ABBY: I have wanted to be an orthodontist since I was 10 years old. We found this old Lip Smacker journal [I had], and in it, it had the question of like: What do you want to be when you grow up? I’d put an orthodontist, and then it asked why, and 10-year-old Abby wrote: Because I like messing with teeth. How did I know at 10 years old that I liked messing with teeth? But this has been like a lifelong dream, and it’s pretty cool to see it come to fruition. AS A MOM OF TWO AND A BUSINESS OWNER, HOW DO YOU FIND THE BALANCE? ABBY: You just sort of, I hate to say compartmentalize, but when I’m with my kids, I’m not Dr. Rousseau, I’m mom. When I’m at the office, I’m not mom, I’m Dr. Rousseau, so I think learning to turn it off is really im- portant, especially as a business owner. It’s so easy to bring your work home with you, and there’s never enough hours in the day. Prior- itizing each role and designating a location for it is important. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG GIRLS WHO DREAM OF OWNING THEIR OWN BUSINESS ONE DAY?
ABBY: I think my advice would be to take it a day at a time. It’s great to set big goals and dream big dreams, but you have to take it step by step. Otherwise, it gets overwhelming. I love the saying, “The journey is far more important than the desti- nation.” I think that’s so true to take it day by day, enjoy the journey, learn, and grow, and ultimately, you will accomplish what you set out to.
life and that just being here and being their parents is enough.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO OPEN YOUR OWN PRACTICE?
ABBY: When I moved back home after resi- dency, I started looking for a job and I found that a lot of orthodontic practices either had sold to corporate offices or operated like a corporate entity. I felt like it had gotten away from the intentional care that I grew up with. I wanted to create what I wish existed. As a new mom, because Riley was only two months old when we moved back home and I started my job search, I was very nervous about the whole process, but we took a leap of faith and prayed over it, and things sort of fell into place for us. We just celebrated our one year anniversary of opening this past January. It’s been awesome seeing God’s hand in all phases of opening a new business. I pride ourselves on having more one-on-one time with my patients and making sure that I’m giving them my full attention and listen- ing and scheduling out appointments so that I don’t lose that as we grow.
RAPID-FIRE QUESTIONS Favorite spot for date night… A lot of times we’re grabbing pizza,
putting the littles to bed, and then spend- ing those few hours on the couch together to reconnect. Go-to coffee spot & order… I love Light House Coffee, and Garden District Coffee is across the street from my office. My go-to is a classic cappuccino with a drizzle of honey. One word that best describes your family… intentional. Favorite television show… Gilmore Girls . Favorite food… either pizza or Superior Girl tacos, specifically. Hidden talent… dancing.
WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU?
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