Cardi B's Dentist Dr. Catrise Austin Built An Empire Transforming Celebrity Smiles
Ever since Cardi B told the world on her infamous song "Bodak Yellow" that she "got a bag and fixed her teeth," Dr. Catrise Austin, the dentist behind her smile transformation, has seen her business quadruple. However, Dr. Austin's business was already booming. Long before the millennial superstar shouted her out on her breakout record -- and before social media made "getting your teeth done" something you posted and vlogged about -- Dr. Austin's had been putting in work building a name for herself in the cosmetic dentistry industry.
Celebrities like Anthony Anderson, Common, Eva Marcille, Omarosa, Wendy Williams, Busta Rhymes, DJ Khaled, and ASAP Rocky have all graced Dr. Austin's chair and let her hands do what they best: craft beautiful smiles. As a cosmetic dentist, she specializes in providing smile makeovers, which include services such as porcelain veneers, composite veneers, bonding, or "anything that makes your smiles whiter and straighter without braces or major surgery," she says.
Dr. Austin chatted with xoNecole about how she got into cosmetic dentistry, the ups and downs of her career, her plans for expanding her entrepreneurial empire, the power of Black women in dentistry and more. One 2017 study noted that "the underrepresentation for Black dentists is extraordinary." Seeing a Black woman dominate in an underrepresented industry is inspiring. While many of us may not be not fans of visiting the dentist, understanding Dr. Austin's journey to where she is today will give you a newfound appreciation for the power of the hustle and finding your niche.
When you follow your purpose and are willing to invest in and nurture it, you cannot fail.
Dr. Austin wasn't always the dynamic go-getter that she is today. As an adolescent, she grew up with gapped, flared teeth and was never confident about her smile. At the age of 15, her mother surprised her with braces. A year later, she had straight teeth and immediately, she remembers, her "self-esteem, popularity, and confidence increased." By 16, she already had her dreams set on being a dentist so that she could give everyone the [boost] of confidence she experienced.
"A smile is like your business card," says Dr Austin. "It's the first thing people notice about you. If you're not confident about your smile, you don't smile, or you cover it up. It affects your total being."
While attending the University of Maryland School of Dentistry as a minority woman who hadn't majored in the sciences during undergrad, she struggled. There were times that Dr. Austin wanted to quit but with the support of students and administrators who looked like her, she was able to finish her requirements early, took special courses and specialized in oral surgery. That support was key, especially when her non-POC peers often insinuated that she was less than or less able to achieve. "I had to do the work -- sometimes harder than others."
Dr. Austin's catalyst moment came after graduating from dental school and moving to NYC. She found herself immersed in the late 90s Black New York City nightlife.Though she had no office or clients at the time, it was almost as if the universe was guiding her to something greater: her niche. Dr. Austin thought, "These are my friends. This is my network. Celebrities need to have beautiful smiles." She continues, "I put 'Dr. Catrise Austin - Dentist to the Stars' on a business card."
Sometimes you have to envision the dream before you actually live the dream.
Courtesy of Dr. Catrise Austin
Little did she know that act of manifestation was probably the most important thing she ever did.
A chance encounter with Isaac Hayes at Diddy's restaurant Justin's followed. He was so impressed by her tenacity and became her first celebrity client. Isaac ended up welcoming Dr. Austin into his entourage and ushered her into the world of celebrity.
Next, came putting her all into building her brand. "I was everywhere entertainers were -- awards shows, music conferences, nightclubs -- anywhere I could meet my target market." It was tough, but Dr. Austin was determined. "We didn't have social media, so I had to do a lot of street marketing, flyers, business cards, and [word of mouth] networking."
But like any newbie entrepreneur, Dr. Austin still had to deal with the practical challenges of building a business. If she was going to be a "dentist to the stars," Dr. Austin was going to have to do everything to highlight her own starpower and differentiate her brand from her competitors. She hired a publicist early on who helped establish her expertise and increased her visibility in the right media outlets. She also made sure that she was investing in resources that would help her overall bottomline. "I didn't know anything about business...I hired [dental consultants] that came to my office and trained me and my staff on budget, industry standards on overhead, and systems."
By working with the local Small Business Administration, a resource she highly recommends, Dr. Austin received help on creating a long-term business plan. She also recommends that every serious entrepreneur invest in key advisors such as an accountant, bookkeeper, and lawyer. Dr. Austin's constant studying of her competitors uncovered a new market opportunity. "I looked at my top competitors and saw all the top dentists have a sexy location in Manhattan or Beverly HIlls, books, and products."
Tired of promoting other dental products, VIP Smiles, Dr. Austinâs line of dental health and whitening products was born.
She happily says, "I'm excited to see the brand expand because I can offer the same thing that I offer in my office like teeth whitening, but for a lower price point for under $60...and because I'm a dentist, I'm offering products that are safe and really work."
Dr. Austin is so passionate about what she does, she deems it important to educate those who aren't her customers. With the rise of medical tourism and people opting to travel overseas for cosmetic dentistry, she urges consumers to do their research. "One size doesn't fit all," she warns.
It's important to review a cosmetic dentist's credentialing, experience, past work, and warranty. Most importantly, make sure your dentist is also checking the health of your teeth and gums first. It's protocol in Dr. Austin's office for all patients to have a consultation prior to having any services rendered. While your initial investment may be cheaper, you may end up paying more later to fix the damages of poor dental work.
Understanding the product your chosen dentist is using is also crucial. High quality porcelain veneers can cost between $1500-$3000 per tooth. "Many times, overseas dentists are installing composite veneers," Dr. Austin explains. "The material is plastic and that's why they can hand sculpt and do it in one visit. You are getting a cheaper product."
It's also necessary to understand that there are risks. Cosmetic dentistry is irreversible, but still safe. She cautions, "You have to be super sure that you are okay with altering the natural structure or health of your teeth."
By the end of our conversation, I realize that Dr. Austin genuinely loves what she does.
âDr. Austin understands she's helping to change dental culture as well.
Dr. Catrise/Instagram
"A lot of people are afraid of the dentist. In our culture, you [probably] didn't grow up going to private dental practices. You may have gone to clinics, where the solution was to pull your teeth. Or, the care was not great. A lot of people don't feel comfortable. What people have told me is that [the reason] they chose me is because I'm a woman and I tend to be more sympathetic and empathetic and have a better bedside manner."
The fact that she was a Black female was also one of the reasons Cardi B chose Dr. Austin for her 2016 smile makeover. Dr Austin recalls, "Cardi told me a lot of people were trying to get her to go to the Dominican Republic or other dentists, but she wanted to support a Black female."
The feeling is mutual, too. Dr. Austin dotes, "Cardi B has been a blessing in my life and I have to thank her." Three years later, she still gets referrals because of Cardi. "Cardi B has inspired the world that if you're not happy about your smile to do something about it. If they can't afford me, they are seeking out people they can afford. At least they know, it's a possibility."
Dr. Austin's pride about her work makes me imagine what it must have been like to be in the room when she first saw her new smile at the age of 15. There is no doubt that is her life's purpose. She is walking in alignment.
Dr. Austin recently opened her second dental office in her hometown of Flint, Michigan. She's also working on spreading the reach of her VIP Smiles product line and producing live events and webinars that can help educate future consumers about the power of clean smiles and cosmetic dentistry.
"I want people to remember me for being one of the most honest, genuine, and relatable dentists that was in the business not just for money but to really help change people's lives. I want to go down as someone who really made a difference in the world."
One smile at a time, of course.
To learn more about Dr. Catrise Austin and her work,follow her on Instagram @drcatriseaustin or visit www.vipsmiles.com.
Featured image courtesy of Dr. Catrise Austin
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Rana Campbell is a Princeton University graduate, storyteller, content marketing strategist, and the founder and host of Dreams In Drive - a weekly podcast that teaches you how to take your dreams from PARK to DRIVE. She loves teaching others how to use their life stories to inspire action within oneself and others. Connect with her on Instagram @rainshineluv or @dreamsindrive.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. Thatâs why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who arenât afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, theyâre ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LISTÂ HERE.
Donât forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Do You Want To Be A Wife? Or Do You Just Want To Have A Wedding?
Even though itâs my life, sometimes I look at it and totally trip out over certain things.
For instance, even though I am aware that both Hebrew and African cultures put a lot of stock in the name of a child (because they believe it speaks to their purpose; so do I) and I know that my name is pretty much Hebrew for divine covenant, itâs still wild that in a couple of years, I will have been working with married couples for a whopping two decades â and boy, is it an honor when they will say something like, âShellie, weâve seen [professionally] multiple people and no one has been nearly as effective as you have been.â
Yep, me. Little oleâ never-been-married-before me. Yeah, yâall better quit letting people tell you what youâre called to do in this world. That is between you and the One who made you.
Okay, but let me stay on track. When it comes to the engaged couples specifically, who have crossed my path, something that I believe Iâve said to each and every one of them (especially the bride-to-be) is â âYou better enjoy every single minute of your wedding day because you deserve a big âole party for all of the work that youâre about to do.â And then I look at the woman as intensely as I can and say, âAnd you? Remember, you are a bride for a day. You are a wife for the rest of your life.â
Why do I emphasize that point so much? Itâs because those two things are not one and the same. Hmph. Let me tell it, a huge reason why 70 percent of divorces are initiated by women, however, is because a lot of them think that it is. And so, in the effort to do my part to help make marriages last longer and cause the divorce rate to go down, I think itâs important for more women to ponder if they really want to be a wife â or if they just want to throw a big party (a wedding), go on a trip (a honeymoon) and not much more than that.
Buckle in. This one might be a bit of a ride (for some, at least).
Itâs Time to Stop âLiving for the Fairy Taleâ
GiphyIf youâve been reading my content for a while (and if so, thank you), it will not shock you in the least that Iâve spent many years studying the origins of things as they directly relate to marriage. I know that the engagement ring is not about love but about a jewelry company that was about to go bust. So, they came up with the slogan âA diamond is foreverâ and then made some serious bank from it (you can read about that here).
I know that white wedding dresses have nothing to do with purity and virtue; in fact, women in the Bible often wore lots of bright colors during their more-than-one-day wedding celebrations. Actually, white comes from Queen Victoria making it famous back in the 1840s. I also know that a lot of people were pretty obsessed with evil spirits back in the day because things like wearing a wedding veil and bridesmaids wearing the same dresses were all about hiding from said spirits. Another pretty popular wedding day tradition? Well, Iâll just let you read Insiderâs âHere's the horrifying truth about why grooms carry brides across the threshold,â if youâre interested.
And as far as marriage goes, donât even get me started on the whole âIâm living for the fairy taleâ narrative that gets pushed incessantly. Iâve said in other articles before that "fairy tale" literally means âa story, usually for children, about elves, hobgoblins, dragons, fairies, or other magical creaturesâ and âan incredible or misleading statement, account, or belief.â Who wants to live for childish stories that are incredibly misleading? And the ones that have a character like Prince Charming in it? The Bible literally says that âcharm is deceitfulâ (Proverbs 31:30).
Know what else the Bible says? It states that death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). So, whatâs up with all of this wedding/marriage rhetoric thatâs so popular and also, so⌠âsillyâ is the first word that comes to mind, âunrealisticâ is the second and âunnecessaryâ is the third?
Why are there so many expectations, especially when it comes to the wedding day, that push folks to the point where a whopping 49 percent of couples end up going into debt right after jumping the broom â all because they wanted to live for the fairy tale and throw a big party that they basically couldnât afford? SMDH.
It really is wild, just how much human nature tends to do things without even really knowing WHY it does it â even when it comes to marriage. And so, if you are someone who desires this type of union, be honest with yourself: what is your âwhyâ?
When it comes to becoming a wife someday, WHY do you want to do that?
A man needing to spend three times his salary on an engagement ring, WHY?
When it comes to having a big traditional wedding, WHY is it necessary?
Marriage is a goal for you (and donât get me wrong, marriage is a beautiful thing) â WHY is that the case?
When it comes to being married, WHY do you think it will better serve you than your single state?
