In this episode of Sydology 101, Sydney sits down with her longtime mentor and the GSD Queen herself, Ashlee Hirschfeld. From her start as Dr. Mark Costes’ personal assistant to becoming COO of Dental Success Network, Ashlee knows firsthand the game-changing power of the right hire.
Together, Sydney and Ashlee dive into:
How Ashlee went from Googling on the fly to building entire companies
Why every dentist (and entrepreneur) needs an assistant
How trusting your gut can sometimes matter more than résumés
The top three traits Ashlee looks for in an executive or personal assistant
Why hiring is about asking the right questions, not just checking boxes
Part 1 wraps up with an honest conversation about culture fit, intuition, and even the surprising moment when a candidate flat-out refused to talk about their personal life at work — and what that reveals about team dynamics.
👉 Whether you’ve struggled to find the right person or wondered if hiring an assistant is “too much,” this episode will shift your mindset.
Resources & Links
Learn more about Ashlee’s work: GSD Queen
Explore the community for growth-minded dentists: Dental Success Network
Check out Sydney’s coaching and training programs: Clarity
