University of Oklahoma alumna Theanna Zika graduated from the College of Dentistry with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Out of 200 persons who applied to the elite Dental Hygiene Program, Theanna Zika was one of the fifty finalists chosen through grades, professional references and essays. After undergoing a rigorous interview process conducted by the Dental School Faculty Board, Theanna was able to land one of the 16 coveted spots in the Dental Hygiene Program. Theanna Zika was proud to be one of only 14 to finish and graduate from the intense program.

Prior to entering the University of Oklahoma, Theanna Zika attended the University of Central Arkansas on an academic scholarship she earned from her High School ACT score. She also was a gifted athlete in High School, being named All District and All Conference in basketball. She also was a talented Track and Field competitor. As a 14 year old, Theanna attended the State Track Meet by Special Invitation Only. Theanna Zika competed in the one mile run in which she came away with the bronze medal. Unfortunately, due to a recurring knee injury, Theanna was not able to continue to compete in athletics at the collegiate level. After nearly a year and a half of premed courses at the University of Central Arkansas, Theanna Zika transferred to the University of Oklahoma to apply to their dental hygiene program.

Upon graduating from the College of Dentistry, Theanna Zika applied her training as a hygienist to a business endeavor. After practicing as a hygienist in the traditional sense in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Missouri, Ms. Zika decided to apply her skills in a more entrepreneurial type endeavor. In 1999, Theanna Zika began a temporary dental hygiene service in St. Louis, Missouri. Within four years of starting her business, Theanna Zika became a favored and highly referred temporary hygienist with many local dentists. They appreciated the fact that they knew and trusted her ability to fit in with their staff and their patients. Theanna liked working for herself and the variety of going to various dental offices. This was Ms. Zika’s first taste of being an entrepreneur and she loved it. Once Theanna had the experience of working for herself and being her own boss, there would be no going back to working for someone else again! By 2003, her clientele included more than 50 offices, and Theanna Zika had become a regular substitute for numerous hygienists.

In 2004, Theanna Zika was once again ready to grow and do something different. Ms. Zika loved her elderly patients and had begun thinking about some type of business that would help them remain in their own homes since this seemed to be something they felt very strongly about when speaking with them. In 2004, Theanna Zika left the world of dentistry and started Heavenly Helpers Senior Care, a home care agency for the elderly. Theanna had little money and even less experience in this area. Yet, through perseverance and hard work, she was able to grow her agency into a one of the leading agencies in St. Louis within a few years. She expects to gross nearly one million in annual sales for 2009. Heavenly Helpers Senior Care currently employs 62 caregivers and serves 43 clients. As a business owner and a single mother, Theanna Zika is proud that she has earned the respect of her colleagues as well as being a role model for her teenage daughter, Tara. The St. Louis Women’s Journal profiled Theanna Zika’s efforts in the December 2007/January 2008 issue.

Theanna Zika currently manages administrative duties at Heavenly Helpers. Ms. Zika manages individual cases and does drop in visits to chat with her clients and remind them she is honored to be able to serve them and call them her clients. Ms. Zika is particularly excited about her recent work to enhance Heavenly Helpers Internet presence through Search Engine Optimization. Heavenly Helpers Senior Care also has a great new website at www.HeavenlyHelpers.net and Theanna encourages everyone to visit it. In the coming months, Ms. Zika will be adding photos of Heavenly Helper’s caregivers with their clients as well as pictures of the office staff. Theanna feels it is important for potential clients to see the faces of the agency they are evaluating. Theanna feels that if someone can actually see the persons who make up Heavenly Helpers then they will naturally feel more comfortable doing business with them. Ms. Zika also enjoys analyzing the agencies marketing and advertising methods to determine what is giving them their ROI. Theanna Zika conducts performance evaluations for her staff, and manages the financial aspects of Heavenly Helpers. Theanna Zika also motivates her employees and maintains in close communication with her clients to ensure their continued satisfaction. In addition to her responsibilities with Heavenly Helpers Senior Care, Theanna Zika is currently studying for her certification as a National Senior Advisor in geriatrics. Ms. Zika is also very proud to have a perfect record with the Better Business Bureau and a grade of “A” since joining them in 2005.

When she is not working, Theanna Zika enjoys supporting many of her favorite charities. She feels especially passionate about donating to the Paralyzed Veterans of America (Theanna’s father, a Lt. Colonial in the Marine Corps, served his country). Ms. Zika is also a regular donor to the Sierra Club, and the Environmental Defense Fund, among other organizations. Theanna Zika is also a dedicated member of the Missouri Venture Forum, a networking group of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.