Paul Guerrino

Follow your passion. It always pays, not just in terms of money, but overall happiness as well.

 

Paul Guerrino DDS is an entrepreneur and dentist from New York City. He started Guerrino Dentistry as one small location, and it has since expanded to three established practices in Mount Vernon, Scarsdale and Hartsdale. He has over thirty years of experience, and has passed that experience on to his family to continue growing the business. Paul’s wife, Dr. Afshan Ahmed is a graduate of New York University, which he conveniently is too. She helps run the Hartsdale office and Paul’s sister, Dr. Lora Guerrino is a dentist at the Mt. Vernon practice. In his free time, Dr. Guerrino likes to stay mentally and physically healthy, whether it be making music on his drums, eating good food, doing yoga, playing golf or traveling with his beloved wife Afshan.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

I always had the idea of starting my own dental practice since the day I joined dental school. After I completed my studies, I worked for other dental practices, and after accumulating enough experience, I started Guerrino dentistry.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

My typical day starts at 5 a.m. I wake up, work out for 30 mins, then check the day’s schedule. By 7 a.m., I leave the house, and I am at one of the 3 Guerrino dentistry offices by 8 a.m. To make my day productive, I always ensure that I take breaks during the day, just to relax, and take a walk. It greatly improves my productivity.

How do you bring ideas to life?

That’s a complex one. However, I would say, I am more of a trial and error person. I am not afraid of failure so whenever I have a good idea, I just dive in. If it works, fine, if it doesn’t, well too bad.

What’s one trend that excites you?

That would be the increased consciousness about dental care. More people are now seeking dental care, and that’s exciting.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

The ability to organize. I am good with organizing people. This is the reason why all the three Guerrino Dentistry offices run so smoothly.

What advice would you give your younger self?

To my younger self, I would say, follow your passion. It always pays, not just in terms of money, but overall happiness as well.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Interesting question, but there is nothing interesting I can think of. Maybe it’s because, I am not really an argumentative person.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Taking the step to get started. Lots of people have amazing plans on paper, but very few take the step to actualize them. Take the risk and get started.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Aggressive marketing. Without marketing, Guerrino Dentistry would not be where it is. Every entrepreneur knows that without marketing, even the best idea would flop.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I tried a hand in the travel industry, and it failed big time. I learnt a very important lesson, stick to what you know best.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

Mmmh hard to tell. Maybe invest in cryptocurrencies? You never know, it could be the future of money.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

That would be an investment I made in a cryptocurrency called in XRP in early 2017. It paid for me a nice holiday in the Mediterranean last year.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I love Slack. It really helps in organizing communication between my employees across the 3 offices. Without it, communication would not be as efficient as it is. We would be way less productive.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I am mostly into medical books and dental research. However, for an entrepreneur looking for something to read, I would recommend The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin S. Sharma.

What is your favorite quote?

I love a quote by Andrew Carnegie which states, “Concentrate your energy, thought and capital exclusively upon the business in which you are engaged. Having begun on one line, resolve to fight it out on that line, to lead in it, adopt every advance, have the best machinery, and know the most about it.” This is probably the most important quote that can change the fortunes of any entrepreneur.

Key Learnings:

• Never Stop Learning.
• Never Give up.
• Never lose Hope.

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