Motivational speaker Eric Thomas once said, âWhen you find your âwhyâ, you will find a way to make it happen.â And when it comes to something as big (and supposed to be lifetime lasting) as marriage, perhaps a big part of the reason WHY so many of them do not go the distance is because there arenât enough âwhyâ questions, on the front end, that are asked (which is why you should partake in premarital counseling before your wedding day). Oh, but there should be.
Because saying âwhyâ you want a huge wedding is nothing more than âbecause I want toâ or âwhyâ you chose the man that you did is simply âI love himâ â Iâve been doing this couples work thing long enough to assure you that those answers simply arenât good enough. You need to know what it means to be a wife and why a marriage and a wedding are not the same thingâŚnot by the longest country mile that you can imagine.
What It Means to Be a Wife
GiphyIf youâve been reading my content for a while now, you know that Iâm good for throwing some Scripture in; itâs a part of my foundation and I make no apologies for it. And so, when it comes to what it means to be a wife, the first word thatâs used to define it in the Bible is âhelpmateâ (Genesis 2:18). A helpmate is a companion, a helper and someone who assists another individual â in this case, a husband.
While weâre here, a helper is not helping unless the help is actually needed and itâs good. Lawd, I canât tell you how many wife clients Iâve had who have totally missed that part. So, what does âgood helpâ look like?
- A good helper ASKS the person they are assisting what they need.
- A good helper does not try to control another person or make them do what they want.
- A good helper gets that needs can shift based on what is transpiring at any given time.
- A good helper makes things easier and less stressful.
- A good helper learns how to master good listening, effective communication, and wise timing.
And yes, in many ways, this is what it means to be a good wife. So, if you are someone who desires marriage, when it comes to what is required to be not just a wife but a GOOD WIFE, how much have you factored helping your man into the dynamic?
Not mothering him. Not bossing him around. Not trying to manipulate him into being a version of a husband that you would prefer. No, how much thought have you put into âAm I equipped to help another person be their best self? Am I ready to be supportive, encouraging, and nurturing? Was it even modeled to me, while growing up, to know what a proper helpmate looks like? Have I realized how much sacrifice goes into that type of role? Am I even selfless enough to be a consistent helper?â
I know this is probably gonna ruffle some feathers yet, you know something that Iâm not big on? Women saying that their man should give them the âprincess treatment.â Every time I hear that, the first thought that comes to my mind is âFathers make their daughters princesses while men make their wives a queenâ â and little girls are treated differently than grown women. And to that, Proverbs 12:4(NKJV) says, âAn excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.â
My point? There is a MATURITY that is to come from going from princess to queen. A queen does have more privileges, yet, at the same time, she also has way more responsibility. Itâs not about sitting around and being catered to all day long. Queens have work to do â and itâs not always comfortable or pretty. Same thing goes for being a wife.
Yâall, I could go on and on (and on and on and on) about what it means to be a wife in a marriage. For now, Iâll just end this part of the article with, âIf youâre not ready to help, each and every day of your relationship, youâre not ready to be a wife.â Plain and simple.
Weddings Are Not Marriages (and Vice Versa)
GiphySo, why do so many people jump brooms (Iâm writing this with Black folks in mind first; jumping brooms is for us only), only to turn around and get divorced a few years later? Oh, I could go on and on as well about how a lot of people donât have much integrity when it comes to the promises that they make. Listen singles, when youâre dating someone, pay very close attention to whether the person youâre seeing keeps their word â and if you do the same.
It makes absolutely no sense to keep letting someone slide when it comes to reneging now, only to act shocked when they do the same thing after saying âI do.â And while weâre here, being a man or woman of your word is a character issue. Maybe folks are not strong in character when it comes to this.
Yet another reason why folks will get all dolled up, stand before God, family, and friends, look someone straight in the eye, and promise to never leave, only to do just that, is because many people honestly donât see past their wedding (and maybe their newlywed years). That is why you will hear so many people describe their perfect wedding day, down to the last detail, and yet, if you ask what their five-year plan for their marriage is, they have absolutely not one clue.
