dental-ish by browngirlrdh
The first black dental podcast mixed with a little something extra. Podcast topics range from family, entrepreneurship, education, to working in the dental industry as black professionals. Brought to you by BrownGirl, RDH.
dental-ish by browngirlrdh
Dare to Focus: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Purpose
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Discover Darren's strategies to avoid burnout, especially with the challenges posed by COVID-19. Learn about the benefits of temping in the dental field, the significant impact of flexible schedules, and the evolving roles within dentistry. Darren's candid discussion on balancing family responsibilities and career aspirations provides valuable insights into creating a fulfilling life.
Join us as Darren shares where you can follow his journey on Instagram at @dare2focus, reflecting on the unique energy and depth he brought to our conversation. While his account is currently personal, he hints at exciting possibilities for a dedicated professional presence in the future. This episode is a testament to the power of determination, the importance of clear vision, and the need for a bit of "craziness" in pursuing your dreams. Don't miss this heartfelt and enlightening episode filled with practical advice and personal anecdotes.
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Dental Hygienist Mentors and Focus
Speaker 1All right , you guys , welcome to podcast . All right , you guys , welcome to Dentalish season three . I have a very special guest here . He is a male RDH , so that less than 1% RDH on his name . His name is Darren and he graduated about a year , a little bit over a year ago , and he's been making some moves . You've probably seen him here and there at Brown Girl Conferences , at the ADHA . He has a lot of mentors in this community and I really , really wanted to get him on this podcast so he can share a little bit about his journey himself and what is he up to as a male RDH and how he's stepping in this female dominated territory . What's up , darren ?
Speaker 2What's up ? Family Darren , the hygienist here , people , first and foremost , I just want to show my appreciation to the organization . You didn't have to bring me on this podcast , but you did so . Love to you , love to the association . I've been practicing , like you said , actually for some months , I think 10 months now . I think it'll be a year . It'll be a year , yeah , this July , upcoming July . So , and even with , you know , little experience , I can't stress enough the importance of community , right , having those people that could guide you , you know , having mentors that can direct you and help you along the way . As you know , this is a very small industry , right ? So I think it's in our best interest that we lean on one another and we support one another . So , with that being said , I just want to express my willingness to help those who are in situations that I've been in . You know what I mean . Whatever support you need , whether if it's guidance , insight , knowledge , whatever the case . So , with that said , you could follow me . I don't know if I should give my Instagram now .
Speaker 1You better get that plug . You better plug it in .
Speaker 2Yeah , yeah yeah , go ahead and follow me at Dare to Focus , that's at D-A-R-E , the number two , f-o-c-u-s . Holler at your boy .
Speaker 1So listen , your Instagram page Dare to Focus . I know when I hear that . I know what it means for me . But what does it mean for you ? Because there's something , there's a message in your name .
Speaker 2I'm pretty there's a message exactly there is a message and ironically , I came up with that concept in hygiene school so you know nowadays we got a lot of distractions right .
Speaker 2Hygiene school is very demanding . It requires focus , it requires sacrifice . Some things you may normally do , you cannot do right . So I challenge myself , dare to focus on the task at hand . And you know what I live by that phrase even now , and it's actually something that I would tell my younger self to do . I would tell my younger self to develop the tendency and the characteristic to focus early . That way , when you get in your 20s and your 30s , it's habitual . You know what I mean . You already know not to be distracted by just frivolous things and your focus on the goal at hand . So dare to focus . That's where that comes from .
Speaker 1And I and I read something and it always stuck with me and it says distractions do not become distractions until they're done distracting you like you don't even know you opening up you , you sliding your phone open distraction yeah , that's true what those distractions are . Oh , I'm hungry , let me go , let me see what I want to go ahead , go out and get door , dance or go out to eat . Like that's a distraction . I don't know about y'all , but I'm not gonna say I have adhd . But I will start something , and start something totally different and it goes like , oh man , I was doing that case in point , my kids .
Speaker 1Last night I did the brown bird rdh lounge . I opened it back up . It's something that we started during covid um just to help each other uplift each other , give each other information . And I opened it at 8 pm and my boyfriend was like , are you going to order food for the kids to eat ? And I'm like , yeah , order it . We got that large 10 o'clock . They looking at me like I was like dang .
Speaker 1Oh my god , I was like it's a dojorno in the freezer . I put that thing right in yeah , yeah , yeah he was so mad he was like that .
Speaker 2That's crazy .
Speaker 1Everybody's looking at me with their stomach poked out and their lip poked out . But I was like I said . I'm sorry I got distracted , it was one of those things , but I love that Dare to focus . I knew it was a message in there . I'm like why would it ? And a lot of people don't think of anything when they see stuff like that but I was like oh that is the message . So your younger self , yes , yeah . Why would you tell your younger self what was the young Darren like ?
Speaker 2Not focused .
Speaker 1In what way ? I mean All over the place .
