Growth and Leadership for the Entrepreneur Dentist: Tips from Dr. Scott Leune and Alli Webb
On the latest episode of the Dental CEO Podcast, host Dr. Scott Leune sits down with Alli Webb, the visionary behind Drybar—a beauty brand that revolutionized the blowout experience and scaled to 150 locations before selling for $255 million. While Drybar may live outside the dental world, Alli’s story mirrors the grit, vision, and challenges faced by many entrepreneur dentists growing their practices into thriving dental businesses.
This episode goes beyond inspiration. It’s a masterclass in strategy, brand building, and leadership from a founder who built something from scratch—with no college degree and no prior business playbook—and scaled it into a national phenomenon. For any dentist serious about dental marketing, creating a strong patient experience, or tackling the operational hurdles of scaling, this episode is pure gold.
Meet the Hosts
Dr. Scott Leune, founder of Dental CEO Podcast, is one of the most respected minds in dental business strategy. Known for helping dentists unlock rapid dental practice growth through smarter systems, leadership training, and patient experience design, Scott brings a tactical, no-fluff approach to the podcast. His ability to translate big-picture entrepreneurial lessons into actionable dental insights makes every episode an essential listen for the modern entrepreneur dentist.
Check out all of Dr.Scott Leune’s webinars
Alli Webb is the visionary founder of Drybar, the category-defining blowout salon that grew from a single idea to over 150 locations and a $255 million exit. A former hairstylist turned serial entrepreneur, Alli has also launched ventures like Squeeze and Becket + Quill, appeared as a guest investor on Shark Tank, and authored the book The Drybar Guide to Good Hair for All. Her story resonates deeply with business owners across industries—proof that passion, grit, and obsessive attention to detail can create iconic brands. Her entrepreneurial journey holds powerful lessons for anyone building a customer-centric, scalable business—dentists included.
Key Highlights – Through Scott’s Lens
1. The Power of Simplicity in Business Strategy
Scott Leune underscores one of the most powerful insights from Alli Webb’s journey: simplicity scales. Alli didn’t invent blowouts—she reimagined the delivery of that service with precision, consistency, and brand power. “She took one service from a crowded marketplace and created an entire brand around it,” Scott explains.
For dentists, the lesson is clear: rather than being a jack-of-all-trades, identify the one procedure or niche you can dominate. Whether it’s cosmetic veneers, Invisalign, implants, sleep apnea therapy, or full-arch reconstructions—owning a single category in your market can supercharge your dental marketing and patient demand. Building your practice around one high-value service enables you to streamline systems, enhance branding, reduce overhead, and scale faster. It’s a model proven outside of dentistry—and it works even better inside it.
2. Patient Experience Is the New Competitive Advantage
According to Scott, dental leadership in 2025 is no longer just about clinical outcomes—it’s about creating an exceptional and memorable patient experience. Alli’s success stemmed from obsessively designing every aspect of the Drybar journey: the aesthetic, the ambiance, even the scent and soundtrack.
“She created something that looked, felt, and even smelled different—and patients noticed,” Scott points out.
In dentistry, the same principle applies. Scott challenges practice owners to walk through their space with a beginner’s mindset:
- Is the design of your operatory warm or sterile?
- Does your front desk make patients feel seen and valued?
- Is your technology visible and confidence-inspiring, or hidden and outdated?
Today’s patients are more discerning than ever. In a saturated dental business market, the practices that thrive are the ones that obsess over the details—and make that experience repeatable across all locations.
3. Scaling Requires Systems—and Sometimes Partners
As Drybar grew from one location to 150, Alli had to raise capital, refine operations, and eventually turn to franchising. For Scott, this scaling process mirrors the evolution of many entrepreneur dentists.
“In smaller or rural markets, it’s critical to have an operator on-site—someone with skin in the game,” Scott says. That’s why many dentists pursuing multi-location growth are adopting partner models, granting equity to managing dentists who ensure culture, consistency, and performance.
Scaling isn’t just about opening doors. It’s about maintaining the integrity of your brand and patient experience—even when you’re not in the building. Whether through private equity, partnerships, or franchise-style structures, Scott believes systems and leadership depth are what enable sustainable dental practice growth.
4. Entrepreneurship Demands Decisiveness
One of Scott’s most powerful takeaways from Alli’s story was her ability to move before she had all the answers. “She didn’t wait for perfect conditions. She jumped, tested, adjusted—and kept going,” he reflects.
Scott believes this kind of decisive energy is often missing in dentistry. Many clinicians are analytical by nature, trained to plan and measure—but those instincts can become roadblocks when running a business. “Too many dentist-owners get stuck in analysis paralysis,” he says. “But entrepreneurship is about solving one riddle at a time. You don’t need a 10-year plan—you need your next move.”
If you’re feeling stuck in a low-profit, high-effort model, Scott recommends bringing in outside eyes—consultants, coaches, or even mentors—to help you see what you can’t and move forward with confidence.
5. Fall in Love with Learning—or Risk Falling Behind
Alli Webb never had a formal business education—but her relentless curiosity made her a powerhouse founder. Scott sees this same mindset as a hallmark of thriving dentists. “Every phase of growth demands a different version of you,” he explains.
To stay competitive, dentists must invest in both clinical training and business acumen. That means studying leadership, marketing, hiring, communication, finance—not just dentistry. Scott puts it simply: “If you’re not learning, you’re stalling.”
In a rapidly evolving industry where patient expectations, technologies, and business models are shifting fast, becoming a student of growth is no longer optional. It’s the foundation of real freedom—for your time, your profit, and your purpose.
Final Thoughts
This episode isn’t just a story about a haircare empire—it’s a mirror held up to the dental industry. If you’re an entrepreneur dentist with ambitions beyond the chair, there’s a lot to unpack here. Dr. Scott Leune continues to bridge the gap between bold vision and practical strategy, showing that dental leadership starts with thinking bigger and executing smarter.