On any given day, Dr. Camille Tabor-Cobb can be found hauling dental chairs, sterilization supplies, and instruments out of the trunk of her Sedan, setting up wherever her patients need her most. For two years, she has built Blessed Smiles Mobile Dental, a Memphis, Tennessee–based practice, on faith, determination, and a calling to serve those who cannot access a traditional dental office.
That vision just took a major leap forward when Communities Unlimited (CU) connected her with the Progressive Driving Small Business Forward grant, for which she was recently selected as one of only 20 recipients nationwide. Progressive Insurance, one of the nation’s largest auto insurers, committed $1 million in total funding through this program to help small business owners purchase commercial vehicles and related equipment.
As part of that, Dr. Tabor-Cobb will receive a $50,000 award to purchase a fully equipped commercial vehicle.
“This grant will help tremendously because I’ll finally be able to have sterilization on board and carry all of my equipment with me in one vehicle,” Dr. Tabor-Cobb said. “That means I won’t have to worry about limiting the number of patients I can see because I don’t have enough tools or supplies on hand. With everything on board, I’ll be able to transport my equipment and even see patients directly on the unit itself — not just those who are homebound.”
A Leap of Faith
Blessed Smiles began when colleagues started calling Dr. Tabor-Cobb to see patients who could no longer make it to their brick-and-mortar practices. Soon she was traveling across Tennessee and Mississippi — sometimes as far as Liberty, Mississippi, four and a half hours away — to meet patients in their homes or nursing facilities.
Few resources or examples existed for mobile dentistry, and banks were hesitant to back such an unconventional model. Determined to move forward, she left her full-time job, used her savings to get started, and built the practice step by step — a leap of faith that set her on the path to serving patients directly where they live.
Finding Support
In 2023, she connected with CU, through a referral from a friend at church. Through CU’s Entrepreneurship Team, she began working with Management Consultant, LaKetter Cannon, who introduced her to business tools and strategies she’d never had before.
“LaKetter has been incredible,” Dr. Tabor-Cobb said. “She’s transformed the way I think and operate as a business owner, even though I never set out to be one.”
"She’s opened doors, created pathways, and became like a big sister to me.”
Cannon guided her through marketing to attract patients, taught her how to read financial statements, and pushed her to think beyond day-to-day survival.
“Before, I was just operating off whatever was in the bank account,” Dr. Tabor-Cobb said. “Now, I can plan months ahead and manage my business strategically.”
Cannon also provided monthly lists of grant opportunities, such as the Progressive grant, and helped Dr. Tabor-Cobb sharpen her approach. She had applied for the Progressive grant once before but wasn’t selected. With Cannon’s assistance, she learned how to articulate not just her passion but also her plan and long-term vision. Equipped with stronger preparation and renewed confidence, she reapplied this year and won.
“LaKetter helped me put my ‘why’ into words,” Dr. Tabor-Cobb said. “That shows just how much she’s built my capacity as a small business owner.”
Building a Healthier Future
For Dr. Tabor-Cobb, the grant is not only financial support but also a path to expansion. Blessed Smiles recently extended its services into Mississippi, and she is eyeing underserved Delta communities such as Tunica, where access to dental care is scarce and transportation is a major barrier.
“I love that dentistry can make someone feel so much better about themselves, just by restoring the confidence of their smile,” she said. “Whether it’s a simple cleaning or making a new denture, helping people reach a better place in life brings me joy. I also love working with the community and serving others.”
She says the combination of faith, persistence, and mentorship has carried her from “walking in darkness” to believing in the long-term mission of her business — a vision she has been able to pursue with the support of CU.
“Working with CU has been life-changing,” she said. “Now I truly believe I can achieve my mission of improving lives and creating healthier communities.”
