(Editor’s note: This is the 39th installment in a monthly series speaking with minority business owners and leaders. Each will be asked their views on minority-business conditions in the state and for ways to improve those businesses’ chances for success.)
The road to becoming a dentist and opening a practice may be tough, but Dr. Joke Alesh, who grew up in Providence, defines her journey as a story of excelling instead of a struggle.
“Dentistry, and getting into the business, is hard work, but it’s possible,” Alesh said.
Alesh’s passion for dentistry began when she was just 4 years old and because of the positive experience with her own dentist. Since then, Alesh hasn’t stopped pursuing her dreams.
In high school, Alesh started spending time in dental offices before going on to earn her bachelor’s, Doctor of Dental Medicine and Master of Public Health degrees from Tufts University.
While Alesh said the academic process of becoming a dentist was long and rigorous, she knew what the expectations were and had a plan for success. But it was after graduation, as Alesh embarked on her full-time professional journey throughout New England, that she began longing for mentorship.
Staying true to her self-proclaimed solution-oriented mindset, Alesh got creative and turned to her peers, dental and entrepreneurial podcasts, and even Facebook groups for career guidance.
A notable source of insight was the Facebook group titled Sistahs in Dentistry, where Alesh said she was inspired by seeing other Black women pursuing dental careers and opening their own practices.
“It let me see that this is something that’s possible,” Alesh said.
Alesh said she also drew inspiration from a variety of podcasts, including an episode that featured the creator of Chobani yogurt, who she related to because he faced challenges when launching the well-known yogurt brand.
“I learned about the power of the mind he had and the importance of believing in your own vision,” Alesh said.
After years of work, Alesh’s vision came to fruition in March of this year when she began accepting new patients at her private practice, Marigold Dental Studio in Pawtucket.
At the heart of Alesh’s practice is her desire to improve health outcomes for underserved populations, she said. This includes patients who may be a part of low-income communities and those who lack access to care and culturally competent services.
An important part of providing culturally competent care is being able to understand what’s important to different patient populations and allowing them to feel as though they have a comfortable place to receive the care they need, Alesh said.
Along with helping her patients, Alesh has practiced as a general dentist at a community health center. Her passion for the industry has led her to help mentor aspiring dentists from underrepresented communities and she has served as an adjunct faculty member of the Community College of Rhode Island Dental Health Program, as well as being a member of the Rhode Island Dental Association.
As if Alesh isn’t busy enough with her dentistry endeavors, she also runs two other businesses.
Alesh noted that along with practicing dentistry, she enjoys organizing and planning celebrations. So, in 2015, which was her final year of dental school, Alesh launched her first business, Primary Weddings and Events. Through this business, Alesh said she aims to help those from underserved communities plan their celebrations and helps clients manage vendors and assistance throughout the planning process for weddings and corporate events.
Then in 2020, Alesh launched her second business, Eliqa Headwear, which provides a line of headwear solutions for health care professionals. Alesh noted that the cotton fabric of standard medical caps can cause damage to some hair types. So, she took matters into her own hands and designed a line of satin-lined caps and other headwear solutions for those who want to protect their hair and pursue careers in health care.
Overall, while she may seem busy, Alesh said she hopes to continue providing care for patients and serving communities.
1. Do you believe racism is keeping minorities from starting businesses in the Ocean State or succeeding when they do? I think the structural and institutional racism that exists in America makes it hard for anyone who’s not part of the historically advantaged group to succeed on a fundamental level. The disadvantages caused by institutional racism show up in all facets of life, including education, housing and health care. All these things compound throughout your entire life and increase the hurdles members of disadvantaged groups face on their path to a similar destination as someone with less disadvantages. So, starting a business is hard work for anyone, but if you’ve faced more disadvantages in your lifetime and in your family’s lifetime, it is that much harder for you.
2. How dependent is your business on the support of other minority groups? Is that a sustainable business model? I don’t think it’s very dependent on the support of other minority groups; my patient base is very diverse. I’m in the middle of Pawtucket and Providence and see patients from those surrounding neighborhoods.
3. What one thing could Rhode Island do to boost the odds for minority-owned business success? More financial support, like working capital and more information about when you get a loan, how to manage the money. Lastly, resources on all the different tax filings and employer fees that are due in R.I. My No. 1 suggestion is money, though, because I think money makes more sense than any other workshop you can do because when you have capital, you can withstand the ups and downs of owning a business.
4. Have you had to turn somewhere other than a bank for a loan? Do you believe the state’s lending institutions generally treat minorities fairly? I think it’s different for dentists because as a class, it was not hard to get approved for a startup loan. Whereas I have two other businesses and I think if I went to get a loan for those, that probably wouldn’t happen. So, I think the educational background of having a doctorate and being a dentist kind of insulates me from the racism that would probably happen if I was just looking for a loan. I think that is true for other types of business ideas, but not really in dentistry.
5. If another minority entrepreneur asked you where they could turn to for support for their business, where would you direct them? Rhode Island [Small] Business Hub, and then the Rhode Island Black Business Association.