Establishing Your Own Practice: My Interview with Canvas Rebel Magazine

Recently I had the opportunity to sit with Canvas Rebel Magazine for an interview as part of their “Establishing Your Own Firm or Practice series.” This series is meant to highlight business owners and there journey of opening their practices, to speak on the inspiration behind it, the wins, woes and everything in-between.

I have written about my practice journey here on the blog and was honored to be able to share my experience on a wider platform. Here is a snippet of my interview:

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Patrice Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Patrice , appreciate you joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

Ever since the thought of becoming a dentist crossed my mind as a teenager, I envisioned having a practice of my own. The thought of working for someone conflicted with my desires because many people close to me worked for themselves. I can recall my parents owning supermarkets, my dad running multiple businesses and even being privy to practice ownership through my high school mentors. Those formative years led me to this moment. A few years post-residency, armed with a variety of experience in the field of dentistry, my dream of opening my own dental practice would soon take shape.

There are many confusing and overwhelming factors involved in opening your own dental (orthodontics) office. When deciding on opening a dental practice, you must first decide whether you want to start your own dental practice from scratch (build out) or if you want to purchase an existing practice (acquisition). My knowledge of acquiring a practice was limited but with the help of a small team of professionals the process was made much easier.

The decision to go the acquisition route was based on my personal needs and priorities. This will look different for everyone. Although I was not opposed to the idea of a practice start up, I wanted to get into a practice with an existing patient base but also one that allowed me to grow into it. Because of this criteria, finding a practice was not easy. It took months of research and once the “ideal” practice was found, several months of negotiations.

Sources from the internet will tell you that it takes on average 9-12 months from the start of your acquisition search to opening your business. It took me about half that time (including down time due to COVID), mainly due to the buyer and seller’s eagerness to come to an agreement fairly quickly.

I actually wrote about my process in this blog post

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I’m Dr. Patrice Smith, an Orthodontist who is multi-passionate. I pride myself on being a bit “UnORTHOdox” and have dubbed myself The UnOrthoDoc.

I was born and raised in beautiful Jamaica! I moved to New York City where I completed my undergraduate studies and was later accepted into Dental School in the nation’s capital (Washington, DC) where I received my Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Howard University. I am obsessed with esthetics, perfectly aligned teeth and beautiful smiles and as such pursued a career in Orthodontics. I am a practicing Orthodontist in Washington, DC where I create beautiful smiles in my boutique private practice, Infinity Orthodontics.

I enjoy writing and have had several blogs where I share my experiences as I go through life balancing all aspects of my professional career, entrepreneurship, creative side hustles and motherhood. When I am not creating smiles and meddling in a host of entrepreneurial endeavors, I’m blogging, traveling, participating in various philanthropic projects and creating divinely scented candles for my candle company, UnOrthoDoc Candle Co.

My aim is to inspire young professionals like myself lead a balanced, purpose filled “UnOrthoDoc” lifestyle while on the path to personal, professional and financial development.

7 Strategies To Pay Off Student Loans

This is guest post by Bash Sarmiento

Tackling your student loans may seem like a mammoth task. Coupled with the feeling of shame many of us feel around our debt, it’s easy to feel hopeless.  But that doesn’t mean nothing can be done!

Don’t beat yourself up for taking up student loans. You had your reasons, and whatever those reasons may be, you shouldn’t feel ashamed. 

In 2021, 15% of all American adults still had outstanding undergraduate student loan debt, and 7% with outstanding postgraduate student loans. That’s around 38.75 million and 18 million Americans, respectively! And there’s the hope of paying the loans off because 24% or nearly 62 million adult Americans have paid off their student loans. 

It won’t be easy, but it can be done. 

Here are a few strategies you can do to pay off your student loans. Go ahead, test out a few of these strategies, and pick one that works best for you. You can also modify these strategies to make a customized plan that you can stick to.

Stay Updated and Educated

Before everything else, go ahead and update all your contact information on your StudentAid.gov profile and your lender’s website. This ensures you don’t accidentally miss any important announcements or information regarding your payments. Reacquaint or re-educate yourself with your loan’s terms, grace periods, and total debt. A student loan calculator can help you better visualize your payment timeline and determine how to best move forward.

1. Debt Avalanche 

This strategy requires you to focus on your highest-interest debt first. You also get to pay the least overall in the end by reducing the amount you pay towards interest. You do this by paying as much as you can afford towards your loan with the highest interest rate. Of course, don’t forget about your other debts and make the minimum monthly payments on those as well. 

Once you’ve paid off your highest-interest debt, move on to the second-highest interest rate debt. Continue making those minimum payments on your other debts. Continue this process until you’ve worked your way from the loan with the highest interest to the lowest. 

The trick here is to pay as much as you can afford and pay more than the minimum payment for the primary loan you’re paying off. 

Do note that if you make extra payments, be sure to advise your servicer to apply the overpayments to your current balance and not to next month’s payment. This ensures that you’re paying off your loan quicker and not just paying the next month’s bill in advance, defeating the purpose of paying above the minimum monthly payment. 

2. Debt Snowball

If you’re overwhelmed by the big numbers and want to ease into the payment momentum, the debt snowball strategy will work well for you. 

You focus on your smallest debt first. Similar to the debt avalanche strategy, pay as much as you can afford toward your lowest student loan debt. Go ahead and pay the minimum monthly payments on your other debts.  After you’ve paid off your lowest debt, move on to the next-lowest debt while continuing to pay the minimum payments on your other debts. 

Focusing on the smaller loans first makes you feel gratification quicker, which can motivate you to continue your payoff journey. The downside is that you do end up paying more in total debt due to the interest fees. 

3. Focusing on Accrued Interest First

If you’ve had your student loans for a while and maybe have foregone strategic payment for a bit, you may notice a big chunk of your current payments go towards paying those accrued interests. 

Some of these accrued interests can grow VERY big if left unchecked. Somtimes so much so that even if you pay more than your minimum monthly payments, a significant portion of it will end up paying those interest fees and not your actual loan. 

By paying off the accrued interest immediately and consistently, you’ll be able to have a better handle on your debt and your payment strategy. 

4. Look for repayment assistance programs

If you work for a company, consult your company’s HR and see if they offer student loan repayment assistance or benefits. You can also check your alma mater’s income-based benefit programs and forgiveness programs for alums. Go ahead and check your town, city, or state’s local programs as well.

5. Using cash-back cards for payments

Check with your servicer if you can pay with credit cards or even prepaid debit cards. Some of these bank cards offer incentives like cash back which you can use to your advantage.

On top of making extra payments towards your debt, you can earn cash back from using your card. The money you receive from the cashback incentive can go directly to your student loans, helping you pay them off even faster and with some savings to spare!

Staying on top of your card payments and avoiding overdraft fees is crucial. Carrying a balance will simply negate any savings or benefits you’ve created. 

6. Refinancing your private student loans

Refinancing your student loans is one way to pay off student loans fast. You ideally lower your total interest rate by consolidating all your student loans to a single private loan. This only works if you choose a new loan with a better rate and payment term than what’s left of your current loans. You’re refinancing to make paying off your loans more manageable, not to make it harder for yourself.

7. Increase your income

One of the most effective ways to pay off your student loans quicker is by increasing your income to allocate more towards loan payments. You can create a side business or find other ways to make money online.

No “extra dollar” is too small to go towards your debt payments. 

In fact, you can also treat any extra money that comes your way as money that can go towards your loans. This includes any bonuses, pay raises, gifts, or tax refunds. You can set aside a bit of the “extra” money for yourself, of course, so you don’t feel deprived of some well-deserved joys. But keep in mind that every dollar counts.  

Everyone’s debt journey looks different, but one thing’s clear: staying consistent is important. Soon, you’ll be free from the shackles of student loans, and you’ll be financially independent!

Meet Bash Sarmiento

Bash Sarmiento is a writer and an educator from Manila. He writes laconic pieces in the education, lifestyle and health realms. His academic background and extensive experience in teaching, textbook evaluation, business management and traveling are translated in his works.

Find him on Instagram and LinkedIn

Step-by-Step Guide on How To Start a Blog in 2023

It seems obvious now looking back that I should write about how to start a blog, especially considering that I write quite a bit on creating lucrative side hustles. However, it wasn’t until I received several questions from my colleagues on Instagram and was interviewed by LinkedIn News on starting a successful blog that I realized that this was something I needed to cover.

I' have noticed that people tend to have two general questions when it comes to the thought of starting a blog: 1. Are blog dead and do people even read them anymore? 2. I want to have a blog but how do I even start? To succinctly answer your first question, no blogging is alive and well and there are plenty people making quite a bit of money from them or using them as creative outlets and a place for community. If you want answers to the second question, you’ve come to the right place. As a blogger myself, I can tell you it’s a rewarding way to hone your writing skills, explore new ideas, build an online presence and a community that revolves around your passions and expertise. You’ll get the chance to inspire, educate, and entertain your readers - and as your blog grows, you can even start making money and turn it into a full-time job, if that’s what you desire.

In other words, blogging is the first step toward pursuing your favorite hobby or even your dream job, so it’s a win and you really can’t go wrong. While starting a blog might seem daunting, I’m going to walk you through it step-by-step to make it as smooth as possible. The process is actually quite easy, and you’ll have your blog up and running in a very short time.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll find all the guidance and tools you’ll need to start a blog. You’ll learn how to create your website and get it off the ground, write your first blog posts, draw in loyal readers and start making money! Sounds exciting? Let’s get into it.