Speaker 2I mean , yeah , there's a lot of , you know , external influences out here . Of course , that just drains us . We were talking about energy earlier , right , drains us . We was talking about energy earlier , right . And , like you were saying , like it it only is aware subconsciously , or you are only aware of it subconsciously , which you're not aware at it of it at all . You know what I mean when it's happening , but only when it's done right .
Speaker 2So at a very young age I was , I was drained and I wasn't focused , and you know , you know , when you're young , you dare yourself to do all type of crazy things , right , and , for whatever reason , we have the courage to actually carry out those challenges Right . So it's a little bit of reverse psychology , you know , instead of daring yourself to do something that's meaningless , dare yourself to focus on something that's going to benefit not only you , but others who surround you in the future . Not only you , but others who surround you in the future , so that you know that's why . But specifically , I was focused on everything that didn't serve me as a person . You know what I mean , whether it be gangs , whatever . You know what I mean Just things that almost made me a product of my environment . Let's just say that .
Speaker 1Right , Because that was what I mean . That was what I mean . That was what you saw . That was what was around , I'm assuming that's what I was exposed to . Yeah , that's all I knew um , so what made you get into dentistry , like what made you say , hmm , I want to just be at somebody's mouth , playing at somebody's mouth .
Speaker 2We call it playing at somebody's mouth yeah , yeah , um , you know that's interesting because I really didn't know what I was getting myself into .
Influence of Family on Career Choices
Speaker 2I thought this was all by chance , I thought this was just a mistake at first , you know , and it was because of that . I didn't know All I knew . I just wanted to add value to myself , I wanted to increase my earnings and I wanted to get out of law enforcement . That's all I knew . And I didn't .
Speaker 2I didn't realize , you know , what my influence or what I was being influenced by , until I had time to reflect on my experiences over the years . So I came to the understanding that my sister was was part of the reason why I even thought about teeth when I was just trying to do something different with my life , right ? So , back back home in Detroit , she was a dental assistant and she worked her way up to a director . Eventually , and before I left , I had the opportunity to visit one of her offices and I received treatment there . Right , moment of transparency . I had a pretty large diastema , I must say , in between eight and nine . You did , I did , I did . It was I . I still got one now , but it was even . It was even bigger than what it is now . So they fixed that for me .
Speaker 1More importantly , wait , hold up , wait , wait , a minute , wait . Let me zoom in on this here , because I can't tell you do what did they do ? You got braces or did you get bonded ? I could not tell no it was bonded .
Speaker 2It was bonded yep , direct composite bonding . And they made it more aesthetically appealing . And you know what it was that ? It was at that point that I said to myself internally I like what they do , you know , they made me , they made me more confident , right ? Not ? Only that , but the patient to provide a relationship was thorough and comprehensive . No , who , no , who would have known that I would get into dentistry , you know , years later . But but the patient to provide a relationship was thorough and comprehensive .
Speaker 2Now , who know who would have known that I would get into dentistry . You know years later , but that's the point is you know those impressions , right , those past impressions . You never really know how much of the influence that they have on your current decision making until you've reflected on those experiences .
Speaker 1So this wasn't really by chance , this was all by design , by friends right , right , and I'm sitting here listening to you and I'm just like nobody really realizes how much your smile and your appearance really makes a difference , like your whole trajectory of what you thought you were going to be doing in life changed because you were changing . That's very , very deep . What we do is more than just we're changing lives , changing lives . We're changing lives . That makes me happy to know that . What did your sister say when you graduated ? That makes me happy to know that .
Speaker 2So what did your sister say when you graduated ? She was thrilled because I gave her a shout out . I had a big speech during my graduation because I was former class president . So I had a big speech and of course I gave her all the praise because if it wasn't for her , you know , I wouldn't be in the position that I am now . So she was just thrilled , I know she cried .
Speaker 1I know she was boohooing . Yeah , I feel like I can only imagine I'm acting like I was there deja vu . So okay , yeah , you , you are definitely . Um , I can tell you're a leader , you're gonna do , you are doing something great right now . I don't know what it is , but but I felt that , like you said , you're class president . I'm like , of course he was class president , but I can tell that , okay , so it wasn't by chance . So now you're 10 months in . A lot of people say when they get out of dental school , they feel like they've been hit for 10 years . Does it feel the same with dental hygiene ? Do you feel like you've been in longer than you've actually been in same with dental hygiene ?
Speaker 2do you feel like you've been in longer than you've actually been in ? You know what I do . I do and it's based on you know the reactions and how my patients react to my performance . But then I get to looking at radiographs and I see some calculus is still there and I know that I'm still a rookie in this thing . I got some work to do , so , uh , it's a humbling . It's a humbling experience . I do feel like I'm a veteran , but I'm not definitely not a little bit .
Speaker 1Uh no , it'd be hygienist doing this for 30 years .
Speaker 2Uh , leaving calculus behind that's why , that's why my butt hopped out of that chair .
Speaker 1I don't even I love calculus . Oh well , I mean somebody else can get it , I'm good it's not an easy job .
