Client Dr. Brett DeCoursey
Business North Shore Family Dental Care
Website northshorefamilydentalcare.com
Dr. Brett DeCoursey opened his North Little Rock dental practice, North Shore Family Dental Care, Dec. 19.
The first-time business owner worked closely with the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center – but from afar. While in Hawaii for a dental residency program last year, DeCoursey maintained a long-distance relationship with the center based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
ASBTDC Business Consultant Jarrod Norwood communicated by phone, email, and mail with DeCoursey across thousands of miles and four time zones. The center provided market research and helped DeCoursey complete his business plan and obtain financing, all at no charge, and continues to consult with him about marketing and business management.
DeCoursey called the center’s assistance “invaluable.”
“Jarrod was quite helpful navigating the waters that were unfamiliar to me,” he said. “Without the program, I am not sure I could have stayed the course and gotten the project done.”
DeCoursey completed dental school in 2014.
“As a dental student, they tell you it is not wise to jump right out and start a dental practice from scratch,” he said. “I have experienced some of the difficulties described to me as to why it was not a great idea. However, knowing that my livelihood and my family’s well-being is completely reliant upon me and not someone else signing the checks is comforting because I know that I will do whatever it takes to provide for my family.
“I can work as many hours as I need to, I can work when I want to and I can negotiate with people to find a treatment plan that works for them personally.”
In addition to ASBTDC’s assistance, DeCoursey also has gotten advice from his mentor, Dr. Mike Zweifler.
“He ran a successful practice in downtown Little Rock for nearly 20 years and (has) provided a wealth of knowledge regarding the start-up and future growth of the business,” DeCoursey said.
Located on the edge of North Shore Business Park near the I-430 and I-40 interchange, North Shore Family Dental Care offers general, cosmetic, and restorative dental services.