Rising Stars: Meet Kedric Bowen of Colorado Springs

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kedric Bowen

Hi Kedric, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Ked Bowen started his journey where most do. He attended college for a year to get a degree in biology for Orthodontics. However, curiosity sent him to a dental laboratory for what was meant to be a visit to see this side of dentistry. This event ended up turning into a 2-week internship which grew into a 4 month internship.

The love for dental technology grew and grew so large that Ahmad Gordji, the prior owner, saw the potential in him to make him partner at the company. The following year, Ked Bowen took over as owner of Dental Arts Studio. This makes him the third owner of one of the longest standing laboratories in Colorado Springs.

With the guidance and mentorship of Ahmad Gordji, the two of them have been working side-by-side to grow and accomplish goals that were set jointly. With the newfound energy Ked brought to the team, Ahmad’s expertise, and education from Lund University, they will continue their dream until Ahmad reaches his desired retirement age. Ahmad will remain with the team to help with all the complex cases that need his 30+ years of experience in the Dental Laboratory field.

Ked Bowen has big dreams and goals. His vision is to create a product unrivaled by any competition with the highest quality ceramics and esthetics. Our team’s goal is to provide the best product so we can benefit patients, Dr.s, and the community that has given us so much. Dental Arts Studio wants to give back just as much to this town that has generously given throughout the years to all of us over at Dental Arts Studio.

(This is from my website)

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No it has not. When I took over at 22 – 23 years old, leading the largest and most talented dental lab team in Colorado Springs, I initially struggled with the confidence to communicate effectively with both new and existing clients. My staff and current team also had an unsure and unconfident leader in this new transition. That can hurt a company a tremendous amount. I spent countless hours and weekends honing in on my talents and skills at the bench and also reading all the literature I could on effective team building as well as general business advice. I spent a lot of time at Continuing Education courses to gain knowledge and a firmer grasp on the dental world. I spent time researching new and existing tech to invest into for our company to streamline workflows and gain speed with software and hardware doing the heavy lifting while also never compromising on quality and esthetics. If I had no passion for this industry and drive to make this company more successful than it ever has been, I would have quit 2-3 months into this entrepreneurial journey no doubt. The hardest obstacle and challenge to overcome was myself. The prison I put myself into was extremely difficult to break out of. Through self education, but more importantly, through advice of my many mentors I was able to find the strength to overcome and keep going. A wise man once told me, “If being an entrepreneur is too difficult, go scoop ice cream. Everyone likes ice cream.”

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Dental Arts Studio is a full service dental laboratory. This means we have very department for dental laboratory needs. We do crown and bridge as well as denture. Normally these two fields are separate and not operated out of the same dental lab. We like to go above and beyond for our customers.

We specialize in implant retained restorations and our high esthetics. Dental Arts Studio is also a leading dental lab in Colorado Springs when it comes to digital dentistry. We take advantage of just about all software known to the lab field whether its CAD/CAM for design and mechanical communication or cloud based for smile designs and surgical guides for a vast array of surgeries.

I personally am most proud of our team. They stuck with me when I was a bad leader. They stuck with me through my micromanagement. They stuck with me in the hard days. They continue to stick with me now while I constantly strive for new departments and new knowledge. I am very proud to have a team like the one I have today. I am very lucky to be able to lead the team we have today.

What sets us apart from others is our care. A lot of lab work being done today is based in the dollar. Yes, our product is very expensive but what is hard to communicate is the level of care we provide. When patients get sent through our doors for a shade or custom stain appointment and they go back to the Dr’s office with a smile on their face and they thank their Dr’s for working with a team like ours, we have zero trouble justifying our price. Our care and attention to detail when it comes to patients is not comparable. We spend so much time on our dime to just connect with people. Treating people as human beings and not numbers is hard to find these days. That is something we will never let go of or compromise on.

How do you define success?
Is the company financially profitable with a work environment that everyone there feels their worth is seen and compensated for while also enjoying who they work with and for. That is success to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dentalartsstudio.com
• Instagram: dentalartsstudioinc
• Facebook: Dental Arts Studio, Inc.

Image Credits
Mazie Cain – Cains Candids for my headshot.