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Executive In Business
Premiere Female Business Owner


Dr. Catrise L. Austin
CEO VIP Smiles

 

Dubbed by the Network Journal as one of the "25 Most Influential Black Women in Business" in 1999, Dr. Catrise Austin is not just your neighborhood dentist. In a field traditionally dominated by men, this young African-American dentist is breaking all gender and racial boundaries by establishing her own ground with wit and smart business sense.

 

Dr. Austin is the architect of VIP Smiles (www.vipsmiles.com), a new modern dental practice that boasts an impressive loyal following, including some of Hollywood's hottest stars, such as sexy songstress Toni Braxton, N'Sync producer Paul Anthony, music diva Missy Elliot, R&B pop artist Tweet, soul legend Isaac Hayes, MTV host and 7-UP spokesperson Godfrey, and countless other personalities from the entertainment and TV industries, as well as regular New Yorkers.

 

Her innovative operations and unique business strategy truly set her apart from her counterparts. She is receptive to new ventures and even helps promote her client's work through her office. For instance, instead of giving out traditional toothbrushes, Dr. Austin gives out a variety of CD compilations produced by clients as giveaways to her patients, who enjoy getting the popular freebies. She also gives out movie passes, concert tickets, and passes to other NYC events.

 

The marketing savvy entrepreneur got her start temping as a dental hygienist after dental school and quickly went on to building a highly successful private practice through shrewd networking and employing guerrilla-marketing tactics in lieu of conventional methods. Instead of advertising in the local paper, she once traded in her dental services for a marketing list and frequented shows and comedy clubs scouting for clients. She won Isaac Hayes as a client after she saw him at P. Diddy's famed eatery, Justin's, where she approached his table and introduced herself.

 

Dr. Austin never missed a good marketing opportunity and her bold endeavors - her chutzpah as one reporter termed it - have paid off handsomely. VIP Smiles' success can be attributed to her smart business skills and commitment to quality service. The office is equipped with the latest advancements in technology and customer care, and installed with a complete entertainment center that allows patients to watch their favorite DVDs while during treatment. They also have the option to listen to their favorite music or enjoy the soothing benefits of aromatherapy.

 

A general care provider, VIP Smiles also specializes in cosmetic dentistry and sports dentistry. Dr. Austin offers her clients aesthetically pleasing alternatives to traditional diagnoses using the latest technologies. Her smile design program provides patients with a complete understanding of the different ways to improving their smiles through various option plans. She offers porcelain veneers as an alternative to braces or bonding, porcelain or glass inlays- longer-lasting tooth colored fillings as an alternative to silver filling, and other popular beauty enhancements such as tooth recontouring and teeth whitening. The one-hour teeth whitening system is especially popular among clients, especially brides who are looking for brightening solutions before their big day.

 

Marketing aside, Dr. Austin is serious about oral hygiene and actively promotes preventive maintenance techniques among her patients. "In today's image-conscious society, a person's smile is very important," said Dr. Austin, D.D.S. "A smile is one of the first things people notice about you, and a beautiful smile can have a long-lasting positive impact on your life - socially, economically and psychologically."

 

As a certified sports team dentist, Dr. Austin also provides specialized dental care to New York area athletes. Her jobs include performing preseason exams, promotion and fabrication of "properly-fitted" athletic mouth guards for athletes to wear to protect their smile, and emergency treatment of sports related dental injuries. To better serve her sports and entertainment clients, Dr. Austin has a mobile dentistry unit that provides on-site dental services.

 

With an insatiable enthusiasm for her job, natural marketing talents and unmatched friendly service, it is no wonder VIP Smiles has grown from just a handful of clients to over 1000 loyal patrons in just four years. So, if you are looking for a marketing opportunity or a good dentist, give Dr. Austin a call.

About VIP Smiles

 

Founded by Dr. Catrise Austin, a general and cosmetic dentist with specializations in sports dentistry and mobile dentistry, VIP Smiles is located at 119 West 57th Street and provides services to celebrities and ordinary folks requiring advanced and friendly dental care. VIP Smiles' service offerings include: Teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, custom made porcelain and glass fillings, invisible braces and more. Dr. Austin received her Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of Maryland and has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Michigan.

 

Dr. Catrise Austin, DDS
VIP Smiles
Tel: 212.262.6054
E-mail: Drcaustin@aol.com



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