exactly what inspired me to create The Retreat and The Making Of.

Every piece of wisdom I bring to this group — every story about entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth — is rooted in the lessons I’ve lived inside those walls. The courage to take risks. The humility to admit mistakes. The discipline to keep going when things got messy.

I’m endlessly grateful for the team, patients, and community who helped shape Smile & Co. into what it is today. And I’m equally grateful to all of you in The Making Of for allowing me to take what I’ve learned and share it here, so together we can push dentistry (and ourselves) further.

So here’s to 8 years of Smile & Co., and to the many more years ahead of learning, failing forward, and growing — side by side.

With gratitude,

Dr. Ashley

P.S. If you’ve been part of The Making Of because of your own dreams of creating something remarkable, I’d love for you to reflect this week: What’s one lesson your practice (or your journey) has taught you that’s shaped who you are today?

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