When Jen Moran-Kobes, DDS first considered dentistry, it was almost by accident. “Up until that point, I was going to be a pediatrician always. That was always what I was going to do. And it came up dentist. And my honest reaction was, yuck, why would anybody want to do that?” she recalled. But what began as a detour soon became her calling, blending her love for science and art. “My passion became my science, my art and knowing that I was good at the aesthetics and that I could really create my own schedule.”
Her career took off early. By the age of 28, she was running her own practice in Chicago’s iconic Water Tower Place, but it wasn’t easy. “The practice was asking for $350,000. My accountant, my attorney both said, ‘no way, you’re out. This is a bad business move. Don’t do it’. But I had a gut feeling and I saw these patients and they were great patients.” She trusted that feeling and built the practice into something bigger than she imagined. Years later, she made the difficult decision to step away for her family.
“The twins turned out to be ADD and ADHD. So I realized, okay, something is different here and mom needs to be the one to be here. So I decided to sell the practice and focus on the kids.” Just as she prepared to return, life threw another challenge her way. “When the twins were about to graduate high school and go to college, I had already decided, okay, I’m gonna go back. And as I started to pursue my license, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.” Treatment forced her to pause again, but it also shifted her perspective. “It also taught me that life was short and you should really do what, you know, really lights you up.”
Determined, she studied, retook her boards, and reentered the field. “I did slow it down a little bit. I did make sure that I was fully in remission. And so I decided that when I go back to dentistry that I would not do it as fervently. It really can be intoxicating and all consuming. So I am now associating at both practices, so I get to kind of come and go. And that has been an unexpected relief.” Her patients now benefit from the perspective she gained through it all. “When I have a stressful day I think, okay, your choice, don’t have to do this, don’t have to kill yourself doing it. Do it the best you can, enjoy it, take a step back, kick back and sit and chat with that patient for a little while. Get to know them.”
Looking back, her advice is simple yet powerful. “It is going to be almost impossibly difficult, but just keep going. Take it little chunks at a time, do the best you can, and enjoy the journey.”
Key Takeaways from Dr. Jen Moran-Kobes’ Journey
- Trust your gut: Even when her advisors said no, following her instincts led her to build a thriving practice.
- Prioritize family: Stepping back to support her twins showed her that success is not only about business but also about presence.
- Face adversity with courage: Battling breast cancer while planning her return to dentistry reminded her that life is short and passion matters.
- Redefine success: Returning as an associate allowed her to practice dentistry with balance, freedom, and joy.
- Keep going: Her advice to others — take life in small chunks, do your best, and enjoy the journey.
For Dr. Jen Moran-Kobes, dentistry is no longer just about building a career. It is about passion, presence, and purpose, which are qualities that shine through in every smile she helps create.
Connect with Dr. Jen Moran-Kobes: www.DrJenMoranKobes.com
Follow on social:
- Instagram: @DrJenMoran
- X (Twitter): @DrJenMoranKobes
- Facebook: Dr. Jen Moran-Kobes
Watch the full interview with Dr. Jen Moran-Kobes below.
The Chundria Brownlow Show 
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