In the episode 5 of THE LEAD ICON PODCAST, Dr Lincoln Harris, CEO and Founder of RipeGlobal, sat down with our host Dijana Dragomirovic to talk about the ups and downs of building a business, the power of innovation, and the future of dentistry.
Their chat covered everything from the challenges of growing a global company to how artificial intelligence (AI) is set to transform dental training.
From Practising Dentist to Global Educator
Dr Harris shared his journey from being a hands-on dentist in Australia to launching RipeGlobal, an online dental education platform that helps dentists improve their skills and boost their productivity. The idea for RipeGlobal came during the COVID-19 pandemic when lockdowns made in-person training impossible. Instead of pausing his work, he saw an opportunity to create a scalable, digital learning system that could reach dentists worldwide.
Bringing AI to Dental Training
One of the most exciting developments at RipeGlobal is the use of AI-powered mannequins that provide real-time feedback during training. Built using data collected over five years, these mannequins will help dentists refine their skills more effectively. Dr Harris believes AI will play a massive role in making dental education faster, smarter, and more accessible.
On top of that, RipeGlobal is about to launch a feature that will allow other educators to use their platform. This means specialist dental educators can teach globally without the barriers of traditional training models.
What It Takes to Build a Business
Dr Harris and Dijana also discussed the realities of running a business. Moving from Australia to Denver, he noticed differences in business culture—particularly the fast-paced, high-response work ethic in the United States.
A big takeaway from the conversation was the importance of making quick decisions. At RipeGlobal, they’ve cut out unnecessary meetings and pushed decision-making power down the line, giving team members the confidence to act fast. While this approach can lead to mistakes (he expects about 50% of decisions to be wrong), Dr Harris believes it’s better to move quickly than to get stuck in indecision.
The Future of Dentistry and Business
Looking ahead, Dr Harris predicts that AI and automation will make people more productive over the next decade. However, he also worries that this could leave many feeling lost, as work becomes less of an identity. He sees storytelling and authenticity becoming even more valuable in business and personal life.
When asked what advice he’d give to other entrepreneurs, his answer was simple: don’t give up. He believes success comes from solving real problems and creating real value—money is just the side effect.
And if he could do anything differently? He’d quit dentistry sooner.
RipeGlobal is shaking up dental training with AI, fast decision-making, and a global vision. This conversation between Dr Harris and Dijana gives a great insight into what it takes to build an innovative business, adapt to change, and stay ahead of the curve.
Watch the full episode below!
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