Jesus Romero, 32

Jesus Romero started his marketing career promoting minor league baseball teams and then the San Diego Padres. A lifelong baseball enthusiast, it was a dream job but also one that required 100-hour weeks, leaving little time for his wife and young daughter.

Five years ago, he joined his father’s lab and, despite being a full-fledged novice in dental technology, one might say he’s hit it out of the park. In that time, he’s helped the lab become 100% digital, eliminated the model department, added a printing department and quadrupled the lab’s sales. “I’m astounded at how quickly he has learned the business and how to market our services,” says Bill Atkission, his father and Owner of Bella Vita Dental Designs, a five-person lab in Arden, NC.

Romero’s marketing strategies have been largely focused on relationship building, providing education via study clubs and lunch ‘n learns and being a resource to dentist-clients, all...