In conversation with …
F Man
In conversation with …
Dr Faizal Mansoor
Dr Faizal Mansoor is a Durban-born dentist and entrepreneur known for his work in expanding dental practices and preventative treatment systems across Southern Africa . Learn more about his journey from a young entrepreneur to a leader in the dental industry .
TELL US ABOUT YOUR EARLY CHILDHOOD . WHERE DO YOU COME FROM ?
I was born and raised in Durban in a big family being the eldest of five siblings . During my high school holidays , I ran a flea markettype business outside my dad ’ s shop in the city selling dishcloths , t-shirts and small toys . I was able to appreciate the concept of profit and loss from a young age and I think that is what fired my entrepreneurial bug .
WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN DENTISTRY AS A CAREER ? WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME HIGHLIGHTS DURING YOUR CAREER ?
As a teenager from a disadvantaged background , I lacked career guidance . However , after paying R3 500 for a root canal in the mid- 1990s and observing my dentist ’ s lifestyle , I became interested in dentistry . I shadowed a few dentists in Durban and concluded that dentistry offered a work-life balance with the benefit of the “ Dr ” title ( an element of prestige ). But more so , I was convinced that dentistry offered a lucrative career path given the cost of my root canal vs flea market trade . I studied at Wits Dental School , facing the challenges of being away from home and adapting to university life . Despite struggles , I graduated being one of only seven students who did not repeat a year .
After community service , I worked as a locum in Johannesburg before buying into a partnership in 2007 . By 2018 , I had eight practices between Johannesburg and Cape Town . In 2016 , I secured the rights for Myobrace in Australia and the Netherlands , deepening my connection to the industry and my personal goals .
YOU ARE NOT JUST A DENTIST BUT ALSO AN ENTREPRENEUR – TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT .
I have started several businesses with mixed success , each adding to my experience . During my community service year , I launched a textile distribution business supplying major chains like Pick
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