Transcript
Speaker: Medical Flyways, the untold journeys of migrant doctors in Australia.
Speaker: So today I have with me Dr. Tanya Unni, who is a GP on the Gold Coast and an entrepreneur. And people often ask me how I choose or how I invite, who I invite to the podcast. So just as an introduction, I had ah sought recommendations from friends and I was looking for someone who who was a successful entrepreneur as well as a GP.
Speaker: And Tanya, your name was suggested. So that's how I reached out to you. So thank you first. And we'll start by letting you speak to where you're at in your journey right now.
Speaker: Thank you so much, Sri. This is amazing. i i really love talking to people with similar interests and you inviting me for this podcast is an honor.
Speaker: Thank you very much. So Tanya has worked as a GP in more than one country. So she has worked in the UK as well. She's originally from Kerala and is very accomplished in areas other than medicine as well.
Speaker: So maybe I'll start by inviting you to share some more about your journey in terms of having traveled from India to other countries. Sure, sure. I think before I talk about what people see my life right now as a GP, as a brand developer and I need to take you back to my origins because everything what we all do right now is because of the influence that we've had as growing up as children, our culture, our background.
Speaker: It's a combination of everything is what we are today. So I was born in India and to a family ah where um one side of my family is academicians and scholars, the other side where like they are still artists and in the art industry. So am very lucky ah that I got the exposure for both aspects and I really do cherish that. The reason being, i was able to see what art can do
Speaker: And also the academics, the scope of it as well. So growing up, I was into movies. I was awarded as the Best Child Actress in Kerala State Film Awards.
Speaker: And then I was very passionate about dance and I won several awards, including National Award for Classical Dance. So it all these things is relevant to what I'm going to be talking about now is because it gave me a lot of exposure to different, dealing with different people and working under pressure, the competition, and then accepting failures and, you know, facing some challenging situations.
Speaker: So then i was completely well and truly only passionate about being doctor because I was inspired by my grandfather who used to work for the army and as an army doctor.
Speaker: So he had taught me from a very young age that we got to think beyond religion. There is no religion, but only one religion of humanity. So that was his way of teaching me and I loved it. And I was inspired to be a doctor just like him.
Speaker: So I went to do medicine, leaving my arts and my movies and everything behind because this is where I felt my purpose and I absolutely loved and I still love people.
Speaker: So doing medicine, we went to ah completing that, went to England to do the higher studies. And after completing that, and, you know, there's always a question, you know, when you're young, you're like, okay, now what next?
Speaker: So completed your, you know, MRC GP and then what's next? So, ah you know, my husband and I, we were still young at the time. Okay, let's explore Australia because we heard amazing things about it.
Speaker: So we came to Australia and in three months, we started the first clinic. So that's how that's how the whole journey has panned out. Can I take you back to that early childhood or early learning experiences? Because ah this is something that i I have only just found out about you. So you mentioned about the involvement with the arts and your family in terms of movies and dance.
Speaker: What was that like? And what how much of that do you have or have maintained or preserved in your life now? You know what, when you, whatever we learn as children, actually we keep forever. We we don't never lose it. You know, people when I was young, I had no idea why I was doing, what I was doing. You know, I was just, ah my mom and dad was really good and like bringing me up, exposing me to different aspects of arts and culture and even in movies.
Speaker: So, ah you know, I was... baby tonic model. is I think it's called Fifol baby tonic as a model on the page, on the bottle. And then that start like eight months of age. And that's when my whole love as a baby model career started, I think, at the time.
Speaker: So I was into like in front of cameras several times. I was in front of like ah lights and, you know... Performing. Yeah, performing. Yeah, exactly. Performing. Yeah, on stage. so I loved when people... I loved to be on spotlight. I wasn't...
Speaker: yeah I wasn't scared because I think it's just I got used to this is like normal. And when I was three and half years, i went through an audition process for a Kerala Malayalam movie.
Speaker: And that's when I got into the movie industry. But I didn't know what I was doing. i was told to do certain things and I did as they wanted me to do. That's it. So that for me. That was like, oh, that's fun. They asked me to so tell some dialogues and, you know, act out and then sing in dads, you know, ah memorizing the lyrics. And I thought, oh, that's cool.