How to start a Blog

Here are the general steps:

1. Choose a blogging platform. You want to use a platform that offers customizable templates.

2. Pick a hosting platform. Consider a platform with good bandwidth and customer support.

3. Find your niche. Narrow down your blog’s theme and have a specific audience in mind.

4. Select a blog name and domain. Choose a descriptive name that piques readers’ interests.

5. Set up and design your blog. Get creative! Include imagery and effects that reflect your theme.

6. Brainstorm blog topics. Write down all your blog ideas.

7. Write your first blog posts. Catch your audience’s attention with a great title and offer valuable information.

8. Create an editorial calendar. Create a calendar to help you publish consistently and hold yourself accountable.

9. Promote your blog. Use marketing strategies and social media to expand your reach.

10. Make money blogging. Take advantage of opportunities to monetize your blog.

What is a Blog?

While a blog can encompass an entire website or simply be its own section of a website, this is a place to share content about a topic you are passionate about or have expertise in. A blog will typically include both written and visual elements published in an easy-to-read, article format so readers can browse and find what they’re looking for.

Why start a Blog?

People start blogs for a variety of reasons, some of which include:

• Share your ideas with the world. Sometimes you just want to put your thoughts out there, be heard and get your ideas out into the universe. This is where a blog can help - it’s a form of communication and space that’s entirely your own. You can use your creativity and passion to create a space customized exactly to your liking where you can share your ideas, expertise and experiences.

• Build an online community. Thanks to the internet, we no longer need to live in the same city, state or even country to be connected to others. A blog creates a space to share your story, ideas and start conversations with people all over the world with mutual interests. A blog typically has a comments section and an email list where your readers can speak with you directly, allowing you to engage in conversation and build relationships.

• Earn revenue. Blogging can be lucrative with time and continued effort. The best way to see the monetary fruits of your labor is by posting quality content regularly that draws in new readers and brings more traffic to your website. This will help your blog gain advertisers and can also boost your status as an online influencer, which can open up the door for affiliate marketing.

• Promote a product or service. As your blog grows you can build out your blog to offer products and services to your community based on their need or interests. Small business owners will also often use a blog as a form of content marketing. Written content can be a strategic way to engage potential customers to help them feel more connected to a product or service you’re trying to sell.

1. Choose a blogging platform

The first step in starting a blog is to select a blogging platform for publishing your content. A quick Google search will show you that there are several different sites available that fits bloggers from all industries. However, not all platforms are good for starting a blog. You need to choose the one that is good for SEO and will give you all the important features you need. Personally, I use squarespace. Squarespace is a really good platform for blogging. It’s very user-friendly and has all the important features that you will need to create a successful blog. In addition to that, Squarespace is also good for SEO and it helps your site to appear on search engines. There are other well known platforms however, like Wordpress (very popular), wix, weebly and medium, to name a few. When deciding on a platform it’s important that you pay attention to cost. On many platforms, starting a blog is completely free. You can decide at any point whether you’d like to upgrade to a variety of different plans, depending on your budget and needs. Squarespace is a bit on the pricey side in comparison to some others but I am willing to pay for the ability to have everything in one place without needing to use add-ons and plug-ins. if you are going the squarespace route, the code: GIMME10 takes 10% off a squarespace domain or website. It is also a good idea to search for promo/coupon codes online when purchasing your website or doman. Why spend more if you don’t have to?

2. Pick a hosting platform

Once you select your preferred blogging platform, you’ll need to choose a hosting platform. A blog, like any other website requires a host. This essentially stores websites on a server under a unique address so that visitors can easily reach them. On some blogging platforms (like squarespace), hosting is already included, so you won’t need to find a separate web host. This is another reason why I love squarespace! With other website builders, such as WordPress, you will need to find and pay for a separate hosting platform. Some popular options include:

• BlueHost

• HostGator

• GoDaddy

• DreamHost

3. Find the right niche

Take a step back and think about the main element that will form the foundation of your blog, from its URL and domain name to its content and design: your blog’s niche. What, exactly, do you want your blog to be about? There is virtually no limit when it comes to your choice of subjects. The most crucial thing is that you select a specific topic area that will be the central focus of your entire blog.

Narrow down your interests

When you start a blog, think long term. To motivate yourself to blog regularly, you’ll need to write about something you’re genuinely interested in. If you choose a topic solely on the basis of it being popular or profitable, your efforts will peter out pretty quickly.

If you aren’t sure right off the bat what you should be blogging about, that’s okay. Begin with a simple brainstorming session about subjects you like. What do you get excited talking about? What are you eager to learn more about? What can you talk about easily? For me, that is personal, professional and financial development. Under those umbrellas I choose to speak on career, entrepreneurship, side hustles and motherhood.

Write down the first 5-10 interests that come to mind. For example:

• Travel

• Photography

• Fashion

• Cooking

• Music

Next, think about your more specific interests within these subject areas and add them to your list. Example:

• Budget traveling

• Photography with iphone

• Budget fashion

• Vegan recipes

• Neo soul music

The niche does to have to be perfect yet. You’ll do some more research next.

Research your audience

The next step of starting a blog is to learn which topics people are interested in reading about. If your blog gains traction, you can eventually start making money from it and become a full-time blogger.

You can determine the demand for any given niche with a bit of market research. Begin by taking a look at Google Trends, which shows you how many people are searching for a particular topic. The more searches a topic gets, the more public demand it has. Give it whirl, type your niche in and see what comes up. If Google Trends reveals that interest in a subject area is either very low or declining, then that topic is unlikely to gain traction.

Check if it’s profitable

Whether you run a personal blog or a professional one, it’s a good idea to check whether your niche is profitable. Even if you’re starting out as a hobby blogger, you’ll want to think about future monetization options in the event that your blogging efforts evolve into a career.

There are multiple ways to earn money as a blogger, but one of the most common methods is affiliate marketing. As an affiliate, you’ll work together with a specific company, providing a link to their products within your blog, and earn a commission for any sale made through your site.

You don’t need to plan out your money-making strategy now, but thinking generally about profitable opportunities can help you choose a niche. For now, focus on starting your blog - we’ll talk more about making money blogging later in the article.

4. Select a blog name and domain

As you think about how to start a blog, the question of what to name it is probably on your mind. There are three main routes you can go with your blog's name. These include:

• Your first and last name

• The name of your business (if you have one)

• A creative new name

Obviously, I went with that latter and it is also the name of my business. I created the business after the decision to turn my blog into a business. When choosing your blog’s name, you should also think about the personality you want it to reflect. Should it be formal and professional? Sweet and romantic? Edgy and offbeat? If you’re not sure what to name your blog you can try using blog name generators like this one.

Once you decide, you should also go ahead and choose your domain name. Also referred to as a URL, a domain is a site’s address on the web (this website’s domain name, for example, is www.theunorthodoc.com). Typically, your domain name will be the same as, or at least influenced by, the name of your blog.

5. Set up and design your blog

1. Choose a blog template

2. Decide which pages to include

3. Get indexed on search engines

4. Create a blog logo

At this point, you’ve chosen a blogging and hosting platform, domain name and blog niche. You’re now equipped with all the basics for setting up your blog!

Choose a blog template

The first part of setup is selecting a template. On your platform, there will be quite a bit of templates to choose from. Like your blog’s name, its look and feel will be an important part of its personality.

The most efficient way to get your blog up and running is to choose a pre-designed blog template. Afterwards, you can customize it based on your preferences. I chose a template from squarespace and then hired a designer from upwork to do a bit of customization for me to make it exactly how I wanted it to look and feel.

Next you want to choose your color palette. Color psychology plays a huge role in forming your audience’s impression of your blog. As you choose a color palette, keep in mind the feelings and attitudes that different colors evoke. Blue, for instance, tends to evoke dependability and trust, while yellow evokes energy and joy. My blog color has soft pink and nude colors which invokes femininity, kindness, warmth and versatility - and attracts a female audience.

Decide which pages to include

Once you’ve chosen a template, think about which pages to include. Most blogs include more than just a section to display their posts. They might also include an about section, a contact page and online store.

Get indexed on search engines

Another part of starting a blog is making sure it’s visible on Google and other search engines. This is crucial if you want your content to pop up in search results, so you’ll want to take care of this step right away. First, make sure your site is indexed on Google. This pretty much means giving Google a heads up that your blog exists. You can do this by submitting your sitemap to Google Search Console.

Pro tip: Google Search Console is not only important for indexing your site, but it’s also a valuable platform that you’ll be using throughout your blogging journey. It tells you important data about your blog’s site visitors and clicks, which you can use to improve your content. To find out whether your site is already included in Google’s search index, do a quick site search (a site search uses your homepage URL and takes the form of site:yourblogname.com). If your blog pops up in the search results, then your site is already indexed.

Create a blog logo

Finally, polish off your site with an attractive logo. This is another way to add personality to your site, and it’s an essential step if you want to start a blog that evolves into a recognizable brand.

One option is to design your own or outsource the task, but you can also use an online logo maker. I have personally outsourced this to a freelancer on fiverr. Once you have your logo, place it in the upper left-hand corner of your website, and link it to your homepage. This will help brand your content while improving the navigation experience for readers.

6. Brainstorm blog topics

Your blog is now ready to go but you need content. Start thinking about which topics you’ll get started with. Begin by thinking about your experiences, successes, failures or discoveries related to your niche. What insights can you share? What ideas are you looking to explore in-depth?

7. Write your first blog post

1. Start with keyword research

2. Come up with a blog post title

3. Outline your main points

4. Write engaging content

5. Insert images

6. Optimize for SEO

7. Edit and publish

8. Create an editorial calendar

Whew! You’ve just written your first blog post. Take a break, and when you’re ready, plan out the rest of the month’s posting schedule. In my opinion, try to write 5-10 blog posts before you officially launch your blog. This will ensure your readers are taken on a journey and stay on your blog longer. Creating an editorial calendar is an important part of starting a blog. It’s an effective way to ensure you publish content consistently, letting you hold yourself accountable as a writer and ensuring you don’t deviate from your blogging goals. Your readers want new content, and you need to deliver. Plus, search engines take into account how frequently you publish when determining your site’s overall ranking.

