#155 How I Became an Advocate for Children’s Health and Safety Through My Innovative Product, ft. Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
In this episode, Dr. Kim interviews the founder of Ahimsa, Dr. Manasa Mantravadi. She shares how she started a line of colorful stainless steel dishware for kids that are free from harmful chemicals. Listen in to hear about how she began her entrepreneurial journey of providing safe mealtime products for families. Also in this episode, Dr. Mantravadi will share strategies for successful business startups, both inside and outside of medicine.
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Episode Highlights
Now, let’s look at what we discussed in this episode:
- About Dr. Mantravadi and her company, Ahimsa
- Makings of a physician entrepreneur
- Building the product
- Steps in launching the business idea
- Balancing medicine and having a company
- Advice for fellow physicians and connecting with Dr. Manasa
Here’s a breakdown of how this episode unfolds.
Episode Breakdown
About Dr. Manasa and her company, Ahimsa
Dr. Manasa shares about Ahimsa and what inspired her to create dishware products for kids. She talks about her line of products, which was born out of solving the dilemma of keeping kids healthy.
“I felt like there was a big disconnect between what modern medicine and physicians were saying, and what industry was offering those parents. So I was like, maybe I’ll just do it.” — Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Makings of a physician entrepreneur
When asked whether being an entrepreneur was always part of her plan, Dr. Manasa responded that it was an idea that converged right in front of her while working in the medical field. She shares that the makings of her being an entrepreneur were born out of a conversation with her residency friends about policy changes.
“I wasn’t looking for an idea. I just realized that there was a problem. And I understood kind of what it was like to be a mom and to be a pediatrician making these recommendations [where] there was no solution.” — Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Building the product
Dr. Manasa recalls how she set off building her product by simply focusing on providing a clear solution. She also recalls how being in the medical field helped her solve such problems, instead of finding answers from others.
“I just felt like, if not someone else, why not me if no one else is doing it? And this impact is so significant for kids.” — Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Steps in launching the business idea
From startup costs, business plans, and money involved in launching her business, Dr. Manasa shares the practical steps she did with little experience in entrepreneurship. She reminisces about how she uses various tools that are available for physicians, which were a great help in getting her off the ground.
“I pressed live, and we got all these orders within a very short time…Then I thought to myself, “I think I just started a company and I actually don’t know what I’m doing.” So that was what it felt like. People probably think I have an MBA. I clearly do not.” — Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Balancing medicine and having a company
Despite her seemingly simple process of starting her business, Dr. Manasa shares that there are things she would have done differently when given the chance. She also expresses her struggles with her priorities and how she has realized so much from her experience of being a physician entrepreneur.
“I kind of realized that you can do it all. You just can’t do it all at one time.” — Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Advice for fellow physicians and connecting with Dr. Manasa
Dr. Manasa shares some advice for her fellow physicians regarding skills related to medicine that assisted her in growing her business. She also talks about how to connect with her and how to find out more about her company, Ahimsa.
“it’s really not that hard. You just have to learn different lingo. That’s it. — Dr. Manasa Mantravadi”
