Monica Boniadi, DDS, is owner of the Laser & Cosmetic Dental Institute of Orange County and AlisoLaguna Family Dental Care. Leveraging more than 20 years of experience, she provides general, cosmetic, and laser dentistry services, including drill-free and needle-free treatments, porcelain crowns, bridges, and fillings. Dr. Monica Boniadi’s work has been recognized by the Consumer’s Research Council of America, which has included her in its list of top dentists annually since 2000.
Dr. Boniadi holds dual bachelor’s degrees in biology and psychology from the University of California, Irvine, completing both in four years while working full-time. She continued her academic career at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she earned a doctor of dental surgery (DDS) degree with honors in 1996. She was a member of the Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity while at UCLA.
Dr. Boniadi is passionate about giving back to the community. She volunteers with the Orange County Dental Society Pediatric Mobile Clinic and the Lestonnac Free Clinic, where she provides care to underserved populations. She is also a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and Orange County Dental Society. When not treating patients, she enjoys hiking, mountain bike riding, and reading.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts early with a brief planning session where I map out two to three priority items that move the needle — whether it’s reviewing investments, handling strategic planning for my dental practice, or learning about new tech. I block out focused time with no interruptions, and I don’t leave the day to chance — structure is freedom.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I combine intuition with research. I jot down concepts as they come, test their real-world application quickly, and use input from trusted peers or mentors. If something shows promise, I either delegate it or prototype it fast to build momentum.
What’s one trend that excites you?
AI’s integration into healthcare — particularly in diagnostics and patient experience — excites me. We’re entering a new era where tools can amplify what professionals do, not just automate it.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I review my goals weekly and set micro-goals each morning. That reflection, combined with scheduling breaks to avoid burnout, keeps me sharp and focused.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t waste time waiting for perfect conditions. Build, learn, and refine as you go. Speed and humility beat perfectionism every time.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Most people overestimate what they can do in a day and wildly underestimate what they can do in a focused three months. Slow down and narrow your scope.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I document everything — from clinical workflows to investment hypotheses to lessons learned. You can’t improve what you don’t track.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I physically reset — walk, hydrate, take deep breaths. Then I zoom out: “What’s the one thing that matters most right now?” That simple question grounds me.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Investing in people — hiring well, trusting early, and sharing upside. Your team either limits or scales your vision.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I once invested heavily in a new office expansion before validating the market need. It taught me the power of small experiments before big commitments — test assumptions fast.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
A concierge service that matches medical or dental professionals nearing retirement with trusted young associates — kind of like “succession-as-a-service.”
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Notion. I use it for everything — from task tracking to storing notes, investment memos, and even SOPs for the dental office. It’s my second brain.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant — it’s timeless, tactical, and forces you to think long-term about health, wealth, and leverage. It’s not just about work; it’s about how you live.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Drive to Survive (Netflix). It’s about Formula 1 racing, but the leadership lessons, team dynamics, and risk-taking under pressure make it wildly applicable to business.
Key learnings
- Productivity stems from clarity, structure, and micro-goals — not hustle for hustle’s sake.
- Successful ideas come from fast validation, small experiments, and iterative refinement.
- Building a strong team is the ultimate business multiplier.
- Tech tools like Notion and AI integrations offer powerful leverage for modern professionals.
- Documenting decisions, reflections, and failures accelerates both learning and growth.