A (2:25)

You know, originally I'm from Montreal, Canada. So it's so, you know, a little bit of French with a little twang, very cold, lots of snow. So every time when I come to a place Like LA or Miami, man. It's like, what a great place to be.

B (2:37)

Oh, awesome.

A (2:38)

Right on.

B (2:40)

Cool. Cool, man. So, legacy maker.

A (2:43)

Yes.

B (2:43)

How do you feel? You. You literally traveled across the country. You sat in our studio, and we. And we heard your story. Kofi was your host. What are we going to learn about you?

A (2:50)

What I'm about to say on camera or have said on camera is something that I've never mentioned before in the past. The viewers, my followers, are going to learn things about me that I've never mentioned to any of my close friends before. A lot of struggles that I've never mentioned before, and what it took to start my journey in the States with just a suitcase in my hand and then eventually made it up to Beverly Hills as a cosmetic dentist. So very blessed to be here. But you're going to learn some crazy, crazy things along the journey.

B (3:22)

Yeah. Most dentists that I've met are pretty. Pretty nuts.

A (3:24)

Yeah. I was thinking, Kofi, I mean. I mean, I'd like to, you know, people consider me as a psycho. You know, some of the things I've done, some of the things are like this pycho, you know? Cool.

B (3:35)

So how does one wake up and become not just a dentist, but a cosmetic dentist?

A (3:40)

Yeah. So growing up, I remember I grew up in a. In a household of immigrants. Right. Parents came to Canada in the 80s. We didn't really have much. Both my parents were working three jobs, didn't really have much growing up. And I remember shadowing the mom of a friend at the age of 12. We didn't have any doctors or dentists in the family. And when I saw how happy these patients were when they were done, their smile makeover and how they were able to radiate all this positive energy, I knew from that very young age, I'll find a way to become a dentist. There's gonna be a couple bumpy roads, but eventually it'll work out.

B (4:15)

How long does one take to become a dentist? Like, if I wanted to stop the whole film thing right now, I'm like, all right, I'm gonna become a dentist. How long would it take?

A (4:23)

So the system in Montreal, Canada, is a little different. You do your high school, then do two years of cgep, which you don't have necessarily here in the States, and then you do your undergrad for three to four years, and then dental school for another four years, and then residency is optional. But I did a residency as well. So a few years of school.

B (4:42)

Right on.

A (4:42)

Just a few years. Just. Just a few years.

B (4:44)

You're one of the lucky few that knew what you wanted right before you learned how to drive. I'm sure maybe you were driving at 9 or smoking at 8. I don't know. I guess we'll find out in your episode.

A (4:53)

We'll find out, we'll find out.

B (4:54)

But like, you got lucky because you knew what you wanted to do early on. Talk about, you know, finding that padawan. And you're, you're, you're just the right age to become a Jedi. Like, talk about that journey and what it is, the difference between being a 12 year old, being a 21 year old.

A (5:09)

Right. I mean, when the earlier, you know, of course, the better. But I feel like the advantage of pursuing your passion at a later age is also a huge advantage because you get to try a couple of different things, see what you like, what you don't like, and at that point you'll be a little bit more certain about what you're mostly passionate about. And I think you're lucky if you're. If your passion is something that's also your occupation. Right. So, I mean, I was lucky enough to know what I wanted to do at a very young age. Sure, there was a lot of bumpy roads, lots of struggles, lots of hardships, but I didn't let that stop me and discourage me. And I just kept my head high and just ignored the voices and kept going.

B (5:46)

How are things in the hills? Like, how's, how's work? How are things?

A (5:50)

Expectations are high, I'll say that. You know, I feel like when you're practicing and honestly, anywhere else in the world, to me it's very different in Beverly Hills. I think a lot of our patients already have a general dentist. They come see us for aesthetic work and aesthetic work only. But I feel like the expectations are so high. The precision is very, very important, and there is really no room for mistakes. So stakes are high, risks are high, but it's also very rewarding. And I'm very happy to be here, I'm sure.

