MEET THE BUSINESS
February 2020
Dr. Leedia Riman – Founder
Dr. Leedia Riman is a General Dentist at R Dental Group in Beverly Hills, California and Founder of Koracare.
She practices all aspects of dentistry and focuses on cosmetic dentistry, invisalign, implants, and geriatric care. In addition to her work at R Dental, Leedia maintains a part-time lecturer position at UCLA School of Dentistry and also recently started a maternal oral care brand, Koracare.
Below are a few questions to help facilitate this interactive connection. At the end of the page you will have an opportunity to post your own questions for Dr. Riman.
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Tell us about your business
I have been a dentist for more than 10 years and have had my own practice for about 5 years. I love my career and did not anticipate starting another business. However, the universe had other plans for me. I started Koracare after the birth of my first daughter, Julia. I had a super rough pregnancy – throwing up 7-14 times a day for 8 months, a severe dental infection (yes, even dentists get infections), and after giving birth, I suffered for about a year with postpartum depression and anxiety. For those who know me, my nickname has been “happy go lucky” – so it was a shock for me and people around me to see the impact my pregnancy had on me.
I decided it was time to talk because I realized that the physical and mental changes a woman goes through during and after her pregnancy were not talked about. Since I was a dentist, I decided to start by first focusing on pregnancy and oral health. I surveyed thousands of women – over 65% of them had dental implications during and soon after their pregnancies. They’re mostly preventable, and what wasn’t could definitely be tamed with proper care and education. During my work as a dentist, I quickly learned that people’s fears of the dentist are due to severe dental work that has to be done because people left a completely preventable dental issue turn into a dreaded trip to the dentist.
After speaking with so many women, I decided to create this lifestyle brand for pregnant women, to educate them about prenatal dental health and infant dental health. I wrote an ebook, interviewed specialists and really channeled my own experience and hardship into something I am so passionate about that can help every single woman.
During pregnancy, medical doctors don’t fully focus on dental health despite it being an important part of a healthy pregnancy. Dental disease has been linked to premature labor and lower birth weights. Dental disease is not as “genetic” as people say – it’s familial. If you have “weak teeth” – look at your mom’s teeth and your dad’s teeth. They inoculate your mouth with the good and the bad with every kiss, and every spoon/fork they share with you. It was very important for me to share my expertise and own pregnancy experience with other women and so, Koracare was born.
After focusing my energy on creating the ebook, life threw me another curveball. Julia got sick and was in the ICU for 8 days. During that time, I saw my own daughter in pain in the hospital and other sick kids. It hurt my heart so badly that I wanted to create something for them that would contribute positively to their health. Again, I used my expertise as a dentist to guide me to my next project. And that is how I created “Little Jules” (yes, named after my beautiful Julia), a tooth friendly candy, that kids can enjoy without the fear of dental decay (which is the number one chronic disease amongst children, and the number one reason for missed school days!)
Little Jules became another passion project, and this was something that I wanted to make safe and healthy and something I wanted to give my own daughter. I worked very hard with a candy maker to make a vegan, palm oil free, dairy free, gluten free candy that was flavored with natural flavors (I actually saw the natural flavorings – real cocoa for the chocolate, real lavender seeds, and essential oils).
Koracare is continuing to grow and I am so excited to continue to share my own experiences with other mothers and my candies with the world!
Network 1017 Members Eligible To Receive 20% Off Any Order.
https://www.koracare.com
Code: candythatcares
How did you become an entrepreneur?
I was born in Los Angeles, but spent most of my childhood in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I lived there until I was 16, when we came back to LA. I finished high school and went on to obtain my undergraduate degree at UC Davis. I attended UCLA for dental school and completed my residency in San Antonio, Texas at the VA – which was the best experience of my life as I was able to get real hands on experience and help Veterans who served our country get the treatment they needed.
