Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Benjamin Saez, (Co-) Owner of Athens College of East Asian Medicine, located in Athens, Greece.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am a founder of Athens College of East Asian Medicine (ACEAM), a school in Greece for Chinese medicine where I also teach. The school has been running for four years now, and we are gaining in reputation around Europe. We offer a 3-year course in acupuncture and/or herbal medicine. Because we are an integrative school, it is mandatory to have a good foundation in western medicine; therefore, we offer, for those that do not have one already, one year of foundations of biomedicine. These classes are taught by western nurses and doctors that have completed bachelors and master's in Chinese medicine. For myself, I teach various classes in our 3-year program, from the basics to pattern differentiation.
I work in a clinic in Athens, where I see patients nearly every day. The clinic is a multidisciplinary clinic called System Health and Spine, and as the name indicates, we get a lot of patients with muscular-skeletal issues. I work full-time with a chiropractor, physiotherapist, massage therapist, and nutritionist. This combination of physicians helps the patient get the best results. I truly believe, and it is happening already, that the future of medicine is going to be patient-centered treatments rather than disease-focused treatments.
I also work as the administrator for the European Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. Since 2019, I have been working very closely with Georgette Young (Secretary) as part of the secretariat team. I helped orchestrate the well functioning of ETCMA and organized the back end of the association. This has allowed me to extend my horizons in terms of what is happening with our profession worldwide.
Tell us about yourself
I first got into Chinese medicine because I disagreed with the way modern medicine was being administrated. It felt at the time like you were a number and not a human being. This is not me saying that I do not trust or recommend Western medicine; I just believe that there must be a more patient-centered approach that does not involve giving pills to a patient for every symptom and side effect that they have. Today I see western medicine changing for the better, and it is because the world is more accepting of so-called alternative medicines. What motivates me is the future of more integrative medicine, more personalized medicine that focuses on the person. For this reason, I helped create a school that will teach future generations of practitioners to be more integrated into mainstream medicine, working alongside western medical professionals.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Seeing your dream flourish. The school was created to help our profession, and we had no idea if it would work. We went into this business as volunteers and advocates for our craft, and today we are producing well-educated and professional individuals that will help Chinese medicine progress.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I think the answer is in the question of being a "business owner." It is not your typical 9 to 5 job; you will be putting in a lot more hours with no immediate compensation. That is why motivation is key; you have to believe that you will make it; otherwise, you will crash and burn out. To be honest, you still burn out even when you achieve, but at least it was for something. Coming to think about it now, maybe the hardest thing when you do crash, and it has happened to me, is to find the motivation to go again. Doing a business is hard, and the first attempt at it might not be the right one, but you learn from your mistakes, and you go again. You must always believe in the dream...
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Do not be afraid to make mistakes, keep improving on what you already have, and be humble enough not to disregard what others have to say. Sometimes an outside perspective will give you insights on how to perform better. You will need courage, passion, stamina, and to be in line with your dream if you want to achieve your goal. My last word of encouragement is that all those efforts, sweat, and tears are worth it in the end!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://ac-eam.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AcupunctureAthens/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/athens_acupuncture/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-saez-573b27120/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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