How often should you blog?

When learning how to start a blog, a big question people ask is how often they should be publishing new content. As a rule of thumb, the more often you blog, the more traffic you get. There’s no black-or-white answer for exactly how frequently that is. For me, this is once per week consistently.

I’ve created an editorial calender/planner for myself that has kept my blog, social media and businesses organized. It is 159 pages and the most comprehensive planner you will find on the internet.

9. Promote your blog

1. Share on social media

2. Create a blog newsletter

3. Write for other sites

4. Reach out to an existing community

5. Participate in question and discussion sites

6. Invest in paid ads

7. Try new content formats

At this stage, you have everything you need to start a blog. These last couple of steps will focus on how to spread the word about your blog and grow it into a serious monetization tool.

10. Make money blogging

1. Affiliate marketing

2. Advertise within your blog

3. Offer paid subscriptions

4. Write sponsored content

5. Sell e-books and merchandise

6. Provide consulting services

This may not happen for a while as you need to build an audience first. But in time you may want to make money from your blog’s popularity. Here’s a run down of some of the options:

• Affiliate marketing: This is one of the most common ways to make money blogging, and it’s easy to get started. Intermediate affiliates can earn anywhere between $300-$3000 per day, and that number only goes up with experience. At this stage I am making about $2000/month consistently. Some months it is higher or slightly lower. There are plenty of affiliate marketing programs out there. Amazon Associates is a popular choice for beginners.

• Advertising within your blog: Another option is to display ads within your blog, which means you’re essentially selling your blog real estate as ad space. This is a fairly reliable way to make money, as you’ll be earning revenue with each click. If you’re thinking of taking this route, Google AdSense is one of the most lucrative and popular programs.

• Offering paid subscriptions: You know how the New York Times makes you pay to read their content? You can do the same thing with your blog. While some of your articles should be free, you can also create exclusive content that readers can buy access to through a subscription plan.

• Write sponsored content: Reach out to companies - or, as your blog grows, make it easy for brands to contact you - regarding sponsorship opportunities. You’ll be writing articles that promote those companies’ products, and the business, in turn, will compensate you for the posts.

• Sell e-books and merchandise: You can also sell digital or physical goods directly from your site. This might include branded merchandise, products related to your field, or e-books and other online resources.

• Provide consulting services: This approach involves making use of your professional experience and harnessing the knowledge you’ve gained as a professional blogger. Based on your insights and expertise, think about the kinds of consulting services you might be able to offer to your clients.

I have used a mixture of affiliated links, sponsored content, e-books and merchandise. Although it took me quite some time to get there,I have gotten to the point where I am making approximately $10,000 per month from my blog. Some months the income is a bit less and other times a bit more.

It might seem daunting, but the sooner you start the sooner you will realize that it is easier than you thought. You will be wondering why you hadn’t done this sooner. Put one foot in front of the other, follow these steps and you are well on your way to becoming a successful blogger. Join my email list to get more insights on how to have a successful blog and other side hustles.

Starting a Successful Blog: My Feature in LinkedIn News

Recently I was chosen and interviewed as an expert by LinkedIn News for an article they were working on for tips on starting a successful blog. This was such an honor because while I think of myself as an expert in the field of Orthodontics, I hadn’t quite given myself that title when it came to blogging, until now.

If you ever had the thought of starting a blog but it felt daunting, this article will shed some light on how doable it is. Anyone can start a blog, but a successful one takes a lot of time and effort. Here is an excerpt from the article.

Creating a blog can be the beginning of building your brand or a way to attract a larger audience to your business and expand it. You can also monetize your blog, providing an additional stream of income for your business or yourself. 

But it is important to remember that building a successful blog takes time and effort. This is why, before building a blog, you should choose a topic you enjoy with room to grow.

Identifying your niche is critical, orthodontist and The UnOrthoDoc blogger Dr. Patrice Smith said.

“It has to be something that you have a little bit of expertise in,” Smith said. “It has to be something you are interested in, otherwise you are not going to blog consistently. Once you figure all that out, narrow down your niche and then narrow it down some more, because there are a million blogs out there. 

“Once you figure that out, write your first 10 blog posts. You can put them in word documents. and then as soon as you have your blog set up, publish all 10 so that it looks like your blog is established. 

“You don't want to drive traffic to your blog with just one or two blog posts. You want to take readers on the journey.” 

I chatted with Charles and Dr. Smith for more about how to start a successful blog.

How to Start Building Your Blog 

Choose a template, blogging platform, and hosting site for your blog after you decide on your niche.

“There are many platforms out there,” Smith said. “I use Squarespace, but one of the most popular ones is WordPress and there are other sites like WiX, Weebly, and some even blog on Medium.”

Select a hosting site after you select your blogging platform. Hosting costs generally range from $5-$25 a month, according to “Age of Influence” author Neil Schaffer.

“Some platforms already come with a hosting platform built-in,” Dr. Smith said. “I know WIX does not, but Squarespace does. For some WordPress users, some popular options include Bluehost or GoDaddy or DreamHost, but for Squarespace, mine was built-in. That is another reason why I chose Squarespace.”

Meanwhile, Charles first launched her blog with a template she found on WIX. Once her business grew, she upgraded, worked with a website designer, and they moved her blog to Squarespace.

“Start off with [a platform] that is relatable and you feel comfortable with, but then as your business grows, it is OK to invest in yourself and tap into somebody who specializes in that work,” Charles said. “I don't think the investment needs to come immediately because the problem is if [you invest] immediately there will be pressure to work to pay off your investment. 

“You don't know if people are going to be as interested in your material as you think it is because micro-blogging, i.e. Instagram is free.”

Also, consider aesthetics when choosing your blog template.

“Aesthetic is an important factor,” Charles said. “People want to click and look at what they enjoy versus if it is ugly, why would they spend their time there? I don't think you have to have the most beautiful [blog], but I think you have to give some effort.”

Keep SEO (Search Engine Optimization) in mind, too, as you build your blog. If you don’t know much about SEO, consider taking a LinkedIn Learning course, watching YouTube expert videos or searching online for the info. 

“I Googled everything pertaining to SEO even down to the title of your blog post that could be optimized to reach your target audience,” Smith said. “You can utilize keywords. So, you want to do a lot of research before you choose a blog topic because it has to be something that will be picked up by keywords. 

“For example, if somebody Googles ‘How to start a blog’ you want to have those keywords in your title. Somebody might Google how to start a blog in 2023, and if your blog title isn’t optimized for that search, then you are not going to be the one that is reached.”

Top Takeaways on How to Start a Successful Blog:

• Choose a niche you are passionate about.

• Select a blogging platform and hosting site that is easy to use and inexpensive.

• Incorporate SEO into your blog posts and use social media platforms to build your audience.

• Monetize your blog with affiliate links, digital products, and ads.

Start Making Money Online Full-Time or Part-Time in 4 Actionable Steps

This is a guest post by Marjorie Jones

The search for new and flexible ways to make a living begins differently for everyone. Perhaps you are out of work, looking to make some money on the side, or simply feel the need for a career change. The modern work climate empowers people from any background to work remotely online in almost any field of choice. Once you know the online money-making options available to you, you will be ready to start the next chapter of your professional life.

1. Evaluate Your Skills and Passions

There are many ways to make money online. Choosing the right path is a matter of assessing your skills and following your unique passions. You will have an easier time committing and succeeding in your new profession if it is relevant to your interests. You might even decide to start an online degree program to foster additional skills that make you more marketable to employers and clients. Some potential online jobs you might pursue can include:

•       E-commerce specialist

•       Web designer

•       Social media manager

•       Freelancer

•       Photographer

•       Virtual assistant

2. Know Where to Find Work

There are potentially millions of work-from-home jobs available online. The biggest roadblock between you and them is knowing where to look. Accepting jobs from prominent online job boards is a great way to get started and earn some experience in your new field of work. Platforms like FlexJobs and Freelancer have many listings, but it's best to cast a wide net across multiple platforms to increase your odds of landing a great gig. Make sure to only use trustworthy websites that verify the legitimacy of job postings before displaying them to users like you.

 3. Start Your Own Business

After finding some initial success with your online work, it may be time to think about establishing a formal business. Even if you are running a relatively small side hustle, registering under an official business structure can benefit you greatly. For example, forming an LLC can grant you tax advantages and limited liability. Your future clients might also take you more seriously if you operate as a legally registered business. Keep in mind that states have different rules regarding the formation of an LLC, but you can use a reputable formation service to ensure you meet compliance.

4. Grow Your Social Media Marketing Efforts

The long-term growth and success of your emerging business depends upon your ability to market your services to as wide an audience as possible. Business experts explain that social media plays a key role in raising brand awareness and customer satisfaction for enterprises of all sizes. You can also use an ad maker tool to spread the word about your business with an easily-customizable Facebook ad template. After making the perfect ad with your company logo and a wide assortment of colors and fonts, you can instantly download it for personal use.

 Remember that social media is not the only aspect of your web presence that contributes to marketing. Starting a blog to work in tandem with your social media is a strong method for driving traffic on two fronts.

Starting a remote work career can be liberating in so many ways. It's a trajectory that can even lead you into the fulfilling role of an entrepreneur. By using online job boards, social media marketing, and other modern career techniques, you can find success in a full-time job or a part-time side hustle.

Visit UnOrthoDoc Candle Co. for hand-crafted and hand-poured candles made from organic wax!

About The Author

Marjorie Jones created Working Class Wow because she knows you don’t need a big budget to make your business look like a million bucks! From a well-designed logo and a carefully-crafted website to grammatically-correct copy and professionally-printed marketing materials, it is entirely possible (and surprisingly affordable) to bring a little “Working Class WOW” to your small business to build your brand, improve relationships with customers, and benefit the bottom line. WorkingClassWow.com can show you how.