B (6:22)

Especially in the west coast, in la, where it's very much in Miami as well, where your vessel is. What if you've monetized your vessel, you've monetized your talent. You got to make sure you feel right, you eat right, you're working out, and you're essentially designed for entertainment. Talk about the transformations. This isn't just like, you know, a pretty smile. This is a transformation that you're helping folks live a different way.

A (6:43)

Yeah, I mean, that's. I'm glad you asked. You Know, I feel like as a dentist, right. When you do a filling, when you do something very basic, people or patients don't really understand what you did. Right. Even though it took you a very long time, you're very proud of your work. You don't really see it. It's all the way in the back.

B (7:00)

Right.

A (7:00)

But when you're changing someone's smile, when you're helping people achieve something great, where they are proud of and they're able to share with the world, with the people around them, and exude all this positive energy, that's what's rewarding. And to know that you have a role in this man, it's probably one of the most rewarding experiences you can ever feel as a. As a dentist or as a cosmetic dentist, for sure.

B (7:24)

So, yeah, talk about how you. You're sharing your story. I'm. I'm a weirdo, obviously. I enjoy watching YouTube videos of folks getting their teeth cleaned sometimes because it's quite satisfying. I'm the guy that falls asleep at the dentist, at a deep cleaning. I'm like, this is very relaxing. Talk about how you are advertising yourself. Like, you know, you've got the doctor Pimples, you've got all these weird, eccentric characters and that are in front of the camera saying, this is who I am. I'm quite eccentric at this profession. Talk about that.

A (7:52)

Yeah, I mean, I think to me, the biggest. I guess the most important thing to me is more so the relationship with patients. I think, especially when it comes down to designing an ideal smile, it's more than just teeth. I think it's so important to listen to patients and see what is it that they want, you know, what someone may love and like. To me, it's more of an interactive, collaborative relationship as the brand where the focus is mostly on the patient, what they want and how they have envisioned things. And it's so important to take the time to listen to, okay, do they want a longer. Do I want a shorter, rounder square? And so whenever I work on people, I usually have them on temporaries for a little bit more longer to make sure that they love the shape, the color, the size, everything. And then when they approve it, ask my ceramics to duplicate it. Wow. So it's a. It's more of a personal.

B (8:52)

It's. It's. To me, it's almost like me walking in and hiring Leonardo da Vinci to paint me. Something like. It's quite the patronage. Once you take it to that level, it's an art form. Even the way you presented It. You were very, very proud of it. And as the artist should be about their work. Talk about folks that understand this. Like, your clients need to comprehend what they're getting. And they're getting, not just they're getting the full experience.

A (9:15)

That's right. You know, when you're designing teeth, it's not just the teeth that you're designing. You're looking at someone's lips, someone's nose, someone's eyes. You're even looking at people's personality. You know, the more dominant someone is, the more sharp and square they are, the more feminine someone is, the more rounder they are. You know, it's so multifactorial. So whenever we're designing teeth, we're not just looking at. All right, one. Seals fit all. It's specifically custom to you. Right. So it's.

B (9:43)

I love how you mentioned the. The custom to the person's personality almost to the soul. It's very important for folks to understand how that really works. And in all five facets of life and business. Let's talk about the business side. How are things like, are folks flocking to you? How long is the waiting list? Are you creating a. A wait list? Our desire. What's your philosophy when it comes to business?

A (10:02)

Yeah, I mean, I think to me, ideal patients are people who are willing to have more of a collaborative relationship. Right. I think it's very important to listen to patients see what they want, what do they desire. But I also think it's important that people acknowledge that we also have a lot of experience under our belt. We know at this point what works, what doesn't work, and how we can bring you to a point where you can achieve your goals and your ideal smile. So as much as it is an interactive relationship, I think it's important to also listen to some of our recommendations as well. So to answer your question, yeah, I mean, we are selective. There are times where if we feel like the patient's not a good fit, I'll let them know. Hey, I think, respectfully, that you may benefit from another dentist or. I've had patients wanting a Hollywood smile where there's no characteristic, there's no detail. And it's a power statement. Right. Just opaque chiclets, white teeth. Right. And I've refused them, you know, and I told him, look, if you want your artistry, sure, great. But if that's what you want, I don't advise you paying your premium. Just see someone else that you know.