Speaker 2Like it's not easy , like I don't know where that impression came from , like we just seeing 16 , 18 patients and you're cleaning effectively . What ? Come on now . And I know that , just being 10 months out .
Speaker 1Mm-hmm .
Speaker 2But yeah .
Speaker 1And it's one of those things where you're in an environment and you have pressure and you have , maybe , a production goal , maybe you have two columns , maybe you have one column , but you're dealing with people who may be having a great day , who may not be having a great day , and now that is your responsibility . Now you have to see them . In a block of time Nobody's giving you like hygiene school four hours to see one patient . I got to take blood pressure , I got to review medical history . I have to make sure I don't hurt them . Now I gotta warm up to them because I don't look like what they seem for . And you got on gloves and you , you might be nervous . Shit . I still get nervous in . You know my own practice . I get nervous like your . Your hands are sweating . Now you have these instruments . Maybe they're not sharp , maybe something's not working , but you don't want to feel like you don't know what you're doing because the calc is messed up . So you're like all right , get through it .
Speaker 2You're going through it .
Speaker 1Right , you be going through it back there . But you're like , I know I got this , I know I'm good . And then , like you said , you take that x-ray and you're like , oh , calculus is still there . And then you're like , all right , I don't say minorities , but as minorities we want to do so good , we want to overachieve , and when we see something , we're like we got to fix it . We ain't just putting that out because it's a reflection of me and my whole community coming behind me .
Speaker 2We're crossing our T's and dotting our I's because of what we represent and who we are .
Speaker 1That's how it is that we're going back and getting that calculus .
Speaker 1Man , because we're going back and getting that calculus man , the right . It's going to look bad on the person coming behind me , so let me just go ahead and fix this and make sure it's good . So I'm glad you realized that early on . But , most importantly , you are who you are . If you're that type of person that's going to do your best , you're going to do your best wherever you are and whatever you're doing . If you're the type of person that was like , oh well , you're going to be that type of hygienist , you're going to be that type of dentist , you're going to be that type of friend , I mean , it is what it is . I truly believe people are who they are until they get to the next life and you choose to be that same person and relive what you're doing , or you change , and you change .
Speaker 2You spiritually right , right , right , right . So it's like , if you know , you know right , because , yeah , those who know they're gonna do what they need to do in that very moment , you know they're not gonna risk having to repeat . If you know what I mean . You know what I mean . Let's get it right the first time and just call it a day , like you already know internally what you have to do . That goes back to what I was saying about what you feel is real right .
Speaker 2What you feel is real . A lot of times we have this internal voice , and it may not even be a voice , it can be just a feeling , right , but we disregard that feeling because it's not apparent , it's not readily seen , readily available . And then we seek that which is readily available and at the end of the moment or at the end of the experience , you realize , damn , I should have listened to that gut feeling .
Speaker 1Yep , and I would say , like we got , we have three brains right , one brain , one brain . You got your brain , you're obviously . Then you got your heart . You know you have your heart , like you feel something , then you have your heart . You know you have your heart . Like you feel something , then you have your stomach . You have that . You get feeling in your stomach , you get butterflies , there's something going on . You got three brains and if all three of them say yes , then you go , you move into that . That is our spirit , telling us like you got a thumbs up , because there's always something pulling you , like sit your ass down , but you're like no , it can't be it , I'm tripping .
Speaker 1And then you look back and you're like I should have listened , and that's in anything that we do . It could be crossing the street , it can be accepting a job . We call it red flags . We just , oh , it's red flags , flags , flags , flags . No , that's your gut , that's your intuition , that's your heart , that's your brain , and I think enough of us don't , because it could be too good to be true type of thing or perception . You know what's reality and what isn't is hard to tell nowadays .
Speaker 2That is true , that is true . That is true . Perception is everything and you know , know , social media . We talk about social media . The gift and the curse of it , right , has a lot to do with how we think and the concepts that we actually adopt . So , um , with that said , I just kind of I kind of filter what I am exposed to on social media so if you end up , following me . You don't see , I ain't got no followers or anything like that . It's because of that . But .
Speaker 1Wait . So I was . I was talking to somebody earlier today and we were saying what you view becomes you . So we were talking about the younger generation and what they see and we were talking about why they choose to go to somebody and get veneers done who isn't a licensed professional . And I told the girl she actually teaches high school students and she's a dental hygienist . I said I blame the quote unquote celebrity dentist because I said they're up here posting that they're doing veneers on celebrities and people want to look like those celebrities that follow them , that idolize them , but they don't have the twenty thousand dollars to spend on it . So they're like I'm just gonna go over here and they hear the word veneers . They hear the word veneers and they're like well , I'll just get it done here .
Speaker 1It's no different than the people years and years ago , um , that were going in basements getting like you know , butt injections and surgery and stuff . It's no different than those people . It's cheaper , it's more convenient . I don't have to be told I need a deep cleaning and I need x-rays and I need an exam , like I don't need to go through all of the loops . And most people don't have dental insurance . We act like dental insurance is free , or you know , someone just has twenty thousand dollars on it no , they don't they just want to look like that celebrity .