Combating The Great Resignation: 6 Crucial Roles of HR in Employee Retention

This is a guest post by Bash Sarmiento

A company's human resource department plays a crucial role in retaining employees. During today's Great Resignation crisis, companies need to understand why people leave their jobs. They should also know how to combat these issues. In this article, we'll discuss the Great Resignation crisis and how HR departments can help prevent it.

What Is the Great Resignation Crisis?

The Great Resignation crisis refers to the voluntary mass resignations that began in late 2020. Several companies have seen a large number of employees quit their jobs at once. In addition to the mass resignations, some individuals have left their jobs without notice or explanation. These people may not have been fired but simply decided to quit.

There are many possible reasons why someone might want to quit their job. Some quit due to dissatisfaction with the work environment or lack of opportunities. On the other hand, it's not uncommon for employees to quit their jobs because they feel they're being treated unfairly or are unhappy with their pay.

Roles of HR in Employee Retention

Due to the Great Resignation crisis, HR professionals need to play an active role in employee retention. They need to help employees find better positions within the company and provide additional training if necessary. Here are some of the crucial roles of HR in employee retention:

Ensure That They Find the Right Candidate for the Job

When recruiting new employees, HR professionals must ensure they hire the right candidate. For instance, if you need tech talent, look for candidates who have experience working with different tech fields. You should also consider hiring people who have worked in similar fields as your current employees. 

In addition, it's not enough to hire someone who meets the minimum qualifications — you need to ensure that they will fit in with the rest of the team. Considering personality, communication skills, and cultural fit when hiring can go a long way toward ensuring you hire the right candidate.  

HR professionals must also guarantee that the candidates have a fair compensation package. Unfair compensations can make candidates lose motivation and even cause them to consider quitting their jobs altogether.

Create an Amazing First Impression

After hiring an employee, you need to make sure that they have an amazing first impression of your company. This is where your onboarding process comes in. Simply letting a new hire start without any training or orientation can be detrimental to their performance later on. They may also feel unprepared and uncomfortable when starting a new job.

Creating a welcoming atmosphere from day one helps build rapport between your company and its employees. This creates a more positive workplace culture, leading to higher productivity and greater engagement. In the long run, it will lessen turnover rates and increase employee satisfaction.

Provide Training and Development Opportunities

Hiring an employee doesn't stop at just finding them a position. You need to provide ongoing training and development opportunities so that they continue learning and growing throughout their time working at your company. Employees like to grow professionally and learn new skills. Providing opportunities to do so makes them happy and keeps them engaged.

A good way to provide development opportunities is to set long-term goals. Long-term goals help with motivation and encourage employees to keep progressing and developing their skills. 

Encourage Open Communication Among the Team

Open communication is another crucial part of an engaging workplace. When people feel comfortable sharing ideas and opinions, it can help increase employee retention rates. As an HR professional, it's your responsibility to check whether employees are experiencing any problems with their work environment.

Set regular schedules to ask questions and address issues. Let them bring up any concerns they might have. Doing so can help create a productive and healthy workplace. If any negative situations are occurring, you can take action by addressing these problems.

Acknowledge Your Employees' Achievements

Acknowledging your employees for the little things they do goes a long way. For example, if an employee has completed a project successfully, let them know about it. Doing this shows that you value their contributions.

In addition, you can conduct performance reviews once every few months. During these meetings, highlight all your team members' accomplishments. It will also be an excellent time to bring up any areas of improvement for a specific employee. These discussions can help improve morale and foster a sense of teamwork among your staff.

Learn Why Employees Leave Their Jobs

HR professionals have a crucial role in helping companies retain their best talent. As such, it's important to understand why employees leave their jobs. Once you identify the reasons behind a departure, you'll be able to better prepare for future resignations.

Remember to conduct exit interviews to know the reason behind an employee's resignation. Ask departing employees about their experience while on the job and what led them to resign. By doing so, you can gain valuable insight into how to make your workplace even better.

The Bottom Line

The Great Resignation Crisis has led many companies to look for ways to reduce employee turnover. HR professionals have an important role in helping create a positive work environment that encourages employees to stay longer. The responsibilities stated above are just some of the many ways you can create a great workplace culture. By implementing these strategies, you can help ensure that your employees will remain with your company for a long time. 

Meet Bash Sarmiento

Bash Sarmiento is a writer and an educator from Manila. He writes laconic pieces in the education, lifestyle and health realms. His academic background and extensive experience in teaching, textbook evaluation, business management and traveling are translated in his works.

Find him on Instagram and LinkedIn

The Difference Between Fluoride & Hydroxyapatite

When harmful bacteria appear in the mouth, it creates an acidic environment, which can strip away healthy calcium and phospahtes on the surface of teeth. Fluoride is a naturally found element and in toothpaste it works by building a stronger, more acid resistant tooth surface. It does not cure tooth decay. Fluoride is not meant to be ingested. Higher doses of fluoride are seen to be possibly unsafe and can weaken bones and ligaments. The amount you’re likely to use in your toothpaste, under 20mg, is safe.

Hydroxyapatite – the new kid on the block.

Hydroxyapatite is a natural form of calcium that makes up 97% of our tooth enamel. The remaining 3% being made up of collagen, water and proteins. Our mouths recognise hydroxyapatite, seeing as it’s the same material as our teeth, it’s absorbed by the teeth and fills in the little fissures and grooves that acids from bacteria have made. It can insert into really small spaces, meaning remineralization can work from the root up. It is natural, with no known side effects.

Hydroxyapatite – natural, non-toxic, teeth whitener.

Hydroxyapatite keeps the oral microbiome in it’s natural state, it prevents bacteria from attaching to enamel as opposed to fluoride that kills bacteria. They work in very different ways. Unfortunately, fluoride kills the bad as well as the good bacteria. Hydroxyapatite strengthens tooth enamel, and there are no known negative side effects, and is safe enough for kids to use. It also has a positive side effect of whitening teeth, without the use of abrasive chemicals.

Fluoride in the water supply.

Fluoride causes a lot of debate and heated dinner table discussion, primarily because it was added into our water supply systems. This happened to help with the growing levels of tooth decay in the population. Interestingly, dental decay has only existed in it’s current form for about 200 years – exactly when our diets transformed into the global business that food is today (think processed foods).

Bad diet causes tooth decay.

Unfortunately adding fluoride to our water supply as a quick fix hasn’t really solved the issue of tooth decay. As a matter of fact tooth decay is considered by the CDC one of the country’s most prevalent diseases and has been dubbed the silent epidemic. This has nothing to do with whether or not there’s fluoride in the water, it all come down to our diet. Refined sugars and processed carbohydrates are at the heart of the problem. This diet results in the rapid increase of microbes which directly result in the destruction of our tooth surface.

Choosing between fluoride and hydroxyapatite is like picking your favourite band-aid. What causes tooth decay is a bad diet. They both pretty much do the same job except fluoride may have some underlying side effects whereas there have been none noted with hydroxyapatite use. We will see how or if this changes over time. The bottom line is, ensure your toothpaste and/or mouthwash has a cavity fighting agent that works - like fluoride or hydroxyapatite.

5 Books By Women Authors Every Leader & Entrepreneur Should Read

I love a good book! Books have the unique ability to open you up to a whole new world, to increase your knowledge on a certain topic, to educate, inform, increase your memory, communication skills, and sometimes to simply whisk you away to another reality. I have made it a habit to read at least one book per month, at the very minimum 12 books per year. Last year I read 14 books and I always learn something for every read.

I have read at least 15 books so far this year, including these 5 books that I think every leader and/or entrepreneur ought to get their hands on. Being somewhat of a serial entrepreneur and leader in my own right, these books have been helping me tremendously in business. I hope they will do the same for you.

If you love books as much as I do, consider joining my book club. Each month I hand select a book, we all read (or listen via audible) and meet over zoom for a little coffee & conversation or booze & books, whatever the occasion calls for. It is not just a book club, but an opportunity to build our network and form some meaningful relationships.

Happy reading!

Thinking About Getting Braces? What You Need To Know

Getting braces can be a bit daunting, but it also can be an exciting new chapter to straight, healthy teeth that will last you a lifetime!

When thinking about getting braces, you first want to consult with an orthodontist. You might be concerned about the cost of a consultation; however, a high-quality orthodontic office often offers no charge consultations and can cover a wide array of topics, from your medical history to your treatment options and even financial needs like payment plans.

This initial consultation is an essential part of your treatment plan to talk about your orthodontic concerns, problems and what treatment would be best suited for you. Some of the things that a good quality orthodontist will talk to you about before you can get braces include:

• Your medical history

• Your Orthodontic concerns/problems (malocclusion)

• Treatment options

• Treatment Plan

• Mode of treatment (braces, clear aligners or even behind the teeth braces)

• Financial needs like whether you require payment plans

Preparing For Braces

Once your treatment plan has been finalized the first thing your orthodontist will recommend is getting a cleaning with your general dentist. This is because your orthodontist needs your teeth and gums to be clean and healthy before your braces are put on.

The Day You Get Your Braces on

Getting braces put on typically takes the same amount of time as watching your favorite TV show, about 45-60 minutes. Generally, after your teeth are prepped, the braces are treated with adhesive and fitted to your teeth. After this the orthodontist connect each tooth with wires. 

It is a good idea to have some over the counter pain medication handy as your teeth and gums are likely to be a little sore. This soreness usually goes away in a few days.

Cleaning Your Teeth When You Have Braces

Now that you have your braces on you want to avoid certain foods that can break brackets and bend wires. Avoid hard foods like nuts, lollipops, chewy candies, carrots and popcorn.

You want to make extra certain that you are really cleaning your teeth morning and night with a good quality toothpaste and mouthwash as food and bacteria get more easily trapped between your teeth.

