Do you know what makes top entrepreneurs tick? Many would say ‘the numbers’, some think it’s ‘the formula’; others believe it’s ‘the market opportunity’. But before stepping into the shoes of a hustler – from a struggling dental student to building SOHDental – I learned one crucial lesson – there is no such thing as ‘how’ without a ‘why’!
I would not have considered establishing SOHDental in 2018 by playing it safe on what others expected, the status quo. I had a vision I wanted to see come to life since my first steps entering the dental industry, having worked in the field for eighteen years now. Think of finding your ‘why’ not just as helpful through pep talks. It is a guide to your north star, which will take you through all storms. And believe me, entrepreneurship comes with many storms.
Consider this: a business strategy can be taught, and any leadership theory can be learned. However, when the going gets tough, what keeps you going? What motivates you to rise from your bed every morning and stay focused in times of adversity? It’s your WHY; everyone’s why is like his or her how; however, from a broader perspective, it provides a distinct glimpse of clarity.
Take me, for example; I wasn’t only trying to run a successful dental business. It was about doing something that mattered – to me, to my patients, to my team, and to the community we serve. This greater objective has guided every step that SOHDental has taken, whether in recruitment or expansion.
Contrary to what some may assume, this practice shows that principles and methods are meaningless without their “why.” However, that’s just half the story. I argue that’s where the tectonic shift lies – in building systems that enable and fulfill that purpose. Likewise, at SOHDental, we have created innovations that not only enhance our business success but also educate our customers and support our non-profit cause. It’s all about the cohesion of those two components: success and dedication, purpose and investment, and seeking the next opportunity in business.
Teaching others the art of entrepreneurship is one of my most enjoyable activities, and I am privileged to have many positive experiences associated with it. I always emphasize that success does not lie in what they accumulate – but in what they help others achieve. This ideology is ingrained in our organizational DNA.
The aim is not merely to be a successful business; the aim is to embody successful business leadership that makes an impact.
And speaking of legacies, what I have come to understand is that success is more than just professional competence. For instance, it is a cherished annual tradition of mine to take each of my sons on a trip. In other words, it’s not just a vacation but also a key component of building better relationships and fostering healthy development. A competent leader doesn’t always have to be within a company, and it’s interesting how these experiences contain the most significant lessons for leadership development.
As I look back on our transition from a single location to an agency-like organization with over 25 clinics, I realize that growth comes with detours; it does not compress into a single vertical line. It transforms as your project grows, but holding fast to your north star ‘why’ is what will fulfill you the most.
I want to emphasize: Every business is not just about achieving goals, ticking boxes of a to-do list. It is primarily about creating goals that align with your innermost desires and helping others do the same. Whether you are in the introductory stages or leading a mature organization, it is important to find and defend your ‘why.’ Use it to make decisions, build culture, and sustain perseverance.
Entrepreneurship is not just about doing business; it is about doing good. It involves acting with purpose; success will naturally follow. While this path may not be simple, it will be rewarding.
What drives you forward? Once you identify that, it becomes easier to align everything else.
Don’t forget to read my book Grit Your Teeth: Building a People-First Organization through Tenacity and Purpose.