Speaker: I like it. And I just did that. and And, you know, and then I got through out of the, I think, 200 and something odd kids. So I was picked. So I was like, okay. I had no idea that was a big deal at all.
Speaker: So I was actually starred as daughter of Mamuti and Shobhana, the actress. Mega superstars, absolutely. Yeah, mega mega superstars, absolutely.
Speaker: And they're still in the field. So that was a great exposure and experience when I look back. And yeah, so that, you know, your question then, you know, the second part of it, how much do I preserve?
Speaker: It gave amazing exposure, of course, and ah being around and mingling with people of different backgrounds and different cultures and different languages. You know India, is a it's like ah it is a subcontinent.
Speaker: So you have people from different cultures and different class, and you have got people from the director to the producer to the light boy to the make-up artist to the canteen people. So, you know, you've got all these kind of people under working for one film.
Speaker: And so I was exposed to that and I was actually able to see how actors maintained and preserved their health and beauty, what they ate. And I was, as a little girl, I was quite amused.
Speaker: I was like, oh my God, they are so beautiful. Yeah. Absolutely. sounds like you were both. But it's fascinating because I can hear in your voice that you were you know and learning even then.
Speaker: you know like You were continuously getting this feedback and learning from that environment as well. A big industry. So it almost feels to me like you've taken the best of all of that in your little ventures at the moment.
Speaker: Absolutely. That's exactly right. I should say I do envy you having had access to mega superstars, but I'm sure you had to work for it, is how I would put it to you. Well, I didn't know I had to work for it at all. I was just, to me, i was just being, actually, I got told off for my first ever shot in my life because I don't know, I was the first scene. I still remember it' the first ever shot.
Speaker: I was walking with the two stars into our house. And on the side, there was like the whole crew, the camera, the light director, all of them.
Speaker: And I had no idea. i was not supposed to look at the camera. So was like, oh, I'm very excited looking at all that camera and the lighting and stuff. So that was the first lesson for me. So then I realized that the whole thing is role play. And even now, what we do in our daily life, it's role play.
Speaker: Like you in our general practice, it's role play. You'll be really tired at five o'clock, but you're not ever going to tell your patients that you're tired and you'd want to go home and you're hungry.
Speaker: You just, it's a role play. You have to actually be there in the moment for your patience. So yeah, so I think I carried a lot of it throughout my journey. Now, in terms of involvement with dance and cultural aspects, have you been able to continue some of that living on the Gold Coast?
Speaker: I would say yes and no. Yes, because in I had continued. I've never stopped even now. I'm not in i'm not out of touch from dance. So when COVID hit, actually, you know you know, I don't say that I would never want to go back and during that time. But it gave me a lot of time that I didn't have to go for meetings or, you know, any of those.
Speaker: So I was able to pursue my dance career and ambitions. so but before that what had happened was i did a dance drama in Kerala based on a novel written by my great grandfather who wrote the first book in my language.
Speaker: So that was an amazing dance presentation. So that just after that, COVID hit. So I wasn't able to go back and do anything for, you know, as long as COVID was over.
Speaker: now Yeah, so now i am it's really great timing that you're asking me the questions. So right now very right now, I'm in the midst of ah redoing the script and we are getting back on stage doing um you know dance presentation as a dance drama or theater presentation in Kerala.
Speaker: And we are planning to stage it ah several parts of India. And hopefully, fingers crossed, we'll be able to present it here as well. Awesome. i'm I'm going to look forward to that. Definitely.
Speaker: Moving from UK to Australia, was there any thinking about why you'd end up in Gold Coast or was it what factors do you think made you choose coming and staying where you are now?
Speaker: Well, I would like to say that we did a lot of research and this and that. No.
Speaker: It will be a big lie. So it was simply because our friends had moved before us and they had done like you know they they had their vacations of ah you know over Australia.
Speaker: And then they said, oh my gosh, there are two places. It'll be quite nice. Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast. So I don't know, we just chose Gold Coast because that was the that was the job opportunity that clicked for ah with us.
Speaker: And yeah, that was really simply the reason. And ah oh my gosh, umm I have no regrets. We are happy. Are there any highlights to that in terms of since you've been here? What are the main things that you can think about which have been joyful and make you think that it was worthwhile?
Speaker: During the last few years of England, by work in England, I was starting to get a little bit down, you know, a bit low because you really miss the sun and all that. and And I felt, you know, probably by whatever D was low. So overall, it wasn't really the best. And i and we both were like, we we still have time in our hands to explore. We had didn't have kids at the time.
Speaker: So that was really exciting. But... I'm actually, I won't say, you know, any challenge is your opportunity to learn and think differently and innovate.
Speaker: This is what I believe. So the challenge that we had, ah the first employer, i mean, we were not, it wasn't, it wasn't, so it didn't go the way for me personally, the way I wanted to be.
Speaker: So ah what what then happened was I was able to look at options or I looked at opportunities. ah what I could do. So in first three months, and I opened, um like i took over a doctor's surgery, they were retiring. Here I am, first three months of entering the country, took taking over and retiring doctor's practice, which had no computer or anything. So that was very challenging, but I take it as an opportunity because
Speaker: If I hadn't done that, I would not be pushing myself because I would be so much happy in my comfort zone because I love art. I love, you know, any of the cultural activities. I would be just happy doing that and I would not push myself to do...
Speaker: exploring my business opportunities or discovering who I am as a person when it comes to um facing challenging situations. So we changed ah from the paper mode to computer mode and yeah changed everything.
Speaker: So yeah, very blessed that we were able to move from the challenges and take the challenges and convert that into opportunities. So I know this about you in terms of where the business has grown and you've obviously diversified as well.
Speaker: Would you kind of be able to maybe describe that for those who haven't who don't know that about you? So you started with one practice, took it over, and that's now where are you at with your with your journey now in terms of practice ownership?
Speaker: Yes, sure. So that that was the first, I would say, like it was very naive and very impulsive and I don't know what it was. We took that. So I was a single-ended doctor.
Speaker: so that it was your It was your leap of faith is what I would call it, but so be it. That's right. You know, yeah in in life you get two opportunities, you take risk or not take the risk. Sometimes you take the risk and then you end up And it works out. That's right.
Speaker: So anyway, from that, own eight practices now. And all the practices we started from scratch, it wasn't like given and, you know, like provided everything was like on silver spoon. now we really worked hard from zero patients to grow the brand and we named a brand E-Series.
Speaker: Amtan Medical Centers. And from that, we also diversified into other related health businesses, which is also really, really growing well, Touchwood. And the last few years, I've been heavily, my personal time has been going into dermatology products, skin products,
Speaker: And now I'm very proud to say that my little skin business, my skincare brand is now available in Dubai and will be soon made available in other parts of Middle East.
Speaker: Well, maybe I can tell you now. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the two other new countries and India. So yeah, that's like, like you know, a little pat on my back and I'm very happy and proud because, you know, I'm doing it alone with no investment or with no investors. Yeah.
Speaker: I do think that if I remember correctly, you've had ah you won an award in the entrepreneurship space as well. Yes. So this is Queensland award that you have won.
Speaker: up Look, I ah got the, ah I got, I mean, two or three awards really, really close to my heart is one ah Young Entrepreneur Award.
Speaker: So I was ranked as 16th of the 100 Young Entrepreneur of Australia in 2019 and 2018. Like my husband and I, we both won that award and we were listed as the 18 of the 100. And then the next year was 16th of the 100 Young Entrepreneur of all of Australia.
Speaker: and That was like, that was a big achievement for us because we never thought we would make it at all. Because that was like, we won the nationals ah for the health entrepreneurship all of Australia.
Speaker: So that was an amazing twist and a turn in our life. And then I have personally Osman Pranar Award. So for the mom of the year for Australia. So that was and another...
