Schlomo Schmuel

Stay healthy, exercise, spend time with your family, stay positive in your thinking. By having a positive outlook, it will give you a greater perspective on life.

 

Dr. Schlomo Schmuel, DPM is the owner of Sunset Foot Clinic. He specializes in Podiatric Medicine. For nearly twenty-five years, he has been serving patients on Sunset Boulevard adjacent to The Happy Foot/Sad Foot sign on the border between Silver Lake and Echo Park.

Sunset Foot Clinic provides comprehensive treatment for many feet and ankle issues. This includes hammertoes, fungal toenails and ingrown toenails, as well as heel pain, bunions, ankle sprains, and fractures. In addition, as an Accredited Ambulatory Surgical Center at their location, they can perform complex reconstructive surgery as well as limb salvage of the foot & ankle.

Dr. Schlomo Schmuel is a graduate of the Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine in Independence, Ohio in 1991. He had his Internship in Podiatric Surgery and did his Residency in Podiatric Surgery at the Los Angeles County University of Southern California Medical Center.

Dr. Schlomo Schmuel is happily married and is the proud father of three children. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family. He is a commercial pilot for private charters. He keeps a fit and healthy lifestyle through; walking, jogging, and cycling.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

The name Sunset Foot Clinic came from the name of the street in which I opened my clinic. My office actually has a landmark sign in the City of Silverlake. We are on Sunset Boulevard adjacent to the iconic The Happy Foot/Sad Foot sign on the border between Silver Lake and Echo Park.

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

I have a staff of very capable, very organized and compassionate individuals who I surround myself around. I am very proud of the team that I have on my assemble. By the time I get to the office, I am well prepared to begin seeing the patients that I have scheduled for the day. It is always a fully packed day with both consultations and always searching for the best solutions for each of them.

How do you bring ideas to life?

When I have an idea, I discuss the idea with both my wife, as well as our adult children. If it is an idea pertaining to the practice, I will discuss it with staff that would most benefit from the idea. If it is a sound concept that would improve the management of the office, we will make a plan to implement it as best as possible. If it is an idea to use newer technology or one that would be greater for the welfare of patients, it will then be discussed amongst the physicians in the office as a whole.

What’s one trend that excites you?

One trend that excites me is the evolution of pathology and medicine and how they are integrated together. I think that in the long run, integrated services will make it easier to provide a service and treat patients, while also doing so at a lower cost. By lowering the cost, it will eventually lead to more potential patients we are able to serve.

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

I believe in living a balanced lifestyle, achieved through having a healthy body and a healthy mind. The quality time I spend with my family is truly important in bringing out that balance. It is important to stay positive and to set goals daily. When I do set those goals, I do not procrastinate.

What advice would you give your younger self?

The advice I would tell younger Schlomo Schmuel would be to stay focused and continue to educate yourself. I would say to find the thing that you love to do and always enjoy what you are doing. I would also tell younger Schlomo to give back to the community in whatever way possible.

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

I believe that people are much happier and more productive when they are married and have a family. I believe that family enriches your life and brings you an incredible amount of happiness. In many discussions, several people think that being married can reduce your productivity. Perhaps they have too much to address at the same time.

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

As an entrepreneur, I would recommend for everyone to stay healthy, exercise, spend time with your family, stay positive in your thinking. By having a positive outlook, it will give you a greater perspective on life. I believe this is good advice for everyone’s well-being, not just for entrepreneurs.

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

I am not sure if it is a strategy per say, but I know that my business has grown because I believe in spending time with the patients at my practice; by giving them that personalized attention. Of course, I want to know about the situation that brought them to me, but I also want to understand details about their personal life as well. I guess my patients would refer to it as a good bedside manner. I do not want to make my patients feel rushed or feel as though I am not listening to what they have to say. Most people appreciate that and I believe that it is more of a strength than a strategy. I truly believe that is what has helped my business to grow to where it is today.

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

I believe the key to having a successful and thriving practice, is to have a staff that is highly motivated, efficient and most of all, happy. We want them to be financially rewarded for their hard work. We train and supervise them, so that we can all attain our goals as a whole. There was a time when we hired an employee that did not have the same goals and quality of patient care, so because of this we had to let them go. We have learned to hire staff that we are able to train and supervise in ways to raise our practice to the highest standards of care.

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

I would say as a business, podiatry is a wonderful avenue to consider for anyone starting a business. It is a very fulfilling business to be apart of.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

The best money that I have spent would be the time I bought flowers for my wife on Valentine’s Day.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

I am a very organized person. I use Microsoft Excel very often for my business and also use my calendar daily in order to keep me on task.

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

One book that I would recommend is Roots by Alex Haley. It crosses three generations of history in America. It is an exciting read.

What is your favorite quote?

If you believe in it, it is not a dream.

Key Learnings:

• The key to having a successful and thriving practice is to have a staff that is highly motivated, efficient and most importantly happy.
• Stay focused and continue to educate yourself.
• Stay healthy, exercise, spend time with your family, stay positive in your thinking.

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