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Cardi B's Dentist Told Everyone She Was a 'Dentist to the Stars'... Until She Actually Became One. Dr. Cartrise Ausin knows a thing or two about what it takes to land celebrity clients.

By Liz Brody

This story appears in the January 2022 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »

Courtesy of Dr. Catrise Austin

Cardi B fans everywhere know these lyrics: Got a bag and fixed my teeth, hope you hoes know it ain't cheap. They're from "Bodak Yellow," the rapper's breakout song. But they're also validation for Cardi's dentist, Catrise Austin, whose entrepreneurial ingenuity led her to fix those teeth.

Years ago, as a way to differentiate herself, Austin had the potentially absurd idea of becoming a "dentist to the stars." Then she actually did it, with a client list that also includes DJ Khaled, Busta Rhymes, Common, Toni Braxton, and A$AP Rocky. But . . . how?

Not every entrepreneur wants to (or should) chase celebrities. But every entrepreneur does need to land desirable customers. That's why Austin's story is instructive — because, at the heart of it, she says, her tactics were about focus, doggedness, a lot of hustle, and a relentless understanding of her ideal client.

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