Dr. Mark Mofid

Stick to tried and true methods – there is nothing wrong with new technology and new methods of doing things, but don’t be the first one in your community to try something new.”

 

Dr. Mark Mofid is a well-known plastic surgeon who practices in the La Jolla and greater San Diego, CA area. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and completed his medical training and fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Where did the idea for your practice come from?

After completing my university and graduate training, I knew I wanted to help people look and feel better about themselves. Whether my patients need reconstructive work after an accident or want to improve their appearance, my desire is to help them. And I want to do it using only the best techniques and practices that are out there so that they don’t experience the issues sometimes associated with plastic surgery. I opened my own practice so that I could have complete control over the quality of service my patients receive.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

That is a challenging question to answer. I wouldn’t describe any of my days as typical. Each patient that I work with is unique and each situation different. Generally speaking, I spend part of my days meeting with patients to discuss their needs and options, and I also spend a lot of time in surgery with my patients. We stay very busy, which means I am productive most of the day. Having a reliable staff that I can depend on to help schedule patients and procedures also helps.

How do you bring your ideas to life?

I enjoy reading, researching, and studying my trade. When a new idea comes to mind, I research everything I can about the area. I also consult with and even work with other experts on the subject. When I am confident that the idea is solid and would benefit my patients, only then do I proceed. Take gluteal augmentations, for example. There has been a lot of negative press about them in the United States, and about half of all the doctors here use a procedure that could lead to issues for their patients down the road. I actually studied in Brazil, which gluteal augmentation is in high demand. I worked with the leading doctor in this field and developed my own set of parameters here in the US for how the procedure would be performed. Because of my research and training in this area, patients can feel confident that they are receiving natural, long-lasting implants that are safe and complimentary to their figures.

What is one current trend that excites you?

Truly, it has to be gluteal augmentation. This procedure is in high demand in Brazil and South American and it is a trend that is gaining momentum in the United States. It is increasingly popular for those looking for that hourglass figure. It has also become a routine procedure for my patients who come to me for a “mommy makeover”. If done right, this procedure helps women get the curvy shape that they desire. During my research, I discovered that through the years, going back to the 1950s, regardless of body mass or weight, the ideal waist-to-hip ratio of women has always been 0.68. I help my female patients achieve this desirable look.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I would say that being a leading expert in my field and staying on top of the current research, trends, and procedures helps me to shape and grow my business.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I’ve really been given some great advice all throughout my career. I learned to grow my practice slowly so that I can provide high-quality service to my patients at any level. I’ve also recognized that the best form of advertising and marketing is simply to do good work. People talk and so many of our patients are from word of mouth and referrals. The business has grown and flourished because of the high standards and practices we put into place to run it. But along with success, sometimes people come along and try to bring you down. I guess that I’d tell my younger self not to pay attention to that.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

There’s not really one thing out there that I’m alone with my beliefs about. However, sometimes there is resistance on certain subjects. Again, gluteal augmentation comes to mind. It is widely popular in the southern hemisphere, but it has gotten some bad publicity in the United States. And honestly, for good reason. Some doctors place the implants outside of the buttock muscles which can lead to problems down the road. I only do intramuscular implants and limit the size of them to 330 cc, even if my patients want more. I know that in the long run it will not benefit them to go any larger, plus it would be difficult to place inside the muscle tissue if they are too big. I believe that as more doctors become skilled in the proper techniques, my stance will become more popular.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Stick to tried and true methods – there is nothing wrong with new technology and new methods of doing things, but don’t be the first one in your community to try something new. If it fails, it could be a costly mistake for your business and your clients. So, do your research and stick to what works. Don’t let outside forces dictate your decisions – they should be based on what is best for your customer.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

At Mofid Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, we put our patients needs first. I firmly believe that when you are customer-focused, and you make all your decisions based on what is best for those that you serve, your business can’t help but grow and flourish. People have an immense number of options. And with the internet, social media, etc. they also have numerous outlets to express their thoughts or concerns about literally anything. Because we keep our patients’ best interests at the center of our business, we have a very good reputation, which has led to our success.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Hiring great employees is irreplaceable. The most important business decision that you can make is the people you choose to surround yourself with.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

In the area of plastic and reconstructive surgery, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for any person or any procedure. There is a need for more customized solutions. For example, I ultimately designed my own buttock implants. If someone were interested in developing high quality solutions for boutique facilities, like mine, this could be a successful business venture.

What is the best $100 you recently spent?

I’d say the best $100 (and probably more than $100) that I’ve spent recently was on improvements to our office. We are continuously striving to create a warm and inviting environment that our patients feel comfortable in. This is money well spent.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive and how do you use it?

Our digital imaging software is crucial to our operation. I spend a lot of time with each of my patient’s during their consultation so that I can clearly understand their goals with the procedure that they want to have done. Once this is done, my team and I conduct a morphing session with the patient to simulate the results. This allows them to really see what they will look like once the procedure is done and ensure that we are on the same page with the outcome.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

I would recommend a book called “The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday. It basically talks about how to successfully handle obstacles – because no matter what type of business you are in, as an entrepreneur you will encounter them.

What is your favorite quote?

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”
– Albert Einstein

Key Learnings:

• In any business, always keep your client’s needs a top priority.
• Don’t grow your business too fast – master what you are doing now before growing it further.
• Even if you are excited about a new product or solution, do your homework and make sure that it is effective before implementing it. If not, then stick with what you know works.
• If there isn’t a good solution available for your problem, come up with one yourself.
• Quality work and service is the number one way to attract more business.

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