Today we’d like to introduce you to Nkechi Nwagwu-Olukoya.
Nkechi, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started wearing braces in the seventh grade. My parents and I were told that I’ll be wearing them for just a little over a year but little did we know, I’ll be halfway done with the eleventh grade when they finally came off! At the time, I was not happy to be in braces. Middle School is such a time when you want to fit in and you don’t want to bring unnecessary attention to yourself. The braces made my lips so unproportional for my face because I already had full lips and the braces only added to it. This is all pre-Kylie Jenner, so big lips back then weren’t instyle. People called my lips soup-coolers for years. I hated my braces to say the least! However, when my braces finally came off, I was so happy with my smile. I found myself smiling more, talking with my teeth more, and really working on keeping my teeth white. I was so amazed what braces can do and wanted to know more.
In my junior year at Texas A&M, I started getting ready to apply to dental school. I volunteered in different dental offices and even shadowed an oral surgeon. In my senior year, I went on the road with Texas Mission of Mercy(TMOM) and assisted local dentists who were delivering dental care to an underrepresented area. It was an eye-opener for me to see how many people showed up for services. I wanted to be a dentist that served these types of communities. I wanted to be a dentist that not only delivered a beautiful smile but a healthy one. So many patients that showed up needed mainly cleanings or extractions because they weren’t educated on the importance of proper oral hygiene.
When I graduated from Howard University College of Dentistry, I went right to work. I worked in a dental practice in Sunnyside, which is located in Southeast Houston, that treated all types of patients needing dental work. It was such a fulfilling experience. After having my first child, I decided to work in a corporate setting. My experience in both corporate and private led me to pursue my personal goals. In March 2020, I opened Smile Bright Dental Studio. Its a modern dental office equipped with new technology to deliver an epic experience.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Is anything a smooth road? I’ve had setbacks and doubts. I’m a mom and I’ve had five children. However, my husband and I lost our second baby, her name was Paeton Olukoya. She was born in August 2016 and died that following December. The years 2016 and 2017 were particularly hard on me. Ushering in the new year without her took a massive toll on my emotions and my focus. That type of pain doesn’t go away. You just learn to live with it. I think about her all the time. It still breaks my heart that I don’t have her here with me. The support of my family and friends really helped me. During that tough time, everyone encouraged me to go back to work and not sit at home. As I look back, that was the best piece of advice.
While in the construction phase of my office, I was pregnant with twins. When I was 32 weeks, I was admitted to the ER with a possible embolism. I started to question whether I should delay opening an office altogether and focus on my pregnancy and overall health. My husband and mom were the two that encouraged me not to stop but to see it through that God would protect me and the babies. After I delivered my twins at 36 weeks, I hit the ground running and continued with the buildout. I have no regrets.
We’d love to hear more about Smile Bright Dental Studio.
Smile Bright Dental Studio is a new modern dental practice that specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry. We serve all age groups. We deliver bright smiles in the Katy, Fulshear, and Richmond area. We’re located right outside of Cross Creek. We perform cleanings, extractions, fillings, root canals, Invisalign and more. I’m a general dentist that can deliver great cosmetic results and I’m one of the few general dentist who performs a lot of their root canals in house. We’re in network with most major PPO insurance but we offer a loyalty program for those who do not have dental insurance. Our goal is to help as many people as we can at an affordable price.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was really shy and didn’t talk much. It took me a while to warm up to others before expressing myself. I have a brother that is less than a year older than me. Because we are so close we used to argue a lot growing up. Now that we’re older we get a long really well. I don’t have any sisters so its just him and I. He’s now a pharmacist and he encouraged me a lot when I was on my journey to dental school. He helps shape the way I think as a business owner and as an investor. My parents have always been supportive in my pursuit of higher education. Although they thought I was going to be a medical doctor, when they learned my passion for dentistry they finally jumped on board.
Pricing:
- Free Invisalign Consultations
- Free Cosmetic Consultations
- New Patient Exam and Xrays Starting at $99 For Adults
- $400 OFF 4 Veneers or More
Contact Info:
- Address: 6300 FM 1463 Ste.150
Fulshear, TX 77494 - Website: www.smilebrightdentalstudio.com
- Phone: 281-852-9883
- Email: info@smilebrightdentalstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smilebrightdentalstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmileBright77441
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