Speaker: exciting thing for me then the IAPCA Indian Australian Businesswoman of the Year in 2021 so these three things I think I cherish that's more at a national level and yeah the other ones that I really love is the Gold Coast Mrs Excellence Awards and the Women of the Year Business Awards in Gold Coast Local Awards as well so yeah I mean, you've really highlighted that there are some that are specific for female entrepreneurs.
Speaker: And I was going to ask you if in your journey, where you've started, have you encountered any bias or perceptions about female entrepreneurs or even about being a woman of color that that made you work harder or even want to push that boundary even further?
Speaker: There has been so many and there's still going to be because, you know, this is going to be like a moment of truth and a fact that I'm going to share with you. and don't think we are yet ready.
Speaker: Unlike America, we are still a little bit behind in providing opportunities for women of color, of course, entrepreneurs. And then when it comes to like investment in women and women led business, you It's still a bit more challenging than man-led business because of general perceptions like, you know you're a mom and, you know, you're probably in your reproductive age group and how much invested in time you would be in the business. And there will be all those questions. I do as much as I do understand.
Speaker: I don't understand because when a woman is set out to do something, I think women are much more invested and much more driven and much more determined to make it work.
Speaker: so But we have to do this much more harder way. And it shouldn't have to be that way. I can add a comment in regards to what you do is I know you've supported other small businesses led by women as well in a way of almost sounds to me like paying it forward and making that barrier a little bit less for others ah locally.
Speaker: I'm aware you've kind of contributed to that. Can you think of others in your journey that have been either mentors or guides or advisors that have been helpful to you?
Speaker: If you ask me like one name, I don't really have like one single person because I find different aspects of my life. There has been different people who has cheered for me, guided me, been there for me.
Speaker: And also you take inspirations from as well. So there are several women during my journey that who believed in me. And sometimes really all you what you need is a phone call and them saying,
Speaker: Things like they believe in you and they'll want you're wonderful and you're amazing, but you may not actually be all that awesome. Like, i don't believe that I'm all that awesome. but But when then i call, like, I call her my godmother, Manjoo Jay, who I'll call her and she would be like, oh, beta, you're wonderful, you're amazing, you so you do do this and you do that. And you're such an awesome mother, you you know, you can reach great heights.
Speaker: So but sometimes when you're really down, you just need to hear some positive encouragement and words that would make you feel like a superwoman. All what you need for the day to get you to the next stage is that spirit.
Speaker: And then you'll be amazed how much you can, yeah, how much you can actually hit your goal. When you came to Australia, you, both of you, i mean, you hadn't had kids then. So is that ah journey of motherhood or becoming a mum, one that was well supported being away from home, as I would put it, or were there any particular, how did you cope with that living away from home and also being a busy ah professional?
Speaker: Look, I have to say, like, you know, we discussed about my art, my cultural interests, business activities, brand ownership, international business, being a doctor, everything.
Speaker: But what gives me most happiness and what is most challenging is being a mom. And what I'm really proud of is being a mom. There is no two ways about it.
Speaker: And I would not change thing. So before having kids, yes, it was, i was... able to be selfish, only about me, it's me, my life, my whatever I want to do But then I was able to think ah beyond that and I was able to look for what my real purpose in life is and what I want to do and where I want to be because now it involves not just my husband and I, now it involves two little people.
Speaker: So it was incredibly challenging, there's no doubt, because we don't have family here and Taking help from someone, it's not something that my husband and I like to do. So we have hired professional people to help us, ah like for a school drop, pick up and helping us when we are we have got meetings and stuff.
Speaker: But there's one thing I always tell people, you can delegate everything else. You know, you have a fundamental good strategic plan in your business and you can delegate and then you can monitor everything.
Speaker: You can remote control stuff. But when you're mother, that's a job that you can't delegate. Right? You know, so that becomes very challenging, but it's so rewarding more than anything else. So I always believed and I kept telling people, when I have children, it's going to be a baggage. You know I just take, I will just take the bag along with me wherever I travel.