Speaker 1So I'm like I said , the dentists have to take responsibility for what they're promoting yeah , that is , that is very true .
Speaker 2I feel like there's not a , there's not enough um , I don't want to say policing , but control in that area . You know what I mean . Like they're not really they enforce everything else , but when it comes to dentistry , there's really no penalties .
Speaker 1Well , there they are but it's not .
Speaker 2You don't really see it that often you know what I mean To where we're actually protecting the patient , because the idea is to protect the patient , right . So you don't , you don't see it enough Like , how are we going to stop ? You know um , this malpracticing . You know how are we going to stop that ?
Speaker 1because that's a big issue in my opinion well , I'm not going to repeat the same thing I said on the on the last , because that's always the question like how do we stop it ? Yeah , um , it's not going to stop unless you start affecting the people's money . Who's it's a fit . If it's not affecting their money , they don't care . They get their money through licensure , getting a license , and you apply for your boards and that's how they get their money and it's not affecting them . And those patients that go see these people they're not paying that . So if it's not affecting their dollar , then why would they care ? It is America . It is America and I'm not about to get political , but like we be outraged about the craziest things and I'm like huh , nobody should be paying to go to school .
Speaker 1There was a doctor that was arrested and went to prison for falsely diagnosing patients with cancer . He made millions and millions of dollars of telling people that didn't have cancer that they did . He's like that was wrong and it was unethical . People died . He told kids they had cancer , people that didn't have cancer . They were going through chemo . It was affecting their families . It was all done for money . What makes you get to that ?
Speaker 2That's crazy , where you actually play with people's lives .
Speaker 1He was getting paid . Isn't that so sad , that's sad , that is very sad .
Speaker 1As a provider , that somebody would get paid millions to diagnose people with cancer that didn't have cancer . And historically , we know about the Tuskegee Airmen and we know about how historically , black people were used as like guinea pigs and test dummies for a lot of medicine . So when you hear like hey , there's not a lot of black people that go to the dentist , like they don't go to the doctor either , because it's like there's there's something generational telling them like I don't want to be , you know , falsely diagnosed , I don't want to give , be given medicine .
Speaker 1So then they trust yeah , they take alternative routes right , unless it's somebody that looks like me and you like , okay , I trust this person because you know they . They look like me . So it's a lot of deep-rooted stuff going on and that's why these patients are . These people are going to their cousin or their friends or the near techs , and it's because the trust isn't there , the education isn't there , and we need more people like us in the field and outside of the field , you know , just representing to say like hey , ask me a question , or you shouldn't do this or you shouldn't do this . And I think it's refreshing . And we're not talking about the generation that is , we're talking about the ones coming after us . So just getting getting to them early , but you're so 10 months in , you feel like it's been longer , but you're easily reminded that it hasn't been .
Preventing Burnout and Pursuing Dentistry
Speaker 1How do you prevent burnout ?
Speaker 2so for me I have to switch it up . I can't do hygiene every day . I do hygiene three days out of the week Monday , wednesday and Fridays On the days that I'm not there , of course . Two days and Thursdays I'm in school . So it kind of works out for me . And I do some select Saturdays , depending on if I want to practice an extra day . But that's how I prevent burnout . And then another way is just being very vocal about my schedule . To be honest with you , I know what I can do . I know what I'm willing to do . I know what I'm not willing to do .
Speaker 2And I stand on that and I don't conform , and I don't accept less at the end of the day .
Speaker 1And it is what it is .
Speaker 2You know what I mean . You're going to find people that's going to work with you . You're going to find people that don't want to work with you . It's just how it is . You know what I mean . No one party is better than the other . It's just two different styles of practicing .
Speaker 1Are you temping or are you working in private practice ?
Speaker 2I am temping right now but I do have a primary office who I give uh priority over my booking because we have , we develop a relationship like that .
Speaker 1but I'm still , I'm still attempting , okay , okay , so you have a little bit of flexibility in your schedule yes , yes , yes and prior to 2020 , prior to covid 19 , there were no temping jobs out there . Like you could not find a job temping and it's so crazy .
Speaker 2I've heard that .
Speaker 1You could not , I remember , because I was trying not to , I ended up staying in the office . It was so toxic , it was just so bad . I was there for seven years and I quit twice and went back and I was only getting paid $28 an hour In 2020 ? Wow .
Speaker 2In 2020 ? Wow , in 2020? .
Speaker 1That was just four years ago I was getting paid $28 an hour .
Speaker 2You see how things change so quickly . That's crazy .
Speaker 1Yes .
Speaker 2Over the course of four years . That was probably like a minimum . Was that a minimum or was that like a ?
Speaker 1That was in North Carolina . That was where everybody North Carolina .
Speaker 2Okay , okay .
