Dr. Masoud Mohammadi is a board certified dermatologist with decades of clinical experience. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Dr. Mohammadi obtained his bachelor’s degree from the University of Melbourne before completing his medical training at Queensland University. He went on to obtain his official certification from the Australasian College of Dermatologists – an accredited medical institution based out of Sydney. As a well respected member of the medical community, Dr. Mohammadi recently opened a clinic in Brisbane, where he applies his innovative approach to skin care. Specializing in general dermatology, he takes pride in educating patients on the importance of proper sun protection while providing advice for cancer prevention.
Where did the idea for your career come from?
I actually come from a family of dermatologists, so I guess you could say it’s in my nature. I knew early on in my career that I wanted to pursue a medical degree, but I was uncertain of my area of specialization. I now work mostly in general dermatology and treat a wide range of skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, acne, and more. I find that dermatology is often an overlooked part of one’s health. I take pride in providing my patients with long-term solutions.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
My day is very patient-focused. Most mornings I will have a quick staff meeting to run through any necessary paperwork or miscellaneous tasks. The remainder of my day is seeing and treating my patients. While my job is busy and often very fast-paced, I still find I am able to achieve a work-life balance.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I am a very visual person, so when I do have an idea I tend to write it down. I normally contemplate it for several days before seeking the advice of a colleague. At my clinic, we value innovation, so we are always striving to be better.
What’s one trend that excites you?
We are constantly consuming so much media and lately I have really noticed a shift towards all-natural ingredients. I think it’s about time that consumers started realizing what chemicals they are incorporating into their skin care routine. It’s important to play an active role when it comes to treating your skin. Instead of purchasing a celebrity endorsed product, research the ingredients and seek the opinion of an expert.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I would have to say self-reflection. I am an avid listener and I take constructive criticism very seriously. I am always looking to improve myself and I am not afraid to analyze my own weaknesses.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to enjoy my educational journey. I spent a lot of my formative years extremely stressed out and constantly worried about the future. I wish I would have just taken the time to enjoy myself a bit more while having faith that everything would work out.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
That there is no such thing as “good advice”. I have received a lot of unsolicited advice throughout my entire medical journey and what I can say is that what may work for someone may not for someone else. I think all that we can do is have confidence in ourselves to make our own decisions.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Openly communicate with your staff several times per week. It’s vital that everyone remains on the same page if you want to be successful long-term. I just recently opened up a clinic in Brisbane and now I am opening up a second in Sydney. I owe a lot of my success to my staff and I never could have done it without them.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
I wouldn’t say there was one specific strategy that helped me grow my business but I would say that connecting with certain skin care lines/ brands allowed me to really expand our online marketing efforts. We do our best to connect with patients through social media and by utilizing online promotions.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Probably the failure to implement a comprehensive screening program when it came to new hires. I ended up employing several individuals that just didn’t have a similar vision which made it difficult to cultivate a positive work culture.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I would have to say increased focus on skin care lines that are made up of natural ingredients and are environmentally friendly.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I recently purchased an e-reader! I have always wanted to try one but could never convince myself to digitize my book collection. However, I am glad I did as it is far more convenient.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
At my clinic we use AdvancedMD, it is an integrative software that allows us to manage and store electronic health records.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
The Future of Nutrition by T. Colin Campbell explores our relationship with food and what it means for our individual health. As someone who adheres to a plant-based diet, I enjoy reading books that explore the basis of nutrition.
What is your favorite quote?
“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” — Will Rogers
Key Learnings:
- Have confidence in your unique skills and abilities
- Openly communicate with your staff
- Make self-reflection a weekly priority
Steve (Stefan) Junge hails from Germany and helps with the day-to-day publishing of interviews on IdeaMensch. While he and Mario don’t share a favorite soccer club, their enthusiasm to help entrepreneurs is a shared passion.