The Entrepreneur Trap: Designing a Business That Supports Your Life

Justin Welch once said, "The happiest entrepreneurs I know aren't the richest. They're the ones who built a business that complements their lives rather than consuming it." This statement resonates deeply with many of us who have ventured into entrepreneurship, only to find ourselves ensnared in a trap of our own making. The entrepreneur trap is the misconception that success is measured solely by revenue. In reality, true success lies in the freedom and fulfillment that comes from designing a business that supports your life. In the pursuit of entrepreneurial success, it's easy to fall into the trap of equating revenue with happiness. However, the happiest entrepreneurs are those who design their businesses to complement their lives rather than consume them. By working during your most productive times, pursuing an inspiring mission, and automating or delegating the rest, you can create a business that supports your life and brings true success in the form of freedom and fulfillment.

How To Build a Resilient Business

In business and entrepreneurship, success often hinges on the ability to identify and meet a critical need in the market. This becomes especially vital during times of economic uncertainty. Choosing a business model that addresses a real problem and setting up in a location where your services are in demand can be the difference between thriving and merely surviving. This article explores the importance of these factors and offers insights into building a business that can weather economic downturns and remain recession-proof. A need-based business model ensures sustained demand, customer loyalty, and a competitive edge. Choosing a strategic location enhances accessibility, economic stability, and logistical efficiency. By focusing on these critical factors, entrepreneurs can build businesses that are resilient, adaptable, and capable of thriving even in economic turmoil. Embracing innovation, managing costs effectively, and diversifying revenue streams further strengthen the ability to navigate and succeed through economic challenges.

Professional FinancialDr. Patrice SmithJune 13, 2024twelve, entrepeneurship, businessComment

An Honorable Distinction: Selected for Incisal Edge's Top 40 Under 40 Dental Specialists

I am thrilled and deeply honored to share some exciting news – I have been selected as one of Incisal Edge's Top 40 Under 40 Dental Specialists in the United States. This recognition is a significant milestone in my career, and I am humbled to be counted among the most talented and forward-thinking young dental specialists across the nation.

Professional FinancialDr. Patrice SmithNovember 6, 2023dental practice, entrepeneurship, practice ownership, twelveComment

Prioritizing Self-Care: A Must-Have for Entrepreneurs

Being an entrepreneur can be both rewarding and challenging. In the pursuit of success, it's easy to forget about self-care. However, taking care of yourself is essential to your well-being and overall success. In this article, we'll explore some tips to help entrepreneurs prioritize self-care.

Establishing Your Own Practice: My Interview with Canvas Rebel Magazine

Recently I had the opportunity to sit with Canvas Rebel Magazine for an interview as part of their “Establishing Your Own Firm or Practice series.” This series is meant to highlight business owners and there journey of opening their practices, to speak on the inspiration behind it, the wins, woes and everything in-between.

Professional FinancialDr. Patrice SmithOctober 5, 2022practice ownership, entrepeneurship, tenComment

Step-by-Step Guide on How To Start a Blog in 2023

If you’ve thought about how to start a blog but not quite sure how, you’ve come to the right place. As a blogger myself, I can tell you it’s a rewarding way to hone your writing skills, explore new ideas, build an online presence and a community that revolves around your passions and expertise. You’ll get the chance to inspire, educate, and entertain your readers - and as your blog grows, you can even start making money and turn it into a full-time job, if that’s what you desire. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll find all the guidance and tools you’ll need to start a blog.

How Does Digital Marketing Improve Your Business?

Most, if not all, companies rely on marketing to capture audience attention. From catchy songs and phrases to beloved characters, businesses utilize many tactics to promote products and services that they hope consumers will purchase.

Lifestyle & TravelDr. Patrice SmithJuly 13, 2022marketing, entrepeneurship, side hustle, tenComment

Over $10K Blog Income for June 2022

This month I am on track to make over $10K from blogging. That is, money coming in to do exactly what I would normally do - publish one blog post per month. I invested a lot of time before and after work to make it happen. I can now say it’s one of the best investments I’ve ever made.

