We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chinara Garraway a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chinara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

I graduated from the UF College of Dentistry in 2011. After graduating I worked for a few corporate dental offices but never felt quite fulfilled. As a result of this I decided to work at a Public Health Clinic. I loved my patients, however, the administration was extremely difficult to deal with. I started having panic attacks before going to work. I also started breaking out and my hair was falling out. I believe the God speaks to us all the time but we just need to know how to listen. All of these things that were happening to my body were as a result of me being in the wrong environment with people who did not appreciate my value. I knew it was time to move on. This was a very difficult decision for me because I loved my patients and I loved giving back, however I had to realize that I did not have to work in a public health setting to do so. This experience gave me the spark to start my own practice, which was something I had always wanted to do eventually. I contemplated how I could do things differently and one day thought…people hate going to the dentist, why don’t I make it a more relaxing experience for them. From that, my idea of Blissful Dental Spa was born. Little did I know at the time that dental spas already existed :). It was arduous process, but Blissful Dental Spa was opened in June 2019. There is not one day that I have regretted this decision and the great thing is that I still get to give back to the community, but I do not have to worry about my hair falling out just to do so.

Chinara, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was actually and Environmental Consultant before getting into dentistry! I was 21, a recent college graduate and I hated my job. I was either stuck behind a desk writing reports or out in the field in 100 degree weather supervising subcontractors installing wells. In the past, I wanted to be a dentist, however my dentist actually talked me out of it. I decided however to take a leap and apply to dental school. I got accepted to UF in 2007 and graduated in 2011. Going to dental school was the best decision I ever made. I now get to do what I love and I get paid for it! Esthetic cases are my favorite. Veneers, botox and dermal filler cases make my heart sing.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think sometimes people don’t realize how easy this can be. SImply do the best you can do and tune out the other noise. If you focus on being the best version of yourself and show up for your clients/ patients or whoever EVERY SINGLE DAY it will show and you will succeed. And that is what I do. I give my best, I care about our patients and they can tell. Because of this, we get a lot of referrals.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Oprah Winfrey! I love her philosophy. 1) Always know your intention when moving forward on a job. What is your intention?
2) Always do your best.
3) Know when to say no. Especially for women. Many times we don’t set boundaries and keep doing until we are completely depleted. You can not be a good leader if your cup is empty.
4) Practice self love. Get massages, meditate, take a walk during your lunch break, have a good meal with friends.
5) Surrender. Whenever things seem to be difficult and you keep struggling and fighting and doing everything in your power to fix it, but it just doesn’t seem to be working out, simply surrender. Surrender to that higher Being. When in situations like this I say “God what would you have me? I leave it up to You to handle this situation. Please provide me with the insight and the next steps that I need to take.” And then I wait for an answer. And it always comes; in an email, or a new resume comes in; or someone schedules a big case; or a difficult employee finds another position. It ALWAYS works.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blissfuldentalflorida.com
• Instagram: @blissfuldentalspa
• Facebook: Blissful Dental Spa
• Linkedin: Blissful Dental Spa
• Twitter: blissfuldentalspa