In this deeply moving and refreshingly honest episode of The Real Talk of Dental, I sit down with Olivia Woo, a 20-year-old entrepreneurship student and the daughter of Dr. Valerie Woo (guest of Episode 19), to explore what it’s really like growing up as the child of a high-achieving dentist and entrepreneur.

Olivia was literally along for the ride—her mom was pregnant with her while opening her first dental practice straight out of dental school. In this conversation, Olivia offers a rare and powerful perspective: the child’s view of ambition, sacrifice, absence, resilience, and love.

She opens up about the grief she felt as a child when her mom wasn’t always available, the gratitude she holds today, and how those experiences shaped her own entrepreneurial drive. Olivia reflects on becoming “the oldest of four,” maturing early, learning through observation, and how kids absorb far more than parents realize—especially around money, stress, and self-talk.

This episode is a must-listen for dentist parents, women leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to build a meaningful life alongside a demanding career. It’s tender, insightful, and packed with wisdom well beyond Olivia’s years.

If you’ve ever wondered:

1. How your ambition impacts your kids
2. What children of entrepreneurs really experience
3. Or how to build success without losing connection

This conversation will stay with you.

You’ll learn:

1. What it’s like growing up with a dentist parent building a practice from scratch
2. How children experience absence, stress, and ambition at home
3. Why “kids are always listening” (even when you think they aren’t)
4. The emotional cost—and unexpected gifts—of being the oldest child
5. How Olivia turned childhood grief into gratitude and purpose
6. Why non-negotiable family routines matter
7. How Olivia and her mom now bond through entrepreneurship
8. Advice every working parent needs to hear from a child’s perspective

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https://leadhershipexperience.com/

We talk about:

00:00 Introduction to Olivia Woo

02:00 Growing up alongside a dental practice

05:00 Childhood grief and missing moments

08:00 Reframing sacrifice with gratitude

11:00 Choosing entrepreneurship over dentistry

14:00 Creating space for children of entrepreneurs

18:00 Learning through observation — “kids are always listening”

21:00 Being the oldest of four and maturing early

25:00 The role of Olivia’s dad and family dynamics

28:00 What Olivia would do differently as a future parent

31:00 Advice to dentist parents building businesses

34:00 How Olivia and her mom work together today

37:00 Final reflections and future vision

Connect with Olivia

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-woo-737328333/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/livw18/

Connect with me

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandimarzolino/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandi.marzolino/

https://courageandjoyatwork.com/

https://leadhershipexperience.com/

Phone: 616-682-6222