Speaker 1Yeah , yeah , I don't know . Okay , okay , yeah , yeah , I don't know , I think Georgia right now , the rate where I the rate in Columbus , georgia , is $38 .
Speaker 2Columbus .
Speaker 1Georgia . Okay , I don't know , what is it in Atlanta ?
Speaker 2Right now like the minimum for temping .
Speaker 1Yeah , for temping 57 .
Speaker 257 . Yeah , and that's just how it is . You things change .
Speaker 1health become , you know , primary in america and all of a sudden you know we're more valuable so with every uh , with every ying , there's gonna be a yang and I'm like I wouldn't flips . You know they're trying to introduce dental , dental doing , dental assistant doing things doing that too .
Speaker 1They're pushing for it . But the bottom line is , dentistry is a business and a lot of things are businesses and if they're not being profitable it just doesn't work . And I'm afraid , and I'm scared for our profession because I'm like , yes , they're paying 50 to 60 to 70 . Somebody told me she was getting 70 dollars , 75 dollars an hour and I was like , man , it's gonna come down , it's gonna come down hard , it's gonna have to . That's just the way , the laws , what goes ?
Speaker 2that makes sense . Yeah , yeah , one extreme to the . Yeah , I just hope it's not that detrimental to where it's like , wow , like , like . What is a dentist now ?
Speaker 1You know what I mean .
Speaker 2To that extent because , as you said , they're trying to expand the functions of assistance . So who knows where that goes .
Speaker 1Darren , you're not going to have anything to worry about because you're going to school to become a dentist , because that's your plan .
Speaker 2That's the blueprint I am going . That's the plan . If God directs me in a different direction , then so be it .
Speaker 1What do you see , your ? What do you see ? Like you're a hygienist right now and you did it because you you had the experience at your sister's office . But , um , a lot of males are not dental hygienists . So do you feel like you want to be a dentist because that's what you see ? Or is that just you want to fix things or what like ? What is your ?
Speaker 2what is the reason to become a dentist , the main reason , your number one reason , like right so dentistry was um the goal even before hygiene , and the main reason was because of restorative dentistry . You know , I wanted the autonomy um I'm a tourist , so I'm kind of stubborn . I don't have a problem with working under somebody , but there's a thin line between you know respect and having respect and being a people pleaser , and a lot of times people want you to people please . I'm not a people pleaser , so to eliminate that from even happening .
Speaker 2I just say , ok , let's just go , let's just do dentistry . You know what I mean To that regard . But implant dentistry and cosmetics was the goal from the start . Why did I choose hygiene first , only God knows , but it was a blessing , to say the least . And of course I wanted to gain foundational knowledge , the skills and , of course , connections to give me that edge over other . You know dental candidates , because you know it's competitive . It's competitive out there . You know hygiene is super competitive , dentistry even more competitive . So that's what the goal was at the end of the day , right right , right .
Speaker 1No , I can see that , and everybody I asked that question to not even did anybody ask that question to . That was my answer too . I'm going to do what I want to do . I don't want to answer to no one .
Speaker 2It is what it is , you know .
Speaker 1That was my answer and the funny story , the reason why I started Brown Girl RDH was because in high school I wanted to be a dentist and then I ended up getting pregnant and I was like , oh , I can't do it now because I'm going to have this baby , so I guess I'll do something else . And then I called the dental hygiene school and I'm like , yeah , I'm about to have a baby .
Speaker 1And they're like you better do dental assisting because this needs a program for you . So I was like , all right , whatever I'll do dental . It was all online . They tried to deter you from the hygiene . I didn't know , I was 19 . So I didn't know . I really didn't know . So I did dental assisting . I didn't know really the big difference as far as income . So back then I was making $7.25 at Rainbow , like I was like anything , like I was getting $10 as an assistant . I thought I made it right . So I actually , you know , did the dental assistant program , was working in the office as a dental assistant .
Speaker 1The dentist just treated me so bad . He just treated me so bad and I saw he didn't bother the hygienist and I'm like , well , he's not bothering her . So I went over there . I was like , what do I have to do ? She was working on her own patients . She was driving a Hummer . I was like , oh , I want the Hummer too . Oh , I'm on the Hummer too . Like I'm , I wanted her life . And , um , I asked her what do I have to do ? She's like , oh , you gotta apply for this program and this is hard and the prereqs and blah , blah , blah . And I'm looking at her like , huh , that's it . So I applied and I actually got in um , but when I got in it was like , okay , you need all this money for this stuff . And I was like I don't have the money .
Speaker 1I got this . I'm not going . And then my friend was telling me about student loans , so I ended up taking out all these student loans that I'm still not paying for , by the way , and I graduated in 2012 .
Speaker 2Tell me about it .
Speaker 1Yeah .
Speaker 2You said you're not paying for .
Speaker 1No , I haven't paid yet . I graduated in 2012 . I have not paid a dime . I defer .
Speaker 2Y'all . I better call them people and tell them to defer . You're going through a hardship Talking about student loans .
