Meet Porchia James: Stylist and Surgeon

We had the good fortune of connecting with Porchia James and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Porchia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The main reason behind starting my own business was autonomy. I wanted to do things based on my own rules, beliefs, and vision. It is difficult to maintain total creative control when you work for someone else.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m Dr. Porchia James, an Oral & Facial Surgeon, stylist, speaker, wife, and mother. I’m the owner of ABOUT FACE Oral & Facial Surgery in Frisco, TX. I also own FRESH by Dr. Porchia which is a medical apparel line and I also provide styling and beauty services for professionals who need help with branding themselves in a manner that will present the message they want to convey to their consumers. I am a US Air Force veteran, and was a general dentist before I entered Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery residency at Meharry Medical College, which required 4 years of surgical training. I taught oral surgery to the dental students and residents shortly after completing my training, and also worked for some corporate companies as well. I started ABOUT FACE because I wanted to have autonomy over my patients care. I also wanted to be able to spend enough time with them to discuss their surgery as well as any risks involved. I’ve worked for other people before, and felt very rushed with patients. I love being a surgeon because I’m able to merge my artistic ability with my scientific background. I truly love what I do, and love to make my patients feel great from the inside out! I perform traditional surgeries such as dental implants and wisdom teeth with IV sedation. I also perform facial aesthetic procedures such as Botox, facial/lip fillers, and Kybella to dissolve neck fat. I truly have a family business, as my husband, George, helps with the business and management aspect of our office, as he is a University if Alabama graduate. His assistance has helped alleviate many of the stresses of running a business. I have learned so much since opening my office, especially when it comes to understanding insurance, and how to help my patients optimize their insurance benefits. There are less than 2% African American females in the specialty of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. I hope to increase those numbers through mentorship and guidance of those that seek to become Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons or those interesting in entering the dental or medical field. There are so many things that I’ve learned along the way, especially from my undergraduate alma mater, Xavier University of Louisiana. I also hope to use my medical apparel line and styling services to help professionals advance to that next stage in life that will truly impact their careers and refine their brands. This way they can be prepared for any new opportunity that may present itself with a FRESH mindset! Style and beauty is what I love, and I enjoy helping people make an ABOUT FACE, which can truly transform their lives!

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
Since I live in Frisco, I’m usually hanging out north of Dallas. I love all of the restaurants in Legacy West. If I’m craving Sushi, I love RA Sushi Bar. If I want crab, then I love Krab Kingz in Little Elm, grab a margarita to go at Margarita Hut, then, we can hang out at the Little Elm Beach. The best cookies are found at the Cookie Society in Frisco. An awesome brunch spot is Savory in Little Elm. If we want to dance the night away, then, you can find me at Concrete Cowboy in Frisco.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Scrub Lyfe and Sistahs in Dentistry Facebook groups. I would also like to give a shoutout to my upcoming book, “From Scrubs to Stilettos”!