This week we talk to Dr. Aaron Martin about Dentists of Alphington, the new business he built after 15 years as an employee. 

Making the decision to build rather than buy a business had both its rewards and its challenges. He says, "The toughest part was coordinating the logistical and compliance issues behind the scenes.  Having never started a business from scratch, this was certainly a steep learning curve and this was hard to comprehend before the project started.  Simultaneously dealing with building design, planning, equipment, finance and legal issues was more of a challenge than I expected." 

Aaron feels that "Getting the right advice before you start is invaluable.  Developing a formal business plan has been crucial to us in knowing where we are going and in navigating the difficult beginnings of a start-up business.  Less formal advice from business owners and mentors also helped me a lot.  I guess my main advice would be to talk to (and listen) to as many people as possible that have gone before you."

Dentists of Alphington maintains strong ties with other local businesses to help it grow, "As a small business, it's very difficult to stand alone.  We rely on professional connections with local radiology clinics, pharmacies and medical clinics as well as less formal connections with hospitality and fitness businesses."

The location of their business was an obvious choice - close to home, in one of Melbourne's best kept secrets, "Alphington has a strong sense of community and a really bright future.  It maintains a real residential, suburban feel but is also part of the trendy, developing inner north."

And for the insider scoop on local dining? "Benjamin's Kitchen is a real gem for restaurant dining."