“Go big or go home.” – Tony Feck
Those five words became the turning point for Dr. Justin Bonaventure, the mantra that launched a journey to transform his small dental practice into a thriving, multi-million-dollar operation.
In this month’s Doc Star Spotlight, we sat down with Dr. Justin of Bonaventure Dental in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to reveal a story is of grit, growth, and the power of community, and how Sunrise Dental Solutions played a key role every step of the way.
🚀 The Starting Point: A 2-Chair Clinic with Big Ambitions
When Justin joined Sunrise nearly 8 years ago, he had bought his first practice and stood on the cusp of acquiring two more. He was looking for more than just expansion—he wanted strategy, support, and a smarter path to success.
“Sunrise was the guide that helped me put it all together. It gave me the confidence and the sounding board I didn’t know I needed.”
Through Sunrise, Justin connected with like-minded peers, built lasting friendships, and gained the clarity to stop second-guessing and start scaling.
🧠 Building Bigger, Smarter, and With Purpose
What began as a 2-chair practice is now a 12-chair operation generating about $5.7 million annually, with a team of just two doctors and a support crew of 19.
From the start, Justin understood that dentistry is more than chairside care—it’s a business. And with help from Sunrise’s mentors and strategic guidance, he made transformative moves:
- Facility Expansion: Built a brand-new space 4xs the size of the original
- Team Growth: Scaled from 6 to 20 employees, including internal leaders
- Systems & Culture: Implemented training, leadership paths, and team-wide profit-sharing
- Smart Scaling: Learned to run lean, efficient, and purpose-driven
“I don’t need accolades. My biggest win is sustainability—growing enough to reward my team and still love what I do.”
💰 Sharing the Wins—and the Wealth
What is one of the most powerful parts of Justin’s journey? Watching his team thrive alongside the business. Through a bonus structure, he now distributes $4,000 to $6,000 every payroll among his staff, many of whom are now out-earning their counterparts in nursing and other medical fields.
“It feels good to see them buy a car, care for their families, or grow their own goals because of what we’ve built together.”
🤝 Finding Strength in Community
Justin credits much of his success to the Sunrise network, especially the deep camaraderie found in a small mastermind group he met through the community.
🔄 From Burnout to Balance
With the right systems in place, Justin’s daily life as a dentist has become more fulfilling. He spends more time doing what he loves—treating patients—and less time stressing over operations.
“You need to get big enough to relax and actually enjoy your work. That’s what we’ve built.”
💡 For the Docs Who Feel Stuck
If you’re a dentist who feels like you’ve plateaued or burned out, Justin has one piece of advice:
“Find like-minded people!”
“Stop reinventing the wheel. Get efficient. And surround yourself with folks who want to see you succeed. That’s what Sunrise gave me.”
Final Thoughts
Dr. Justin Bonaventure’s story is more than just numbers. It’s about vision, community, and redefining what success in dentistry can look like—not just for doctors, but for entire teams and the patients they serve.
Sunrise didn’t just change his practice. It changed his life.
Learn more about Dr. Justin Bonaventure and Bonaventure Dental Care at his website: https://bonaventuredental.com