Q 1. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: Synergy Stem Cell is a regenerative medicine clinic in Bradenton Florida that offers a cutting edge non-surgical solution for those suffering from pain in the knee, hips, shoulder, elbow ankle and foot. The treatment and therapy is effective in treating chronic pain, osteoarthritis, sprains, soft tissue injury, tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.
Q 2. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: I’m Dr. Mark Lewis and am the co-owner of Synergy Stem Cell, a regenerative medicine clinic in Bradenton Florida. I was trained as a Chiropractic Physician and have worked in healthcare for over 15 years. I’ve been in private practice for 10 years with a focus on creating long term functional solutions to physical medicine problems that negatively impact our lives. I own the clinic with my wife, an advanced practice nurse, and we are committed to finding the best possible natural alternatives to drugs and surgery to enrich the lives of our patients.
Q 3. How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: We are always searching for the latest and most effective therapies for our patients. Stem Cell therapy and Regenerative Medicine was a natural evolution to our practice.
Q 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: Be relentlessly persistent in chasing your dreams.
Don’t be afraid to fail and learn from your mistakes.
Guard against success and your ego weakening your foundation.
Q 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Effective goal setting and action items.
Hiring and training good team members.
The ability to gather and interpret statistics on your business.
Q 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: 12 hours a day with some time on the weekend.
Q 7. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: Being persistent and willing to evolve.
Q 8. How do you go about marketing your business?
Ans: Newspaper ads, lectures, patient screenings, internal marketing and business referrals.
Q 9. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it?
Ans: We obtained a loan from the bank and invested personal money to start the business.
Q 10. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: Be aware of how your industry is changing and be willing to evolve before it does.
Q 11. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: The business will expand the service offering to treat many more conditions with Stem Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine. I don’t see this being limited to solely physical medicine conditions. I believe we will also offer cosmetic services that relate to stem cells. We will have a clinic that is at least double the physical size and a true cultural influence in the community. Both my wife and I will no longer work in the clinic and will manage it remotely.
Q 12. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans: Toms Shoes for their philanthropic approach to business. More businesses should strive to improve the community that made them a success by reinvesting time and money.
Q 13. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Good employees are essential to the success of any business. A poor employee can destroy moral and stifle growth.
Q 14. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: It is necessary to give an idea enough space to work, but not to limit growth.
Q 15. What motivates you?
Ans: Having a positive impact on my community.
Q 16. What are your ideals?
Ans: Work smart, be efficient and effective, always communicate the vision and purpose.
Q 17. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: Read books and articles, learn from other businesses, talk to others, have time to reflect.
Q 18. How do you define success?
Ans: The positive impact you have on others.
Q 19. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: Building relationship within the community, referrals (business and patient), word of mouth, and constantly educating the public on the why behind what we do.
Q 20. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: The challenge of figuring out a solution
Q 21. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: Coming through the fallout from the 2008 financial crisis intact and repositioning the practice for growth in 2013.
Q 22. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: Entrepreneurs are tenacious, driven and willing to dive in where necessary.
Q 23. What kind of culture exists in your organization?
Ans: Efficient Team Work: We train weekly to ensure we all understand the job of our team members and pick up the slack where needed to deliver the best service possible.
Q 24. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: Tumultuous: It’s been a rocky road.
Q 25. If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Ans: Take the time to decide what really makes me happy and adds true meaning to my life. I would then write down goals with specific action items and attached dates. Then I would get to work creating my own reality.
Q 26. How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Ans: It has put a strain on relationships, my marriage and my children. You have to find a way to create balance and not let your business dominate your life at the expense relationships that matter or your health.
Q 27. What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Ans: You only fear that which is not known or understood. I fear running out of time the most.
Q 28. How did you decide on the location for your business?
Ans: We are near Lakewood Ranch and that is a high growth area for families and active adults that adjoins Bradenton and Sarasota. Our office has excellent visibility on a high traffic road that is near the interstate.
Q 29. Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: No specific formula or pattern, but you must have a vision, be persistent, and willing to fail.
Q 30. If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
Ans: Leonidas, the Greek warrior king that lead 300 brave Spartans against the massive Persian Army at the Battle of Thermopylae. Like no other in history, he lead by example and possessed the right mix of moral strength, physical ability and compassion that made him a great leader.
Q 31. Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Ans: I admire Sir Richard Branson for his vision, business success, sense of adventure, his attitude and philanthropy.
Q 32. What book has inspired you the most? (OR what is your favorite book?)
Ans: Excuses Begone! by Dr. Wayne Dyer
Q 33. What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Ans: Letting a mistake slow you down or bring your down. Mistakes are your best teacher, get over it and learn from them.
Q 34. How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Ans: You can’t prevent mistakes. You simply need to own them, admit when you are wrong, try to make it right and move on.
Q 35. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Ans: I enjoy triathlons, cycling, Spartan Races, photography, scuba diving, boating and live music. I also enjoy spending time with my family and am a Boy Scout Leader.
Q 36. What makes you happy?
Ans: Being in nature, live music, good food and my family.
Q 37. What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Time away from family and friends, time away from leisure, time away from sleep. There is also a large financial expense to being an entrepreneur, as it is an investment in the future.
Q 38. If you were conducting this interview, what question would you ask?
Ans: We all eventually die, so what would you want written on your tombstone?
Company Details:
Company name : Stem Cell Therapy Treatment
Address : 6156 53rd Ave East Bradenton, FL 34203
Email : info@synergystemcell.com
Tele no : 941-755-9355