Speaker: hey Oh my God. it's probably the most hardest baggage to take anywhere we go. But it's getting easier as I get older, yes. I know that you're, you know, so just for those who are listening, I know that we've had, we scheduled our recording in a way where you had other mom duties that you had to include in your day as well. So you're very actively involved in it. You're not just saying it, you're doing it as we and as part of your everyday life as well.
Speaker: In terms of professional networks, are there any particular, when you say, know, you've had mentors and advisors throughout your journey, are there any particular,
Speaker: aspects or particular ways that you do seek that advice. I've been asked that question about how did I find my mentors? And for me, the answers have been simple. How have you kind of sought advice when you felt you needed it?
Speaker: Like you when you felt that there were certain aspects that you needed to improve or wanted external input for, how did you find that? Extremely good question because there are different aspects of my life that needs mentorship and help and support and advice, right?
Speaker: So if our whole life, whatever I do, I'd like to look at it as compartments. So one big compartment, you know, whether it's starting a career journey, you'd look for people who've done the hard work.
Speaker: you know got the member You know, got their establishments and then you go for webinars and seminars where you find them, right? And then you hear them speak and you get inspired. You walk out of the room, you know, feeling wonderful because you always get something when you walk out because it's never wasted when you go for these seminars.
Speaker: Then the other aspect, if it's art and culture, you know, look listening and watching people have achieved despite the challenges, it's often amazing. But now the new aspect of my life, which is the international business, is where it's become the most challenging from the concept, the ideas that come to your mind.
Speaker: Because ideas, we're no one short of ideas. Everyone's got ideas, right? But executing it is so hard. So for that, what we need to do is to communicate with people, talk to them, ask, don't hesitate.
Speaker: And that's what happened to me. I i was really stuck somewhere. Like last week, i was thinking, oh my gosh, I really need to... get to this thing and i don't know how to do it. So I was like on a mission, so researching who I can talk to and I found a number randomly and I thought, okay, the only thing that could happen wrong was will be the person will get not happy would would be annoyed with me, but I was able to take that risk. I called, but I was able to get to where I want to get to because it was some questions and some information.
Speaker: But that is, you know, the best way if you have got, if you're stuck somewhere, you write it down where you're getting stuck and and what are the steps that you can take to override, override that hurdles.
Speaker: And that that will help you to then look for help Whether it's your government authorities your or the webinars or seminars or meetings or conferences, networking opportunities in the industry that you are in.
Speaker: So even for my son, my older boy has won the world record for the youngest documentarian in in the world. So that's something that I had no idea what to do because I'm on this big, you know, like a challenging journey myself with my husband.
Speaker: But then he comes up ah comes up with something like this. And I was like, oh my God, where do I even so start over here? Because I've not connected with any film or documentary people. So then I started to actually research and look and then go for workshops. I took him with me so that he can understand.
Speaker: So all these are different aspects of our life. You can't sit at home and worry about it. You will need to be prepared to get up, explore and take some action.
Speaker: Yes. Yeah, absolutely. And I think what you've just said applies to any aspect of the journey. So even for those who are considering coming and working in Australia, for example, they're going to have to do the same things um and follow through.
Speaker: Now, have one ah last question. i mean, again, as i I could talk to you for much longer, and this is probably true for many of the guests who've come before, but it feels very...
Speaker: imperative that I ask you that question. You've referred to your husband more than once in this recording. What does that look like having a successful, you know, very self, very confident go getting partner or wife from a South Asian perspective, and you have clearly got somebody who supports you and stands by your side.
Speaker: What's that been like? What is, you want to share any aspect of that with us? Look, a man will be able to not come in between you, ah the wife and wife's success, when the man is se secure.
Speaker: A real man who's a secure man is all what you need. if it' So I keep saying, like, my husband is not an artist, nor is he able to contribute in the cosmetic aspect of the industry.
Speaker: But he's amazing support for me for aspects that I need help with my, you know, like, simply sometimes it's Yeah, yeah, go go, that's fine, I'll take care of this.
Speaker: Don't worry, I'll take care of children. That's sometimes like simple thing it may be, but you know have no idea that that's such a relief that brings to you by just saying, don't worry, I've got this, you do what you got to do.
