Local dentist couple score a deal with Charlotte Hornets

Drew and Joya Lyons can add “touchdown a partnership cope with an NBA workforce” to their listing of objectives completed in 2021. Their Charlotte-based enterprise, Smile Savvy Cosmetic Dentistry, signed on as a brand new dental companion of the Charlotte Hornets, the workforce introduced Friday.

The seven-year-old observe is certainly one of only a handful of native, small companies to ink a partnership cope with the Hornets, a workforce spokesperson confirmed. And presently, the one one that’s Black-owned.

“The overwhelming majority of our companions are Coke, Lowe’s, Novant, big companies,”Josh Rosen, senior director of company communications, advised QCity Metro. “It’s sort of fascinating, actually, to have a deal like this as a result of it’s not one thing that we essentially do a ton of.” 

Although neither get together commented on the figures, Rosen stated that it’s a multi-year partnership. As a part of the deal, Smile Savvy will current a digital content material sequence, the “Smile Savvy Smile Watch,” that includes candid images of Hornets gamers, coaches, followers and workers. The dental observe additionally would be the presenting companion of the “Smile Cam” throughout choose residence video games, and its branding shall be included throughout birthday bulletins displayed on the scoreboard throughout every Hornets residence sport. 

Moreover, Smile Savvy and the Hornets will workforce up for a sweepstakes with two winners receiving a date night time bundle that features premium tickets, meals and drinks and a behind-the-scenes pregame expertise.

“As we mark Black Enterprise Month in August, we’re proud to enter this partnership with Drs. Drew and Joya Lyons and their Charlotte-based, Black-owned enterprise, Smile Savvy Beauty Dentistry,” Hornets President and Vice Chairman Fred Whitfield stated in an announcement. “We look ahead to bringing them into our Hornets household and teaming with them to assist share wholesome smiles.”

The couple opened their household dental observe in 2014 and launched a charitable arm, The Lyons Share, in 2019. Annually, they reward smile makeovers to not less than 4 folks from an underserved neighborhood.

“As one of many few Black-owned companies to companion with the Hornets, we’re simply blissful to interrupt boundaries whereas persevering with to provide again,” Joya stated.

Throughout the pandemic, they rebranded and switched to beauty dentistry — offering smile makeovers and veneers for adults. Smile Savvy is Charlotte’s solely Black-owned beauty dentistry observe. 

Drew says the pandemic helped folks notice the worth of a wholesome smile as many ready for job interviews and looked for different alternatives. He shared that they’re working to alter the notion that beauty dentistry is just for the rich.

“Being extra beauty, I do know typically it appears useless. However what we’ve observed is simply having the ability to construct one’s dignity helps tremendously with organising one of the best model of your personal life,” he stated. “Most individuals suppose [cosmetic dentistry] isn’t attainable, however we make it attainable for on a regular basis folks.”