Before he knew any better, Dr. Jahon Zehtaban dreamed of playing in the NFL. Although he eventually realized he did not have the athletic chops, playing sports throughout his childhood still left Zehtaban with plenty of lessons just as valuable off the field as on it, such as problem solving and critical thinking skills under pressure. Zehtaban’s father also advised him that a lack of skill can be made up with hard work and preparation, and that wisdom has proven true time and again as Zehtaban has pursued his career in dentistry. Looking back, he only has one addendum to his father’s words. “Over time, hard work and preparation end up making you more skilled at your craft,” he said.
Occupation: Dentist, Smile Arkansas
Hometown: Little Rock
University of Arkansas,
Education: University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Favorite Car: Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon
How did you get to where you are now?
I realized I needed to do something with my hands, and that led me to the dental field. I always liked art and science during high school, and dentistry turned out to be the perfect mix of the two. I had some great mentors and coaches along the way who helped me get to that self-awareness and taught me about the importance of hard work.
If you could have any other Occupation, what would it be?
Actor. I’ve always been fascinated with this profession. I would love to be able to read a script, create my own interpretation of a character and then reproduce that for others to enjoy. It sounds fun to pretend to be something different with every project.
What is something you would never spend money on?
Fancy watches. I’m simple when it comes to the wristwatch. I like my Apple Watch, and that’s about the extent of my collection.
What is the most underrated “secret ingredient” to success?
Confidence in yourself.
Sponsored by:
