She Built a Business by Building Other Women Up: Small Business Lessons Behind 15 Years of Growth

October marks National Women's Small Business Month, recognizing the growing impact of female entrepreneurs across the country. Nearly four decades ago former President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988. That law made it illegal for banks to discriminate when giving women business loans, requiring them to no longer need a male relative to co-sign. The legislation helped remove barriers to financing for women, paving the way for greater business ownership. Today, women own nearly half of the nation’s small businesses and continue to play a vital role in shaping the American economy

Among them is Dr. Mira Albert, a board-certified pediatric dentist, national spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and founder of Brush Pediatric Dentistry, who has spent the past 15 years building a thriving business while raising two children and helping other women advance their careers.

“When I opened my first practice 15 years ago, I knew I wanted to build something special, but I also knew I couldn't do it alone,” said Albert. “I'm incredibly grateful for the talented women who have helped make Brush Pediatric Dentistry what it is today. Building the right all female team, making thoughtful decisions and creating opportunities for others have been essential to our success.”

Albert opened her first pediatric dental practice in the Chicago area of Hinsdale in 2011, while pregnant with her second child. Her vision was to create a welcoming, judgment-free environment where families could feel confident in the care their children received. Equally important was building a female team of talented women who shared her commitment to patient care, collaboration and professional growth. That foundation helped fuel the practice's success and eventual expansion to Downers Grove in 2024. Today, Albert leads 30 women across both locations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women own around 43% of the nation's nearly 30 million non-employer businesses. They report that women-owned businesses in the country, both those that employ people and those that don’t, account for 14 million businesses generating $2.5 trillion annually. For women considering entrepreneurship, particularly those balancing business ownership with motherhood, Albert's experience offers lessons that extend well beyond dentistry.

Not only has Dr. Albert been able to grow her business alongside her family, but she has made it her mission to help support and nurture other women in their careers. She made mentorship a priority, helping aspiring young dentists navigate their education, training and professional development. Two women she mentored went on to become pediatric dentists and then returned to Brush Pediatric Dentistry to work alongside her.

Drawing on 15 years of experience, Albert shares five lessons for women looking to start, manage or grow a successful small business:

• Mentorship: Invest in people, not just the business. Some of the most meaningful opportunities for growth come from helping others succeed. Albert encourages women to seek guidance from experienced mentors while also creating opportunities to mentor others. Developing talent from within can strengthen a business, build loyalty and prepare the next generation of leaders.
• Calculated risks: Know when it's time to make a move. Growth often requires stepping outside your comfort zone. Whether expanding to a second location, changing a business model or making a difficult financial decision, successful entrepreneurs must evaluate risks carefully and recognize when staying comfortable could limit future opportunities.
• Leadership: Build a team that can grow with you. Running a business requires more than technical expertise. Effective leaders recognize individual strengths, encourage collaboration and give employees opportunities to take on greater responsibility. Investing in future leaders can help a business grow beyond its founder.
• Communication: Make it a business priority. Clear, consistent communication builds trust among employees, customers and business partners. 
• Patience: Build for the long term. Sustainable business growth rarely happens overnight. Albert encourages entrepreneurs to remain focused on their vision while recognizing that success often comes through years of consistent effort, learning and adapting. 

“Building a business while raising a family has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding,” said Albert. “One of the greatest lessons I've learned is that success isn't something you achieve alone. It's about surrounding yourself with the right people, believing in your vision and creating opportunities for others to grow.”

For Albert, celebrating 15 years in business is about more than opening a second location or expanding her team. It's about the women she has mentored, the careers she has helped shape and the culture she has built along the way.