We recently connected with TAMMEKA NICKLEBERRY and have shared our conversation below.

TAMMEKA, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

4 years out of dental school I took the risk of building a brand and opening my own office. I always knew I wanted to own my own business with a vision, mission, and purpose carefully crafted to reflect my heart and purpose. There was little to no instructions during my medical training on how exactly to do that. I am a first generation college graduate, doctor, and business owner in my immediate family, So needless to say I was in unchartered territory all on my own,

I learned how to create a business plan while thoughtfully mapping out what my 1, 5, 10 year and beyond plan and life would look like. I knew that bringing this vision to fruition could change the trajectory of my family for generations to come. In 2009 I secured a bank loan to build my first de novo practice. I started that practice with just myself and just 1 young lady while I was working part time at a corporate dental office.

Fast forward to 2024, I now have 3 locations, 4 associate doctors assisting in patient care, a management team, and a total team of over 20 individuals. I have created a brand that is known for prioritizing the patients ensuring that they receive exceptional dental care while having an amazing experience on their journey to getting a healthy, beautiful smile that they will love for a lifetime,.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a small town girl that grew up using the services of healthcare professionals that were intentional about creating lifelong relationships with the patients they service and their families. My family would always tel that I would either become a doctor or a lawyer. I leaned heavily toward healthcare. That was solidified when I arrived on the campus of Prairie View A&M University as an academic scholar in the premedical concepts institute. Affectionately known as PCI.

Through college and dental school I knew I wanted to created something exceptional yet relatable for individuals like me. For those that shared and could relate to my similar small town upbringing, as well as my hopes for the future, and the legacy that I wanted to create for my family for generations to come.

It wasn’t until I expanded to the second location that I really started to see what that vision was and what my purpose was. I am most proud of the culture that I have created in my practices and the doors it continues to open. All of my doctors are females. that happen to be women of color. While I do not have an inclusive model and the makeup of my offices are all ethnicities and gender, I am intentionally inclusive of women that were once left out of the workforce. Particularly in the role of doctors. My dental school class was 50% women which was a first. The visiting alumni never failed to let us know that. Even now, the female presence in dentistry is still topic of conversation.

I am proud to know that I have created a space where we are wanted, respected, and accounted for. I have been intentional about creating a system that allows us to be mothers, wives, sisters, friends, and excellent clinicians. My brand emphasizes loving on our patients., creating an elevated dental experience where they feel valued and cared for. Our desire is to create lasting relationships and to help our patients be the absolute best and healthiest self.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

The most important thing in succeeding in my field and any other entrepreneurial endeavor is to really connect with yourself and your higher power to figure out what your true purpose is. Often times we pick a career based on the lifestyle it provides or our interest. We overlook the importance of purpose, vision, and true calling.

I also think strategic coaching, business consulting, and mentorship are imperative to success. We can go farther faster if we have the tools to get the most out of ourselves and maximize our capacity for achievement. These auxillaries will help you do just that. They will also help you make sure your daily lives are aligning with your purpose to ensure that you have balance, that you are not overwhelmed or experience burn out and that you can live your absolute best life.

The goal is to show up as the best version of yourself professionally and personally while juggling all the things that are required of health care entrepreneurs.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

My most effective strategy for growing clientele has been to treat each individual better than I want to be treated.I have been intentional about creating the kind of experience that I would want or that I would want for my family. I check i with my patients to make sure that those sentiments have been felt and them to share us with their friends and family. For many years most of my patients came from referrals and recommendations of existing patients. Now that my locations have grown and I have more providers I do utilize a marketing company for google ads, seo, social media interaction. I am intentional about seeing all of those pieces to make sure they are a reflection of the my heart for the practice. As well as making sure we are systemized to enure that the experience is exceptional regardless of the location or provider the patient sees. That is the underlying principle and the building block that the external marketing stands on.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tlnfamilydental.com
• Instagram: drnickleberry.
• Facebook: tln family dental
• Other: office instagram
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