The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes 2501: The Backup Plan Every Dentist Should Think About
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May 4, 2026 Dr. Wayde Elliott, a former dentist who rebuilt his career as a self-storage developer after a neck injury, shares his pivot from clinical practice to real estate. He talks about why dentists need backup plans and disability insurance. He explains what makes self-storage attractive to investors, tax benefits like cost segregation, and the practical cashflow and stabilization timelines for development.
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Sudden Procedure Injury Ended A Dental Career
- Wayde Elliott described a sudden career-ending injury during a crown prep when a patient couldn't recline, causing sharp neck pain and two blown discs.
- He immediately laid down, couldn't finish dentistry, fused T5–T7 later, and exited practice the same day, highlighting clinical vulnerability.
Patient Mentor Sparked A New Career In Storage
- A patient named Larry Olson planted the seed for Wayde's move into self-storage by describing it as his best business.
- Larry then mentored Wayde on site layout and launch, enabling Wayde's first facility before his injury.
Protect Your Career With Disability Insurance
- Get disability insurance and a fallback plan because clinical income can disappear instantly.
- Wayde had a $10,000/month policy that helped bridge the gap after his practice sale and exit to real estate.