If you are looking to get a straighter and healthier smile contact your local Orthodontist for a consultation. If you’re in the Washington, DC area, Dr. Patrice Smith at Infinity Orthodontics offers Orthodontic treatment with options to fit your very busy lifestyle. Choose from convenient options like behind the teeth braces, Invisalign or custom braces.

Revive Your Soul: Ideal Places to Plan a Reset Trip

This is a guest post by Marjorie Jones

If you feel like you are in an endless cycle of stress or burnout, you are not alone. In the U.S., the majority of Americans admit to feeling stress. There are various reasons for it, including anxiety over finances, healthcare, climate, and violence. If you need a break from the hustle and bustle, it might be time to take a self-care "reset" trip. 

 Palm Springs, California

First, you must ask yourself, can you afford to vacation anywhere? Most people have to put together a budget. However, understanding your finances and how to reach your financial goals by doing something you love can help you make plans to hit up Palm Springs, California.

 Palm Springs is a popular resort destination. You can spend your days lounging by the pool or head to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. The city has museums, botanical gardens, and plenty of outdoor activities to take part in. Take in breathtaking views at the Tahquitz Canyon, a waterfall tucked into a canyon.

 Sedona, Arizona

Sedona has a breathtaking landscape and a thriving town. At night, experience the stars above the canyons or live entertainment downtown. You can even check out the UFO tour and share some of the anomalies in the night sky.

Traveling to Sedona provides you with a break from everyday life while blending beautiful Arizona nature with a lively town full of museums, dining, bowling, and other recreation.

 If you fall in love with Sedona, consider a vacation home in the city. Remember that purchasing a vacation home requires a substantial downpayment of 20% or more. If you struggle to afford that much, you could take a second mortgage out on your house or use a home equity loan to purchase the property.

 Seattle, Washington

Seattle is a diverse city. While your first impression may be the towering skyscrapers and shopping district, you will also notice the surrounding mountains, many parks, and fresh Washington air. In Seattle, many people find themselves at the Seattle Center, checking out the Space Needle and Museum of Pop Culture.

 Outside of Seattle, you can see Mt. Rainier and visit various wilderness parks with hiking, backpacking, camping, swimming, and other outdoor recreational activities. When you find yourself hiking on one of the many trails surrounding the Seattle area, you might feel a complete shift in your mood. Experts explain that spending time outdoors can reduce your anxiety and give you a moment to breathe and relax at the moment.

 Houston, Texas

While in Houston, you can enjoy various outdoor recreational activities to soothe your mind and calm your soul. Additionally, there are parks, museums, walking tours, and tea parties to entertain yourself with.

 Look for discounted tickets online if you want to snag a deal on Astros tickets. You can filter the tickets by price, date, range, and seat rating. Some sellers offer an interactive seating chart for a 360-degree virtual in-seat view.

 Sometimes, you must break away from everyday life and do something for yourself. Your mental health matters and can impact your physical health and your ability to function in your day-to-day life. You should feel refreshed when you return home from a "reset" trip.

About The Author

Marjorie Jones created Working Class Wow because she knows you don’t need a big budget to make your business look like a million bucks! From a well-designed logo and a carefully-crafted website to grammatically-correct copy and professionally-printed marketing materials, it is entirely possible (and surprisingly affordable) to bring a little “Working Class WOW” to your small business to build your brand, improve relationships with customers, and benefit the bottom line. WorkingClassWow.com can show you how.

How Does Digital Marketing Improve Your Business?

Most, if not all, companies rely on marketing to capture audience attention. From catchy songs and phrases to beloved characters, businesses utilize many tactics to promote products and services that they hope consumers will purchase. 

Marketing helps to build brand awareness and brand loyalty, capture new customers, and secure existing ones. As of late, companies have embraced digital marketing to reach consumers. Since most individuals and businesses rely on technology to perform daily functions, it only makes sense that companies would mobilize this space. 

If you are a business owner, having a strong digital marketing strategy can be beneficial. Digital marketing can be a cost-effective way of optimizing your performance in a competitive marketplace. Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways digital marketing can help improve your business. 

Digital Marketing Is Cost-Effective 

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of digital marketing is that it is a cost-effective strategy compared to some traditional promotional activities. 

Mailers and billboards are much more expensive than digital ads, for example. With digital marketing, you do not have to worry about paper costs, stamps, signage, or manpower. Furthermore, with just a few simple clicks, you can launch an ad in seconds and reach a wide audience for a nominal fee. 

Depending on the size of your business, you may have limited resources to spend on marketing, so this can be a good way to expand your reach without breaking the bank. 

It Helps to Build Strong Relationships with Consumers 

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. This certainly rings true in the digital marketing space. 

Think about all the times you’ve scrolled through your social media feed. How many times have you seen brands and businesses advertise their products or services using a single, impactful photo? Photos can be a powerful way of sharing your story as a business owner. They have the potential to evoke a strong emotional response from consumers and generate business based on that intense pull. 

On Instagram, for example, you can upload a photo in seconds. You have the option to include a short message, if you wish, to add additional context or embed links to draw people to your website. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok provide an easy pathway to connect with customers in new, fresh, and meaningful ways. With minimal effort and cost, you can cast a wide net and build strong connections. 

It Can Help to Improve Your Market Presence 

With digital marketing, you tend to utilize a lot of different pathways to share your brand story, products, and services with new and existing customers. You also tend to update and post new information more routinely than you would as compared to some traditional forms of marketing. The updates are more instantaneous. Rather than a one-time, static marketing tactic, digital marketing is fluid and constantly evolving. 

As such, your business may perform better in online searches. Many search engines prioritize websites and other platforms that refresh content regularly. Paying close attention to certain keywords can help boost your business to the top of these search engines, as well. 

The closer you are to the top of the list of search results, the more likely prospective customers are to click on your links and explore your offerings. Your visibility increases, which can ultimately generate new growth and revenue. 

It Helps to Even the Playing Field 

Traditionally, when it came to marketing, larger companies often had an advantage. These businesses would have the manpower and the material resources to promote their services in many ways. This was not always true for the smaller, less-resourced companies. When it came down to it, the marketing efforts just didn’t compare. 

However, digital marketing has helped even out the playing field. It provides a platform for all businesses, large and small, to reach people all over the world quickly and efficiently. The size of the business doesn’t matter as much since the same tactic is being employed to capture the attention of a global audience. 

It Helps to Reach Mobile Customers More Easily 

Most people nowadays have a phone with internet capabilities. With digital marketing, you can reach people and promote information in a mobile capacity. People can browse your website, scour your social media feeds, and view your digital advertisements all from the palm of their hand. 

If someone is not in front of a computer or tablet or does not own such a device, it is not as much of a barrier as it used to be with the introduction and widespread use of these handheld technologies. 

Conclusion 

A strong digital marketing strategy from a company like Evestar can help to improve your business in many ways. It is a cost-effective scheme to help expand your reach, grow your online presence, foster strong relationships with customers, and engage in a more competitive business scene. 

A Healthier Mouth With These Three Things from Smile Brilliant

You may recall in the past I reviewed Smile Brilliant's custom-fitted whitening system and was quite pleased with the results. My sister wore the whitening trays for a bit over 2 weeks and was happy with her visibly whiter smile.

Smile Brilliant

Custom fitted whitening system that you can safely do at home. Photos to the left taken two weeks apart.

Whenever an oral care company is founded and run by oral care professionals, it automatically increases my trust in them. Smile Brilliant was founded by a team of dental professionals who saw a need in the marketplace to decrease the amount of trips to the dental office, for whitening products and services in particular. They have a lab-direct process which makes achieving professional results at an affordable price pretty easy. In the last few years, they've taken this model and expanded their line of oral health products to include something for everyone - from the newest in the cariPRO line - a cordless water flosser that allows for easy and effective cleaning, to a custom night guard system to protect the teeth from nighttime grinding.

I have had the opportunity to use and test some of their products over the last several weeks and offer my honest feedback as both a consumer and a dental professional. The items I will be reviewing are their electric toothbrush, water flosser, plaque highlighter and dental probiotics. Here’s my breakdown:

TOOTHBRUSH HIGHLIGHTS

Their cariPRO electric toothbrush has some really impressive features that are unique to the brand and in my opinion, gives a dentist-style clean. Some highlights include:

2 - 4 replacement brush heads

Built-in timer and pacer for brushing

Wireless charging dock

60-day money back guarantee

2 year warranty

Free shipping

caripro Electric Toothbrush

SPECIFICS & IMPRESSIONS

• 40,000 vibrations/minute

  • This is 10,000 more vibrations than the top electric toothbrushes on the market. I do not know of any other toothbrush that has this many vibrations.

• Five (5) modes, some of which were a bit aggressive for me but I did especially like massage, gum care and sensitive modes. The 5 modes are:

  • clean - for optimal results

  • white - high speed polishing

  • massage - gentle stimulation

  • gum care - timed pulse & gemlike health

  • sensitive - ideal for sensitive teeth

• Waterproof

  • Safe for the shower or bath

• 7 x plaque removal

  • It boasts that it cleans 7 times better than a manual toothbrush and improves gum health within two weeks

• Ergonomic slim design with graphite gray soft-touch grip

  • The design is in line with other electric toothbrushes on the market. However, the graphite grey color and soft-touch grip are unique to their brand.

• One month battery life

  • In line with other electric toothbrush brands

• 2 year Warranty

  • If at anytime during the first 2 years the brush breaks or stops working, they will replace it for you free of charge.

• 60 day money back guarantee

  • You have 2 months in which you can try the toothbrush and if for ay reason you don’t like it, they will happily give you your money back.

