Dr. Tanya Unni is a successful General Practitioner (GP) who ventured into entrepreneurship and became the co-founder of the brand Amtan Medical, besides owning Skin Lab & Beauty clinics and a cosmetic brand called ‘Dr Tanya’.
She is the recipient of prestigious awards such as Indian Achievers Award for Entrepreneur of the year 2020’, Business News Australia’s Young Entrepreneur Australian Health & Business sector in September 2019, the ‘Global Entrepreneur’ Award by the Indo American Press Club, Houston, USA, in October 2019, and the Gold Coast Business Excellence Award in November 2019. In 2018, she and her husband, who is also a GP, were ranked 18th among the ‘Top 100 Young Entrepreneurs’ in Australia. She is also the Chairlady of AIBC’s Healthcare Industry Chapter. In an exclusive interview with India News writer Deepika Banerjee, Dr Tanya talks about her initial venture into entrepreneurship, her multitasking abilities, the significance of awards as an inspiration to carry forward the good work, and the biggest turning point in her life.
Being a medical professional, what inspired you to venture into entrepreneurship and becoming the co-founder of Amtan Medical?
I was working as a GP in UK before moving to Australia. I started working as a GP here. But within three months, I decided to start my own medical practice. Along with my husband, who is also a GP, I started our first clinic. We shared the vision of building a medical centre which caters to the complete health needs of a family and the community. We built the brand Amtan Medical from the scratch, brick by brick. In hindsight, continuing as a GP would have been the safer option. We had no godfathers or relatives here to support and it was a huge risk. But we both had an enterprising attitude and we are essentially go-getters. Till this date, we continue to keep this attitude ignited within us. Today, Amtan Medical owns eight medical centers in different locations across Gold Coast. We have worked hard towards perfection day in and day out. I can vouch for the fact that we have never chased money and never considered it as the ultimate criterion of success. My motto is that if you invest in the present moment and do the task at hand perfectly, success will follow.
How do you manage the multiple responsibilities and challenges of being an entrepreneur, a medical professional and the Chairlady of AIBC’s Healthcare Industry Chapter?
Multitasking has always been one of my fortes, right from my school days. When our first Amtan clinic was started, I was not only the doctor but also virtually handled every other department such as the front desk, administration, finance, etc. So this has given me hands-on experience in medical business. Along with Amtan Medical, I also own Skin Lab & Beauty clinics, which offer cosmetic services with evidence-based accuracy. I do own a cosmetic brand called ‘Dr Tanya’ which develops cosmetic products and devices. I am deeply involved in the research and development of the skincare products. As Chair of AIBC’s Health chapter, I get to involve in the activities of the larger business community. As a businesswoman, it has been a great learning experience. I find time to take advanced medical courses and dance lessons too. Above all this, I am a mother of two boys. So I guess I manage time pretty well.
Over the years, you have been honoured with many prestigious awards. What significance do these awards have in your life?
Awards are very gratifying as they communicate with us in an inspiring way. They reaffirm our convictions and tell us that we are moving in the right direction. When awards come in difficult times, they give us extra joy. One such heartwarming news was when I recently received ‘Indian Achievers Award for Entrepreneur of the year 2020’ instituted by Indian Achievers’ Forum. The year 2019 had been particularly rewarding for me. I was selected as ‘Young Entrepreneur Australia’ in Health & Business sector by Business News Australia in September 2019. I also received the ‘Global Entrepreneur’ Award by the Indo American Press Club, Houston, USA in October 2019. This was followed by the Gold Coast Business Excellence Award in November 2019. In 2018, my husband and Iwere ranked 18th among the ‘Top 100 Young Entrepreneurs’ in Australia.
What do you regard as the biggest turning point in your life which catapulted you to the dizzy heights of success?
There come some moments in our life which transform our entire perception. For me this remains a vivid memory. During my second pregnancy, I had developed some medical complications. I had a surreal experience during that time. I could say that it was a moment of self-realization for me. A realization dawned upon me that I had so much to do and there is not a single moment to throw away. We have to take in each moment and fill it with enthusiasm, hope and happiness. Ever since, I have tried to imbibe the spirit of that moment throughout my life. Though the experience in itself was traumatizing, I must honestly say that it became a turning point in my life.
Finally, what message would you like to convey to the Indian-Australian youth?
Indians are one of the most dynamic diasporas in Australia. There are innumerable Indians who have made it big here. Australia has embraced us all with love. This is a land of immense opportunities. We must learn to appreciate our strong points and choose a career most suited for our aptitude. I have met brilliant students from India who have come here for higher studies. I hope all of them will be able to go places. The post Covid-19 scenarioposes some uncertainties, but I believe that the younger generation is highly capable of overcoming these challenges and guiding the world to a new order.