DeW DISH - CRYSTAL SPRING

CRYSTAL SPRING, RDH, BS

Executive Director, onDiem Relationship Development ManagerSocial Media: crystallovesdental | Crystal Nelsen Spring Website: smilesacrossmontana.com

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB?

The best part of my job? Helping others, it’s what fuels me. I’ve created roles I love, and I thrive on making change. While it might intimidate some, I’m just crazy enough to think it’s fun! Growth and change are where life gets exciting for me, and I love inspiring others to take bold leaps.

WHO HAS BEEN THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE?

I am going to say my mom. She has been gone 17 years now. She was nowhere near perfect, she battled with depression and alcoholism but she loved stronger than anyone I have ever met. She loved me enough to expect more out of me. She pushed me when I wanted to give up and she held me when I failed, but just for a minute before she pushed me to get back up. My mom’s friends send me messages often telling me how proud she would be of me and that is it.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS?

I measure success at this point if you’re still standing and have a smile on your face. You hear so many people say that you’ll regret working so much. I can see this but I won’t regret it all. I love the work I am doing right now. I have created jobs that fill my soul. I am doing things that I want to be doing. I know this might not always be the case but for now, I am enjoying creating, connecting, and building programs that make people’s lives better. Today is a success.

WHAT OBSTACLES HAVE YOU OVERCOME IN YOUR CAREER?

Starting a nonprofit as a woman, as an RDH, it has been a rough road. I have had a misinformed complaint against my license that had no merit but it really sucked to go through. I have had people lie about our nonprofit and try to have it shut down and last year was one of the hardest when the nonprofit struggled financially to stay open. But, at this point, the organization is doing better than ever with a very bright future.

WHAT DO YOU DO TO TURN AROUND A BAD DAY?

If I am spiraling out of control, I had a coach teach me to write down if the catastrophic things I was imagining were a truth or a thought. Man, I can think of some bad ***t! I will also call a friend. It has to be one of my people who will be there, listen, and help me move on, not someone who will feel sorry for me necessarily just someone who loves me enough to listen and it’s always nice if they can make me laugh.

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

I don’t feel guilty about it at all. I love popcorn. I love melting cheese on it, you have to try it.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR THE NEW PERSON IN YOUR OFFICE?

Find your why. If you know why you are here you’re gonna enjoy your work a lot more. Mission is important to me and it is how I make so many of my daily decisions. If it doesn’t align, I don’t do it. I truly believe that whatever is mine will come to me without me compromising who I am and what I believe to get it.

WHAT “DEW” LEADERS DO?

I love to connect with people. I feel like it is my superpower. I may not always know where I am going or where I should focus but I can see it clearly for others. Being a leader I have learned to be selfless and put the needs of my team and their growth ahead of my own. I have finally grown my nonprofit to the size that I can give away some of my workload to people who can focus on those tasks but it isn’t easy when you are used to having all the control.