Soon after, I went back to Saudi Arabia and was the youngest dentist ever hired at the biggest oil company in the world, Aramco. It was a beautiful time in my life – I felt so blessed to have this opportunity to experience an incredible lifestyle. However, after two years, I started to plateau in my growth. The “package” was incredible, the balance was beautiful – I was in the best shape of my life, traveling the world and making the best of every moment, but I felt there was something more for me out there.
Everyone thought I was crazy when I decided to resign and come back to LA – but I am so grateful I listened to my gut. Freedom comes at a cost – and I wanted to build my life in a country where I was completely free and inspired. I moved back to LA, opened my own dental practice with my brothers (yes, they are also dentists), and started Koracare.
Please discuss a moment or turning point in your life that led you to start this business?
After Julia was born, I went through a rough time mentally, and felt very few people spoke up about the mental health obstacles that women go through after giving birth, especially in our community. I’m so grateful for that challenge because it has helped me, and continues to help me grow to be the best person I can be, not only for my daughter and family, but ultimately for myself. Starting Koracare and realizing what a great opportunity to have a positive impact on women (and also men!) gave me so much joy.
Please discuss a role model that motivated you or mentor you had that helped guide you and/or helped grow your business:
I am so blessed because I have so many angels in my life that I am so grateful for. Two of them are Ghada and Nabil Naim. Ghada was actually one of the first people I spoke to about this and from the very beginning, she was completely supportive and pushed me to do it. It was ironic because Nabil, her husband, is a candy manufacturer. I started talking to him, and he opened my eyes and opened the door for me to really help me make my dreams come true. He has been our mentor throughout this process, and Ghada has been a great source of motivation, and helps me keep calm and grounded when things get stressful.
Also, my husband, Omar, brothers, Rashad and Rawad, and parents have also been my biggest motivators. Their support and backing have been key for me taking this risk.
Do you recall any specific challenges you encountered and overcame? How did you overcome that and what advice would you give others in your situation?
Challenges are always happening – always! They never end – I’m still working on how to deal with them, but I’m noticing the less I react, the better things turn out. Also, don’t expect much from people, and take matters into your own hands whenever you can.
As an entrepreneur, what is it that motivates and drives you?
I have a desire to not only be successful, but to make a positive impact on the world I live in. As a mother of two beautiful girls, I am motivated by them every day to spread awareness about how preventable the most chronic disease that impacts our children is.
What would you say are the key elements for starting and running a successful business?
I’m honestly still figuring that out – but what I’m noticing is to be patient, and be consistent. Also, working to be the best and most present version of yourself is key – don’t forget your own health, your mind, and your growth. Also, find a mentor you admire to help you through the creative process.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs who are starting out?
Please don’t give up. It gets very challenging at times – but the benefits that you reap when you envision something, and have it come to life is a very gratifying and a beautiful process. Most ideas stay ideas – if you have a great one, work hard into making it become a reality.
Also, please put your ego aside. If you don’t know something, ask, and get help so that you can figure it out. Don’t let lack of competence and an ego halt your growth. No one can grow a business alone, so learn from others and ask for help when you need it.
Where do you see your business in the next 10 years?
I would like to have my candy line, Little Jules, all over the world and continue making other products that aid in the prevention of dental decay, especially for children. I would also like to continue to educate and promote awareness for mothers about the importance of prenatal dental health, infant oral health, and self-love during one of the most beautiful, yet most challenging, times in a woman’s life, especially first-time mothers.
Tell us a little bit about your hobbies outside of your field:
I love to eat great food! I’m a true foodie – like I would travel to a city to eat at a specific restaurant!
-I love Tabatas. It’s a 20-minute workout from Japan that is insane, but effective.
-I love to travel (it’s decreased recently with the birth of my second baby, Joy, but I don’t mind since I was so fortunate to travel a lot in my 20s. I don’t mind toning it down at 35.)
-I love to work on evolving my mental and physical state. It’s become a true passion of mine to study people who do things better than I do and to learn how they succeed and elevate themselves. Calming my mind has become the most important skill I am working on as a mother, entrepreneur, and human!
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