I come from a small town in Kerala. My husband, Kirubaharan, hailing from Tamil Nadu, was not just my college senior, but the person who stole my heart during those long hours in the library. Our love transcended the barriers of caste, religion, culture, language, and state. We were two souls who dared to challenge societal norms and embarked on a beautiful journey together.
With so much determination, we decided to establish a small dental clinic in the heart of Chennai. Despite having no financial resources, we managed to secure a bank loan and set up a modest 250 Sq. Ft. of space in Nungambakkam. Against conventional norms, we designed the interiors in pristine white, a choice that was met with scepticism from many. Nevertheless, we named our clinic Opal Dentistry, symbolizing our commitment to providing exceptional care.
The initial days were tough. We struggled to attract patients, and our financial resources rapidly depleted. We faced uncertainty and the fear of failure loomed over us. It seemed as though everything we had worked for was slipping away.
However, fate intervened when a kind-hearted cabin crew member from Mauritius visited our clinic. Impressed by our dedication and service, he recommended us to his friends, and slowly but surely, our patient base began to grow.
One moment that stands out in our journey is when Anu Keerthy Vas, the esteemed Miss India, sought our services for smile correction. Our meticulous care and expertise played a role in her subsequent win as “Miss Beautiful Smile” and “Miss India.” As her success story spread, people began to notice our clinic, and our reputation began to flourish as Smile designers. This attracted the attention of cricketers like Natarajan and many actors including Kajal Agarwal, and Samantha Ruth Prabhu who inaugurated our Hyderabad branch.
With newfound recognition, our patient base grew throughout South India and we opened branches in various cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Coimbatore. Our commitment to providing the best care never wavered, and our clients’ satisfaction fueled our growth.
During the challenging 2020 lockdown, even when our patient flow dwindled, we made it a priority to provide salaries and support to our dental nurses and sanitary workers. We decided to build trust and foster a supportive work environment. We are proud to say Opal Dentistry is a family of more than 50 staff members and growing.
Utilizing the power of social media, I took charge of our online presence, showcasing our work and connecting with clients from around the world including countries like Malaysia, UK and USA.
Our personal life has also been marked by challenges. We faced the emotional journey of an abortion, a test of our strength as individuals and as a couple. Throughout it all, my husband’s support and understanding stood as a testament to the power of love and partnership.
Together, we have been blessed with a wonderful son who is almost 5 now. He is a reminder that life is about thinking positively, dreaming big, and embracing the possibilities that lie ahead.
Looking back on our journey, I realise that the key to our success was believing in our dreams and working towards a common goal persistently during our challenging moments. We did not seek validation from those who did not understand our profession; instead, we trusted in God’s will and his grace was abundant in our lives.
Dream big, believe in yourself, and trust the journey you’re on. Success may not come overnight, but with tireless faith and relentless effort, one can reach extraordinary heights.
Remember, you have the power to shape your destiny and inspire others along the way.
Our lives are filled with Smiles & Struggles – balancing both is an art, that we all will experience!