Gabriel Bird, DDS Feature
FEATURED BUSINESS
GET TO KNOW...
Dr. Gabriel Bird,
owner of Gabriel Bird, DDS
01. What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to be an Astronaut. That interest lead to my earning a bachelors in Mechanical Engineering at OU prior to attending dental school.
02. What was your first job?
Before I was old enough to be on a payroll, I mowed a few lawns in my neighborhood. My first official job was as a lifeguard at the Cleveland County YMCA. While I was there I also taught swim lessons and managed one of their summer contract pools.
03. What do you like to do in your free time?
Hands down, my favorite is spending time with my daughter. Beyond that, I like to cook, I maintain a steady flow of projects around the house and make sure to take my dog to the dog park on a regular basis.
04. What's the best advice you've ever received?
Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.
05. How long have you been in business and how did you get started?
I’ve been in practice since I graduated from the OU dental school in 2007. This practice was started in 1972 by Dr. Sullivan, and taken over by my partner, Dr. White in 1984. Dr. White teaches at the dental school, that’s how he and I met. At this point he is teaching full time and I’m running the show around here.
06. Why do you choose to operate your business in Oklahoma as opposed to somewhere else?
Being born and raised in Norman I’ve grown quite fond of our beautiful state. I love it here and have absolutely no desire to live or practice anywhere else.
07. Why do you think it’s important to keep it local?
It’s a fact, local businesses strengthen the community and there is no down side to how that works.
08. What locally owned business (other than your own) could you not live without?
We have so many great restaurants; I make my way to the Diner on a regular basis. I’m pretty fond of Sweet Basil and the Library patio is always a treat; this list could get pretty long. Downtown Fitness and Yoga at Tiffany’s keep me healthy. Leon’s Plumbing is great for plumbing and HVAC. Off Campus Foreign car has some talented mechanics, and don’t let the name fool you, they work on my Ford.
09. Our Facebook fans want to know: What is it that sets you apart from the national chains and promotes loyal, repeat customers?
I deliberately don’t run a large volume of patients so I can devote plenty of time to each individual person that comes through my office. I don’t answer to a corporate office, I answer to my patients.
10. Our Twitter followers want to know: What drives you to keep doing what you do?
Building relationships with my patients and community is a strong motivator. The work I do is rewarding because it improves the quality of life of my patients.
