Today we’d like to introduce you to Toniette Carter.
Hi Toniette, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been a dental assistant now for 20 years currently. I moved to ATL in 2003 from Columbia SC to start over. I went to Medex Dental Assisting which now is called Fortis College. Graduated in 2004. I lived in ATL for 17 years. I wanted to come back to my hometown of Columbia SC for a new start but wasn’t sure about the dental offices here. So my best Tamika Courtney had just started her esthetic business 1 to 2 years prior of 2019. So she said Toni when you come back to Columbia you should start your own teeth whitening business. She said you have all the credentials I think you should do it! I was skeptical at first because I was currently working for a dental practice in ATL already. I didn’t know the in and out of starting a business. Tamika helped me through the whole process. We talked about having a space where we could offer different services to clients all in one space. So May 2019 I got the ball rolling. Came up with a name for my business. June 2019 I moved back to Columbia SC.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In the beginning business was very slow. No one was really interested in getting teeth whitening services at the time. So I had to get a part time job just to substain money until I was able to build my business. I worked at Sam’s Club never worked retail ever. It was a tough battle. So I pulled back from my business for a few months until after Covid. Then once again Tamika said to me Toni you should add the tooth gems to your services. It was a no brainer because with me being in the dental field it was easy for me to know how to properly put them on and place them. Once everything opened back up I came in full force offering teeth whitening and tooth gems. Had a few clients come then the word started to spread.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in teeth whitening and tooth gems. I offer yoni steam and ionic foot detoxes as well. I’m known more for the teeth whitening and tooth gems. I’m most proud of I stepped out on faith and started my business all on my own no handouts. Started at the bottom and I’m so proud I never gave up on myself. It was plenty of times I wanted to quit, but I didn’t. I traveled back and forth working at my old dental practice in Atlanta in November 2023 until February 2024 to help them out and because business was slow and I was so exhausted from the back and forth driving. So I returned in February to March 2024 was working at a practice in west Columbia and I asked myself what was I doing? So God knew my heart they ended up not needing my services anymore at the dental practice here so I went back full time with my business. Stood on faith by any means.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Being a business owner is not for the weak as they say. You have to believe in yourself and have faith and just do it. Even in the slow months. Continue to build your brand and keep on pushing. Never give up! This year in May I have been in business for 7 years. Never would have thought I could do it. With the support of my friends pushing me to keep going I love them for that!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Uniquesmilesbytoni.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: Unique Smiles by Toni
- Facebook: Unique Smiles by Toni
