Stay true to your values. As your business grows, it’s easy to get distracted by things like profits, competition, and industry trends. But it’s important to always stay true to your values and make sure that your decisions are aligned with your mission.
As a part of our series about “Social Impact Heroes”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Olha Zlatova, orthodontist & founder of Renewism.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about your origin story?
I was born and raised in Ukraine and moved to the US with my family when I was 13. As an immigrant, I quickly learned the importance of hard work, and education became my path to a better future. I pursued dentistry because of the combination of art and science, and then specialized in orthodontics because I saw it as a way to improve people’s self-esteem and confidence. After working as an associate in several practices, I decided to open my own orthodontic practice, Renewism, with a vision to provide exceptional patient care, while also making a positive impact on the community.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
One of the funniest mistakes I made when first starting my practice was related to technology. I’m generally pretty tech-savvy, but I had a complete blind spot when it came to understanding how our phone system worked. During the first week, I accidentally put a patient on hold and completely forgot about her. She was on hold for almost 30 minutes! When I finally realized my mistake, I was mortified. The patient was very understanding, thankfully, and we all had a good laugh about it. The lesson I learned was to always double-check the technology and make sure I fully understand how it works, or else hire someone who does!
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
I think what makes Renewism stand out is our commitment to providing personalized, high-quality care while also making a positive impact on the community. We’re not just focused on straightening teeth, we’re focused on improving people’s lives. I’ll share a story that really exemplifies this. There was a young patient who came to us, a teenager who was very shy and insecure about her smile. She would barely make eye contact, and her shoulders were always hunched. As we started her orthodontic treatment, we made sure to create a comfortable and supportive environment for her. We listened to her concerns, explained the treatment process in detail, and celebrated every milestone with her. Over time, we saw her confidence blossom. She started smiling more, making eye contact, and her whole demeanor changed. By the end of her treatment, she was a completely different person. She even started volunteering at a local community center, helping other young people gain confidence. That transformation was so rewarding to see, and it reminded me why I do what I do.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
I believe there are three character traits that have been most instrumental to my success as a business leader:
- Empathy: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. As a business leader, empathy has allowed me to connect with my patients and team members on a deeper level. I make a conscious effort to listen to their needs and concerns, and I try to put myself in their shoes to understand their perspectives. For example, I had a team member who was going through a difficult personal situation. Instead of just offering a generic “I’m sorry to hear that,” I took the time to really listen to her, offer support, and adjust her work schedule to accommodate her needs. That level of understanding and support created a stronger bond within our team and helped her get through a tough time.
- Resilience: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from difficulties and setbacks. Starting and running a business is not easy, and there will inevitably be challenges along the way. What sets successful business leaders apart is their ability to persevere in the face of adversity. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we had to temporarily close our practice. It was a very stressful time, but instead of giving up, we focused on finding creative solutions to continue providing care to our patients. We implemented virtual consultations, offered flexible payment options, and stayed connected with our patients through social media. That resilience helped us not only survive the pandemic but also emerge stronger than before.
- Vision: Vision is the ability to see the big picture and have a clear sense of where you want to go. As a business leader, vision is essential for setting goals, making strategic decisions, and inspiring others to follow your lead. For example, when I first started Renewism, my vision was not just to create a successful orthodontic practice, but also to create a business that made a positive impact on the community. That vision has guided every decision I’ve made, from choosing sustainable products to partnering with local charities. It’s also inspired my team members to get involved in our community initiatives and feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
At Renewism, we are constantly looking for ways to innovate and improve our patient care, as well as our community outreach. We are in the process of implementing a new virtual consultation platform that will allow us to reach more patients, especially those in rural areas or those with limited mobility. We are also partnering with local schools to provide free orthodontic screenings to students who may not have access to dental care. And we are working on a new initiative to reduce our environmental impact by using more sustainable materials and reducing waste in our practice. All of these projects are aimed at making a positive impact on people’s lives, whether it’s improving their access to care, boosting their confidence, or protecting the planet for future generations.
Okay, thank you. Let’s now jump to the main focus of our interview. Can you tell us a bit about why you are aiming to make a social impact?
I discovered that one of my core values is the desire to make a positive impact on the world, and that has driven a lot of my decision-making and the way I run my business ever since. For me, making a social impact is not just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. It’s about using my skills, resources, and influence to make a difference in the lives of others and contribute to a better world.
Can you tell me a bit about the specific social impact that you are planning to make?
My goal is to create a business that not only provides exceptional orthodontic care but also serves as a force for good in the community. I want to create a business that improves access to quality dental care, promotes sustainability, and empowers others to make a positive impact.
Can you share your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started Leading My Company” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
Here are the “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started Leading My Company”:
1 . It’s Okay to Ask for Help
When I first started my practice, I thought I had to do everything myself. I was afraid to ask for help because I thought it would make me look weak or incompetent. But I quickly realized that it’s impossible to be an expert in every area of business. So I sought out mentors, joined industry groups, and hired consultants to help me with things like marketing, finance, and legal issues.
2 . Delegate, Delegate, Delegate
Similar to asking for help, I also struggled with delegating tasks to my team members. I thought it would be faster and easier to just do everything myself. But I soon realized that I was burning myself out and not utilizing the skills and talents of my team. So I started delegating tasks that I didn’t need to be doing, such as scheduling appointments, managing social media, and ordering supplies.
3 . Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity
As I mentioned before, starting a business is not easy, and you will inevitably make mistakes along the way. The key is to not let those mistakes define you, but rather to learn from them and move forward. There were many times when I felt like giving up, but I forced myself to focus on what I could learn from the experience and how I could use that knowledge to improve my business.
4 . Take Care of Yourself First
As a business leader, it’s easy to get so caught up in your work that you forget to take care of yourself. But if you’re not healthy and happy, you can’t effectively lead your team or serve your patients. So I make it a priority to schedule time for exercise, healthy eating, and relaxation. I also make sure to get enough sleep and take breaks throughout the day.
5 . Stay True to Your Values
As your business grows, it’s easy to get distracted by things like profits, competition, and industry trends. But it’s important to always stay true to your values and make sure that your decisions are aligned with your mission.
How can our readers follow you online?
You can follow me at:
Website: RenewismOrtho.com
Instagram: @renewismortho
Facebook: RenewismOrtho
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Olha Zlatova of Renewism Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.