A Day in the Life of Darrell Lee

My life is always progressing forward, and my schedule is continuously changing. At this time now, I'm giving you a glimpse into a typical day in my life as a dental lab owner. Running Berkeley Dental Laboratory keeps me on my toes, but no matter how busy I get, my family always comes first. Whether I’m meeting with doctors, handling lab work, or spending time with my wife and daughters, every part of my day revolves around balancing my passion for the lab and my dedication to my family. Here’s a look at how my day unfolds!

5:30 AM – Wake up

I prefer to start each day early, with a focus on getting my mind and body prepared for the busy day ahead. Waking up early gives me time to prepare mentally and start the day intentionally.

6:00 AM – Gym with daughters

Before diving into the workday, I spend time with my two high school aged daughters at the gym. It's a great way to get the day off to an energized start and to spend extra time with them, especially now that my second daughter is a senior and will be leaving us for college this summer. Starting the day this way and winning the morning, sets the tone for the rest of the day.

7:45 AM – Daughters off to school

After our gym time, I get myself ready and head out to drop off my daughters at school. It’s a small, but important part of my morning. I know the time we spend together while I drive them to school, is building memories that they will remember for the rest of their lives.

8:00 AM – Start work: Connecting with our doctors and meeting new doctors

Visiting dental offices to meet new doctors and connecting with my doctors and their staff to plan cases together while picking up and delivering cases, are critical parts of my day. These face-to-face interactions help me build strong, lasting relationships with our doctors, ensuring they receive the service they expect and their patients get the best possible care.

10:00 AM – Work in the lab

After my meetings with doctors in the morning and when I get to the lab, before I do anything else, I work on my most important tasks I have scheduled for the day. Then I will check to make sure each restoration meets our highest quality standards before they are delivered to our doctors' offices. I take pride in this hands-on approach with every case that leaves the lab, which allows me to stay connected to the work and maintain the level of quality craftsmanship and service that Berkeley Dental Laboratory is known for.

4:00 PM – Head home and family time

Once the day's tasks are done, I head home to unwind and reconnect with my family. My work is incredibly important to me, but family time is the real priority. This is when I get to recharge and focus on what matters most. From the moment I get home, it’s all about my family. I feel most fulfilled when we’re all hanging out and talking about our day.

7:00 PM – Dinner and walk

Dinner is a special time for us. Our family is fasting, so we eat later in the evening. Although we have a late dinner, we always prioritize eating together as a family. Having our meal and then connecting while we go for a quick walk at the nearby trail or around the neighborhood together, is a daily routine that we all look forward to.

9:00 PM – Family video call

This is when we get in touch with our oldest daughter who is away for college. During our daily family video call, we catch up and talk about our schedules and what each of us are working towards. This way we are on the same page as a family and it's the perfect time to set boundaries to meet our goals and a great time to offer support to help each other with our schedules.

9:30 PM – Bedtime for the girls

Our youngest daughter goes to bed and typically, our older girls stay up later and will work on their homework and studies. After I say goodnight to my girls, I spend time with my wife before she goes to bed.

11:00 PM – Reset and rest

After my wife falls asleep, is when I check my emails and respond to anything that needs immediate attention. Then I think about the day and schedule important tasks that needs to get done the next day. I usually spend an hour reflecting and planning on paper to get everything out of my head, so I can go to bed with a clear mind. By the time I get into bed and fall asleep, it’s often late — sometimes past midnight.

Each day is a mix of balancing personal life with professional responsibilities. I love the work I get to do at Berkeley Dental Laboratory, but it’s the time spent with my family that keeps me fulfilled and grounded. As we continue to grow and build our relationships, I’m grateful for both the relationships we have in the lab and with my family, who support me every step of the way.