Kana Yajima

Try to be good to people. It doesn’t matter who you are with, you should treat the individual well. See the good in people without passing judgment.

 

Dr. Kana Yajima is the Owner of Smile Solutions Dental Center and is a Doctor of Dental Surgery. She earned her DDS Degree when she attended Northwestern University School of Dentistry, in Chicago, Illinois. Upon completion, she attended San Diego State University with a full scholarship.

Smile Solutions Dental Center in Mount Prospect, IL. It is a multi-cultural office. They provide general as well as cosmetic surgery services. They speak several languages including English, Spanish, and Japanese, making communication much easier.

Dr. Yajima has had advanced training, in addition to general dentistry. She can provide many solutions for her patients, in cosmetics such as complex oral surgery, implant surgical placement and restoration, gum and bone grafting, laser surgery, and much more.

Dr. Kana Yajima has volunteered her time to several community organizations. She has donated her time to assisting battered and abused children, mentally challenged and disadvantaged individuals, and the local animal shelter.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

I wanted to find solutions for my patients’ smiles. I wanted to make it clear that I could assist patients with any dental solutions. We also work out financial planning. We try to make patients dental solutions to make their dental treatment as affordable as possible with third-party financing.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

We start our day out with a huddle in the morning. We prepare ourselves to work with each patient by learning the patients’ history. We also want to know what the patients’ tolerance level when they are in the chair. We try to know a little about the person. We like to make them feel welcome.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I usually listen to what patients want and like. If a patient or employee has a plan to improve either the office or the services that we offer, I would take it into consideration. If the idea is a good one then I will discuss it with my colleagues. If we agree that the idea, then we will make plans to incorporate the idea.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Making my patients happy and making myself happy. I like my patients. When I did the fundraising for the animal shelter, I spoke with some of my friends and colleagues. We worked on some ideas for a plan to be able to save the animals. I was very excited that we were able to accomplish our goals. I also donated some money to the shelter myself.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

One habit that I have that helps me be more productive is that I have the ability to multitask. I usually try to get everything done in a day. Having a very busy office, I make sure that my work does not accumulate from day to day.

What advice would you give your younger self?

If I could go back in time, I would tell my younger self to travel more. I was working so hard to get through school and to establish my career that I never took time for myself. I would have to tell myself to slow down and enjoy myself more. Perhaps I should have traveled more.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

One of the things that nobody agrees with me is that if you cannot manage your time well enough to complete all of the activities each day just add it to the next day. I am very efficient with time management. I believe that everyone should be able to complete their tasks for the day. If you have to learn to delegate a few tasks to get the work done, it is better than work accumulating. Very few people believe that to be true.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

I would recommend that people always try to be good to people. It doesn’t matter who you are with, you should treat the individual well. See the good in people without passing judgment. It is also good to be helpful to others. I have done a lot of fundraising and volunteering over and over. I would recommend that others see it in their hearts to do the same. Don’t be afraid to apologize when you are wrong.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I think one strategy that has helped me grow Smile Solutions Dental Center is that I do not judge my patients. Many patients come into the office and have not practiced very good oral hygiene. They tell me that other dentists spend a half hour lecturing them to make a better practice for their oral hygiene. I tell them that I am not here to judge them, I am here to help. I am here for everyone no matter what the condition of their teeth.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

I tend to be a workaholic. I used to work with patients six days a week. I now work with patients for four days a week. My office is open Monday through Saturday. I see patients on Mondays and Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. I get all of my paperwork cleared on Wednesdays. I take two days off on weekends like normal people on Fridays and Sundays. That is how I resolved the issue.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

My business idea would be to do some sort of business that would encourage people to volunteer within their own communities. Perhaps they can create a software application that could connect people with individuals who would like to donate their time to do fundraising or volunteering for less fortunate families.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I donate my money to the animal shelter. I help many animals. I know that it is much more than a hundred dollars, but it is the best thing I can do to serve my community. I also donate to American heart associations and our family’s church.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I purchased a CT scanner for Smile Solutions Dental Center. It helps with my patients immensely. I would say that is the best technology that I have for my office.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I read dental journals to stay on top of the latest information and procedures in the industry. They are also providing knowledgeable product information.

What is your favorite quote?

Never give up!

Key Learnings:

• Enjoy traveling when you are young.
• Allow yourself more time for recreation.
• It doesn’t matter who you are with, you should treat the individual well.

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