Speaker 1Where's the reparation , please ? Hello , reparation . So , anyways , I kept saying like , okay , I'm
Navigating Family Responsibilities and Pursuing Dreams
Speaker 1going to go , I'm going to go . Every time I tried to take my prereqs or try to do something , I had to help a family member . Somebody moved in my house . My mom has 10 kids . At least every single one of my siblings have lived with me and I have taken care of them . My brother and his girlfriend and his kids live with me . So every single time , it was something where I had to take care of somebody else and I started saying I'm a hygienist , why am I ? Why am I going through this ? And I was like it gotta be other people like me , just that can't , just can't get it because of their family or because of their burdens or their responsibilities or even their guilt , because I think a part of me was like I'm successful , so now it's my responsibility to help my family . That's what I felt .
Speaker 1And um 2020 , I was going to University of Pembroke . I was working at a practice that where they were open at night , so I would work from two to ten , and then I would work on Saturdays and Sundays , and then I would go to school during the week and I would take the classes online for , um , um , my biology degree so I can get into dental school . And I even visited East Carolina University like I was all in their programs , all up in the pictures and stuff , like I'm gonna be a dentist . And then COVID hit and then I had my kids that I had to homeschool and I could not do the homeschool and I could not take care of my kids and and do what I had to do . So I ended up dropping out and , um , I was just like , dang , I'm gonna go back , I'm gonna go back .
Speaker 1And then the opportunity came for me to manage a practice in Georgia and I'm like , for sure I'll do it . And I was like , maybe I'll do mobile dentistry because I want to be my own boss . And two years later that was in 2020 , 2021 . So 2024 , I opened my second practice in Georgia . I don't have to do hygiene , I can still run a business and I can employ people and work alongside dentists and , you know , be their partner and not necessarily work for them . So it ended up translating into that .
Speaker 1But now I'm looking and I'm like if I were to work for a dentist , I would probably . If I were to become a dentist , I would probably be making the same amount of money that I made right now . So you mentioned that you , um , you're one of your kind of mentors or someone you follow on social media is Dr Golden , and I connected with Dr Golden um , my fellow Sagittarian and uh and uh and , and he owns a practice in Florida and a lot of what I know now . He literally shared with me as a practice owner and like really to mentor and help on the business side of it . So he got there and you know he's like you know , my friend , you got a DSO now and he's like that's what I'm talking about . He's like I'm trying to get like you and Dr Golding to go against this .
Speaker 2You know what I mean like that's what I'm talking about .
Speaker 1He's like I'm trying to get like you and Dr Goldberg , you know what I mean . So I look at things like I keep saying like why didn't I become a dentist ? Or what happened , like I don't think I was supposed to . But hygiene is definitely a stepping stone to get where I wanted to be , because when , I look back at it , I'm like I probably would have been working for somebody . Oh , probably not . No , knowing me , I would have figured it out .
Speaker 1But , um , you would have had to start somewhere . You know what I mean . You gotta grow your patient base , you gotta build your skill , um , and I was just like I . I know each thing is a stepping stone for the next , and you can't unlock that next chapter unless you go through it first . So I had to go through all of that to get to get to my happy place . And now , you know , I haven't worked in like two years . I work from home , you know . But I've been in the office for two years and me and my boyfriend were like , we're about to buy a house in Africa and we're going to work remotely and I'll take the kids over there . And this time next year we will be in Tanzania . Actually , on May 1st what was today , today's like April 27th From May 1st to the 15th , we're going to Africa , we are going to go see our house that we're going to buy what part ?
Speaker 2What part of Africa ?
Speaker 1On to Tanzania .
Speaker 2Tanzania .
Speaker 1You say yeah , they have a whole town there . It's about population of eight million people and in zanzibar um in tanzania is a little island , but we're going to see the house that we're having built and in five years it'll be paid for that is amazing and y'all just talk about goals ain't , no , ain't , no credit over in zanzibar um there's no interest . So get your butt over there in zanzibar . Get you a house interest . So get your butt over there in Zanzibar . Get you a house and go back to Africa .
Speaker 2We going back .
Speaker 1Yeah , Wow , Honestly , one don't quote me , Darren . One dollar is $2,500 . So like $5,000 , you'll be a millionaire over there .
Speaker 2I've heard of something like that . I've heard of that .
Speaker 1Say $5,000 a month , say you get $5,000 a month . Let's put it like this people from other countries come here open businesses and they live like and then go back right yeah , but we're the only people that don't want to go back that's a , that's a bridge we gotta reconstruct , to say the least .
Speaker 2Like I don't know . Well , we know where that separation happened , but um , yeah and you know what . We're making progress . It's a mental thing . You know what I mean . We're making progress . There's a lot that's happening in america now . Um , that is , it benefits the black community , and I mean black Caribbean , I mean foundational black Americans , I mean Africans . You know what ?
Speaker 1I mean .
Speaker 2So we're getting better , generally speaking , with that subject .
