Nothing is ever completely buttoned up.

Hey friends!

We have officially become full time bleacher parents.

This past weekend was nonstop baseball. Early mornings, hot afternoons, and a whole lot of time sitting in the sun cheering on our kids. And just because we are back from New York does not mean we are done with baseball. Not even close. This is our season now and honestly I would not have it any other way.

If you are in this season too, you know exactly what I am talking about. The cooler, the chairs, the snacks, the sunscreen reapplied every twenty minutes whether they want it or not.

Between innings I started thinking about how much I want something light and refreshing waiting for us at home after a long day at the field. Gazpacho has been on my mind. Cold, simple, and basically just chopping up summer vegetables and letting the blender do the work. No stove required which feels like the dream after standing in the heat all day.

If any of you have a go to gazpacho recipe or a favorite cold soup for summer, send it my way.

This is a popular one online that I want to try. Hopefully the kids like it lol.

A Few Things That Made Our Weekend At The Field So Much Better

A personal neck fan. Sounds small but it is a game changer when you are sitting in direct sun for hours with zero breeze.

A large brimmed hat. This one works for moms and dads both. Full coverage, breathable, and actually keeps the sun off your face and neck instead of just looking cute and doing nothing.

An insulated cooler bag. Keeps drinks and snacks cold for hours which matters a lot when you are out there from first pitch to the very last inning.

On a personal note, Brian has been especially mindful about staying out of the sun this season. His skin is still healing from radiation and chemo, so we have been extra intentional about shade, hats, and covering up whenever we can. It has been a good reminder that taking care of yourself in the sun is not just about comfort. Sometimes it is about healing too.

This Week On The Making Of 🎙️

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This week I caught up with Dr. Rich Constantine after a few weeks away and got the full update on everything happening at Evelina Smiles. And there was a moment in this conversation that I cannot stop thinking about.

Rich said that nothing is ever completely buttoned up.

He talked about how easy it is to feel like you have finally gotten everything together, every system in place, every detail dialed in, and then you realize a dental practice is a living and breathing thing. It is constantly changing. The second you get complacent thinking you have arrived, you are wrong.

I loved how he put it. The work you put in compounds. Even on the days that feel like you barely got anything done, that focused effort can make an impact years from now if you do it right.

It reminded me so much of parenting honestly. You can read every book, prepare every which way, and the second that baby arrives you are still learning on the job. Building a practice is the same. You never fully arrive. You just keep getting better at the in between.

In this episode we also cover:

The Herringbone Flooring Win — remember the flooring drama from a few episodes back? They finally found a machine that could cut the planks the way Rich originally envisioned and it looks incredible.

Building The Front Office First — Rich hired two full time administrators right out of the gate, both former assistants, so they could speak clinical language and support each other from day one.

Slow Is Smooth, Smooth Is Fast — Rich's new mantra for this build. He is intentionally taking time to coach his team and align everyone before opening so patients are not getting mixed messages.

Dropping Delta Dental — Rich shares why he decided not to go in network with one of the biggest insurance plans and how his membership plan pricing made the decision easier than expected.

If you are in the thick of building something right now, whether that is a practice, a family, or a season of life that feels like it will never fully click into place, this episode is your reminder. It does not have to be buttoned up to be moving forward.

The Making Of Moment

Nothing is ever completely buttoned up. Not your practice. Not your home. Not your life. And that is actually the best part. There is always room to get better, and the work you put in today is quietly building something you will not fully see the impact of for years.

Until next week,

💛 Dr. Ashley Joves

Find me @ashleyjovesdds / @themaking.of / www.themakingofpodcast.com

P.S. Don’t forget to leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts—it helps other dentists find us and fuels this mission we believe in so deeply.

Listen To The Full Episode On

Spotify Podcasts / Apple Podcasts