Meet Elisse Mackay and Ali Mohammadizadeh | Owner Dentist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elisse Mackay and Ali Mohammadizadeh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elisse and Ali, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Deciding to open our own business was intimidating, but it really came down to wanting to create something new in the world of dentistry. We both had worked at multiple practices once we graduated dental school, and that came with positives and negatives. We learned a lot about what is important to us as dentists and leaders. Ultimately, we want to create a practice that focuses on ethical dentistry and a comfortable, cozy environment for our patients.
 

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets us apart, I believe, is our vision of providing quality, ethical dentistry using top of the line technology, while creating a fun, soothing, and inclusive environment for all people. This vision was created by our journeys through dental school and as we navigated working in different practices. Making it to this point has not been easy by any means, but we were aware nothing good in life comes easy. There were a lot of moments of frustration, disappointment, and anxiety along the way, but looking back, those were the moments that formed each of us into the people we are today. Those moments also have formed the core foundation of what we want our practice to be moving forward. Without those difficult times, we wouldn’t be able to experience the excitement, joy, and peace we feel now that we have Mackay Dental Associates in our lives. We had to overcome hard times by staying positive throughout and realizing that every “failure” is not a failure but a learning experience. We absolutely love what we do, and we want to share that love and passion to the people of our community and beyond!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first place we would take friends and family to in our community is obviously, Wire Park! We could have a bite to eat at Lalo’s Tacos and Cantina, get some ice cream at Scoops, or even have a nice cold beer or seltzer at South Main Brewing! Once our stomachs are full, we could get our nails done at Sugar Polish Nail Bar, and do some shopping at Athens Running Company or Birdawg Boutique. Another hidden gem in Watkinsville is Mama Ning’s, which offers the best Thai food you could ask for. As we make our way to downtown Athens, our favorite restaurants would have to be between Last Resort, Chucks Fish, or The National. The best time to come to Athens would be during the fall so you can catch a glimpse of the passion for the University of Georgia football team (GO DAWGS!). Athens becomes one big tailgate, where you can eat, drink, watch football, and make friends to your hearts delight. As you wind down from all the festivities, its nice to visit Herman C. Michael Park for some disc golf, or go for a walk on the many trails in Sandy Creek Park. The possibilities of fun are endless in the area!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who have played our role in our journey to practice ownership. Most important to us is our family and their constant support. Both of our fathers, alongside our mothers, have successfully opened and ran their practices (medical and dental), and have been a great resource for us. Our friends and dental colleagues have also shown encouragement and helped us along the way. We are eternally grateful to our community, as well, for welcoming us with open arms. Ultimately, we give thanks to God for opening doors for us, and for surrounding us with blessings and peace as we embarked on a wild ride!

Website: www.mackaydentalga.com

Instagram: @mackaydentalassociates

Facebook: @mackaydentalassociates

Image Credits
Repurposed Photography