Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsi Lewis.
Hi Kelsi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m one of those people who actually knew what I wanted to be from a very young age. I decided I wanted to be a dentist when I was six years old, and somehow that dream never changed. Looking back, it’s pretty special to realize that the life I’m living now started as something I imagined for myself as a little girl.
Another huge part of my life growing up was volleyball. I played throughout middle school, high school, and college, and I think being an athlete shaped so much of who I am today. It taught me discipline, competitiveness, resilience, and how important it is to have a great team around you—all things that have carried over into dentistry and, especially, owning a business.
After dental school, I spent time gaining experience and figuring out what kind of dentist I wanted to be and, eventually, what kind of practice I wanted to create. I knew that if I ever opened my own office, I wanted it to feel different. I wanted to take away some of the anxiety and clinical feeling people associate with going to the dentist and create a space that was beautiful, comfortable, welcoming, and genuinely enjoyable to be in.
That vision eventually became Glow Dental Co. in Austin.
Owning a dental practice has pushed me in ways I never expected. You quickly realize that being a great dentist is only one small part of running a successful practice. I’ve had to learn how to be a business owner, leader, marketer, problem-solver, and sometimes even a therapist—all while continuing to grow clinically. Over the years, I’ve also been able to focus more on the parts of dentistry I really love, particularly cosmetic dentistry and transforming someone’s confidence through their smile.
One of the things I’m most proud of, though, is the team and culture we’ve created at Glow. I learned through sports that you can have talented individuals, but you don’t accomplish much without a strong team. I try to bring that same mentality into my practice.
I’m also a mom, and balancing motherhood with owning and growing a business has probably taught me more about myself than anything else. There are days when I feel like I’m switching between being a mom, dentist, boss, and business owner every five minutes, but I also love that my daughter gets to grow up watching me pursue something I dreamed about when I wasn’t much older than she is now.
When I think about that six-year-old girl who decided she was going to become a dentist someday, I think she would be pretty proud of where we are today. And at the same time, I still feel like there is so much more I want to build.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not—and I think that’s probably true for most business owners! Dental school teaches you how to be a dentist, but it doesn’t necessarily teach you how to run a business, manage a team, understand marketing, navigate finances, or make the hundreds of decisions that come with owning a practice. A lot of that I had to learn along the way.
There have been seasons of incredible growth and seasons that were much harder. I’ve had to navigate staffing challenges, changing teams, slow months, difficult business decisions, and the pressure that comes with knowing that so many people depend on the decisions I make. As an owner, you’re constantly learning that what worked for your business a few years ago may not be what it needs today.
One of my biggest lessons has been learning to trust myself, but even more importantly, to trust God. I’m naturally very driven and competitive, so my instinct is usually to push harder, fix the problem, and keep moving. My faith has taught me that I don’t always have to have everything figured out or be in control of every outcome. Some of the hardest seasons have required me to take a step forward in faith, trust that God has a plan even when I can’t see it yet, and believe that sometimes a closed door is simply redirecting me toward something better.
And, of course, there’s the balance of being a business owner and a mom. I want to be fully present for my daughter while also continuing to pursue the goals I have for myself and my practice. I don’t think there is a perfect balance—I think you learn to give yourself grace and prioritize what matters most in each season.
The road definitely hasn’t been perfectly smooth, but I wouldn’t change it. The difficult seasons have strengthened my faith and made me a better leader, dentist, mom, and more resilient person. Looking back, I can see how even some of the challenges I didn’t understand at the time helped lead me to where I am today. I’m incredibly grateful for what I’ve built, and I try to remember that while I can work hard and make plans, ultimately I have to trust God with where those plans lead.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Glow Dental Co., we offer comprehensive dentistry, but the part of my work I’m most passionate about is cosmetic dentistry—especially smile makeovers. I love being able to combine the science of dentistry with the artistic side of creating a smile that can completely change the way someone feels about themselves.
Smile makeovers can involve porcelain veneers, Invisalign, whitening, bonding, or a combination of treatments depending on the patient. What I love most is that no two cases are exactly the same. I’m not trying to give every patient the same “perfect” smile. I want their smile to complement their face, their personality, and who they are. The best result, in my opinion, is one that makes people notice how great you look without immediately knowing what you had done.
I’m very detail-oriented, which is probably both a blessing and a curse in everyday life, but it serves me incredibly well in cosmetic dentistry! I pay attention to the little things—the shape and proportions of the teeth, how they frame the face, the way the smile moves, and even the small imperfections that can make a smile look more natural. Cosmetic dentistry really is a blend of science and art, and that creative aspect is something I’ve fallen more in love with throughout my career.
What I’m most proud of isn’t necessarily the before-and-after photo, though. It’s seeing the change in the person. I’ve had patients who have spent years covering their mouth when they laugh or avoiding smiling in pictures. Seeing someone look at their new smile for the first time and immediately light up is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do. There is something really special about knowing that the work you’ve done can give someone a confidence they may not have felt in years.
I also think the experience we’ve created at Glow Dental Co. sets us apart. Dentistry—especially cosmetic dentistry—is incredibly personal, and I never want patients to feel like they’re just another case. I want to understand what they love, what they don’t love, and what they envision for themselves. From the environment of the office to our team and the way we communicate, we’ve intentionally created something that feels warm, modern, and personal rather than clinical or intimidating.
Ultimately, I want to be known for creating beautiful, natural-looking smiles and giving people an experience where they feel heard and cared for. Helping someone feel confident enough to smile without thinking twice about it is probably my favorite part of being a dentist.
How do you define success?
My definition of success has definitely evolved over the years. I’m naturally very driven and goal-oriented, so there was probably a time when I measured success by accomplishments—graduating dental school, owning my own practice, growing the business, or reaching the next goal I had set for myself.
Today, success means something much bigger to me. It’s having a career that I genuinely love while still being the mom I want to be. It’s building a business that I’m proud of, creating a place where my team enjoys coming to work, and being able to positively impact the people who trust me with their smiles.
Most importantly, success is being able to look at my life and feel grateful for what God has given me while continuing to grow into the person He has called me to be. I want my daughter to grow up seeing that you can be ambitious and work hard for big dreams, while still keeping your faith, family, and values at the center of your life.
Of course, I still have goals—and probably always will—but I’ve learned that success isn’t just reaching the next milestone. It’s being proud of the life you’re building along the way and making sure you’re actually present enough to enjoy it.
Pricing:
- Free Smile Makeover Consultations
- Free All on X Consultations
- Membership plans available ($460/ yr or 2 payments of $240) for patients without insurance
- Free Invisalign Consultations
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.glowdentalco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelsilewisdds
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glowdentalco
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GlowDentalCo/shorts