B (11:16)

Is this expensive? Of course it is. It's gotta be, because it's such a big, vital part of your life. It's your smile, it's your vocal cords. It's part of you talk about the investment and how you help folks that are afraid of going, I, I need this, I want this. But I don't know how energy works nor how to transpire my energy through money.

A (11:36)

Right. No, of course. I mean, you brought two very good points. The first one is, of course, stress. People usually get stress from the unknown. So I think it's really important to sit down with people or patients, explain everything very meticulously in terms of expectations, what they can expect. And I think that's a very, very important process of it. So just that way you can put them at ease, make them comfortable, show some before and afters, and allow them to really visualize everything. Right. The second good point that you brought up is, of course, the financial part of it. Right. We're very understanding. You know, I think there are always, where was always ways where we can do a payment plan. Right. And that's usually my, the least of my concerns. If you, if you come in having a goal in mind, we're going to, we're going to make it work.

B (12:24)

Yeah, for sure. Talk about some folks that you've transformed. Like any, any, any rock stars, any celebrities or anyone. Any. Anyone that kind of kind of goes in for the quarterly update. Like, what are some, like, fun stories?

A (12:36)

Yeah, I mean, some venues were definitely signed.

B (12:38)

Oh, sure, sure. We can call them whatever you want.

A (12:41)

Yeah, I mean, there were times where I remember working on some celebrities and I was like, oh, you know, why don't we grab a little picture together? And they're like, no, no.

B (12:51)

There's a reason why I came up with a baseball cap, sir.

A (12:54)

And the foundations don't come in baseball cap, thick sunglasses. They're like, nope, no, I don't want a picture. But you know, there are also other people where you're going to see on my social media and other celebrities that I'm sure you guys can see. But as far as what we have done for them, I mean, we can't really disclose that.

B (13:11)

Well, sure, but I mean, like, I don't want, I don't want you to specifically name oddity. But what are some fun stories? Like a celebrity wanted fans or like, what are some. Because I just want to, like, I understand the profession, but I also wanted

A (13:21)

to have some stories just give me

B (13:22)

just a. Yeah, like, was it just

A (13:23)

a little bit of juicy.

B (13:24)

Yeah, just a little bit of tea. I don't need to hear Jared Leto's name. But, like, what does that. One essential character that came.

A (13:30)

There's one person. I'll never forget the story. There you go. We did 22 veneers on him. Holy moly. Huge guy. Big guy. I think it was, like, six foot five, huge. And when we're in the veneer process, he mentioned how he wanted diamonds. I'm like, all right, okay, we can work it out with the ceramics. Let's just. We can make this work. And I'm like, all right, how big are we talking in terms of diamonds? He's like, you know, something subtle, like, yeah, you're a big guy. You know, you're like 6 foot 5, 6 foot 7, huge. Maybe like 300 pounds. You sure you want these little diamonds? He was like, yeah. I'm like, all right. So the ceramists incorporated that into the porcelain, into the veneers.

B (14:08)

So there's this really, really big guy. Tall, big.

A (14:12)

With these little tiny diamonds. I'm like, are you sure you like this? Like, you know, you're a big guy. Maybe you're considering of some bigger ones, right? These little puny little diamonds.

B (14:21)

Sure, sure.

A (14:22)

And then he's like, no, I like them. All right. A month went by, two months went by, and he was like, yeah, I want. I want to go bigger. A lot, a lot bigger. They just give them a very soft. First thought it wasn't for him.

B (14:36)

I like how you kind of conveniently had a low ticket offer, and then I summoned him to a high ticket offer.

A (14:41)

Really good for you, sir. I've had another patient. I'll never forget this. I remember having him on temporaries. And the temporaries, how they work is that it's something that you put on, obviously, temporarily, but there's not really much characteristic to it. It's just one shade or one color, Right. Had the one. Temporaries. Say you liked it. Tried on the permanent ones. The permanent ones are obviously very different. You have five, six different colors on them. The translucency on the edges, the warmer ends around the gums so they look very real, very natural. Right on. And I was like, you sure you like them? This is good. He's like, yeah, sign the papers. I like them. Like, all right, let's go and cement them 22 units. And then a week went by, two months went by, three months went by, and he's like. He comes back, he's like, I don't like them. I'm like, what do you mean? I like the temporaries better. I like them when they were just opaque white. But I'm like, but there's no detail. He's like, it doesn't matter. It's a power statement. Wow. What are you going to do? Yeah, take Altine throughout and redo them.

