BY: ALYSSA MAHADEO
Life is a series of ups and downs. Some things work in our favour while other times present challenges to build up our resistance to the real world so that we can persevere through anything.
Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Marcia James is a woman who can attest that her life would not be what it is today if not for her hope to engage in meaningful work, and pursue a career where she could help people, paired with her unwavering faith in God.
Growing up in Jamaica, Marcia always dreamed to be a doctor. she wanted to enter a profession that would allow her to help people as she was passionate about doing everything she could for others in hopes that they could be happy.
“I love helping people, there was a passion that I felt it moved me and I needed to make changes for the better in a person’s life,” Marcia shares.
Knowing that helping people was her calling Marcia’s life took many unexpected turns, some she was unprepared for such as having a child at a young age, while others she happened to be in the right place at the right time.
“After I gave birth to my daughter, I knew I needed to find work in order to provide for her and myself,” she says. “I didn’t want to work in a bank, or an office I just knew I wanted to do something different.”
Marcia’s intimate and profound relationship with God is what leads her down the winding road, and she recalls a conversation she had one day with her maker while searching for answers to her dilemma.
“I was speaking to God one day,” Marcia laughs knowing how it might sound to someone who does not believe in a higher power, “I told him that I wish he could find me something, something so different where it will be in a sense helping people.”
Another day, in passing, a woman she knew told her of a dentist appointment she had later that day, and Marcia decided to tag along. While at the office she ran into someone she knew and was permitted to venture further into the dentistry work area.
“Honestly when I went around to where the dentist was, and I saw the type of work that he was doing I said to myself this is it, this is what I want to do and I fell in love with it right there,” she laughs. “I wanted to learn about everything that field had to offer.”
Marcia was 20 years old at the time, excited about discovering this new profession something that she says she still feels just as passionately about till this day. “If I didn’t have this I’m not sure what I would do,” she shares.
The dentist’s office, where it was love at first sight, is where Marcia learned the tricks of the trade. They took her on as an apprentice and taught her everything she wanted to know. She was adept at picking up the different tasks, even going on to surpass other students that were also working at the office.
“I started making dentures for people and family back home,” Marcia shares, “I invested a lot into my own business, loving my work as a dental technician until it went under. I emptied my life savings, at a very young age you save a certain amount of money and you invest it hoping for success and prosperity in the business it was unfortunate for me, as it went downhill.”
After that Marcia knew it was time to leave Jamaica and set out in search for a new home. She took some time to scope out her various options spending some time in the US, and England before settling in on Canada in 2001. “As soon as I got off the plane, I knew it was home.”
Marcia’s keen sense of intuition always allowed her to assure herself that everything would be alright. “Whatever the scenario is you feel it and just know that it will work itself out.”
She was in a particularly difficult situation working without the proper documentation she needed and was told she could work the weekend, but come Monday morning she would be without a job. After work that day she was headed home, but instead of getting on the train home she happened to get on the train going the other way that would take her to an immigration officer she was recommended to see in order to get her paperwork sorted out.
“I walked into the office and she told me I’ve been waiting for you for the longest time, all I could do was cry. From there my life took off.”
Marcia still had much to do before she could become a fully certified denturist in Toronto. There were many difficulties when it came to securing a job that would allow her to work and advance in her position. In addition to work, she was also going to college in order to get certified, juggling the trials and tribulations of daily life.
In 2007 she met with a car accident, that caused her to miss work and she was let go from her position, on top of that the college she was attending lost their license and she was unable to complete her education. Marcia was exhausted and furious she couldn’t understand why things were working out this way and so she sat down and had another conversation with God.
“I said, God, this is what you want me to be for the rest of my life?” She had been working as a personal support worker just to get by. “I know I’m supposed to be more!” At that moment the phone rang and someone from the college called to ask her if she wanted to come back to continue her denturist certification. Marcia couldn’t believe it just like that things were turning around for her.
She went back to the college, got her old job back and also started her own business out of her home helping to fit people for dentures.
“I am a firm believer that everything in our lives happens for a reason,” Marcia says.
Denture specialist Marcia James helps you to improve your smile. She offers services such as implant dentures, complete full dentures, partial acrylic dentures, partial metal dentures, immediate dentures, reline and rebase, night mouth guards and sports mouth guards. Marcia is certified to help you with your smile right from her home.
Marcia’s passion for her work extends far beyond that of regular dental artists, she wants to ensure you are fully satisfied with your smile. Know someone in need of a set of dentures? Marcia James can fit you with a new smile today!
