What if one celebrity client could permanently change the trajectory of your entire career?

In this episode, Dr. Catrise Austin, celebrity dentist turned brand authority strategist, shares how a bold move at a New York restaurant in the 1990s launched a career that would land her in hip hop history. She introduced herself to Isaac Hayes over dinner, became his dentist, went to the Oscars and Grammys, got a publicist through a barter deal, and eventually transformed Cardi B's smile on national television. The Cardi B episode aired as a season premiere on Love and Hip Hop, the song Bodak Yellow went number one, and TMZ ran the story. Her business tripled overnight.

What she built over 30 years wasn't just a celebrity dental practice. It was a masterclass in how relationships compound when you protect them the way most people protect money.

[00:04:20] What She Does and Who She Serves

Brand authority strategist helping entrepreneurs become the go-to in their industries
Uses the FAME Formula to help clients climb the authority ladder
Works across dental, medical, corporate, and entrepreneurial spaces

[00:05:20] How She Got Here

Two years after dental school, moved to New York and started networking
Hit comedy clubs in the 90s and befriended a young Kevin Hart and Tracy Morgan
Comedians opened for music acts; she started meeting people in the music industry
Realized she could be the dentist to the stars and started passing out flyers at celebrity hotspots

[00:07:40] The Night That Started Everything: Isaac Hayes

Walked up to Isaac Hayes at P. Diddy's restaurant and gave him her elevator pitch
He had never seen a dentist like her; he invited her to sit down for dinner
She left with his phone number and his promise to become her first celebrity client
That one bold move launched her career as a celebrity dentist

[00:11:00] What Isaac Did Next

Sent his assistant to vet her office before committing
Once convinced, put her in his entourage and took her to the Oscars and Grammys
Introduced her to Denzel Washington's wife, who gave her a home phone number she was too scared to call
Encouraged her to get a publicist; her mom had a card for Eddie Murphy's publicist Terri Williams

[00:13:00] The Publicist Who Changed the Game: Renee Foster

Terri Williams loved the story but charged $50,000 a month; she referred her to Renee Foster
Renee didn't have a dentist; they bartered services
In exchange for cleanings, Renee got her on the Today Show and Good Morning America
That third-party visibility put her on the map in a way self-promotion never could

[00:15:40] What Inspires Her: The Power of a Smile

Had terrible teeth growing up; her mom sacrificed as a single parent to get her braces
Wearing braces for a year changed her confidence completely and made her want to become a dentist
Seeing a smile transformation and knowing firsthand how it feels is the greatest feeling in dentistry
The smile is your business card, your mood ring, and the first thing people notice about you

[00:19:20] The Relationship That Etched Her in History: Mona Scott-Young

Music executive Mona Scott-Young managed P. Diddy, LL Cool J, Missy Elliott, and 50 Cent
They bonded after receiving an award together; Mona sent her the biggest music acts of the era
Each high-profile referral added credibility and trust with the general public
Fast forward to 2016: Mona was producing Love and Hip Hop on VH1

[00:21:40] Cardi B and the Billboard Number One

Cardi B joined Love and Hip Hop with a big personality but teeth she was constantly mocked for
Because of her relationship with Mona, Dr. Austin got the call to do the smile makeover
The transformation aired as the season premiere and Cardi later referenced it in Bodak Yellow
The song hit number one on Billboard; TMZ ran the story and her business tripled overnight

[00:25:40] How She Protects Relationship Capital

People constantly ask her to introduce them to Cardi B; she never asks Cardi for anything
Her rule: only make introductions that further the relationship with both parties
She lost friends over refusing to make introductions; she has no regrets
Treat clients like family; that is the foundation of everything she has built

[00:31:20] Client Impact: Omarosa's Mother

Omarosa insisted her New York dentist fly to California to do her mother's smile makeover for a Discovery Channel show
Her mother's teeth needed significant work; Dr. Austin coordinated four additional dentists
Any Beverly Hills dentist could have done it; Omarosa's loyalty to their relationship made it happen
Giving someone's mother a confident smile was one of the greatest honors of her career

[00:35:00] Final Word: Bring Back the Personal Touch

Learned from Terri Williams's book The Personal Touch to go beyond digital communication
Pick up the phone, write a personal note, send a postcard when traveling
The small things nobody else is doing anymore are what make you stand out
Honor your clients; treat them like family and they will never leave

KEY QUOTES

"You don't have to be the best at what you do to get the opportunities. Sometimes it's the best known that gets all the opportunities." - Dr. Catrise Austin

"I am so protective of the relationship I don't ask for anything. If I asked her for something, she would know this is a big deal, because I don't ask." - Dr. Catrise Austin

CONNECT WITH DR. CATRISE AUSTIN

Website: https://www.celebritybrandingusa.com

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