With more than 15 years of business and dental experience, Zahra has created a new standard of luxury in world-class dental and medical aesthetic care with Eram Dental Health Clinic. As a world traveler educated at the International Business College in Copenhagen, Tel Aviv, and New York, Zahra is fluent in seven languages and credits her world experiences for developing a global clientele that seeks out the luxurious Eram experience. She attributes her determination and resilience as an experienced entrepreneur to her lifelong practice of Taekwondo. Operating a female-founded, family-run business while raising two young children, she has successfully developed and scaled the world’s most luxurious dentistry and medical aesthetic practice.

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I utilized my 15 years of business and dental experience to create a new standard of luxury in world-class dental and medical aesthetic care with Eram Dental Health Clinic. 

As a world traveler educated at the International Business College in Copenhagen, Tel Aviv and New York, I’m fluent in seven languages and credit my world experiences for developing a global clientele that seeks out the luxurious Eram experience. I attribute my determination and resilience as an experienced entrepreneur to my lifelong practice of Taekwondo.

What inspired you to start your business?

After I met my husband and future business partner, Riccardo Meili, we recognized an opportunity in dentistry that would resonate with luxury care and customer service. Riccardo spent 8 years playing professional soccer for Switzerland, so we saw this as a time to combine both of our worlds and backgrounds to create a concept that is often overlooked in the dental industry. We developed Eram’s renowned reputation for providing premiere services with elite customer service. The term, “Eram Smile,” has been coined among influencers and celebrities alike due to our extraordinary results that are uniquely designed to perfection.

Where is your business based?

We are based in Zurich, Switzerland. It is one of the most international cities in Europe where the quality of life, business and innovation are as inviting as its beautiful views. Being located in a popular luxury destination, we are fortunate to have hundreds of clients visit us internationally.

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

We started our business by making a very calculated and detailed business plan. We immediately consulted our counselor, it was a crucial step to find someone with relevant business experience. We planned every step and asked ourselves every imaginable question that we answered in detail. It’s important to have a partner who is working alongside you, supports you 100%, and understands the journey you want to go on. From the materials we used, to our location and staff, we got the best of the best from the very beginning. In this industry, you usually take over a clinic or clients. So it was so fun to look for our own location as part of the planning and ensure we got the best.

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

We receive a majority of our clients by recommendation. We take great pride in having created some of the most important smiles in the world. We have a very large international client base - from A-listers to royal families. We created a full smile makeover on one of the most important royalty members in the world. This was a great moment for Eram and gave us yet more confirmation that we stand for the finest, rarest, and only the very best smiles.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges for me has been being a strong female in an industry that is male-dominated. I’ve overcome that challenge by cultivating confidence, remaining positive, and caring about being respected more than being liked. It’s also very important for me to support other women and invest in their businesses as well. Another big challenge is that dentistry is not known for wellness. It’s seen as a white, sterilized, and boring atmosphere. In the beginning, it was a challenge to change the mindset of someone who walks in to see something like a spa. We wanted to create something with a luxury and wellness aspect that had you looking and feeling better after a trip to the dentist. We’re so happy we succeeded, but it was quite a challenge. Other clinics questioned our services and aesthetic, but it’s rewarding to see other clinics are adapting to our ideas now. Dentistry is not just when you have pain or need something fixed, so we really wanted to bring in the wellness aspect. Our clients look forward to coming to Eram. 

How do you stay focused?

Staying focused is really having a clear vision of what I’m doing and staying focused on my targets. Whether it's a daily goal or long term goal, I’m very focused and have the determination to get it done. I don’t let any noise around me disturb this mindset. It’s a quality I think every entrepreneur needs - how to have a strong mindset and how not to get distrubed by anything. I stay focused by also realizing that bumps can happen along the way, it belongs to entrepreneurs. There will always be discomfort, and it doesn’t mean to take your focus away. I know what it is I want to do and I don’t take my eyes off before I reach it and make sure that I have the tools and people around me that help me stay focused. I don’t let people’s negativity get to me, my family or my business. I also make lists every day. You often forget things in your head so every day I have a priority list and make sure the first five things are crucial. If I don’t get them done, they go on the list for the next day.