CARIPRO Waterflosser

WATERFLOSSER HIGHLIGHTS

As an orthodontist, I recommend water flossers in my practice daily! While they are not a substitute for regular string floss, it is a great addition to your oral care routine. I really enjoyed using the cariPRO water flosser and have been recommending it to my patients. Here are some highlights:

4 floss tips

Auto-interval smart timer

5 hour rapid charge

USB adapter and universal charger

60-day money back guarantee

2 year warranty

Free shipping

SPECIFICS & IMPRESSIONS

• 44-75 psi floss jet

  • Comparable to top waterflossers on the market.

• Three (3) modes: normal, soft and pulse

• 45 second flossing time

  • comparable to top water flossers on the market

• Waterproof

  • Safe for the shower or bath

• 28 day battery life

• 2 year Warranty

  • If at anytime during the first 2 years the brush breaks or stops working, they will replace it for you free of charge.

• 60 day money back guarantee

  • You have 2 months in which you can try the toothbrush and if for ay reason you don’t like it, thy will happily give you your money back. Plaque Highlighters

Plaque Highlighters

How It Works:

These are otherwise known as oral disclosing tablets which temporarily highlight
plaque & tartar build-up for more effective brushing. They are quite nifty in helping to identify where plaque may be hiding so that those areas can be targeted with your toothbrush and water flosser. All you have to do is chew the tablet and wherever there is a concentration of plaque it will be bright pink. brush until the pink color goes away. I love that Smile Brilliant carries these for both adults and kids.

We typically use disclosing tablets for kids because let’s face it, they are not usually the best brushers. The disclosing tablets, once chewed, highlights the areas that has plaque build up so it’s easy to see where to concentrate your brushing. You would usually get these at your dentist’s office but Smile Brilliant carries them not only for kids, but for adults too. If you really want to see how well you’re brushing, these disclosing tablets will tell all the secrets. I haven’t considered using them for myself outside of the dental office, but it’s pretty cool having them at home. I definitely recommend grabbing a few of these plaque highlighters, it’ll help you to brush and floss better.

dental probiotics

Most of us have heard of probiotics for maintaining intestinal (gut) health, but probiotics have actually been shown to be very useful in many areas of the body, for skin care & dental care in particular.  Like other types, dental probiotics shift the balance of the existing bacterial composition (microbiome) toward an increased population of “good bacteria”, improving the overall health & fortitude of the area. What that means for us, is that our mouths are healthier.

Did you know there are over 700 species of both good and bad bacteria that populate our mouths? Our mouths have a diverse ecosystem of bacteria in it. The key to a healthy mouth is maintaining the right balance of bacteria where the “good” bacteria outnumber the “bad” bacteria. The bad bacteria are largely responsible for creating an acidic environment where they thrive. When your mouth becomes very acidic, demineralization, gum inflammation and cavities occur and when there is an overgrowth of said bad bacteria, plaque and biofilm begin to form. A healthy population of good bacteria is the key to creating an oral microbiome that eliminates bad breath, reduces plaque, tartar, cavities and gum inflammation. An added benefit to this is that this protection actually extends to our ear, nose & throat providing immune support & protection against viruses and developing infections. 

Have you ever found yourself wondering why, after doing everything your dentist tells you to do - brush, floss, rinse twice per day and see them for check-ups and cleanings every 6 months, you still have some lingering bad breath and even cavities? It happens to the best of us, and that’s because only 2% of the population actually have naturally occurring “good” bacteria enough to fight bad breath and create a healthy oral microbiome. For the rest of us, there are a myriad of things constantly disrupting our oral microbiome and causing bad breath, some as simple as not using the appropriate mouthwash, dehydration and diet.

BAD BACTERIA versus Good bacteria

The Bad - Bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, and hundreds of other species are constantly regenerating and populating the micro crevasses on your teeth and gums. They create a film on your teeth that leads to plaque and tartar. These bad bacteria consume sugar from your food and produce waste in the form of acid and volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). The acid creates cavities and the VSCs cause bad breath.

Lack of brushing, poor quality foods/high sugar, lack of water, and dry mouth can lead to an over-population of bad bacteria.

The Good - Bacteria such as lactobacillus plantarum, streptococcus salivarius, and others fight the bad bacteria. They keep the bad bacteria population under control and keep the oral microbiome in a healthy state.

When you brush with toothpaste or rinse with an alcohol-based mouthwash, you are essentially sterilizing your mouth and that sometimes this kills both good AND bad bacteria. Unfortunately, the bad bacteria tends to grow back fast and often over-populate your mouth before the good bacteria has time to fight. (This is why we often hear stories of people who regularly use mouthwash but still have bad breath)

HOW DO YOU IMPROVE YOUR ORAL MICROBIOME?

Well, the obvious: Brushing your teeth is one of the most important ways to rid your mouth of plaque, tartar and the bacteria that is associated. Flossing, using a tongue scraper and rinsing with a non-alcohol based mouthwash also helps to further eradicate pesky bacteria. However, one thing that has not been historically included in your oral care routine is the use of oral/dental probiotics. Dental probiotics are chewable tablets with concentrated amounts of the healthy bacteria that your mouth needs. It is recommended to be chewed once a day before bed (after brushing, flossing and rinsing). The tablets populate your mouth with good bacteria and leaves less opportunity for the bad bacteria to take hold.

By repeating this process on a daily basis, studies have shown that you can truly change the microbiome of your mouth and increase the population of good bacteria while subsequently reducing the population of bad bacteria. This process is often referred to as Microbiome Rejevenation Therapy or Bacterial Replacement Therapy.

Studies have shown that clinical grade dental probiotics reduce plaque, cavities, gum inflammation and bad breath over brushing and flossing alone. Further, they help improve the upper respiratory immunity in both children and adults.

Giveaway!*

I have personally started using these dental probiotics several weeks ago and can report a noticeable difference with morning breath. I am very excited to share this new addition to my oral care routine and thus will be giving away a 30-day supply of dental probiotics for you to try.

To enter: Go here and come back to this page and leave a comment below about an interesting fact you learned about dental probiotics. I need at least 3 comments to activate this giveaway. You must be 18years or older and reside in the US, Canada or UK. Winner will be chosen one week from the published date of this article.

Don’t want to enter the giveaway but want to try these dental probiotics (or any other product), do so with a discount. Go to Smile Brilliant’s website and enter code: theunorthodoc20 at checkout for 20% off your purchase.

Over $10K Blog Income for June 2022

This month I am on track to make over $10K from blogging. That is, money coming in to do exactly what I would normally do - publish one blog post per month.

When I started this blog I was pretty inconsistent with my posting schedule. When I realized it was directly affecting my SEO (the way it showed up in internet searches) that’s when I decided to put some strategy in and start posting more consistently. For the greater part of 2 years I posted once per week consistently. That greatly improved my ranking in google searches and thus the blog’s visibility. This also strengthened brand’s trust in me. Because of this combination, my blog has been making steady residual income.

I don’t do blog income transparency posts often but when I do, it is to show that blogging can be a lucrative side hustle if that’s what you desire. I did a similar post last summer where my blogging income over 8 months was $12,201.67. Roughly a year later and that 8 month income is close to the monthly income. This is the power of consistency. If this income remains consistent, that will be over $120K/year - a 6 figure income from blogging alone!

I have said this before but it is worth mentioning again, blogging didn’t start out being a money making venture for me (still isn’t the aim) but has been a welcomed side effect of doing what I love to do. When you love something, I mean love it, you don’t see it as work.

It’s why I can get up at 6am work until 8:30am, go to my 9–5 and then work from 6–10pm (if I want to). It’s joyful and I love to do it. Here are some of the benefits of a side hustle you love:

• It’s free therapy

• It gives you clarity

• It builds your confidence

• It gets you motivated

None of those things are about money, the money is a bonus.

If you create something you love regardless of the money, the money feels like you’ve won the lottery.

This month alone (June) my blog is on track to make roughly $10,180.05

My blog makes passive income with affiliate links and sponsored posts. This month alone (June) my blog is on track to make roughly $10,180.05 (this does not include income from my candle company). There are no overhead costs (besides the annual cost to keep the site up and running) and I don’t have to do anything differently. For me, blogging is a good side hustle.

Here is the breakdown:

1. Sponsored posts $6,000.00 - a sponsored post is an article you write on behalf of a company that would like to get in front of your audience. The key for me where this is concerned is to only agree to write such articles when it is a product or service that I have personally used or can get behind.

2. Affiliate links $4,180.05 - On the resources page of this blog I have products and services listed that I have used myself and even carry in my practice. I like giving my patients options especially when it come to oral care products and I extend the same to my readers. When I promote a company’s products as an affiliate I earn a small commission for the referral.

I am not including income from my candle company because it involves putting in extra time. I hand-pour and package each candle that is purchased and it does carry some overhead costs. However, running a candle business is another lucrative side hustle!

Invest in a side hustle.

It’s a way to have a job and do the work you really want to on the side with zero risk. Once the side hustle starts to become a bigger part of your income, you can slowly transition from a job to work you love, if that’s what you want.

I invested a lot of time before and after work to make it happen. I can now say it’s one of the best investments I’ve ever made.

Do this:

Work on a side hustle between 6-10pm. Commit for at least a year. Invest time into learning about online income streams. Experiment until you find your sweet spot.

Here are some Side Hustle blog posts and a Side Hustle Guide to get you inspired. Want to take things a step further? Purchase my e-book: From idea To Profit.

Increase The Good Bacteria in Your Mouth With Dental Probiotics

Did you know there are over 700 species of both good and bad bacteria that populate our mouths?

Our mouths have a diverse ecosystem of bacteria in it. The key to a healthy mouth is maintaining the right balance of bacteria where the “good” bacteria outnumber the “bad” bacteria. The bad bacteria are largely responsible for creating an acidic environment where they thrive. When your mouth becomes very acidic, demineralization, gum inflammation and cavities occur and when there is an overgrowth of said bad bacteria, plaque and biofilm begin to form.

