Vivek Cheba

Dr. Vivek Cheba is a Certified Orthodontic Specialist and Diamond Invisalign Provider who assists children, teens, and adults with orthodontic treatment, including Invisalign and traditional braces.

He is a member of the Canadian Association of Orthodontics, the American Association of Orthodontics, and the Alberta Dental Association.

While working in Red Deer, Dr. Vivek Cheba’s office was the first to implement digital scanning and 3D imaging. His practice was also the first in the area to offer Suresmile, a treatment option that offers less discomfort for patients, fewer office visits, and faster treatment.

Dr. Cheba has incorporated kindness, professionalism, science, technology, and philanthropy into his life’s work. He has donated more than half a million dollars to charitable causes in Alberta. His practice has also been providing orthodontic services to children with special needs for years at no cost to their families. Many of these families would not otherwise have access to oral healthcare.

Dr. Cheba strives to be a good role model to his children, teaching them the value of hard work and the responsibility of giving back to the community whenever possible.

Where did the idea for your career come from?

I have always enjoyed creating projects from start to finish and watching them grow. My parents started many businesses from scratch and I was raised in an environment of entrepreneurship. We as a family worked hard to make them successful. I enjoy adding my own personal style and customizing my offices. This is a reason I opened my own clinics instead of joining an existing group.

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

A typical day for me involves seeing patients for adjustments, starting braces for new patients and removing braces. I spend a lot of time creating treatment plans for new cases and doing new patient consultations. I make my day more productive by staying mentally and physically sharp by eating healthy and getting some form of exercise.

How do you bring ideas to life?

I am usually not the “ideas guy.” I typically get my inspiration from other smarter and creative people. I am more the scaler and the executor of great ideas. I know how to make other peoples’ dreams come true. I credit a willingness to tackle challenges and the ability to effectively network as important qualities for turning ideas into reality. I also admit when I don’t know something so that I can learn. Entrepreneurs have to be confident enough to ask questions to find the solutions to problems, and be willing to admit when we don’t know something. The “fake it until you make it” mentality does not work well for people in leadership. We have to continue to learn – that is how ideas come to life.

What’s one trend that excites you?

The creativity in the younger generation and how tech savvy they are. I am excited that I will be able to employ or work with individuals that speak a language I will never understand. I am impressed with how creative they are with apps, software, and technology. I can’t wait to work with my children one day – with all their new ideas on things that don’t even exist today.

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

I am very good at multitasking and consolidating my time. Overall, I am very efficient. Also I wake up before anyone else so I can get more completed.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t waste your time and money. Spend time with your family and close loved ones and spend money on travelling and gaining new experiences. Work hard, work hard, work hard. Always set a routine and follow it like a religion.

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

Work hard, take chances, set a routine and follow it. Network with others and learn from them.

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

I basically took every opportunity available to me and made sure I would find a solution to make it work. Mindset and attitude were everything. There will always be people determined to discourage you. You have to be equally – or more – determined to see your plans through, maintain as much positivity as possible and find solutions. It is wise to build off of small victories – those successes give you the confidence to keep striving.

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

Figuring out who to trust was a challenge in my early days of business, yet we learn as we age. I also dealt with stress in unhealthy ways and used poor coping mechanisms that did a lot of harm both personally and professionally. The one solidifying fact of life is that not a single one of us is immune from mistakes, yet we are also gifted with the ability to learn from them – and to change.

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

I would learn a trade like plumbing or electrical and start a business in the trades industry. I would focus on technical trades and build a brand under that line of work.

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

I spent $100 on buying a sound machine to improve my sleep. I think sleep is super important for our life and longevity. It reduces stress, pressure on the heart, diabetes and health overall. I do everything I can to get the best sleep possible.

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

Online banking for finances. I love banking apps. I think most of my business is done from my phone.

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

“The Monk that Sold his Ferrari”: I just feel Robin Sharma gives you the true meaning of life and what it takes to be happy.

What is your favorite quote?

Be happy first and then you will be successful instead of looking to be successful to be happy.