Q 1. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: Cambridge Dental Group is all about patient satisfaction. Our doctors combine their expertise with a personalized approach to make sure each patient gets the treatment they deserve.
We have two office locations in the heart of Cambridge.
Central Square at 897 Massachusetts Avenue
Inman Square at 126 Inman Street
Q 2. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: Cambridge Dental Group is co-founded by power couple Evan Berube and Dr. Jieun Cha.
Dr. Jieun Cha
Educated and licensed in both Europe and United States
Dr. Cha graduated from BU Dental School with high honors
Evan Berube
Evan has experience in account and project management, with start-up companies as well as global.
Q 3. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: Most dentists share one common goal – to own their own practice. So starting our own business was always a target, and I guess you can say that the inspiration grew further once the opportunity to buy/own presented itself.
The opportunity: Dr. Jieun Cha worked at the offices prior to dental school, and again as an associate prior to purchasing. Dr. Carol Yun was a mentor who built (and rebuilt) two dental offices in Cambridge for over 30 years.
Our first year goals were to:
Unify both offices under our new brand identify
Modernize technology to become flexible and adaptable with our operations (and compete)
Q 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: Get ready to commit and invest in your personal wellbeing. For example, get a massage once a week. Or order takeout because it saves you time/energy to cook and clean up – albeit at the risk of being a less healthy diet.
You will never have enough time to do everything.
There are going to be some things that you simply will not have the time to do. Either tuck it away for later or delegate!
Q 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Coach and Leader
Problem solver
Fast/adaptive learner
Q 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: Each day can be so different, but I usually work 6-7 days a week and not less than 50 hours a week.
Q 07. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: Our staff
Each other (Evan and Jieun)
Trusting in our own abilities
Q 08. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: Word-of-mouth is the best. It’s a personal recommendation and can only happen if we truly achieve a great patient experience.
We put an emphasis on Google and our website SEO, but we are not currently marketing on any social media (Although I can see some of the benefits).
Q 09. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans: We financed a bank loan, and paid a lot of the start-up fees from our savings (legal fees, accounting fees, etc.)
Q 10. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: Evan: I think your team/operations needs to be able to adapt, and resist unexpected changes.
Jieun: surround yourself with talented people who share your vision
Q 11. Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: Jieun: I’d be a more seasoned clinician and leader. Our business will be more systematically organized and stable which could allow us to expand/grow
Evan: I’d like our business to be seen as THE BEST office in Cambridge. And I want us to become more involved in the local small business community.
Q 12. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans: I don’t know much about other businesses, but I always liked Warby Parker and Toms- they caught my eye with their “buy one donate one” idea. I want to figure out a way that I can do something similar to that as a dentist.
Of course now that I’m on the spot, I can’t think of any particular name.. but I know it when I see it!
I admire any business with happy and independent staff.
I also admire when a company keeps things simple, and is transparent with their clientele. Personally, it’s such a turn-off to me when I feel like the business is cares more about the transaction than they do about my overall experience.
Q 13. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: This is probably one of, if not THE, most important thing.
Q 14. What motivates you?
Ans: The opportunity to build something awesome. And being depended on by others to achieve our goals.
Q 15. What are your ideals?
Ans: People first. Work smarter, not harder.
Q 16. How do you define success?
Ans: Success to me means everyone is happy, and the business operates smoothly with minor obstacles.
Q 17. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: Listen to your customers and provide value. Be engaging, be real, and be respectful.
Q 18. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: Sounds kind of corny but for me it’s “being in control of my own destiny” – the ability to make executive decisions and implement them successfully with the team is super rewarding.
Q 19. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: There are many! Lately, I get satisfaction by pausing and looking back over the last year or so and seeing how far we’ve progressed and dealt with major challenges.
Q 20. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: A leap of faith and total blind commitment. There is a lot more freedom but that comes with a lot more responsibility.
Q 21. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Ans: I would say there are two types, an internal (staff) culture and an external (patient facing) culture. As owners we believe that happy staff translates directly to a happy patient. And because of our industry, we also pair this with a very high standard of care and cleanliness.
Q 22. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: Driven.
Company Detail:
Company : Cambridge Dental Group
Contact : Evan Berube
Address : 897 Massachusetts Ave
City : Cambridge
State : MA
Zip : 02139
Country : USA
Phone : 617-871-1482
Email : central@cambridgedental.net