Speaker: So that takes a secure man and not feeling you know when you get awards or when you're actually being recognized and you know giving interviews or whatever it is. That's sick only a secure man because he knows his potential. He he is a high achiever himself. He was the chair for GP, PHN for four years.
Speaker: And like he's secure, he's a high achiever. So he's his ability to understand and we grew up together. We went to medical school together and we did a whole journey holding hands together.
Speaker: So all of these things has actually helped me. But I would underline and say, When a man is secure in himself, he would let his partner, his wife grow.
Speaker: Absolutely. and And thank you for saying that. And I think sometimes we probably should recognize that, you know, the success of a woman is not dependent on a man or their partner minimizing themselves. They are actually reaching their potential with you not and alongside you.
Speaker: It may be less visible sometimes, but it definitely happens. And then one I need to add one more thing for a lot of people because I have have come across women saying that, oh, you're lucky your husband lets you do things. and oh youre lucky um ah My family in-laws won't let me or my parents won't let me.
Speaker: Look, I agree. I understand. It's not going to be easy from different backgrounds, especially multicultural women. We have been raised very differently. We have been raised telling, you know, being ah told to at adjust differently.
Speaker: ah Just for family, at just being a woman, at just being a mother. But I can i tell you with confidence that if you really want something and if you truly believe that you want to achieve that and you can achieve that and you start working, you start showing your passion, your interest, your dedication, then No one will be able to come and stop you. No one will do that. you They can't because you become that you become powerful.
Speaker: Your desire, your ambition becomes powerful more than anything else. And then you will understand and see how the world kind of comes around and supports you in the journey. And yeah, it's beautiful.
Speaker: I think that second part is probably even more important because I certainly can see from your story that you've done, ah you've taken risks where others might not, but it's important to know that when you take the risk, there are people that you find in your journey, people that come and support you. And ah they you know sometimes you're not you're not dependent on them, but having people around you that are part of the team is still helpful.
Speaker: And it kind of adds to that journey. Thank you for saying that. I think it was just the right thought came at but from my perspective. We always talk about balancing things, but we sometimes forget there are others involved in that juggle.
Speaker: Oh gosh, big time, especially when you when you've got a family and that makes the journey even more beautiful. you know if You know, it's not about, oh, I want my products to reach, I don't know, Sephora and whatever, whatever.
Speaker: It's not that's not the end of it or that's not the kind of ultimate you a thing in life. What is the ultimate thing is the journey that we take. And during the journey, the things that we learn, because it's never going to be wasted because you could always help or always guide another person because you've already done the hard work.
Speaker: Absolutely. i'll I'll share something which i have to admit to you, I was not the kind of person who would have understood this until someone who has mentored me, and he'll be listening to this, would say, Srishti, why do you always want to boil the ocean?
Speaker: I always remind myself now, ah no, I'm not boiling the ocean, just the kettle for today. Love that. I love that. Now, I usually end with a little rapid fire of three words. So I'm going to throw them your way. And anything that comes to your mind, just just say whatever comes to your mind when I say the word.
Speaker: So the first one is trailblazer. Keep trying. Leader. Mother. IMG.
Speaker: Hard work. that's Anything else?
Speaker: Hard work? More hard work. No, actually. Exciting? And don't give up. Don't give up. Yeah, fun and hard work and don't give Oh, work hard. Awesome. Awesome. Thank you so much. And it's been a pleasure, pleasure, pleasure to listen to all of, well, some of your journey.
Speaker: I did want to say to the listeners that Tanya has been on more than some other very well-produced podcasts. So if you're interested in hearing more of her journey, please have a look and search. And I've i've certainly listened to a couple of them and learned from them as well.
Speaker: So thank you very much, Tanya. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you for having listened to this episode of Medical Flyways. I hope you've enjoyed this episode and will return for future ones as well.
Speaker: We would like to give you the opportunity to nominate a guest or any person you feel who is a suitable guest and who may have inspired you in your workplace or journey.
Speaker: So please leave us a comment and we will attempt to invite them to our podcast.
Speaker: Thank
