TTS 147 – NBA to M&A: Building, Failing, Scaling, and Selling with Elijah Desmond

In this episode of The Tooth Sleuth Podcast, Greg Essenmacher sits down with entrepreneur, hygienist-turned-broker, and co-CEO of Dental Pitch Brokerage, Elijah Desmond, for a candid conversation about business, failure, partnerships, and preparing dental practices—especially implant and full-arch practices—for successful exits.

From Elijah’s early days in dentistry to building (and failing) multiple businesses, this episode explores the real lessons behind entrepreneurship and what it actually takes to scale with intention. Elijah also shares practical insights into today’s M&A landscape, including what buyers are looking for, how owners should prepare years in advance, and why systems, hygiene, and diversification dramatically impact valuation.

The conversation closes with Elijah’s powerful “why”—using business success as a platform to save kids’ lives through youth motivational work around the world.

This is a must-listen for practice owners who want to grow smart, lead well, and build something that lasts.

 

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Key Topics Covered

• Transitioning from clinical dentistry into entrepreneurship

• Lessons learned from building—and failing—multiple businesses

• Why friends-and-family money can complicate startups

• Choosing the right business partners (and avoiding the wrong ones)

• Preparing implant and full-arch practices for sale

• Why hygiene increases buyer demand—even in implant-focused practices

• Avoiding single-provider risk and building scalable systems

• Realistic expectations for today’s M&A market and exit structures

• Turning success into impact beyond dentistry

 

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Key Takeaways

✔ Failure is tuition, not defeat
✔ Partners should complement—not duplicate—your skill set
✔ Exit planning starts years before the sale
✔ Systems and hygiene create leverage
✔ Purpose-driven leadership changes everything

 

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About the Guest

Elijah Desmond is the co-CEO of Dental Pitch Brokerage, a sell-side advisory firm helping dental professionals maximize practice value and negotiate ideal exit terms. A former dental hygienist and lifelong entrepreneur, Elijah has built, scaled, and exited multiple businesses and is the founder of Backstage Mastermind.

Beyond dentistry, Elijah is a motivational speaker dedicated to saving kids’ lives through youth outreach and nonprofit work.

🔗 Website: dentalpitchbrokerage.com
📧 Email: [e-mail]

 

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About the Host

Greg Essenmacher is the founder of GnA Consult and host of The Tooth Sleuth Podcast, where he explores the business, leadership, and human side of dentistry—helping practices grow with intention, alignment, and sustainability.