Ep. 141 Dave Houston - Entrepreneurial Growth: Level 3 Leadership

The EO Business Podcast

Guest: Dave Houston,EO Queensland member since 2013 and CEO of Australia Dental Group
Host: Linh Podetti, EO Sydney member since 2022, and owner of Outsourcing Angel
In this compelling episode, Dave Houston, CEO of Australia Dental Group, shares his remarkable journey from working as a practicing dentist to leading one of Australia’s most successful dental networks. Growing up in Redcliffe, Dave was exposed to entrepreneurship early on through his father’s dental practice. After buying the family clinic and experiencing the unique challenges of running a small business, he made the bold decision to expand his horizons.
Dave reveals how he went from managing a single dental clinic to overseeing six thriving locations across Queensland. Along the way, he opens up about the tough decision to “sack” his father from the business and the valuable lessons he learned in leadership, from pricing strategy to managing crises during staff tragedies. His commitment to creating strong business systems allowed him to step back from the day-to-day grind, empowering his team and evolving into a “Level 3 Leader,” a concept Dave is passionate about sharing with fellow entrepreneurs.
Listeners will gain deep insights into Dave’s philosophy on entrepreneurship, from the importance of empowering employees to the key role mentorship plays in business growth. He also touches on the mental and emotional challenges that leaders face, explaining how EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organisation) helped him normalise stepping away from the technical side of his work and fully embrace the strategic CEO role.
About Dave Houston:
Dave Houston is the CEO of Australia Dental Group and has been a member of EO Sydney since 2013. Growing up in Redcliffe, Queensland, Dave began his career as a dentist, eventually buying his father’s clinic. Over time, he transitioned from practicing dentistry to managing and expanding the business to six locations across Queensland. Dave is known for his innovative leadership and his ability to empower others through strong business systems. A passionate advocate for entrepreneurial growth, Dave frequently presents on the concept of “Level 3 Leadership” and enjoys sharing his insights with EO chapters around the world.
CONNECT WITH DAVE:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-david-houston/
Instagram Handle: @godave84
Website: http://www.australiadentalhq.au
Email: [e-mail]
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ABOUT EO
Entrepreneur's Organization (EO) is a global business network of 18,000 + influential business owners in over 220 chapters across 76 countries. We offer world-class events that encompass engaging entrepreneur and business stories, skills-specific workshops, and exciting social gatherings.
Our mission is to drive both business and personal growth through peer-to-peer learning, providing support for the holistic entrepreneur experience covering business, family, community, and personal aspects. As a not-for-profit organization, all our funds directly contribute to member benefits.
If you're a business owner with revenues ranging from US$250k to US$1m, you can join our Accelerator Program. If your revenues exceed US$1m, you can join the main EO Program in your nearest local chapter. To join or find out more about your nearest chapter, visit https://www.eonetwork.org/why-join/apply-for-membership-form.
For further information, please contact:
Podcast Host Linh Podetti: [e-mail]
General Inquiries: [e-mail]
EO Sydney: www.eosydney.com.au
EO Global: https://hub.eonetwork.org/