
Empowering Orthodontists in Real Estate with Brian Mills, ROAM Commercial Realty
"Location is not everything." Connect With Our Sponsors Solventum - https://go.solventum.com/clarity GreyFinch - https://greyfinch.com/jillallen/ A-Dec - https://www.a-dec.com/orthodontics SmileSuite - https://getsmilesuite.com/ Summary In this episode of the Hey Docs! Podcast, Jill Allen speaks with Brian Mills, president and founder of ROAM Commercial Realty, about what orthodontists should know about commercial real estate in today’s market. Brian shares his background in the dental industry and explains how ROAM exclusively represents healthcare tenants, emphasizing that today’s market has higher construction costs and lease rates and can’t be timed by waiting for elections or rate drops. They discuss shifting location strategies (retail vs. medical office), why “location isn’t everything,” and the importance of data-driven demographic analysis over fears of saturation. Brian outlines key negotiation levers for startups—tenant improvement allowances, build-out and post-opening free rent, and controlling triple net exposure and added fees—while stressing the need for a strong team, mentorship, and a patient experience that values human interaction alongside selective AI tools. Connect With Our Guest ROAM Commercial Realty - https://www.roamcommercialrealty.com/ Takeaways The commercial real estate market is constantly changing. Doctors should be aware of current market conditions. Negotiation is key in securing favorable lease terms. Tenant improvement allowances are crucial for startups. Understanding additional fees in leases is essential. Retail spaces are becoming more common for practices. Location is important, but not the only factor for success. Fear is a significant barrier for new business owners. Education empowers clients to make informed decisions. Market saturation can be misleading; data is key. Surrounding yourself with a strong team is essential for success. Mentorship can provide invaluable guidance and support. Don't underestimate the importance of detailed communication with clients. The success rate for startups in orthodontics and dentistry is high when done correctly. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:55 Brian Mills Background 06:04 Market Pulse 2026 16:03 Retail Versus Medical Space 21:22 Lease Negotiation Levers 27:28 Hidden Fees And Triple Net 32:31 Landlord Math And Valuation 35:08 Fear Before The Leap 39:20 Coaches And Great Teams 41:38 Oversaturation And Market Data 47:40 Bank Loans And Cash Flow 49:32 Old School Human Touch 53:51 How To Get in Contact Episode Credits: Hosted by Jill Allen Produced by Jordann Killion Audio Engineering by Garrett Lucero Are you ready to start a practice of your own? Do you need a fresh set of eyes or some advice in your existing practice? Reach out to me- www.practiceresults.com . If you like what we are doing here on Hey Docs! and want to hear more of this awesome content, give us a 5-star Rating on your preferred listening platform and subscribe to our show so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Thursday!












