#24: The Build-Up Weekly

*Welcome to the 24th edition of The Build-Up, where we deliver weekly insights and inspiration for dentists on every stage of the private practice journey. If this email was forwarded to you, you can click here to subscribe.

Dear friends and colleagues,

It’s Friday, and I am thrilled that fall is fast approaching.

(Though not as thrilled as our Listing Coordinator, Andrea, who decorates her house for Halloween on Labor Day weekend and will be seeking her second consecutive ‘Best Home Decoration’ award from the local paper.)

For some reason (probably being in school for some 21 years), autumn always feels like a new beginning, a fresh start.

And speaking of fresh starts, special good wishes and shanah tovah—a good New Year to our Jewish friends as they prepare for the start of Rosh Hashanah tonight.

I appreciated some positive feedback about this newsletter at the (last ever) CDA North this year, and I’m told that the stories are highlights.

So I’ve got one for you all today.

September 9th, 2001

On September 9, 2001, my parents, my two younger sisters, and I piled in our forest green Chrysler Pacifica and set off on a journey that was supposed to last 100 days.

Our plan was to drive northeast from San Diego until we reached Maine, proceed south along the eastern seaboard to Florida, and then return to San Diego.

One enormous American triangle.

The van was filled with our luggage (one bag each), snacks, books, maps (remember those?), and a family of five ready for the trip of a lifetime.

On September 10th, we woke up in Flagstaff and proceeded through Albuquerque to Amarillo.

On September 11th, we carried our bags down from the hotel, packed the van, and started driving towards Oklahoma City.

…

My folks had dreamt about this trip for a long time.

In hindsight, taking it at that moment seemed especially risky.

Not because of the world-historical events that transpired that morning – the anniversary of which we have just marked again.

No, it was because of what was happening on September 9th, 2001.

The economy was in the midst of a recession.

The mortgage interest rates were 6.89%, down from 8.54% a year before.

Was this really the right time to take 100 days and travel the country?

Well, it turns out that the answer was yes. None of us will ever forget that trip.

…

That morning, on our way to Oklahoma City, we learned about the terrorist attacks in a Texas gas station. We thought they were pulling our legs.

After turning on the radio, my parents realized that they had a serious decision to make.

Do we press on or turn back?

In the end, we carried on, and that trip altered the course of our lives.

…

I cannot imagine being in my parents’ shoes.

More than ever, I can appreciate what my dad may have been feeling about his business. Pressing on was courageous. I’m not sure I would have done the same.

But I’m glad they did.

We can never know everything that’s around the corner, and we don’t know what next month – let alone next year – will bring.

I will also say this:

We look back and envy the folks who purchased a practice or real estate in 2001.

…

All we can do is seize the days that are granted to us.

So if you’re considering retirement, don’t miss out on the time you could have spent with your loved ones. (And click here to get connected with your local agent and start a conversation today. We can help you prepare for a successful sale.)

And if you’re considering purchasing a practice, don't miss out on the opportunity to build a better life for yourself and your family. (And click here to register as a buyer and see practices that meet your criteria.)

We can't control the time we have left, but we can control how we spend our time and our resources.

And that makes all the difference.

Something Interesting

Enjoy the brilliant colors of fall?

Here’s a calendar that predicts peak leaf color county by county.

Maybe it’s time to sell your practice and embark on a trip of your own? 🤔

And with that, I hope you enjoyed the 24th edition of The Build-Up Weekly.

With best wishes to you and your families,

Trevor Kimball, PhD

p.s. please consider using the link below to share our newsletter. 🙂 

These Six Mistakes Can Cost You Six Figures

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And if you’re ready to have a conversation with a practice sales professional, get connected with your local Integrity Practice Sales broker here.

It’s worth having a conversation, no matter your current transition plans.

You never know what you’ll discover together.