Vimbai Gomo is Zimbabwe born Dental Therapist and entrepreneur based in Johannesburg South Africa. Growing up my parents used to take me to our rural home during school holidays. We would work in the field and do other chores. This made me into a strong willed individual and it also taught me the price of hard work and humility. My journey started when I took the decision to study dental health. I realized that there were a lot of opportunities in the dental field. The positions and remuneration that were promised to me did not meet my requirements and satisfy most of my responsibilities. After having looked at the different facets that dental health had, I decided to focus on oral hygiene (teeth whitening, teeth cleaning, bad breath, and oral hygiene products). This was the birth of my brand brighter smile. The idea of the brand was to help people improve their smile and confidence.
What were the biggest initial hurdles and how did you overcome them?
In any small business there are a number of hurdles that are there when you are starting a business. My initial problem was finding capital to start the business, then we moved into the next stage of the hurdles was now finding the right materials to use for my teeth whitening processes. Another thing is that when one starts a business, they are always naysayers that always knock down your spirits.
What books are you currently reading?
“Like a virgin” by Sir Richard Branson. The book speaks about how he started his empire and what challenges he faced starting a business. It is a good read. I would highly recommend it.
What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started?
I realized that most of my clients would come to me through social media posts. When we started, I was only waiting for walk-ins and referrals as I did not have a strong social media presence. I wish I had found social media earlier.
What advice would you give to an upcoming youth or talents locally and internationally?
Fall in love with the process of becoming the best version of yourself. Visualize it, do not hold back and also a reminder that you can be anything that you want to be.
Instagram: @_brightersmile_
Facebook: Brightersmile