A healthy population of good bacteria is the key to creating a microbiome that eliminates bad breath, reduces cavities and fights gum inflammation.

BAD BACTERIA

Bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, and hundreds of other species are constantly regenerating and populating the micro crevasses on your teeth and gums. They create a film on your teeth that leads to plaque and tartar. These bad bacteria consume sugar from your food and produce waste in the form of acid and volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). The acid creates cavities and the VSCs cause bad breath.

Lack of brushing, poor quality foods/high sugar, lack of water, and dry mouth can lead to an over-population of bad bacteria.

GOOD BACTERIA

Bacteria such as lactobacillus plantarum, streptococcus salivarius, and others fight the bad bacteria. They keep the bad bacteria population under control and keep the oral microbiome in a healthy state.

When you brush with toothpaste or rinse with an alcohol-based mouthwash, you are essentially sterilizing your mouth and that sometimes this kills both good AND bad bacteria.

Unfortunately, the bad bacteria tends to grow back fast and often over-populate your mouth before the good bacteria has time to fight. (This is why we often hear stories of people who regularly use mouthwash but still have bad breath)

HOW DO YOU IMPROVE your ORAL MICROBIOME?

Dental probiotics are chewable tablets with concentrated amounts of the healthy bacteria that your mouth needs. It is recommended to be chewed once a day before bed (after brushing, flossing and rinsing). The tablets populate your mouth with good bacteria and leaves less opportunity for the bad bacteria to take hold.

By repeating this process on a daily basis, studies have shown that you can truly change the microbiome of your mouth and increase the population of good bacteria while subsequently reducing the population of bad bacteria.

This process is often referred to as Microbiome Rejevenation Therapy or Bacterial Replacement Therapy.

Studies have shown that clinical grade dental probiotics reduce plaque, cavities, gum inflammation and bad breath over brushing and flossing alone. Further, they help improve the upper respiratory immunity in both children and adults.

Some great dental probiotic options are:

ProBiora

The original dental probiotic - brings your oral biome into balance, addressing the cause of most common teeth and gum issues.

Smile Brilliant

The optimal way to build a healthier oral
microbiome and support ear / nose / throat
immunity!

Burst Oral Care

Contains one of the highest concentrations of BLIS K12TM and BLIS M-18TM available. Studies have shown that these probiotic strains support robust oral health.

Great Oral Health

These chewable oral probiotics are vegetarian, gluten-free, sugar-free and lactose-free with natural flavor. They have no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners and carries a unique and patented blend of dental probiotics packed with 7 potent strains of probiotics: the BLIS K12 and BLIS M18, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Lactobacillus Salivarius, Lactobacillus Paracasei, Lactobacillus Thermophilus, and Streptococcus Salivarius.

Father's Day Gift Guide

Father’s day is June 19th this year and since my gift guides have become quite popular I have decided to create one for dad, too. Unlike me, my husband will be celebrating his 2nd Father’s Day this year (our son was born at the end of May). I have to admit, growing up my dad always received the cliché dad gifts from me and my siblings - a tie, mug and cheesy DIY card. I always felt like dads didn’t care much about Father’s day until my husband said otherwise. So here we are! I am rounding up a few amazing gift ideas for the dad/father figure in your life.

1. Packing Cubes - Hey, guys like to be organized too when they travel and if he isn’t hip to these yet he will be! ask me how I know.

2. Bose Speaker - My husband loves his bose speaker and takes it with him on vacation, to outdoor family picnics or to just chill in the backyard. It’s great for having your own little personal jam session. It’s loud enough to feel like you’re having a personal party but quiet enough to not disturb your neighbors or beach/vacation mates.

3. Bose headphones - If you’re hubby/dad is a music lover then he will appreciate great quality headphones. Bose has the best ones.

4. Record Player - Such a fun device to have. When hubby is feeling nostalgic he throughs a record on, grab a glass of whiskey, a cigar and vibe out. Great gift.

5. David Yurrman Bracelets - I have a love for Yurman classic pieces, if you haven’t figured that out by now. They are so sophisticated. My husband wears this cable cuff and this spiritual bead bracelet all the time and has them in different colors that he switches out based on the color in his outfit.

6. Ray-Ban Sunglasses - You can never go wrong with a pair of sunnies. These are such a no-brainer and almost anyone looks great in Ray-Ban aviators.

7. Duffel/Weekender Keep All - Really nice and generous gift for hubby, dad or boyfriend. Great to take on weekend trips or to use as a hospital bag (yes, dads pack a hospital bag too). My husband loves his and uses it for short weekend getaways.

8. Tiffany Whiskey Glasses - These brandy snifters made it on my Christmas gift guide last year and I found similar whiskey glasses. These are really simple yet classy gifts for dad. If he drinks he will love these.

9. Cologne - No brainer if you can’t think of anything super unique. My husband’s fav at the moment is Bleu by Chanel. Smells amazing.

10. UnOrthoDoc Candles - The simplest, most thoughtful gift, imo are candles. Everyone loves them and you can find some really great scented ones around. Obviously I am going to recommend my own candle line - Deboniar and Allure are great for any male figure in your life.

11. Wine Chiller - We are now wine lovers and even recently joined a wine club where we get 3 bottles of specialty wine delivered to us every month. We take a bottle with us to friends homes as gifts, to the rooftop when we want to hang out with a view, on picnics etc. Needless to say, we needed a way to keep our wines chilled on out outings and found these.

12. Wine Club Subscription - Is dad/hubby a winer lover? then get him a wine subscription from sparkle-ist. We joined this wine club recently and are obsessed. We get 3 bottles of specialty sparkling wine each month from small family farms around the world. We are having fun discovering and learning about sparkling wine. It is the gift that keeps on giving.

13. Plush Microfiber Robe - Robes are always a great idea. They are super cozy and make really nice gifts for grandpa, dad, uncle, husband or brother. They’ll be wearing it all year round.

14. Electric Toothbrush - The dentist in me will not allow any gift guide to be complete without oral care goodies. Give dad the gift of good oral hygiene. Any electric toothbrush and water flosser is great, these black ones from Burst are really cool.

I hope you see something you love for dad, that father-figure in your life or for yourself. At the very least I hope this gift guide gives you some inspiration this year. Happy shopping!

Starting a Business When You’re the Stay-at-Home Parent

This is a guest post by Marjorie Jones

In many households, being a stay-at-home parent can be more advantageous than employment due to daycare costs, other obstacles, or the simple desire to be more involved in the lives of your younger children. Still, you may feel as though you could be doing more — such as running a business. There are actually many businesses you can operate successfully while being a stay-at-home parent.

Leverage Your Talents and Interests

One of the easiest ways to start a profitable business that doesn’t require too many resources is by using the knowledge you have to teach lessons to others. If you play an instrument, you can offer music lessons. If you paint, you can teach art lessons. Consider that you can also teach lessons online and sell pre-recorded classes.

Being a personal trainer is a great way to make a reliable income without needing to leave your home. You can stream lessons over the Internet to clients working out with weights at home or at their own gyms. This kind of setup also enables you to scale the business to a larger degree.

If you’re knowledgeable about a niche and skilled in writing about it (or writing in general), you can take on clients from the comfort of your own home. Even if you work through a platform that connects you with clients, you can work both online and for local businesses on the side. It’s probably most beneficial to file your taxes through an LLC as an independent contractor.

Set Up Your Business

In order for your business to run smoothly, you’ll need to take some steps to get it set up via paperwork and other factors, so it can operate legally. An LLC offers tax advantages, liability protection, and operational conveniences. This can be done via your state government or proper provincial offices.

When starting out with your stay-at-home business you’ll need to determine how much the business will cost to start and where you’ll get the funding from. You’ll need a comfortable and sufficient workspace somewhere in your house, such as the garage, guest room, or office. Marketing is also a crucial question to figure out, and it’s not a bad idea to start online or use geofencing methods to attract more localized customers.

Get the Ball Rolling

Getting paid requires invoicing clients properly and following up to make sure you receive payments. Your business will probably be on a smaller scale, so up-front payments are probably a good idea. However, there are many tools you can use to make invoicing clients simpler and easier when necessary. This invoice generator will save loads of time and provides several templates you can use for different kinds of businesses. You can also customize different elements of the document by adding logos, photos, or other elements that make identifying and reading them easier for clients and yourself.

A Business Can Change Your Life

If you plan carefully and choose a business niche that works for your circumstances, you can operate a profitable venture that benefits your whole family. Make sure to register your business venture through proper channels and use invoice software to make the process simpler.

For insight and advice from an entrepreneur and mother who’s seen it all, visit The UnOrthoDoc blog.

About The Author

Marjorie Jones created Working Class Wow because she knows you don’t need a big budget to make your business look like a million bucks! From a well-designed logo and a carefully-crafted website to grammatically-correct copy and professionally-printed marketing materials, it is entirely possible (and surprisingly affordable) to bring a little “Working Class WOW” to your small business to build your brand, improve relationships with customers, and benefit the bottom line. WorkingClassWow.com can show you how.

Why Scented Candles Are The Perfect Gift

Finding a gift for someone is a daunting task no matter who is on the receiving end. It takes a lot of thought, time and effort to come up with a perfect gift for a friend, loved one or family member. Candles are a great solution when looking to buy the perfect gift. They are always well received and due to their versatility, there's truly something for everyone.

Here are a few reasons why scented candles are the perfect gift for pretty much anyone.

PROVIDES AROMATHERAPY

Scented candles are great mood boosters as the scent triggers receptors in the brain that are responsible for making us feel positive. They can have a profound effect on our emotional, physical and mental state. Who wouldn't enjoy lighting a candle after a long day and feeling themselves relax and de-stress? Even if not as a gift, it is amazing to get this self-care gift for yourself as well so even you can enjoy the countless benefits of aromatherapy.

