Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in dental care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Whitney Weiner, Founder of Whole Dental Wellness, located in Detroit, MI, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Whole Dental Wellness is a growing group of dental practice that focuses on the development and well-being of every person we serve. People are at the nexus of all we do. We offer dentistry for the whole family with a particular focus on the patient's overall health. We believe that the mouth is the gateway to the whole body. We take care of a person's dental health by ensuring that the whole body is performing at its peak. We work with all our patients at an individual level to find out who they are and what their needs and desires are. We then tailor our services to suit those needs.
I have been fortunate to work with a team that shares the same vision I do of community outreach. This really sets us apart as a dental practice because we work with community members and leaders to ensure that we provide the highest quality dental care to the communities we serve, especially for those that are financially disenfranchised.
Tell us about yourself
I have always been passionate about helping people, especially how I can positively impact the community around me. So when I began studying dentistry, I naturally gravitated toward volunteer work that allowed me to help disadvantaged members of society receive low-cost/free but quality dental care. Working for the free clinics, I realized that, what the organizations may have lacked in money, they compensated with dedicated, like-minded people with a thirst to make a difference. My number one focus is impact. Impact on the lives of our team members and of the patients and communities we serve.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Every time I manage to convince a patient that a visit to the dentist isn't the scary thing it has always been made out to be. When our team members deliver the best service using the tools and have drawn from our work culture, I consider that a major win for me. This means that I have successfully translated the USP so effectively that it has become a shared value system. Being able to leave the practice for days on end to focus on the business development side, knowing that my team will continue to run the business as smoothly as if I was there (or even smoother!), leaves me with a sense of pride.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I am constantly questioning if I am doing enough to provide a healthy environment for my team and ensure they are empowered to be the best versions of themselves. My team is the backbone of everything we do. This often keeps me up at night because I know that if the team feels motivated and valued, it will automatically pour over into how they deal with our patients and community at large. It is my responsibility to make sure that we work together to create a work culture that caters to the diverse needs of all team members. This is often easier said than done, but when you hit that sweet spot, all the hours of toiling are worth it.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a good team: A good team is often the difference between success and failure in any startup. Selecting a good team is critical because they will make or break your brand. You may not get it right the first time, and at times it may cost you, but from every setback, there is a lesson learned. You know what to look out for next time.
- Iterate. Iterate. Iterate - The concept of living life in permanent beta, shared by Reid Hoffman, is a great principle to live by. This means that you acknowledge that you are a work in progress and won't always get everything right the first, second, third, or sixth time. You are open to change and willing to learn. Always be willing to learn from anywhere and everywhere.
- Innovate or die - You can't remain in the same place forever. We live in an era where innovation is at the center of all conversations. You need to think about how you are innovating or disrupting the area you are in. Moreover, how you can constantly apply new and innovative solutions to your product or service. You simply cannot afford to remain stagnant, change is happening all around us, and if you do not jump on the bandwagon, you will miss out on opportunities for growth and the potential to tap into new markets.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Surrounding yourself with like-minded people will serve you very well. They don't necessarily have to be in the same field, but their goals must align with yours. Joining boards and associations that encourage a culture of knowledge sharing. Finding business coaches and mentors can save you from making avoidable mistakes.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.wholedental.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wholedental
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wholedental/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3PxgCfW
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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