“Believe you can do it NO MATTER WHAT!”

When we look at the fabric of our lives and the rich history of our families, we can usually find a common thread that utlimately defines our character and path to success. I have my loving, hard working, truly amazing Puerto Rican parents to thank for raising me with a stellar work ethic and belief in a dream –  NO MATTER WHAT.  It is in the following abbreviated story that led me to my celebrated career as an accredited cosmetic dentist helping women regain their confidence and self esteem.

My work ethic was shaped by my grandfather who worked in the sugar cane plantations in Dominican Republic and handed down to my mother and then me.  My grandmother, Maria Lajara Baez, decided it was better to be alone than to remain with the father of her children due to “dealbreaker” challenges she had with him.  Eventually, my grandmother connected with relatives in the US that helped her move to New York City.

It was here I was destined to live core values of hard work and perservernce. There’s a lot to be learned from my grandmother. She was an amazing woman and I love sharing this part of my story because you will come to see the importance of taking a stand about your life and believing in your dreams

It’s remarkable what my grandmother accomplished as a Single Mother back in the 40’s.

I was raised on believing dreams are possible with belief and hard work. My grandmother had a dream to bring her daughters to live in US from Puerto Rico and she worked hard to make that come true. Although there was no man in her household, it was a home full of love not only of family, but extended family and community.

I learned the value and importance of being an entrepreneur to make your dreams come true from my grandmother – she and her 4 daughters saved up enough money to buy a 3 story brownstone building in the Bronx.  My grandmother would rent rooms and cook, which became her first own little business.

Those generational values of wonderful morals, love of family and a very hard working ethic to succeed was carried on by my mother when she married in 1950.

THE DREAM TO BE A DOCTOR

Even though my mother who never graduated from high school and my dad who only had his high school diploma, they placed a high value on education and encouraged me to attend school and college when I decided I wanted to be a doctor at the age of 5!  I know. How can a child at 5 even know what they want! Well I did and never backed down!

Raised in the Bronx (New York) with my two younger brothers in a very poor neighborhood will turn any child into a survival-minded individual. School of hard knocks for sure.

After a serious incident in our neighborhood, my parents knew it was time to move us away to a better life. This was the beginning of learning how  to go after your dreams.  I was a happy and cute child with no awareness of lack because we had so much love from our parents. It was my mother’s adventurous spirit that brought us out to California to live a better life. The dream was alive and well. This would set the tone for me to not only go after my medical profession with gusto but allow me to survive rheumatic fever as a teen that created a heart condition along with a low self esteem. I was in for many experiences that would effect my life into adulthood BUT turned these challenges into a gift –  my passion to help others transform their lives through cosmetic dentistry.

I always excelled in my school work from a young age to graduating with honors from UCLA School of Dentistry. I had several emotional, physical and financial set backs along the way as I matured in becoming a strong, independent courageous woman.

One of the hardest challenges I had to overcome that would later be my biggest gift in life was my big nose as a teen and young woman. However, this challenge shaped my passion for being a transformation artist (cosmetic dentistry) for women. I was ever grateful for my parents (again) because they worked hard to pay for cosmetic surgery on my nose that would help eliminate some of my self esteem scars from my younger days.

It was at this stage in my life where the core of my passion was ignited to become a cosmetic dentist transforming my patients’ lives by helping them regain their confidence and self esteem much like I experienced.

MARRIAGE AND FINAL LESSONS IN LIFE

At 32 years old, I was doing well in business, owned my very first little house in North Hollywood, but still no one to share my life with.  I finally met the man who became my husband in 1984 and have been married for 25 yrs now.  Between having children, even though I was considered a “high risk” patient, having open heart surgery, and mentors who showed me how to be smart with my money, I have much to be grateful for – mainly my parents who instilled in me to go after my dreams NO MATTER WHAT!

My challenges – and there were many – only gave me the inspiration to keep climbing to the top of the mountain reaching for my dreams.

And I aspire the same for you.

Marilyn R. Calvo, D.D.S.

Accredited Member – American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry

Marilyn Calvo, DDS is a Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist based in Encino, California. She is an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Her practice is built on the principle of providing highest quality care available, while focusing on both long-term health and aesthetics. Dr. Calvo is passionate about changing lives and increasing self-esteem in the patients. Click here to know more about Marilyn Calvo and the dental treatments as well as sleep apnea or sleep disorder treatments being offered at her clinic.

Dr. Calvo is currently a Visiting Faculty Member at the world-famous Spear Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona and also a clinical instructor at Esthetic Professionals, a post-graduate teaching facility, where she teaches the best of cosmetic dentistry to dentists from around the world. Her work has been published in the highly acclaimed Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry, which sets the standard for the field of cosmetic dentistry. Visit her blog to keep an update about dental health and you can also become a fan of Dr. Calvo on Facebook!