We’re looking forward to introducing you to Alberto Meza. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Alberto, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
II have been on a journey with my company since the day I started this project, building a business grounded in trust and a solid reputation, with the vision of expanding internationally. Of course, there have been moments of crisis and struggle, but the core idea has always remained. It has proven so strong that, at times, it continues to attract new customers even without active marketing.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I always knew I wanted to be a dentist—my father inspired that dream in me. In 1987–88, I was an exchange student in Pittsburgh, USA. That experience not only taught me English but also gave me a deep appreciation for American culture. When I returned home to Costa Rica, I began dental school on a scholarship. During that time, I married my wife, and together we had two boys. Providing for them while finishing my degree pushed me to work harder than ever.
To support my family, I worked as a tour guide. Seeing the constant flow of tourists enjoying Costa Rica sparked an idea: why not open a dental practice that could also attract international patients? The idea took root in 1994, but I graduated in 1996. At that time, finances were tight, and advertising was out of reach.
In 2002, my brother offered to create a website to attract patients from abroad. That decision changed everything—our first international patient arrived in 2004. The business grew quickly, and I had to hire and train staff. As our finances improved, I reinvested in both the business and my own education. I attended the annual meeting of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, an eye-opening experience that led me to enroll in a postgraduate program in Cosmetic Dentistry at UCLA. Completing that program made me a far better dentist, delivering results that earned the trust of our patients.
I also believed in lifting others as I grew, so I offered scholarships for my staff to train just as I had. This commitment to professional growth made us stronger as a team. Our work began appearing in major news outlets, which boosted our credibility and popularity.
With a highly trained, motivated team, patient satisfaction and loyalty soared. Since 2015, I had dreamed of expanding beyond Costa Rica, but management limitations delayed the plan. Then, in 2020, during the pandemic, my son helped us open a location in Cancún, Mexico—a lifeline when Costa Rica’s borders were closed.
In 2022, we built a new, state-of-the-art facility in Cancún. Today, we are proud to be an international dental tourism company, committed to expanding further and bringing quality of life to both our patients and our coworkers.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I used to be a shy and insecure person. But life’s challenges—and getting married at a young age with the responsibility of supporting my family—taught me to believe in myself. Every dream I’ve achieved has been the result of hard work and perseverance. Today, I feel confident in my ability to create, to overcome obstacles, and to succeed.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Going through difficult times taught me to persist and fight harder. It’s something you hear often, but only by truly experiencing hardship do you discover what you’re capable of. Success itself doesn’t teach you that—you learn it on the journey toward success.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, of course. What the audience sees is the real me—my character remains the same wherever I am. I believe that if you are honest and humble, you’ll find greater satisfaction in life and have a much better chance of being truly happy and successful.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope to be remembered as someone who stayed true and honest, who opened doors of opportunity for others, and who never gave up. Above all, I want to be remembered as someone who worked relentlessly to turn dreams into reality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mezadentalcare.com
- Instagram: @dr.meza
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alberto-meza-42bb8078
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