Starting a Business When You’re the Stay-at-Home Parent

In many households, being a stay-at-home parent can be more advantageous than employment due to daycare costs, other obstacles, or the simple desire to be more involved in the lives of your younger children. Still, you may feel as though you could be doing more — such as running a business. There are actually many businesses you can operate successfully while being a stay-at-home parent.

Lifestyle & Travel, Professional FinancialDr. Patrice SmithJune 8, 2022business, entrepeneurship, nineComment

10 Ways to Stay Inspired as an Entrepreneur

Many entrepreneurs suffer from creative blocks due to being so wrapped up in tasks. To a large extent, we all have to let the processes of creativity and inspiration come to us from the outside because it is not always an internal process we can count on. Inspiration waxes and wanes along any person’s journey to success. Yet, there are many ways to stay inspired through outside sources to keep our engines of motivation and excitement roaring.

How To Launch Your Side Business Successfully In As Little As 14 Days

There's absolutely nothing wrong with having a job. Some people genuinely love what they do, where they work and the people they work with. But, what if you had more time to spend on the things that you are truly passionate about?

Tax Write-Offs For New Business Owners

As a new business owner, you may not know all the tax write-offs available to you. I sure did not, but with the help of my trusted CPA I am getting more and more familiar the more seasoned I become. I am going to share with you a few that I have come to know quite well over the last several months.

Professional FinancialDr. Patrice SmithNovember 17, 2021taxes, practice ownership, entrepeneurship, business, financial development, eightComment

6 Expenses To Consider When Opening a Business

Are you thinking of starting up a new business? Fantastic! Whether it’s a dental practice, finally turning your hobby into a side business or another type of business, there are some expenses that we don’t necessarily give thought to.

Professional FinancialDr. Patrice SmithSeptember 15, 2021practice ownership, entrepeneurship, sevenComment

How My Blog Made $12,201.67 in 8 Months

I speak quite frequently here on the topic of Side Hustles. When I talk about different ways you can generate additional income, I almost always mention blogging. So, in the spirit of transparency I am sharing my year-to-date blogging income (that is, January-August, 2021).

Lifestyle & TravelDr. Patrice SmithSeptember 1, 2021side hustle, Side Hustle Ideas, passive income, entrepeneurship, sevenComment

5 Secrets To Work-Life Balance

These days, especially with some of us working from home it seems almost impossible to have a little separation between your career and your life. In fact, for many people, their career is their life. But it doesn't have to be that way. Being happy and fulfilled requires making time for yourself just as much of a priority as your career.

Read This If You’re Thinking About Starting a Small Business

So, you have an entrepreneurial spirit and aren’t exactly sure what to do with it. You know that you want to start a business, but what kind will you start? And what exactly does it take to get a company off the ground that succeeds long term?

Lifestyle & TravelDr. Patrice SmithAugust 4, 2021side hustle, Side Hustle Ideas, entrepeneurship, sevenComment

My Interview With The Dental Marketer Podcast

I recently sat with Michael Arias, host of The Dental Marketer Podcast where I shared my story of becoming a practice owner and entrepreneur. We also spoke about, you guessed it, marketing!

Professional FinancialDr. Patrice SmithJuly 26, 2021podcast, entrepeneurship, practice ownership, sevenComment

Balancing Motherhood & Professional Life

Mother - of all my titles, this is the one I am most proud of. I have been a mom for just under 2 months now and It has been one of the most fulfilling journeys, but it can be exhausting.

My Interview With The Black Doctor's Podcast

I recently sat with Dr. Steven Bradley, host of The Black Doctor’s Podcast where I shared my journey to becoming an Orthodontist, practice owner, entrepreneur, founder of UnOrthoDoc Candle Co. and co-founder of Dental Helping Hands.

My Journey to Practice Ownership

Ever since the thought of becoming a dentist crossed my mind as a teenager, I envisioned having a practice of my own. The thought of working for someone conflicted with my desires because many people close to me worked for themselves. A few years post-residency, armed with a variety of experience in the field of dentistry, my dream of opening my own dental practice would soon take shape.