We had the good fortune of connecting with Katrina Sanders and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katrina, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
Legacy is a funny thing because, quite frankly, it means not only the dynamic energy with which I have lived my life but also the perpetuating echo my life will continually leave in its wake. One of my favorite quotes is: “I hope to arrive at my death late, in love and a little drunk”. All laughing aside, it is my hope that my legacy is beginning right now; in the lives I touch; in the patients whose lives I have bettered through my clinical skills; in the hearts of the people who attend my programs; to the souls of those who hear my podcast recordings; enriching the spirits of those within my following and ultimately to those who equally understand that this world is greater than themselves. My legacy will [hopefully] emulate the very best of all I have and will give to this world. Every time someone swipes on a dash of lipstick; shakes up a martini; emits a robust laugh; helps someone in need; donates to a worthy cause; reads a book to learn more; listens to a podcast to understand; lets a hug linger an extra second; shouts something earth-shatteringly provocative; wears something sparkly; giggles at their own mistakes; sips coffee to the morning sun; embraces people of other races, ethnicities, generations, sexual orientation and gender; abandons the old to acknowledge the new and every other soul-stretching moment there is out there, it is my hope that my energy is there to fuel it. Ultimately, my legacy will be acknowledging that we must do better. That we must love harder. We must experience life in a deeper sense. That our work within excellence and raising the standards with which we do our work is never done. Integrity is the foundational core value with which we must consistently align. My legacy will be that we are all put on this earth to make it better. To make it sparkle and shine with brilliance, and I hope that people will remember me for the ways I did that, tirelessly, through my thoughts, my actions, my love, my soul, my heart, my spirit, my kindness, my curiosity and my gumption.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started my business by doing the exact opposite of the “shoulds” in my industry and, well, particularly focused on the “shouldn’ts” within my business. While key experts in my industry were telling me I needed to portray a curated image on social media and to “be careful” so as not to alienate anyone, my social media presence was (and still is) dripping with authentic gold. While I was told to never step onto a stage without pantyhose, I wore what I wanted to (spoiler: I’ve never worn pantyhose on stage). I was told to dilute my message so that it did not create tension, and yet my raw voice rang louder. I received rolled eyes and head shakes from those who continually told me what to do, yet I can honestly say that the best parts of my business were the ones in which I focused on what felt right. Unfortunately, what “felt right” and what had been previously established as “right” in my industry were polar opposites, and while perhaps remaining true to myself and my own authenticity was perhaps the greatest risk of all, it was also the most impactful risk. I stood out. I was different. My voice sounded different. I looked different. My ideas were different. My social media felt different. My marketing was different. The conversation became different. The influence I had became different. And slowly, the strategy around how to best curate my brand simply became about no longer “should-ing” all over myself, and becoming clear in what felt honest for me. I was paving a path that perhaps others wished to walk down but were never brave enough to. And that mission was (and still is) a tireless one. It requires deep faith and confidence in my message, a profound connection to my “why”, a raw authenticity and an honest approach to ensuring that the work I do means something. Every morning I wake up, sharpen my weed whackers, strap on my boots and prepare for another day of paving a road rarely, if ever, traveled; a road that I am clearing not only for myself but also for other like-minded thinkers; others who stand in their power, unwavering, and believe whole heartedly in the bravery and honesty of being their true authentic selves. To the right tribe and to the right clients, this will be a wonderful breath of fresh air, and to me, it’s simply the work I love doing best.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
That’s easy! When my sister comes to town, we ALWAYS get dolled up and visit Aridus Wine Co, my favorite wine tasting room in Old Town Scottsdale. The winemaker knows the right way to curate a gorgeous bottle of vino, and the entire team makes you feel like you’re sitting in their living room as esteemed guests. For dinner, we zip off to The Gladly where our favorite food expert, Tim, charms us with his incredible knowledge and passion for food while also somehow remembering our custom cocktail orders.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This shoutout is dedicated to my grandmother, Ann Marie Weiler, who was never without an impeccable application of bright red lipstick, dangly earrings and sunglasses, who knew the perfect ratio for a gorgeous martini, whose laugh was contagious and whose heart was as big as this world. It is through her love, honesty and kindness that I navigated this world as a young woman and it is her energy that I continually find myself emitting. Because of her, I am the dynamic and curious human I am today. Every time I see a lipstick stain on my tea cup, I think of you Grandma, and while I miss you everyday, my heart is full in knowing I am continually echo-ing your independently resilient persona, inside and out.

Website: www.katrinasanders.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedentalwinegenist
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-m-sanders-rdh-bsdh-m-ed-rf-39547bb4/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheDentalWINEgenist/

Image Credits
Renee Bruns Photography DentalCast Productions Jeff Emerson