Putting family first set Nauv on the road to success

There are a range of reasons for Nauv’s incredible success. One is his natural business sense. While dentists once had little call for such skills – having enjoyed a monopoly well into the 21st century – an exponential growth in competition now means the traditional patient base can’t be taken for granted. 

Nauv was up for the challenge, immediately looking for new ways to grow his business that had been largely unknown in the dental industry. As he notes: “The level of success that I've had is because I was probably one of the first people, especially in Southeast Queensland, to identify the opportunities that marketing and social media would bring our industry.”

Nauv’s also enjoyed a great deal of expert support along the way by “asking the right question of the right people at the right time”. As he explains: “There's a lot of people out there happy to give you advice. You might think some successful people won't have a conversation with you, but usually they've become successful on the back of advice from others, and when they get to the top they see it as a duty to give back.”

The entrepreneurial dentist has also had the backing of his bank, NAB – including its specialist financing arm, MedFin, opens in new window. The two have been there to finance both his personal and business goals over the years, putting time into understanding some of the bigger risks he’s taken. Furthering his connection, Nauv’s practices use NAB-owned HICAPS, opens in new window, the leading electronic claim and payment solution for the Healthcare sector.

That’s meant a lot to Nauv. “Because they’re specialist lenders, they learn about the equipment, they learn about the return on investment that certain pieces of technology can give to us. So when I ask for another $200,000 to fund another piece of equipment, they understand that equipment’s ROI and are happy to lend on that.”

In fact, meeting NAB Medfin banker Jason Savage was pivotal to Nauv’s rapid expansion. With the banker’s support, Nauv set up a second clinic just two years after buying his first. “When I look back, it was a massive leap,” Nauv says. “But then I met my NAB banker.”

In fact, Jason facilitated the financing of all Nauv’s subsequent clinics. “He’s been with me ever since – on the whole journey,” Nauv explains. The NAB banker is also part of the reason Nauv’s day to day stays under control, as he meets the dentist any time that suits him. “Night, day, after-work meetings – whatever I need. It’s been a real partnership.”

Nauv hasn’t always had it easy and not so long ago had a crisis of confidence, wondering what his success was all for. 

Turning to a friend for advice, the dentist realised he needed to do something more; help others achieve the same success. After considerable thought, he decided to help his employees, particularly his senior staff, realise their own dreams. 

“I'm not talking dentists; dentists can buy into practices easily,” Nauv says. “I'm talking my practice managers – who have been integral in my success.” This was what gave Nauv the sense of purpose he needed. “For me, it's how can we be so successful in what we do as a business that all the senior staff who work for us enjoy an amazing life?”

Nauv’s now looking at different options, one idea being to give staff members equity in the business. Whatever route he takes, history shows there’s every reason to believe he’ll succeed.