Speaker 1We are . We're waking up , so I guess that's the year of the awakening right . That eclipse was a reset . The solar eclipse , it was a reset . The solar eclipse , it was a reset for us . What are we really doing ? And let me tell you I ain't trying to put my business out there , but I'm sitting here paying 1200 for a car . We're selling everything . We don't need it , we don't need it , we don't need it . The same amount of money you put for a car , you can just live happily , comfortably .
Speaker 2Yeah , in africa , right in africa there's a different , it's a different car you can just live happily , comfortably , yeah , in Africa right In Africa .
Speaker 1It's a different value system .
Speaker 2It's a different value system , I think , this American dream that we all adopt right , it separates us from the true essence of what we need to understand about life and what we need to embody in this life right , it completely separates us and it puts us in a position where we just have to survive and we'll do anything to survive , right , and then you get to throw in the glitz and glamours in there . Not only do we want to survive now , we want to thrive , right . But with that being said , with each step , in each form of distractions , another distraction we're separated from . You know the life that we're supposed to be living , and it's just something to think about . You know something to take heed to and look at those , those different countries in Africa , and see how they live . You know , and see how , what they value and how they thrive .
Speaker 1Yeah I , I , I'm 110% Like I don't need things at this world , cause guess what ? Once you get the degree , you know you get the Gucci bag or you get the Mercedes or the BMW , then what ? It's nothing . You still feel empty . But you have to get up and you have to bust your butt and work and you know no , why does that ? Why not make life easy ?
Speaker 1that's all you have to do is go to another country and and have my online store and all I need to do is make 1200 a day . Forget just you if you had another person . Both of y'all had side hustles like you could not worry about anything and long , live longer and eat healthier . Half this stuff we're eating is not real food anyway that's another rabbit hole .
Speaker 2You go down right there . So you talk about your gut being one of the uh , what you say , your brain is one of your brains , right ? So you're feeding your brain , we're feeding our brain trash , I'm gonna say we , because I eat some of that stuff too . Sometimes I'm not , I'm not , uh , you know , pardoned , but for the most part I try to . You know , I try to be conscious about what I eat .
Speaker 2But to your point , that's one of the reasons why like if you were to ask me the next five years . What would I be focused on ? I'm going to be focusing on developing myself as a person , right , and I don't want that statement to be taken lightly . We need to highlight that statement because , as you , were saying you could be a rocket scientist , for example . Right , you have all the accolades , you have all the acknowledgement , but have missed the essence of true self-discovery and personal development .
Speaker 1Right .
Speaker 2That's most important . I'm talking about taking advantage of those innate , god-given qualities , those talents that you've had from birth , that you didn't have to look outside of yourself to find or seek , because once you develop those qualities , then you have found your purpose in life , regardless of what your occupation is .
Speaker 1That's your purpose yeah , and , and if everybody has one , I think everybody has one .
Speaker 2Everybody has one .
Speaker 1It's just those distractions that distract you from what , and they're there on purpose . Facebook is not free for no reason , trust me , it's there for a reason , everything is there for a reason , and I , really recently Well , it's always been in me , but I've always wondered like , hmm , that's strange . Y'all trying everything else , but this huge platform . We're not making money . And then they even went as far as trying to pay influencers , so they want you to get on there dancing .
Speaker 2You see that , and then the algorithm controls what people are exposed to . It goes back to that right .
Speaker 1Right , they want you to watch it .
Speaker 2It's crazy .
Navigating Goals and Self-Determination
Speaker 1I said something about arthritis and my brother's like where's the Tylenol ? Guess what was on my newsfeed , bayer Tylenol ? I said there's no way possible .
Speaker 2Hey Siri .
Speaker 1Hey Siri , hey Alexa . So I started saying how do you become a millionaire ? And I don't see nothing like that on there .
Speaker 2It's a big game , you know .
Speaker 1You talk about going to Africa . Guess what ? I don't see nothing popping on my timeline .
Speaker 2Right . They don't want no Black Americans going to Africa . No , don't do that .
Speaker 1But I see all the foolishness in it and it's really like we shouldn't even be .
Speaker 2It's too much . It's too much .
Speaker 1It's a reason why certain people don't do certain things . People be like oh , jay-z don't have . I'm just saying Jay-Z . No way , shape or form . Am I a Jay-Z fan ? Jay-z don't have no Instagram . He don't follow nobody on Instagram .
Speaker 2I wonder why . That's a good example , though . I'm glad you mentioned him .
Speaker 1If he's so high I don't want to say high . Okay , you go in the bank , right , you go in the bank and you got your bankers down here . But have you ever looked up and seen ? There's other levels , the higher you go in the bank , the more money is up there .
Speaker 2Talk about private accounts and private services .
Speaker 1I'm looking at what's up there . Oh , that's just nothing , you don't worry about that over there Now . I'm trying to figure out . I'm not just innovating forward Like what's up there , so that's where Jay-Z is and he looking down like yo , y'all worried about this , y'all worried about the sexy reds . Like no , no people , let's be focused .
