Dr. Sahra Kanji My path to dentistry and entrepreneurship started at an early age. After my family immigrated to Canada in the 70s, my dad, a practicing pharmacist, took the bold step of purchasing a neighbourhood pharmacy with the hope of building a better life for his family. At the time I didn’t appreciate what he had sacrificed and the risks he had taken, giving up time with his family with no safety net to fall back on. As a teenager, I worked alongside him at the counter, witnessing his dedication to building connections with patients and serving the community. He still owns the pharmacy after more than 30 years and still works there at age 72. Coupled with that, I was fortunate to grow up in the Ismaili Muslim community, which has a strong entrepreneurial spirit and one that instilled the desire to strive for higher education, meritocracy and giving back. The foundation laid by both my family and community made taking risks and starting businesses less daunting for me. I’ve always had a keen interest in science, especially biology. As I considered various career paths in my teenage years, dermatology and dentistry piqued my interest. I was drawn to disciplines that combined science and art. I completed a life sciences degree at Queen’s University and eventually chose dentistry and pursued my DDS degree at the University of Toronto. After finishing my studies, I returned to Calgary and worked as an associate at two different practices. Although I enjoyed the flexibility and experience that these roles provided, I always knew that I wanted to do more. I’m fortunate to share a strong partnership with my husband. We’ve been together since we were 16, and he’s truly my partner in everything. At 29, we purchased our first practice together. That same year, we started another clinic from the ground up, working in partnership with another female entrepreneur. Many people say that acquiring or starting a new practice is like having a baby, and it is! Those early years were not without their fair share of challenges, but thankfully, through partnership and perseverance, we pushed through. Today, we have two amazing boys and oversee six clinics. In many ways, my early career aspirations came full circle. I perform a variety of cosmetic dental procedures, including neuromodulator injections and dermal fillers, all while connecting with patients and serving my community. I feel like as women, we tend to feel a sense of guilt when we prioritize ourselves but I’ve realized that making time for yourself, taking those self care days, staying active, making time to hang out with friends, volunteering within the community, going after your career aspirations and being there for your family is all possible as long as you surround yourself with the right support system, both at home and work. The expression is, “It takes a village,” right? I want my boys to grow up seeing me as a successful business person as well as a rockstar mom, and, for those aspiring woman professionals out there, I want you to know it’s possible to do it all! By taking care of myself, I’m better equipped to care for my family, team, and patients. My parents and my husband’s father live close by, and we often seek their help. We have a part-time nanny who helps keep our lives in order. We have a strong network of friends with young families like ours who are there for each other. We have amazing business partners that help lighten the load. Stories of Leadership: Women in Dentistry The culture is changing around gender roles and howwemanage home life and parenting, which is making it possible for women to take on greater responsibilities in their careers and leadership. 32 | 2024 | Issue 3
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