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.
Blessed as you enter, and blessed as you leave. That is what my main desire is for my patients during their appointment experience at our dental office. We have patients of all ages genuinely excited to look forward to their appointments, but just as many patients with previous traumatic experiences elsewhere that contribute to major dental anxiety. It’s our goal to ease that anxiety, answer all questions, and provide quality dental care to meet each individual’s needs. I love for my patients to be a part of their treatment with an understanding of what’s going on and why, so they don’t just take my word for it, so we can focus heavily on prevention and minimal dental treatment in the future!
Our office has been privately, family-owned and operated in the heart of Downtown Burlington, North Carolina since the 70’s. Unlike many corporate dental offices, we pride ourselves on taking plenty of time to get to know each person who enters through our door to meet that individual’s desires and needs for dental treatment, or just a friendly, unrushed conversation. I am also an avid believer in the power of prayer and the Lord’s healing, so I am grateful for all opportunities to pray with my patients over any topic, not just teeth!
Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
I grew up around dentistry thanks to my dad. I chose to join the profession once I realized it is the perfect balance of serving others, art, and science. I now work every week alongside my wonderful associate, Dr. Valerie Acquesta, and at times, my dad will pop in as well, Dr. Gerald Hargis. I am a native of Burlington, NC, and a Tarheel at heart! In 2010, I graduated from UNC’s Dental Hygiene program, then continued my studies at the UNC School of Dentistry, graduating in 2017 with my Doctorate in Dental Science.
I have always loved the geriatric population; in fact, my first summer job was at a retirement community! In 2018, I completed a Geriatric Fellowship, which was a collaborative research project between the UNC schools of medicine and dentistry based around delivering advanced care planning and advance directives to patients and families. I enjoy listening to the profound wisdom and quirky stories of the geriatric population. I love the kiddos too, and we see many in our practice. I believe in starting them young in regards to coming to appointments, getting prizes at the office, being a part of their parents’ exams, and learn the office is not an intimidating place. By age 3, most of our patients climb into the dental chair alone, opening wide! This is crucial for the preventive care of pediatric patients. I am thankful to have an office where I can spend quality time needed with both of these demographics to provide the individualized care each person needs!
When I’m not working, I enjoy traveling with my high school sweetheart and husband since 2012, Ryan, along with our 2 precious sons, Zech and Noah. You will quickly realize I am very passionate about my faith in Jesus, and have been known to serenade patients during treatment (sorry, not sorry)! I give all glory and thanks to God and look forward to a long journey ahead at Hargis Family Dentistry!
What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
I grew up around dentistry thanks to my dad. I chose to join the profession once I realized it is the perfect balance of serving others, art, and science. I now work every week alongside my wonderful associate, Dr. Valerie Acquesta, and at times, my dad will pop in as well, Dr. Gerald Hargis. I am a native of Burlington, NC, and a Tarheel at heart! In 2010, I graduated from UNC’s Dental Hygiene program, then continued my studies at the UNC School of Dentistry, graduating in 2017 with my Doctorate in Dental Science.
I have always loved the geriatric population; in fact, my first summer job was at a retirement community! In 2018, I completed a Geriatric Fellowship, which was a collaborative research project between the UNC schools of medicine and dentistry based around delivering advanced care planning and advance directives to patients and families. I enjoy listening to the profound wisdom and quirky stories of the geriatric population. I love the kiddos too, and we see many in our practice. I believe in starting them young in regards to coming to appointments, getting prizes at the office, being a part of their parents’ exams, and learn the office is not an intimidating place. By age 3, most of our patients climb into the dental chair alone, opening wide! This is crucial for the preventive care of pediatric patients. I am thankful to have an office where I can spend quality time needed with both of these demographics to provide the individualized care each person needs!
What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
- Seek God’s guidance…He’s smarter than us and has pretty great ideas!
- Learn the discipline of time management (#HARD, still learning) and make lists of short-term and long-term goals to communicate with those closest to you for partnership and accountability.
- Stay flexible. Don’t get tied down to “your plan”; Let it evolve and grow…your main goal will still be achieved, most likely in an even better way than YOU had planned!
- Freebie: LEAVE WORK AT WORK. When you’re home, be HOME. Or allot time for each and honor it. Balance is key to not getting drained.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
- DREAM, then set the goals to achieve and take the action steps. Don’t just talk about it, be about it.
