Q. 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: I am owner and ceo of Zen Interventional Pain and Wellness Center. I specialize in musculoskeletal medicine . I see any problem involving the spine, joint or nerves. I have a comprehensive practice where I have a holistic approach to pain thats main goal is to improve me patients function,
Q. 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 hail from South Jersey. I went to college at Morehouse College , and then completed med school at an early med school program at Boston University. I had more training at Tulane and UAB Birmingham. My main passion is culture and travel. I have lived in south america, visited over 16 countries and I regularly volunteer across the world with my next trip being haiti. I also am involved in several startups with the latest being in the virtual reality market.
Q. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: I started my practice because I was tired of not making my own choices. I didn’t realize how healthcare will tie your hands. I wanted to be able to control as much as possible and help my patients the way I saw fit. I was encourages by various mentors and colleagues to just go for it, no matter how afraid I was.
Q. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: My main advice is so simple , “ Enjoy failures as much as you enjoy the triumphs”, if you can understand that life has a ebb and flow, and things will never be perfect, you can’t help but mov e forward.
Q. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: 1.self motivation
2.perserverance
3.Rooted in your Passion
Q. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: Lol, when am I not?? I average 12-15 per day. But it really doesn’t feel like work hours when you enjoy it.
Q. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: I have a unwavering and committed support system of my family and close friends.
Q. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: I have a field marketer , internet marketing, websites, paid ads, radio. However ,my most successful marketing is literally going door to door at other offices and showing my face.
Q. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans: Well I took out a very small line of credit to start my practice. I was determined to keep my overhead low, so I used a small amount of savings, and small line of credit to start my clinic.
Q. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: Long term success must first be defined by you, and to me, as long as you are actively working toward that goal that goal with unwavering passion, desire, and dedication …that is success.
Q. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: In the next 5 years I would like to expand my practice locations, hopefully have more offices, through DFW. Ultimately I would like to be involved in more International health initiatives.
Q. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans: Zappos – they have an amazing environment that helps to cultivate creativity and passion in their employees,
Q. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: Employees have been the glue for my practice. If you can find employees that work with passion you will go far.
Q. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: I tend to stick with an idea until it starts to affect my productivity. Or I absolutely lose passion about it
Q. What motivates you?
Ans: I am motivates by the energy of the universe, my family, and my never-ending goal to design my reality.
Q. What are your ideals?
Ans: I believe in treating others well , always doing the right thing, and being loyal to family.
Q. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: A lot of my ideas come while in nature…the beach..a hike…in the park.
Q. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: Treat patients like family.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: I enjoy the thrill, I enjoy the ride and the challenges no matter how difficult.
Q. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: When I began to be booked out in clinic past 30 days, I never thought I would be this busy.
Q. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: Entrepreneurs don’t let there fear stop them from chasing there dreams, we are all afraid but entrepreneurs have to act regardless.
Q. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Ans: I have a culture of total positivity and happiness. Patients need a positive environment. When someone is in pain they need a positive energy surrounding them, and I lead be example.
Q. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: Endurance