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

We provide luxury and elegance with a special focus on aesthetics. We stand out through our extraordinary details, crafted and tested to the highest of standards that are only achieved here. We also stand out for our unique customer experience. We have what’s called Patient Relationship Managers who handle all of the individual needs of our patients. From travel planning, accomodations, personal chefs, nanny service and general healthcare/medical support during their treatments. We have our own inhouse dental lab. We believe your smile is part of your facial aesthetic, which is why we not only focus on teeth, but also offer in house medical facial aesthetic treatments including botox and fillers.

I’m personally involved in this business and listen to what my patients want and expect. I know what they want because I can relate to my patients. I also listen to our providers and staff, which is very important. Every decision at the clinic is important and I make sure to listen to everyone’s input. With other competitors, it’s their way or no way, I’m open to listening and asking how we can all work together to make sure this is the best experience when a client comes to Eram.

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

It has changed from the beginning to now, but the best marketing strategy is focusing on quality. In the beginning, we were focused on the local Zurich area where people were living and working around us. What has really helped us is word of mouth referrals and networking with people we want as patients. We understand their lifestyle and habits - their favorite restaurants, gyms, etc., and ensure we are part of that lifestyle. We still network and still go to places where we identify with our patients.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Be a CEO that truly cares for the well-being and success of your employees. Highlight their strengths and help them learn from their struggles. It’s important to help improve their performance by offering constructive feedback. Real care is also in accountability and helping bring out the best from people. 

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite book is Principles by Ray Dalio. I like it because he talks about his humble background and how he transformed that into a billion dollar business. He gives a roadmap on how to surround yourself with people that will help you achieve anything in life basically with some of his principles. I can identify with a lot of things he writes and especially how he teaches us to stay passionate about the things you want to achieve. It helped me a lot with my own business. He has so much wisdom and it’s definitely a book I’d recommend to read. Another one of my favorite books is called The Unknown Leader by Shehay Behnavi. He gave it to me personally and it’s about how you don’t realize your own potential and leadership skills within yourself. He told me I had so much more potential than I already have. By reading the title, I already knew what was waiting for me as I read.

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

I love Forbes, I read it a lot. I also read a lot of business magazines and newspapers. I prefer reading to watching TV because it’s more international and it shows in different fields of businesses. I love seeing women get in leadership positions and see success in that light. It motivates me and brings me inspiration and I learn a lot by reading about other successful business owners.

Who is your business role model? Why?

Oprah Winfrey is definitely a strong role model for me. Although she is extremely successful, she comes from a humble background and understands all aspects of life through her own lens. She is spiritual and continues to grow. She has shifted from a television personality to an international mentor and that is truly inspiring for me.

How do you balance work and life?

Operating a female-founded, family-run business while raising two young children, I have successfully developed and scaled the world’s most luxurious dentistry and medical aesthetic practice. Balancing work and life while married to my business partner isn’t always the easiest, but is so worthwhile. Through mutual respect, trust, and open communication we help each over navigate through work and life.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

I practice mindfulness. Whatever comes into your mind affects your personal or business life. I keep my mind sharp and healthy and don’t get involved in things which I can’t control. If I have a problem and I can’t do anything about it, I don’t let it bother me. I am very good at blocking things that come into my mind that I can’t change. I also practice to have a mental discipline by making sure I get things done. I challenge myself mentally every day. I read a lot of books and I like to know what’s going on in my industry. I make sure my mind is satisfied all the time. Yes, I pamper myself and go to restaurants and sporting events, but for me it’s not what’s outside. I focus on what’s inside.

I’m very disciplined and strong and I don’t get satisfied by something only my eyes can see, I need to feel it also. I’m the first person to deal with a problem, going into the jungle as I always say. I like to connect with people to stay calm and socialize with like-minded people. These things keep me calm. When I’m with my kids it keeps feet on the ground and keeps me away from the business. I also pray everyday and meditate every morning regardless of what is going on or how busy I am. I also practice gratitude every single day. I manifest out loud every day to make sure the universe hears it.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

We are in the works of opening a new Eram Clinic in 2022. Spanning 7,000 square feet, it will be the most exclusive dental clinic worldwide that will also include aesthetic surgery, plastic surgery and medical facial aesthetics. Together with our lab and scientists, we are also developing a unique and exclusive set of veneers that don’t exist in the industry. We also plan to launch our own brand of oral care products in 2022. We’re excited to bring people advanced technology and products that don’t exist in this industry yet to level up their dental care.

How can our readers connect with you?

You can find us on our social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. You can also learn more about us via our website https://eram-dh.com.