1. Why did You become a doctor?

I was when I knew I wanted to be a doctor. I don’t recall any earlier thoughts. When I was 6, and thought I knew everything, I tried to find a career choice that would pay better (!!!) and take fewer years to graduate.  I remember thinking that I would be all old and grey by the time I graduated from Medical school and all my friends would be driving cars and living on their own… so I decided to become an engineer. I applied, got a wonderful scholarship, and then just couldn’t go through with it. No conscious thought – I just could not sign the papers. So there went that thought, and then I panicked because I had not applied to any medical schools… what a story, huh? Anyway, I applied, and got into a medical program in the nick of time. Since then, I have truly been happy and content, no second thoughts. Really, I have no idea what else I could do with myself. You’d have to be smart to have any other career, I always tease! In South Africa, where I grew up, it is a 6 year program and a year of internship. Then you can specialize in something. I had wanted to go work in a rural hospital, so I decided to do post graduate rotations through all the major disciplines so I could work in a rural area where you never know what might show up. (Anesthetics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Orthopedics) I was almost done my time for the diploma in Anesthetics, when I left to come to Canada.  I grew up in a small town, close to the ocean and sugar cane fields. I had the luxury of a stay at home mom to be there for me when I came home. My Father was a teacher. I have a younger sister, smarter than I could ever hope to be. I grew up in Apartheid South Africa. Ignorance was definitely bliss – I didn’t know any different until my high school years about how disadvantaged we were as a minority group. (Indian immigrant students in South Africa were segregated at the time)

2. What made you expand your practice to include private services?

I like constant challenge and variety. Even when I spent my almost 7 years up in Northern Alberta, I left my practice to go do Women’s Health and High Risk Obstetrics – for a change, to learn new things. I find that urban office practice can be quite routine, and I needed to find something new to challenge me. I had worked in a private weight loss clinic in addition to my family practice for just over a year; and discovered quite a few things: just helping someone lose weight is not the complete solution to the quest for wellbeing, health and external attractiveness. There is so much more to a person. Hence the basic services at the Wellness clinic – they all combine to address the whole being. (Nutrition, Fitness, Meditation, Body-mind, etc.) As I watched my patients lose weight and feel better, they wanted to look better as well; so I got into medical aesthetics. I discovered while training for this that I have quite a keen aesthetic eye, and flair for cosmetic procedures.
But I favour the non-permanent type. My focus is to ENHANCE, not change someone’s appearance. I have always liked surgical procedures/working in the operating room (OR) and I find that this allows me to be creative and not miss being in the OR as much. I don’t think many will see a parallel between OR/surgery and medical aesthetics, but they both are not things you do the same every time. There is skill and technique and no two procedures/situations are the same. I still miss the excitement of the OR, and emergency room. That’s why I still go away on weekends to work the Emergency Room in rural Alberta.

3. What Have been some of Your challenges in being a MoMPreneur?

Making time for family and finding balance! It was such hard work and long hours at the beginning, it still is. Trying to make sure that my son, Kiran, still knew who I was, and there were many times I didn’t think he knew! He would go to his Dad if he were upset or sick; and ignore me when I walked in the door – that’s the only time I would question if this was worth it or not. But, we would do things like car time between meetings; and Neale, my husband would bring him to work during my lunch times 3 times a week so we could spend a few extra waking moments. Even my Dad has played chauffeur to Kiran if I call home and say that I have a spare half hour or so between clinics or meetings or whatever – then we would just walk in the grass or through a mall for that time.  I also found out very early that not too many care about WHAT you know, but WHO you know! It was a huge blow to my ego! I was blessed with meeting the right people at the right time to point me in the direction I have taken.
Also, being a womahen I found the location, and the meeting I had with four men – all of whom wanted me to take more time to think about my decision when it took me less than a few seconds to say, OK; now where do I sign? I had been looking for a location for almost 2 months, coming up blank every time. It seems there is still a stigma attached to being a female entrepreneur.

4. What have been some of Your Major successes as a business woman?

I have to think about this one – I don’t know that I have been that successful yet… as a Doctor, I think it would be the value my patients place on the relationship I develop with them.  I am moved by their trust, and loyalty

5. What are 5 tips You would offer other MoMPreneurs?

1. First of all, I think this should be ‘lessons I’ve learned’… as I don’t want to sound like I am giving advice! Never lose sight of your vision.
2. If you stumble, pick yourself up, dust off, and keep looking forward; never behind.
3. Don’t be afraid to be unique or different or of being criticized. It’s OK to follow a path less trodden, and be talked about!
4. You can’t please everyone so don’t try!
5. AND... Everything happens for a reason.  Always a good one! Even if it doesn’t appear that way while it is happening, you will eventually see the value in that experience.