"Success is finding the sweet spot between pursuing your dreams and self-care."
Eric Giesecke is the CEO of Planet DDS, the leader in cloud-based software for independent dental offices and dental groups in the U.S. Prior to joining Planet DDS, he co-founded District Line
Partners, a private investment fund created to acquire and operate a single attractive business in a growing industry.
He also ran One Source Water, a bottleless water cooler firm, where he nearly doubled the size of the company in less than three years. Eric has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a bachelor’s of science in mechanical engineering from the University of Virginia.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Eric Giesecke: I am the CEO of Planet DDS, the leading provider of cloud-enabled dental software solutions. My journey, however, began with something completely different:
A degree in engineering. In my twenties, I quickly realized that wasn’t my passion and transitioned into a role with a construction company focused on international projects. I spent time in Afghanistan and Egypt, where I was able to oversee large-scale construction projects involving the reconstruction of key infrastructure. This ignited my interest in entrepreneurship.
Following this, I pursued business school and then ventured into a search fund, with the goal of acquiring and operating a business. My first endeavor was in the bottleless water cooler industry, where we grew business organically and through acquisition expansions before eventually selling the business.
Afterward, I partnered with a friend from business school in the search for another venture to build. Despite our limited knowledge of software and dentistry, we stumbled upon a promising opportunity in dental software. The industry was – and still is – ripe for technological advancement, particularly in cloud-based solutions, and we thought that Planet DDS was far ahead of its time.
Planet DDS had a solid product and a large customer base, but it was still in its early stages of growth. Recognizing the potential, we took the plunge, expanding the company through acquisitions and focusing on meeting the industry’s demand for advanced technology solutions.
Today, Planet DDS stands as a testament to our vision and determination. What drives me today is the same entrepreneurial spirit that led me to undertake challenging projects overseas—an innate desire to build and innovate.
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, is an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Eric Giesecke: At Planet DDS, we believe that a thriving company culture is the foundation of employee happiness and engagement. We focus on cultivating a culture of accountability, collaboration, ambition, empathy, and trustworthiness.
Our goal is to create an environment where individuals feel empowered to contribute their best work, collaborate effectively, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of their colleagues, clients, and communities.
One of the ways we engage our employees is by fostering open conversations and trust. We encourage our team members to voice their ideas, concerns, and aspirations, ensuring that everyone feels heard, valued, and understood. This open dialogue not only strengthens our internal relationships but also drives continuous improvement.
We are also deeply committed to the personal and professional development of our employees. In 2023, we launched several exciting new Learning & Development (L&D) programs and training initiatives. These included extensive New Hire Training Sessions, courses on effective people leadership, and company-wide “courselets” on industry-relevant topics. Our broader L&D efforts yielded over 675 hours of live training, benefiting employees across all departments.
Our dedication to growth and development has been met with overwhelmingly positive responses from our team. Programs like New Hire Training and People Leaders 101 carry participant satisfaction scores of over 9 out of 10. These initiatives reflect our commitment to investing in our people and providing rewarding experiences that benefit them both in the short and long term.
We are excited to continue to introduce new product certification programs and expand our asynchronous learning experiences, ensuring that resources are accessible to team members anytime, anywhere.
We also recently launched the Planet DDS Rise Program, which will bring employees and leaders together for quarterly motivational presentations on leadership and technology, leading to company-wide networking and collaboration.
Ultimately, our approach to adapting to the current shift in the workplace revolves around creating a supportive and empowering culture. By prioritizing the well-being and development of our employees, we not only drive business success but also contribute to positive change within our industry and the broader world around us.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Eric Giesecke: While people often talk about the pressure and responsibilities of running a business, I believe the most underestimated aspect is the depth of the relationships you build with the people you work alongside. These relationships are forged through long hours, shared challenges, and collective triumphs.
In the midst of navigating complex problems and striving for ambitious goals, it’s easy to overlook how important these bonds are. However, it’s these very connections that often make the journey rewarding and enjoyable.
The camaraderie that develops from overcoming challenges together creates a sense of unity and mutual respect that is invaluable.
For example, during the early stages of growing Planet DDS, our team faced numerous obstacles, from technical hurdles to market competition.
The process demanded immense effort and collaboration, requiring us to rely on each other’s strengths and support one another through difficult times. As we worked through these challenges, the relationships we formed became a cornerstone of our company culture.
These bonds not only made the hard work more bearable but also enriched our work environment, enabling a sense of loyalty and collective purpose.
It’s this aspect of running a company—the meaningful connections and shared experiences—that I find deeply fulfilling.
What does “success” in 2024 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision.
Eric Giesecke: Looking back on my journey as an entrepreneur, I’ve definitely seen a shift in how I define success.
Over the years, I’ve realized success is more than just hitting goals, it’s about staying strong through the ups and downs, sticking to your values, and surrounding yourself with a team that’s as dedicated as you are.
It’s about finding that sweet spot between pushing hard for your dreams and taking care of yourself along the way. Success, for me, is about growth, purpose, and never losing sight of why I started this journey in the first place.
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Eric Giesecke for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Eric Giesecke or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
