I can focus more on what I’m good at: being a dentist and taking care of my patients

For Dr. Leila Ebrahimpoor, owner of Skyline Dental Associates in Ottawa, the journey of business ownership has been a long-term commitment. Having led her practice since 2008, Laila has spent 16 years balancing the clinical demands of dentistry with the administrative hurdles of running a small business.

However, when the global pandemic hit in 2020, the landscape of business management shifted overnight. Like many Canadian employers, Leila found herself navigating a maze of rapidly changing government regulations and the emotional weight of workforce decisions.

“It was a very difficult time for all small businesses,” Leila recalls. “Going through all the layoffs that the government was enforcing on small businesses... I kind of felt helpless. I didn’t know what to do in that situation, and I needed some guidance and help.”

Prior to partnering with Peninsula, the primary challenge for the practice was the sheer volume of "invisible" work required to keep a business compliant. For a healthcare provider, health and safety isn’t just a recommendation, it’s a rigorous requirement.

“For a small business owner, it’s always challenging to be able to provide all the necessary training and paperwork and safety regulations all the time to the employees and be on top of it,” says Leila.

The pressure to stay updated on provincial standards and HR documentation often pulled her away from her primary passion: her patients. Managing new hires, drafting paperwork, and mediating workplace conflicts became a secondary job that demanded constant attention.

Leila first discovered Peninsula through a professional Facebook group during the pandemic and later connected with the team via LinkedIn. Seeking a way to alleviate the stress of shifting regulations, she brought Peninsula on board to provide the structure her practice needed.

The impact was immediate. By outsourcing the complexities of HR and occupational health and safety, Leila was able to shift her focus from "the paperwork" back to the "people."

“By having Peninsula there, I could trust that everything was already planned for me,” she says. “I could just follow what they were telling me.”

One of the most significant shifts for the Ottawa practice has been the ability to resolve issues in real-time. Whether it is a question about a new hire or a potential workplace conflict, the dental team now has a direct line to expert advice.

“In my business, I can focus more on what I’m good at: being a dentist and taking care of my patients,” Leila says. “I don't worry about preparing the paperwork or the discussions that come after a new hire or any conflicts. I directly call them [Peninsula].”

When asked about the single greatest benefit of the partnership, Leila’s answer is clear: the 24/7 support. In the world of small business, concerns don't always arise during standard office hours.

“The biggest benefit to having Peninsula on my side is accessibility 24 hours a day,” Leila says. “Sometimes you just want to get the little thing out of your mind. I can contact them anytime I want and need them. It is about having that 24-hour peace of mind.”

With a solid HR and safety foundation in place, Leila continues to serve the Ottawa community, knowing that the professional health of her business is as well-tended as the health of her patients.