Ben Friberg
- Owner/ Dentist
- Owner of Thrive Family Dental
School Information
School: SUNY Buffalo
College Major: Other
Years at College Works: 2009-2011
Career Information
Working For: Owner of Thrive Family Dental
Title: Owner/ Dentist
Industry: Medical
Brief Description of Duties / Responsibilities:
I run a start up dental practice and work as a consultant teaching other dentists how to run the practice they have always wanted
What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?2022 Wilmington NC entrepreneur of the year award!
College Works Career Impact
In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?
College Works Painting is a foundational life experience that has helped me excel in all elements of my career.
How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?
My ability to lead my team and communicate with my patients were learned from my experience with College Works Painting.
What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?
Integrity and grit.
How have the friendships and networks you built during CW affected you?
20 years later!! I still keep in touch with fellow College Works Painting alumni. I have been in several weddings and met the kids of my former College Works Painting interns.
If you had to come up with a one line slogan for CW, what would it be?
The hardest best thing college can offer.
Advice
What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?
Finish what you started!
Many college students struggle to choose between an internship specific to their target industry or doing CW. What advice would you give them on this subject if they wanted to enter your career field?
I?? a dentist. The skills I learned in College Works Painting have helped me excel and grow my dental practice to a point where other practice owners or reaching out to me and asking for me to help them. I I am doing dental consulting now because of the skills I built with College Works Painting.
What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?
Learn how to communicate well and to learn how to determine what someone really wants.
What’s your favorite memory from CW?
Always Cancun. But also the grind of making first calls as a DM with other DMs and taking shots for scheduled interviews.
Last words of wisdom?
Commit and get everything out of the program. It will pay off for the rest of your life!!