Page 107 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

I believe that everyone needs a mentor. It’s not always

easy to find your feet in the working world straight out of university.

able to focus all her energies on her studies. “I take around her. “I belong to a networking group and
Owner and Dentist, my hat off to them,” she says. “Not that everything I’ve met some amazing women. Some of them have
at Smile Emporium
was handed to me on plate,” she points out. “I was really had to fight a lot harder to forge their path. I’ve

ecoming a dentist was never her plan, but always made aware that it was up to me to work worked really hard too, but perhaps I’ve had it easier
Sheryl Smithies has proved that just because for what I wanted, but it was certainly easier for me by comparison. Just being part of a profession is a
Byour life doesn’t go exactly to plan, it doesn’t since I didn’t have to worry about holding down a big help in earning respect.”
mean you can’t make a success of it. Sheryl overcame job while I studied.” A firm believer that women don’t have to take a
her disappointment when she didn’t get into Skills and ethics are a sound basis for success different approach to business, Sheryl suggests that
medical school, and found a new path. She grabbed Straight out of university, she joined a dental practice they just do. “Women tend to lead from the heart.
her opportunities, found a mentor to guide in her where she slotted straight in. “I believe that everyone We want to build people up and support them,
early career, and once she’d earned the experience needs a mentor. It’s not always easy to find your feet especially other women, and not just use them to
she needed, launched her own dental practice. in the working world straight out of university and reach our goals or climb the ladder.”
She’s grown the business to three chairs, and gained I was lucky enough to find a boss and mentor who Sheryl is justifiably proud of her achievements, her
a reputation for cutting-edge technology that helps had strong ethics as well as great dental skills. I learnt practice, and the quality of their work. And she
clients look and feel their best. so much from him and it was a great foundation for confesses she’s driven and a bit of a workaholic.
Sheryl had always planned to study medicine and opening my own practice.” “I struggle to find a work-life balance, and that’s
it was huge blow when she wasn’t accepted into Sheryl launched the Smile Emporium, eight years something I still aspire to,” she says. “But growing a
medical school. Distraught and confused about her ago. “This was my dream, and I can’t believe it’s been business is hugely demanding.”
next move, she took the advice of a family friend eight years. It has gone in a blink. They say you need Looking to the future
who suggested she submit a late application for 10 000 hours before you’re really proficient at what
dentistry. He pointed out that sometimes students you do,” she laughs. “I have more than 20 000 now, Pointing out that dental technology is making
who were accepted, decide not to take up their offer. so I’m confident in my skills.” enormous strides, Sheryl hopes to use this to make a
So at the last minute, Sheryl was offered a place at greater contribution in community outreach. “If you
the University of Pretoria and grabbed it with both Sheryl has a particular interest in aesthetics. Her have dental problems, the government will take out
hands. “Originally I planned to try for a transfer number one focus is cosmetic dentistry which problem teeth – but that’s as far as the help goes.
to medicine after my first year, but once I was in includes teeth alignment, whitening and digital smile You won’t get dentures.”
dentistry, I realised I loved it.” design, and dental rehabilitation such as crowns, It’s not easy to do dental work in the communities
bridges and implants. But while she was perfecting
Describing herself as blessed in many ways, Sheryl her dental skills, Sheryl also studied some aesthetic as there’s a host of essential dental equipment that
notes that while many parents still prioritised medicine and offers non-invasive facial aesthetic simply isn’t transportable. But Sheryl is looking
education for boys, hers were 100% behind her treatments too. forward to harnessing new technology as soon as it’s
– and were both willing and able to support her within reach. “With 3D scanning and 3D milling, we’ll
through university. “Dental school is a challenge for “It’s makes perfect sense,” says Sheryl. “No one knows be able to measure, manufacture and fit dentures
anyone,” she says, “it’s not just the academics, but facial structure quite like a dentist, and whether it’s while patients wait. And we’re nearly there.”
the other challenges like limited access to dental labs peels, Botox, fillers, thread-lifts or micro-needling, Looking back, Sheryl says that if she had to give
and conflicting schedules.” Sheryl remembers that we have a sound foundation in the science behind herself one piece of advice it would be clear: “Don’t
some of her classmates had other responsibilities every treatment we offer.” be so easily led. Trust in yourself and your own
too, like jobs and children, while she was lucky to be Sheryl is continually inspired by businesswomen judgment too.”

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