When Dr. Holly Ellis opened Ellis Dental in 2009, three years after graduating, she wasn’t launching her dental practice. She was building a space where women in every role, from patients to providers, could feel seen, supported, and empowered.
“I always knew I wanted my own business,” she said. “Even in high school, I recognized that I liked leading and building something that reflected my values.”
Dentistry offered the opportunity she was looking for: science, people, art, and independence. There were very few women in her dental school classes. Today, most U.S. dental programs graduate classes that are 50–60% women. After three years working under a mentor who taught her the business fundamentals that dental school never covered, she opened Ellis Dental.
“We’ve created a place where women can build careers, not just jobs,” Holly said. She leads an all-female team of providers, hygienists, and staff, not by design, but by culture.
Running a growing practice without a business degree has meant learning in real time. “Every mistake becomes a lesson,” Holly said. Today, she intentionally splits her time between treating patients and running the business. “I had to step back to lead well. It allows me to focus on culture, patient care, and mentoring my associates.”
That mentorship is central to how she supports women in business. Younger dentists and team members are encouraged to sit in on operations conversations and explore leadership opportunities. “I want them to see every part of what it takes to run a business so they feel confident creating their own path, whether that’s here or in a practice they start someday.”
She also builds trust the old-fashioned way: by doing the work alongside her team. She’s often the first one in the office around 6 a.m. “I will never ask my team to do something I’m not willing to do,” she said.
Holly’s philosophy of care is simple: “Patients should feel good when they’re here.” Plenty of time for questions. Warm neck pillows, blankets, and massage chairs in every room. Hotel-style scent diffusers and a home-inspired design that helps patients exhale the moment they walk in.
For women juggling careers, children, and aging parents, a dental visit can easily fall to the bottom of the list. Holly creates a space that feels calm, unrushed, and judgment-free. “Some people haven’t been to the dentist in years because they’re scared or ashamed,” she said. “We just listen. We give them space. Women carry so much; if we can give them an hour where they feel cared for, that matters.”
Holly became a business owner before she became a mom, and her practice reflects that evolution. Years ago, she shifted her office hours from 8–5 to 7–4 to support both her own family and the women she employs.
“We have team members with kids, and some who are taking care of aging parents, and everything in between,” she said. “We all need flexibility.” By modeling boundaries, including reserving one day a week for her own reset, she gives her team permission to prioritize their lives outside of work, too.
Ask Holly what she’s most proud of, and she doesn’t start with numbers. “The kids I treated at three are now driving,” she laughed. “And they’re still coming. Their families are still coming.” That longevity, she says, tells her she’s built more than successful practices; she’s built trust across generations.
She is equally focused on the example she’s setting at home. Holly noted, “I want my daughter to know that with hard work comes rewards. She can build something. She can lead. She can have a career she enjoys that provides happiness!"
As for what’s next: more growth, more patients, and more women supported, empowered, and cared for. “I’m only 46,” Holly said. “There’s so much more to build.”
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