- Flexibility when curveballs come.
- Drive to stay positive and encouraged, no matter what happens.
How many hours do you work a day on average?
9 hours; 9 am-6 pm Monday-Thursday, a couple of hours of admin work on the weekends.
To what do you most attribute your success?
The Lord’s guidance. I could NOT have done this myself. Ain’t no way.
How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
#simplyclassicmarketing shameless plug! Digital marketing, fresh website with SEO, FB & Insta ads, TikTok vids, email blasts, all the things…
The most successful form of marketing in a small town is word of mouth. Google is a close second. *GUARD AND PROTECT your rapport at any cost! Word travels fast, good or bad.
Where did your organization’s funding/capital come from, and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Loan to purchase practice through First Citizens’ bank, paying it diligently and strategically to be debt-free asap so I can grow the practice in other ways!
What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Be patient and wise.
Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Hopefully have expanded my scope to include more treatment of adult AND pediatric dental and airway expansion, more Invisalign (SO FUN to do with patients!), pretty impressive cosmetic cases (like sculptures in the mouth!). I’d also love to be a mom more than a dentist, down to 3 days a week and more children on the planet 🙂
Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Myron Golden, some personal friends, literally ALL the women in my family (mompreneurs!)
How important have good employees been to your success?
Crucial; you can’t do every job, so you delegate to them. Therefore, they are a direct reflection of you and a representation of your business/vision.
How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
As long as you have peace about it. When it causes more stress than fruit of peace or excitement, sit down for a while.
What motivates you?
Incorporating the life of Jesus into the challenge of dentistry. He’s given me the platform of dentistry to incorporate the reflection of Him, the ultimate compassionate servant in every situation, and it’s a challenge. I love it. It’s a daily delicate balancing act of serving others through dental treatment, often naturally involving a small amount of discomfort with a large amount of trust on the side! In dentistry, your patient is awake and aware, usually hyperaware, and you somehow have to make them like and trust you enough to poke and drill on their face…then still be friends, and return for more later! NOT easy! Good thing I like doing hard things!
People can tell if you care about them or not. When we genuinely love others, we develop a relationship built on trust, then they allow us to treat them however we both see fit.
How do you generate new ideas?
Usually, I spend time brainstorming, visualizing, and daydreaming…sometimes, night dreams are given as inspiration from the Lord, which is super cool. I’m also an outward processor (bless my husband’s heart), so many ideas develop as I discuss them with others.
How do you define success?
Good question. Loaded question. I feel it’s directly correlated to peace in your spirit. A person can be living in a tent in the woods with nothing but the shirt on their back and be closer to the Lord than the penthouse millionaire down the road, who’s further from peace and joy, and family than ever. I feel I will live my life successfully if, when I end my race, the Lord looks on me and says Well done, good and faithful servant!
Nothing we make now we will take then, so success is the intangibles. Quality of life, relationships, and the spirit overflowing with fruits to others. Do those things, and no matter what your profession is or how it unfolds, you will be successful.
How do you build a successful customer base?
Word of mouth, patient rapport, and Google leads!
Treat your patients/clients/customers AND your staff how you want to be treated.
What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
The flexibility and the personal growth. They do not teach how to be an employer in school. The Lord has shown me the best way to earn respect is by blending in, NOT by being the smartest in the room. Lead by serving. That promotes an atmosphere for everyone to do the same, and patients FEEL that.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Oh geez, ok, I’m a daddy’s girl. I have to say it’s at the beginning of my journey of business owning, while I was still blissfully unaware of how difficult owning and managing a business can be….my dad (also a dentist) walked across the stage with me at graduation, also in his cap and gown, and placed my lavender doctorate hood atop my shoulders. We both graduated from the same university (UNC Chapel Hill), and this was the culmination of many years of eager expectation and long hours of studying together, paying off!
The precious moments business owning continued as he and I worked alongside each other over the next couple of years. I have learned so much from him, from baiting my hook, to gearing down uphill in the mud, to cutting a tooth and making a denture…it’s been an amazing ride full of memories sweeter than sugar. I couldn’t imagine starting my business without his foundational help and support!
Business Name
Hargis Family Dentistry
+1 336-226-8069
Website
https://hargisfamilydentistry.com/