B (15:42)

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Wow.

A (15:43)

So, you know, you still see stuff like this every now and then, but it's part of the game and, you know, you accept it as it is.

B (15:48)

How big is your tribe, your crew, like your team? I'm curious to learn who's following you.

A (15:56)

Yeah. So it's not so much who's following me, it's also who I'm following as well. And I'm working with this dear doctor Dr. Mansur Zakor. Cool. Top notch. Dr. Beverly Hills sick. He's the man. He is so talented. He's actually one of the ones that brought me under his wing in the first place. I remember when I first got to LA a while ago, I remember I showed up with my suit and tie and back then I didn't have a car so I would take the bus to Rodeo drive with my CVs in my hand and my suit and tie. Going to practice, to practice, to practice. I think I went to 36 practices for two months. Just kept trying and trying. None of them worked out. He worked out. He brought me under his wing, taught me the ins and outs and love him, love him to death.

B (16:44)

What do you, what do you think

A (16:45)

he saw in you?

B (16:45)

Like, what do you think after so many tries?

A (16:48)

I don't know, man. It was a charm. I don't know what it was. Maybe, maybe, maybe. But you know, to this day, so blessed. Right on to, to, to be with him as well. And you know him, him and I have a great relationship. Cool. I love him to death. I see him as a brother, as a mentor, but also a great friend as well.

B (17:07)

That's great.

A (17:08)

We tackle cases together, we work together. He's awesome.

B (17:11)

Talk about the importance of starting young but also finding a mentor. And then we'll wrap it up there with a fun way to find you.

A (17:17)

Yeah, Yeah. I mean, I think finding a mentor, I think, you know, it's a really good question. You know, finding a mentor. Gosh, I've been asked this question so many times and really the. My answer is it depends on what your niche is. You know, you can always try the impossible message cold call people. Try the blue message people. Some of the people that you've looked up to. Your.

B (17:43)

How did you cold call your mentor? Hey, what up? Do you like teeth? How did that work?

A (17:47)

You up. You know, I've. I've been through so much rejection, and I think what worked for me is just showing up unannounced. And that's pretty much what I did with this practice. They weren't looking for anyone back then. When I started, I just showed up unannounced. And I think one of the best sayings I've seen. There are two great sayings that I like to preach by. The first one is perspective drives performance. And I couldn't agree more. When you look at a glass, it's either half full or half empty. If things are not going your way, you can either look at it as a burden or as an opportunity. If things are not going your way, just try different things, try new things. Eventually things will work out. The second I guess caption or I guess the saying that I usually go by is you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. Right. And that was by our dear Canadian, Wayne Gretzky. So you gotta try it all, you know, you gotta. If there's someone you're really interested in or if you're looking up to message them, email them, or just show up in their office unannounced, present who you are, and see if they're willing to guide you and mentor you.

B (18:55)

And then yada, yada, yada, you'll have

A (18:56)

a beautiful smile just like hers. I appreciate you, man. Thank you, brother.

B (18:59)

Yo man, thank you so much for. For have a. For lovely energy. Thank you. You've been such a diamond in the rough today. Even though it's been. Has been a fantastic day. I hope you enjoy your Friday, enjoy your adventures here in Miami. Yeah. Too many more beautiful smiles that you put on folks faces. And good luck to you, man.

A (19:14)

Awesome.

B (19:14)

I appreciate it, brother.

A (19:16)

Appreciate you. Thank you so much for that.

B (19:18)

That. That wraps up our Episode for the Living youg Legacy podcast. Anything you want to say? How can people find you?

A (19:24)

You can find me on Instagram. So Dr. S. Paressa or my website, Dr. Espresso.

B (19:30)

Thanks Dr. S. Yeah. Rock and roll. For inside success. That's Dr. S. And I'm Riga T.