Speaker 2So what do you ? What do you say ? He said you want a gram holding money up to your ear . There's a disconnect . We don't call that money over here . Come on , man , you gotta . You gotta pick up the gems that they be dropping sometime you know , this is like people but then you got like you said you got sexy red . You can come on 50 times out of the day on the radio . I don't even listen to the radio .
Speaker 1I heard oh my gosh , I'm going to go on and on and on and talk to you . Somebody said , or I heard or something , that music , what you're listening to , is it's a spell . Oh yeah , talk to me . Yeah , it's a spell . Oh yeah , talk to me . Yeah , it's a spell that you repeat it . You know the words by heart . Do you know ? I cannot recite a song anymore , like I can't sing a full song . That's because I'm disconnected . But my kids , word for word , I know it . I know the chords . Kindergarteners , they know the chords . It's a sound .
Speaker 1It's a spell what you're reading , what you're looking at , what you are listening to .
Speaker 2Turn it off . Turn it off .
Speaker 1That is very important right there , because that subconscious that we were talking about right .
Speaker 1It just captures , and captures , and captures , and it can't differentiate between what's good and what's bad for you captures and it can't differentiate between what's good and what's bad for you , right , right and things are , and things are funny and cute and culture . But the way things are shifting and when you start paying attention , you're like the most nastiest disrespectful things are the ones getting glorified . You're like this is happening not by chance , this is perfect and it's set makes you want to just pick up and move to africa , right that's what I'm just about to say belize too .
Speaker 2I've been looking to belize yeah , what do you do ?
Speaker 1you get up and you leave . You get up and you leave and you worked , or you work towards it yes , yes , yes , yes , yes .
Speaker 2So that's that . That's one of my goals , you know . And that's one of the reasons why I , kind of you know , stayed to myself a little bit , which could be a good thing and a bad thing , right you ?
Speaker 1study yourself . It's never bad .
Speaker 2Never a bad thing .
Speaker 1Because guess what ?
Speaker 2I appreciate that .
Speaker 1You know I had to get to this point . The horses in the races have these blinders on and the only thing that they can see is this way right , what's in front of them ? I forget what you call them . They're blinders , but they can't see the other people . They can't see the horses , they can't see the crown , but they're just . They put those blinders on them and all they can see is like what ? Nothing wrong with it . You'll just get to where you're going quicker . That's how I look at it , what time ?
Speaker 1look at it interesting you need to be that horse . Those are the winners , right ? Don't see nothing else but their one goal .
Speaker 2Let's just focus yes , okay , very very , very purposeful goal , though , right , it's not like um , egotistical at all . You know it reaches far beyond selfish intent . But you reap all the benefits and you reap all the the fruits of what's to come , you know so you don't really have to worry about that .
Speaker 1It just comes when you will come and we , we all know what's for you is for you . But you got to be selfish , you got to have those blinders on and you got to be a little bit crazy .
Speaker 2You got to be crazy . You have to be borderline insane . I'm glad you said I'm not by myself .
Speaker 1Wow .
Speaker 2I'm glad you said that . Because , some days .
Speaker 1I'll be like bro .
Speaker 2You told me about this plan you had four years ago . You still want to do this plan . You got to be out your mind when you can just settle down , do hygiene six days a week and call it a life . You know what I mean . Like what do you want ? What are you striving for ? It's bigger than me . This is for generational influence .
Speaker 1Yep , yep , yep . And then we always say , like you got to help people , whether through mentorship , giving them . There's no such thing as gatekeepers . I hate when people are like , oh , I had this idea , I'm going to tell you , but I don't want to tell you . I got to say , oh my , what you not telling me ? For I promise you I can do anything . I don't want to . I'm it's that mindset like , okay , I don't want to share it because it's my idea . Well , guess what ? Somebody's gonna do it .
Speaker 1Nothing's recreated we're just here and we don't have it and it's nothing that we're creating . So people that do that like they're never gonna start , because they're never gonna start and then , go in their head like , oh , I don't want to tell my idea and you probably thought it is like I'm the least person you got to worry about ,
Finding Darren
Speaker 1you know . But anyways , darren , this was like a real deep podcast episode , it went it went left , it went far left , but it's okay so we're wrapping up here .
Speaker 1So we did say at dare to focus , but where can people find you ? Hit you up , follow . But where can people find you ? Hit you up , follow you um . Where can they find you at ?
Speaker 2so that's that's instagram . That's my instagram account . It is my personal account , so there is no um dental content on there . It may be time for me to make one , but yes , but for now , at dare to focus , that's instagram . At d-a-r-e , the number two f-o-c-u-s holla at your boy all right y'all .
Speaker 1Thank y'all . This was a very , very deep podcast . I'm so happy to have darren on here . Um , I feel like I knew him forever and I still feel like I don't know him at the time . It's so weird . That's called energy , people , energy , energy , capital e . Um . All right , darren , thank you , I do appreciate it . Bye , you guys I appreciate it .
