
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Dr. Natalia Longley is the Owner of Westside Dental Group - a boutique dental office in the heart of Charleswood. She is passionate about helping people overcome their fear of going to the dentist. At WDG we strive to ensure nothing will stand in the way of you having a beautiful healthy smile.
Away from the office Natalia loves spending time with her two children, three dogs, and lovely husband. Whenever they can, they love to escape to the mountains to ski, or find a beach to soak up the sun.
What was the key driving force in opening your own clinic, Westside Dental Group? I’ve always wanted to be my own boss. When I initially chose to become a dentist I had a strong vision of what my private practice would look like. Everything from the culture in the office, all the way down to the logo on the door - “smile with us". Quite frankly, no other dentist office I knew was exactly right. So, I created my own.
Considering the competition in today’s world, how would you highlight your practice's competitive advantages? What makes it stand out of the crowd? I’m so proud of my office for being the place people can go to if they are scared of going to the dentist. So many people have had a bad experience in the past, or simply have always been too afraid to go. This dental fear is the most common reason people avoid getting dental treatment. At our office we use a trauma informed approach to empower our patients and put them back in the driver’s seat of their oral health care. There is no point in trying to tackle dental problems if we can’t tackle dental anxiety first. Time and time again, I’ve seen our patients conquer their fears and enjoy the relief and self-confidence of a healthy smile. That is why I do what I do.
What do you do on a daily basis to grow as an entrepreneur? I love audiobooks. I have about 20-30 minutes alone in the car each morning and I always play an audiobook on leadership, positive mindset or business on my way to work. I went through such a hard time when my kids were little and I just couldn’t find the time to read. I’d fall asleep if I tried to read at bed time. And there simply was no other time in the day. Audiobooks in the car were the answer for me. I can’t believe all the books I’ve gone through in the last year alone. There’s always a golden nugget in there that kick starts my energy for the day.
What is your opinion on the following topic: Are entrepreneurs originally born as such or they are raised to be successful? That’s an interesting question! I think the desire to be an entrepreneur is in your bones. I know for myself there just isn’t another option. No matter what field I went into, I knew I would want to do it my way, and shape the way I presented my expertise to the world. However, to be a “successful entrepreneur” I think is learned. With all the drive and passion in the world, I think it still takes guidance and experience to focus that energy in the most productive way. There are so many amazing resources out there to learn from. I think seeking out mentors and learning from them is key to achieving the success we all dream of. The learning never ends. Maybe that’s in the entrepreneur DNA code - someone with an insatiable thirst for growth.
In your experience, is connection with likeminded people important as a business owner? How has Knew House helped you in your work and personal life? As a business owner in a medical field it can feel very isolating and lonely. There is huge pressure to appear to have everything figured out at all times. Knew House has been amazing, in that it has opened my eyes to the common experiences that so many women in business have. After my very first Knew House meeting I felt this huge sense of relief. I had listened to each of the women, in vastly different fields, talk about subtle and complex challenges they were tackling in their businesses. And I kept thinking, “oh my gosh, it’s not just me”. I realized I’m not the only one who has felt this, or struggled with that. And month after month to listen to these women share stories of rising to these challenges and overcoming them is truly inspiring.
What was the key driving force in opening your own clinic, Westside Dental Group? I’ve always wanted to be my own boss. When I initially chose to become a dentist I had a strong vision of what my private practice would look like. Everything from the culture in the office, all the way down to the logo on the door - “smile with us". Quite frankly, no other dentist office I knew was exactly right. So, I created my own.
Considering the competition in today’s world, how would you highlight your practice's competitive advantages? What makes it stand out of the crowd? I’m so proud of my office for being the place people can go to if they are scared of going to the dentist. So many people have had a bad experience in the past, or simply have always been too afraid to go. This dental fear is the most common reason people avoid getting dental treatment. At our office we use a trauma informed approach to empower our patients and put them back in the driver’s seat of their oral health care. There is no point in trying to tackle dental problems if we can’t tackle dental anxiety first. Time and time again, I’ve seen our patients conquer their fears and enjoy the relief and self-confidence of a healthy smile. That is why I do what I do.
What do you do on a daily basis to grow as an entrepreneur? I love audiobooks. I have about 20-30 minutes alone in the car each morning and I always play an audiobook on leadership, positive mindset or business on my way to work. I went through such a hard time when my kids were little and I just couldn’t find the time to read. I’d fall asleep if I tried to read at bed time. And there simply was no other time in the day. Audiobooks in the car were the answer for me. I can’t believe all the books I’ve gone through in the last year alone. There’s always a golden nugget in there that kick starts my energy for the day.
What is your opinion on the following topic: Are entrepreneurs originally born as such or they are raised to be successful? That’s an interesting question! I think the desire to be an entrepreneur is in your bones. I know for myself there just isn’t another option. No matter what field I went into, I knew I would want to do it my way, and shape the way I presented my expertise to the world. However, to be a “successful entrepreneur” I think is learned. With all the drive and passion in the world, I think it still takes guidance and experience to focus that energy in the most productive way. There are so many amazing resources out there to learn from. I think seeking out mentors and learning from them is key to achieving the success we all dream of. The learning never ends. Maybe that’s in the entrepreneur DNA code - someone with an insatiable thirst for growth.
In your experience, is connection with likeminded people important as a business owner? How has Knew House helped you in your work and personal life? As a business owner in a medical field it can feel very isolating and lonely. There is huge pressure to appear to have everything figured out at all times. Knew House has been amazing, in that it has opened my eyes to the common experiences that so many women in business have. After my very first Knew House meeting I felt this huge sense of relief. I had listened to each of the women, in vastly different fields, talk about subtle and complex challenges they were tackling in their businesses. And I kept thinking, “oh my gosh, it’s not just me”. I realized I’m not the only one who has felt this, or struggled with that. And month after month to listen to these women share stories of rising to these challenges and overcoming them is truly inspiring.
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