COST-EFFECTIVENESS

Scented candles are an amazing choice when you are on a budget and still want to show someone how much you care about them. You can find exceptional quality scented candles ranging from as little as $10 all the way up to $200 (and even more). There is literally a candle to match any budget.

UNIQUENESS

The best thing about scented candles is their diversity of scents. From fruity and sweet to floral and musky and everything in between there's always something for everyone. Our sense of smell is the only sense directly connected to memory and emotions.

LONG-LASTING ENJOYMENT

A good quality unlit scented candle will continue to emit fragrance for many months and even years. Once lit they provide many hours of fragrance, depending on size some can last up tp 50 hours. They are a luxurious addition to any space and will fill it with an amazing smell for you to enjoy for a long time.

SPRUCING UP YOUR SPACE

It's surprising how many people buy candles yet don't light them. Candles have a wonderful ability to add more aesthetic to any space. With their beautiful jars and subtle release of fragrance into a room, they provide a stylish focal point whether lit or not.

This is why they make great presents for others and yourself. You can get many uses out of them.

Burst electric Toothbrush: An Orthodontist's Review

As a dentist (Orthodontist), every now and then oral care brands send me items to try, have my patients try, give my feedback and then write a review. One of these said companies is the BURST, and in this case it’s their electric toothbrush.

If I’m being honest, I initially thought of BURST as one of the latest social media fads. If you have spent any time on social media in the last year or so, then chances are high that you have heard about them from not only dental professionals but a host of “influencers.” I am often wary of items that I notice influencers are all over at the moment. It is no secret that brands pay influencers to drive sales of their products and it can be hard to tell whether the reviews are genuine or if it’s for a paycheck.

As an Orthodontist, I am a fan of electric toothbrushes in general and frequently recommend them to my patients. I am not a brand loyalist so my recommendations usually take into consideration the needs and wants of my patients, their budgets, if the products work and do what they say they will, if the products are from a reputable company and whether I think it’s an overall good product.

toothbrush Highlights

• Subscription service

• Built-in timer and pacer for brushing

• USB charging stand

• 90-day money back guarantee

• Lifetime warranty

• Clinically proven

• Free delivery

Toothbrush Specifics & Impressions

• 33,000 sonic vibrations/minute

  • This is roughly 3000 more sonic vibrations than other popular electric toothbrushes. I found that even though there are more vibrations, it is very gentle regardless of the mode that you brush on. The 3 modes are: whitening mode (full power), sensitive mode ( gentler on gums and teeth than whitening mode), and massage mode (pulsating vibrations).

• Shown to remove up to 10x more plaque than a manual toothbrush

  • Based on Clinical Studies *

• Reduces gingivitis up to 3x more than a manual toothbrush

  • Based on Clinical Studies*

• Tapered multi-length charcoal black bristles

  • These make the brushes stylish but there’s still a lot of debate in the dental community about the abrasive properties of charcoal. Some studies have found that charcoal gives it’s whitening effect by removing a thin layer of enamel, which can be harmful. However, these studies are few and inconclusive. I cannot speak on the effectiveness of having charcoal bristles versus another type, but I can say that the bristles are soft and my teeth felt like I had a professional cleaning at the dentist.

• One month battery life

  • In line with other electric toothbrush brands

• Lifetime Warranty

  • Love this - if at anytime the rush breaks stops working, burst will replace it for you free of charge.

* I downloaded the clinical studies report done by burst and skimmed the 357 page document which showed that this brush indeed did offer a superior clean over manual or comparable electric toothbrushes on the market. Feel free to peruse the study for yourself - Link to download clinical study.

Price POINT

There is a Black, White, Lavender and Rose Gold color option. It is $69.99 for the Black or White color option, $79.99 for the Lavender color option and $99.99 for the Rose Gold color option - all with free shipping. This is a subscription service so replacement brush heads are sent to you automatically (and conveniently) every 12 weeks for $8. Right now with this purchase, whitening strips refill packs are included free of cost (a $14.99 value). In my opinion, this is good value for the price especially when compared to the more popular electric toothbrush brands that will run you anywhere between $100-$300.

The Verdict

Overall, I really like the BURST toothbrush. It is superior to other leading electric brushes in the categories of sonic vibrations/minute which cleans and removes more surface stains a bit better, the lifetime warranty and the price point. Based on this, I agreed to become a dental professional ambassador and recommend their electric toothbrushes in my practice. My patients get the benefit of receiving BURST electric toothbrushes at a discounted price.

If you are interested in purchasing the BURST electric toothbrush for yourself you can also take advantage of special pricing and save by heading to their website and using the code UNORTHODOC at checkout. This will save you roughly 40% on your purchases. If for any reason you aren’t happy with your purchase, they have a 90-day money back guarantee.

PS: At the time the toothbrush was gifted to me, I was not a Burst ambassador. This is my honest review, and I became an ambassador after I read the clinical studies and used the brush myself.

Cozy Earth Mother's Day Gift Guide

One of my favorite brands is having a Mother’s Day Sale and I had to share. I was introduced to Cozy Earth several months ago and I kid you not, they have some of the best quality products I have come across in a long time. All their products are made of bamboo! The bamboo is sustainably sourced, pressed, dried, milled and spun into viscose which gives us the softest, most breathable fabrics.

I own their loungewear and it is easily the most comfortable ones I own, I practically live in them. When I am home, the jogger pants and matching pullover are my go to. I also have the kimono robe and some of their bed sheets - they are the softest sheets in my linen closet. My mother (who is of a certain age) has been living with us since my son was born and has taken over the sheets because of how breathable they are. As someone who suffers from frequent hot flashes she is loving the fabric and how cool they keep her during her sleep.

This Mother’s Day I will be getting my mom her own Bamboo sheet set and getting a few items for myself. They are having a 25-30% off sale but my code: DR.UNORTHODOC40 will get you 40% off. I plan on getting another jogger set, lounge socks, crib sheets for baby Braxton and a bath mat.

1. Plush lounge socks - Soft, breathable and moisture wicking fabric, made from viscose from bamboo. Great for lounging around home or to wear on cold flights.

2. Bamboo Joggers - My all time favorite joggers that I wear all the time. They are the most comfortable ones I own. You will love them.

3. Rib-Knit Bamboo Pants - Great for lounging or wearing to run errands.

4. Bamboo Throw Blanket - I always need a throw when I get on the couch to cover my legs. This could be used as a comfortable cover or decor for your sofa.

5. Baby Crib Sheet - I have the bed sheets myself and I think my baby deserves to sleep on soft, breathable sheets too. Will be getting this!

6. Sheet Set or Bedding Bundle - The softest, most comfortable and breathable sheets in my linen closet.

7. Plush Bath Towels - Ultra absorbant, made from 40% viscose and 60% cotton.

8. Plush Wash Cloths - Similar to the bath towels - ultra absorbent, made from 40% viscose and 60% cotton.

9. Short sleeve Bamboo Pajama Set - Rated “softest ever” by Oprah! I am sure this is super soft since it is made of 100% viscose. The shorts and short sleeve top makes it great for the spring and summer months

10. Stretch Knit Bamboo Kimono Robe - I have this and love it! Made of 100% viscose and VERY soft.

As with all the products I review, I personally own some of these and honestly love them. Whether for your mom, mom friend or yourself I am sure you will love these items.

PS: I love partnering with brands whose products and services bear a mission and purpose that I can get behind. This page contains affiliate links and will earn The UnOrthoDoc a small commission if you purchase or sign up to the services. These add no cost to you but helps keep The UnOrthoDoc sustainable. It’s also worth noting that almost all resources mentioned are resources that I have verified and/or personally use. To find more promo codes visit the Resources Page.

My Favorite Mommy Accessory: Tushbaby Carrier

If you’re in my friend circle or follow me on social media, you would know just how much I have been loving my newest mommy accessory, the Tushbaby carrier. I have raved about it since I got it last week.

My baby boy Braxton turned 10 months recently. At his 9 month pediatrician appointment he weighed roughly 25lbs. He is in the 96th percentile in both height and weight for his age. Needless to say, it has been quite the ordeal to hold him for any extended period of time. This is why I was ecstatic when one my company reps and friend told me about tushbaby and how much it helps her carry her little girl around. I got it immediately and have been in love since.

If you have an infant or toddler I’m sure you’ll love this product too. You can actually use it from birth up to 36 months (or 45lbs) and it can be worn in four different ways.

Wearing the TushBaby is very comfortable, and it’s easy to put on. You simply wrap the TushBaby around your body, above the hips, and secure the velcro as well as the buckle. It feels very secure and with the heavy-duty velcro, it’s not going anywhere! Then you simply set your child on the seat. You can place your child in a feeding position, face to face, front facing or side carrying. I mostly carry Brax face to face (he loves laying on mommy’s chest) or side carrying. His weight is more evenly distributed through my back when wearing the carrier than when I simply carry him on my hip. The anti-slip fabric patch on the seat keeps him in place, and keeps his legs in a good, wide position which is important for his hip development.

Four Ways to Wear Tushbaby

When I have him in the carrier, I do need to hold onto him with one arm to make sure he doesn’t tip backwards, but it’s still significantly less difficult than supporting all his weight on my hip and arm.

TushBaby has multiple storage compartments which makes it even more handy! There is a front pocket which is the perfect size for my small wallet, phone and anything you need within easy reach.

There’s another really big pocket underneath the seat where you could store a variety of items. I carry my wallet, keys, a small pack of wipes, a bottle, toys, etc. There’s also a mesh pocket in the back.

In my opinion, TushBaby is a great option for parents with young children! From birth through toddlerhood, it is a product that can serve many purposes and stages.

Quite a number of my friends got the carrier after I raved about it to them, so I left a great review on their website and reached out to the brand for a discount code and they happily obliged. Purchase from TushBaby and use the code UNORTHODOC to save 15% on your order.

Come back and tell me how you like it!