I mean, I get it â to a certain extent. A wedding is a big party where you get to dress to the nines, have people come to celebrate you and you get to have everything go your way â down to the font on the programs and reception napkins. Oh, but what a âtrickâ that can be if you think that your marriage is going to move like that, all of the time, moving forward. I liken it to The Bachelor franchise. Who wouldnât feel like they are falling for someone when theyâre able to live in a mansion with no bills, have fantasy dates that cost thousands of dollars, and a big oleâ rock that a famed jeweler donates?
Meanwhile, folks should watchUnREAL (the television series from several years back where some former producers of the franchise talk about what really happens behind the scenes) to get a reality check. To a certain extent, the same thing goes for marriage: while weddings produce this belief that marriage will be one big party where everyone focuses on you and everything goes your way, that isnât even close to being the reality of being married.
Honestly, the real deal is 1) if you donât want to learn how to love on a supernatural level; 2) if you donât want your strengths to be refined and your weaknesses to be challenged; 3) if you donât want to be held accountable in ways that you would never be if you remained single; 4) if you donât want to compromise on a daily basis and, 5) if you donât want to be challenged to become a truly selfless individual â marriage isnât for you.
Youâd be far better off just throwing a big ass party for yourself, just because (and no, I donât mean marry yourself; you are already âoneâ with you; no need for that), and call it a day. Spare yourself and another person the heartache of divorce becauseâŚdivorce is A LOT to go through.
Lawd, I can only imagine how much drama could be spared if folks simply took into their spirit that weddings ARE NOT marriages and marriages ARE NOT weddings. Weddings are a party to celebrate your union â yet your union? That requires daily energy, effort, and time. Itâs not a party. Itâs a relationship. BIG DIFFERENCE.
Please Donât Get Married Until Youâre Sure That You WantâŚBOTH
GiphyAnd this is why, whenever someone tells me that they are going to get married, I donât immediately respond with, âCongrats! Thatâs awesome.â NOPE. The very first thing that comes out of my mouth is something along the lines of, âFor real. Why?â WHY? Because, it never fails that, about 7.5 times outta 10, folks will be caught off guard and say, âWhat do you mean âwhyâ?â and then follow that up with, âBecause Iâm in loveâ orâŚthey donât really know what to say at all.
Is being in love a good answer? I mean, it explains why you picked the person that you did; it doesnât really explain why you are choosing to commit to them for the rest of your life, on a marital level, though. Are you getting married because you know that the two of you will make each other better people? Are you getting married because you want to raise your children in a two-parent dynamic? Are you getting married for biblical reasons like wanting to love like Christ loves his bride (the Church and the Church sent him through A LOT â Ephesians 5)?
Are you getting married because you think youâve gone as far as you can in your evolution as an individual without the assistance of another? Are you getting married because you want to serve another person as they do the same for you (perhaps not in the same ways because youâre both different people)?
Is that asking the most? Chile, thatâs not asking enough. I donât care how much people mock marriage in the media by changing partners like they change cars or homes. I donât care how much divorce has been normalized. I donât care how much folks like to act like a husband is a 2.0 boyfriend (itâs not) and having a wife is a 2.0 girlfriend (itâs not) â marriage is special, sacred, and needs to be honored as such. A wedding should be seen as a happy occasion where two people publicly acknowledge what I just saidâŚnot simply a time to get a lot of attention and presents only to come home and go from heaven to hell in six months.
And honestly, thatâs a bit part of the reason why I do what I do: itâs because I actually think the covenant of marriage is SO MAGNIFICENT that I want to make sure that people know, as much as possible, what they are signing up for â not an endless wedding; a very real relationship that will challenge them and mature them like nothing else ever will in this lifetime.
____
This was a lot. I already know. Still, it beats spending thousands of dollars on a wedding to stand before a chaplain only to spend thousands of more dollars several years later on a divorce lawyer and therapy while standing before a judge.
Weddings are awesome; youâll get no argument from me there. Still, I think if I was to narrow all of this down into one statement, it would simply be this: âWhen it comes to marriage, if the thought of being a wife doesnât excite you more than being a bride â wait. Youâre not ready yet.â
Thank me later, sis. YOU WILL.
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Featured image by CoffeeAndMilk/Getty Images