Author: Justin Borba, BSU student
I am thankful Dr. Gould had the time to answer a few questions during this pandemic even though he is very busy with his practice.
So, let’s start with are you from this area?
I have been is Brockton since 1973. I grew up in northern New York. I came to Brockton because I had professional connections through family.
Tell me about your business. Why did you choose this line of business?
I have a solo dental practice specializing in pediatrics. I always wanted to do something in the health profession with children, and after having seen a close friend losing a child to cancer, I did not want to do medicine and pediatric dentistry was an alternative.
When did it start? What year?
I studied dental school in 1967 and made my choice to pursue my specialty in 1971, the year I graduated, I did a pediatric residency at children’s hospital of Pittsburgh; and finished in 1973. I came to Brockton in July 1973.
What was the toughest thing you went through when opening? What inspired you to keep going as you were getting the business off the ground?
Not having had any business background, the toughest thing was how to run the business side of my office. Seeing patients calling and getting referrals from general dentists and pediatricians was what kept me going.
If you had to start over from day one what would you have done differently? Or what was your most difficult challenge?
I would have taken some business classes in college, and perhaps when I got started, I would have associated with an established practice to see how to run my practice.
What is the toughest part about having a business in 2020?
This is easy to answer, bills keep coming in, and with Covid-19, the ability to meet expenses is the most difficult part. When the government puts restrictions on practices, they also restrict income, but not the outgoing.
What is the number one way you currently bring in new customers?
Patient referrals are the greatest source of new customers, however new websites and patient comments are a significant factor.
Has internet technology (website, online ads, social media, etc.) played a big part in your growth and making your company more successful?
Absolutely, technology gets faster results, feedback, and referrals.
Increase or decrease, step away and be more of a manager, passive owner, etc.?
With today’s economy, and with advanced technology, and having done this for nearly 50 years, I would like to be a passive owner, allowing young blood to do all the hard work, and soliciting new business through marketing, knowing now how to bring in new patients.
We did have a nice conversation on how technology will and has helped his business. With the way other media platforms are growing, there are more ways of getting referrals from customers with other social media platforms other than Facebook. He wants to start diving into Twitter and Instagram, which are two of the biggest platforms. This will definitely help get the business more exposure and customers. One thing about the interview that sticks with me is the way he talks about his employees. Dr. Gould wants everyone to be comfortable and feel like a family; and you can really see how close they are right as you step in.
Dr. David S. Gould, DDS has two locations in the South Shore area.
| 23 North Pearl Street Brockton, MA 02301 Phone: 508-588-2320 | 157 High Street Taunton, MA 02780 Phone: 508-824-9814 |
Email: frontdesk@davidsgoulddds.com
Facebook: David S. Gould, DDS