It just may be a small world after all. While attending Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Justin Coke and Dr. Bryan Stewart, DDS never knew the other existed and never imagined they would be business partners one day, creating 7 to 7 Dental in San Antonio in 2008. Coke, a 32-year-old Lubbock native, obtained his degree in advertising, with a minor in marketing. He was able to bring to 7 to 7 Dental the great experience and knowledge he gained while working with major telecommunications companies such as SBC and Time Warner.

Stewart, 33, was born and raised in Boerne and attended dental school at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, where he graduated in 2002 with his DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery). The two met through mutual friends and connected instantly. They soon realized they shared a passion for business and success. While discussing their venture ideas they began to identify the weaknesses they saw in dental practices.

“I found myself overwhelmed with the daily tasks of being the owner, manager, and operator,” Stewart said. One being a doctor and the other a patient they were able to bring fresh, new concepts that would cater to both sides of the fence.

“For us it was never a question as to what type of business we would open, it was working out the details that we concentrated on,” Coke said. After two years of planning Stewart and Coke decided to open 7 to 7 Dental just over a year ago. “Our practice was built with the patients convenience in mind and a better environment for the doctor,” he adds.

Stewart of course is one of four dentists on staff and Coke is managing director, the head of marketing, overseeing all employees and managing the office needs from day to day. Their philosophy: designed around your life. Doors are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. so that patients can schedule an appointment that is convenient for them, even during lunch hours. Services include everything from common procedures such as dental fillings and cleanings, to cosmetic dentistry like teeth whitening and veneers.

The extended hours and convenience of advance technology is what separates them from most other practices. Here the dentists are able to treat each patient with extreme accuracy and detect any early stages of concern all because of the advanced system in place. Digital x-rays and CEREC (Charismatic Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics) are two forms of enhanced technology methods that allow for much more precise results.

When they first started 7 to 7 had zero patients, Coke had to put his marketing cap on and decide what would be the best way to draw in the public.

“We spend a lot of time and effort getting our name out to the community,” Coke said. “People go where they know.”

Television and radio are two forms of media they have used to reach consumers, however word of mouth has been most important and what primarily draws in the 150 new patients they receive monthly.

“We find that our greatest asset is our current patients. They love to tell their friends and family about us, which we can’t thank them enough for,” Coke said.

When asked why they chose the northwest area of San Antonio for their flagship location, Coke explains, “We spent a lot of time analyzing market research, traffic patterns and growth patterns throughout San Antonio. Ultimately our site was ideal due to the tremendous growth, patient demographics, and visibility of our office.”

Of course with every flourishing business there comes challenges, and Stewart and Coke admit that everyday brings something new. “We are constantly making changes and improving our processes to make the experience more enjoyable,” Coke said. Their goals right now are to concentrate on this one location. “We would like to bring in more dentists, expand the location to include a specialty center and then hopefully open additional locations,” Stewart said.

Aside from all the time they spend together in the workplace these two consider each other family. They get together on nights off to socialize and have a few cocktails. “We annoy our wives with all the business talk. Whenever we are out of the office it seems to be the only thing we talk about,” Coke said. With their enthusiasm and non-stop talk about the company it is clear that Coke and Stewart are proud of their accomplishments and are dedicated to making 7 to 7 Dental a long lived success.