From Chairside to C-Suite: 7 Lessons I Learned from Dr. Michael Njo

By Enzo Sison, Founder of Prism & Host of the Prism Podcast

Watch the full interview with Dr. Michael Njo on the Prism Podcast

When I sat down with Dr. Michael Njo—dentist, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Practice Transitions Institute—I expected a few tactical pearls. What I got instead was a masterclass in building a resilient career and practice, wrapped in stories that hit every founder nerve in my body. Below is the distilled playbook I took away from our conversation—written for dental-practice owners, but equally useful to anyone steering a small business.

1. Follow the Pull, Not the Push

Dr. Njo started college in civil engineering because that's what his family expected. One year in, he realized the passion wasn't there and pivoted to dentistry via a psychology major. The decision was painful—but it set the stage for a career he actually loves.

Founder takeaway: Audit your own "pushes" (family pressure, industry norms) versus "pulls" (genuine curiosity). Doubling down on what energizes you compounds faster than slogging through someone else's roadmap.

2. Think Like a Psychologist

Psychology classes taught Dr. Njo goal-setting, behavior change, and communication—skills he still uses to motivate patients and staff.

Action step:

Run one 15-minute "behavior lab" each month. Pick a friction point (case acceptance, hygiene recalls) and prototype a tiny nudge to change behavior. Measure, tweak, repeat.

3. Own, Don't Rent—Your Practice and Your Future

He compares buying a practice to buying a home: renting limits control and long-term wealth. Even with student debt, he recommends acquiring equity sooner rather than later.

Checklist for would-be owners:

Debt reality check: Model two scenarios—associate salary vs. practice cash flow after debt service.
Funding stack: Explore SBA 7(a), seller financing, or shared‐equity deals.
90-day integration plan: Map culture, HR, and marketing moves before day one.

4. Build an Advisor "Brain Trust" Early

When a neck injury forced him out of clinical dentistry, Dr. Njo leaned on mentors, consultants, and alumni connections to reinvent himself as a transition consultant. That safety net made a career-ending event merely a career pivot.

Action step: Identify three roles you don't yet have in your circle (e.g., transition attorney, CPA, marketing strategist). Schedule one coffee per month until each seat is filled.

5. Live the "Time, Talent, Treasure" Framework

His mentor taught him to give back with three currencies: time (volunteering), talent (skills), and treasure (money). Dr. Njo swears this mindset multiplies reputation and opportunities.

Founder exercise: List one way your practice can donate each currency this quarter—then post it on the team Slack to create accountability.

6. Protect Work-Life-Family Balance Like a KPI

Every consulting engagement he takes must improve three things: quality of life, family time, and work-life balance. If those slip, revenue gains are moot.

Pro tip: Track a "Life-Balance Score" the same way you track production. For example: nights home for dinner ÷ total weeknights. Aim for ≥ 0.7.

7. Stay Curious—or Plan Your Exit

"The day you stop being curious is the day you should consider retirement," he told me. Dentistry—and business—evolves too fast for stagnant leaders.

Action step: Block two hours per week for "R&D": listen to a podcast, test AI tools, or shadow another practice. Curiosity is muscle; use it or lose it.

Putting It All Together

Dr. Njo's story is a reminder that the most valuable assets in any practice aren't chairs, scanners, or real estate—they're the owner's mindset and network. Follow the energy, own your path, surround yourself with smart allies, give back generously, and guard your life balance as fiercely as your production numbers.

Pick one of the action steps above and execute it this week. Momentum loves a bias for action—and so do thriving practices.

Visit Practice Transitions Institute

—Enzo