Nilo Khatri, 34

The children’s dentist office of years gone by, in Dr. Nilo Khatri’s mind, should remain something in the past.

Khatri’s approach is centered on the idea that a child shouldn’t dread a trip to the dentist’s office. “My goal for each of my patients,” says Khatri, “is to be orally healthy and cavity-free, however that often is a journey for the child, parent, and myself.”

Khatri puts that theory to action at Janoff & Khatri Pediatric Dentistry, a Venice-based practice she bought in 2008 from Dr. Jeff Janoff, who founded the office in 1977 and still sees patients. Khatri spent more than $500,000 to renovate and reimagine the 1,700-square-foot office. The project included everything from new equipment to new paintings on the walls to a healthy dose of stuffed animals.

“The real person I’m selling this practice to is mom,” Khatri told the Business Observer in an April interview. “So I imagined this like Alice in Wonderland meets New York boutique hotel.”

Khatri was born in Detroit and grew up in Tallahassee. She has traveled worldwide, and tries to incorporate a little bit of each life experience into her practice. One of her biggest challenges, she says, is to educate parents that her service is an elite one that comes with an elite price tag.

Khatri also constantly fights a battle to never settle for less than the best. That goes for herself and for motivating the 10 employees at the practice. “My greatest fear,” Khatri says, “is I become stagnant and accept mediocrity.”

— Mark Gordon

Q&A

City of residence: Sarasota

Years on the Gulf Coast: Six years

Marital status/children: Married with one son, Ameer, with a daughter baking in the oven

Alma mater: University of Florida and NYU! :) Go Gators!

Best place to network: In my office with parents

Coolest business experience: In my business, to be the considered a standard or example to which other growing pediatric dental practices are held to by a nationwide dental practice management consulting firm. To be able to see my vision come to fruition after years of laboring.

The most important business lesson I’ve learned: The greatest investment you will ever make will be in yourself

One website that makes your job easier: Amazon!

One community group you’re most involved with: Sarasota County School System  (does that count? I do a LOT of work with the local schools)

Favorite off-hours activity: Traveling and EATING

Two people, dead or alive, you’d like to have dinner with: Walt Disney and Gandhi

Best award you ever received: Senior year high school superlative: Most humorous female, because I SO don't think I’m funny. Well, not that much.

Most adventurous thing you’ve ever done: backpacked through the Amazon Rain Forest carrying all my own camping implements, going on a piranha and cayman filled lake at night in a canoe that had a hole in it! And dealt with nighttime tarantulas outside the shelter I was sleeping in…it was amazing and the worst thing ever, all wrapped up in one big anxiety-filled bucket of fun.

What’s at the top of your bucket list: African safari and travel through Southern Africa

What new skill would you like to learn: How to do Botox and dermal fillers. Don’t hate. You asked for a skill I wanted to learn. Maybe med spa? With a kiddie spa attached? Chocolate facials? The possibilities are endless!

Who would play you in a movie about your life: Tyra Banks because she's FIERCE

If I had a magic wand I’d: effectively franchise my systems in the office and duplicate my business model for pediatric dental practices so more children would have the opportunity to have ‘magical’ dental experience. Gosh that is so nerdy.