Build Your Own Business with Andrew Ford - Episode 9 with Dr Maja Green

Written By Andrew Ford

In this episode of Build Your Own Business (BYOB), I have a fantastic conversation with Dr. Maja Green, CEO and Director of Medical Affairs at Solaris Research Institute. Maja is a pioneer in the fields of pain and spine research, and today, she shares her journey from the medical world to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

We dive into Maja's background, exploring her early experiences in the healthcare industry and how those experiences shaped her approach to business. From working directly with patients to leading clinical trials, Maja’s story is one of passion, resilience, and innovation. She talks about how the foundation she built through her medical career eventually led to the creation of Solaris Research Institute, where she now focuses on advancing medical research and developing cutting-edge solutions for clinical trials.

One of the key themes we discuss is how Maja's expertise in healthcare has directly influenced her approach to business leadership. She provides a unique perspective on how understanding the patient experience and collaborating with healthcare professionals can create business models that are both empathetic and efficient. Maja also highlights how the power of data and technology is transforming the way research is conducted, especially with their platform, Lupiter Health Connect, which accelerates clinical trials by rapidly and efficiently recruiting diverse patient populations.

Throughout our chat, Maja shares her thoughts on the importance of adaptability in business, especially in the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of healthcare. She encourages entrepreneurs to remain open to new technologies and methodologies, and not to shy away from innovation. Maja also opens up about some of the challenges she faced while transitioning from clinical practice to the entrepreneurial world, offering invaluable advice to anyone looking to take a similar path.

Towards the end of our conversation, Maja leaves us with a powerful piece of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: "Get out there and network. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and share your vision. Building relationships is key – you never know where your next opportunity will come from."

Join me as we unpack Maja's inspiring journey, the hurdles she’s overcome, and her vision for the future of healthcare. This episode is filled with insights that will resonate with both seasoned entrepreneurs and those just starting out.

Solaris Research Institute: ⁠www.solarisresearchinstitute.com⁠
Maja's LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-maja-green/

Andrew Ford
Marketing expert Andrew Ford, the founder of Social Star, has discovered the secret of ‘Powerful Branding’. With a fire for unleashing people’s inner brand and developing business models to generate profit from an individual’s passions, Andrew leverages ground-breaking digital and social media marketing techniques to create digital strategies for clients to attract maximum opportunities. Having established a strong name for himself in the field, Andrew blends traditional business techniques with now-necessary tools for entrepreneurs to achieve scale, quality, and influence in their niche. Andrew’s comprehensive business background and qualifications consist of a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (RMIT 2003), a Graduate Certificate in Management (MBA Executive Program, University of Sydney 2005), and a Masters of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Swinburne University 2011). Continually on the cutting edge of his own education, Andrew has tested his marketing theories in forums such as the BCG Business Strategy Competition, which he won in 2005 against all Victorian MBA schools, and the Venture Cup Business Plan Competition (Swinburne University 2003), which he won in the Masters category. With experience working at Hewlett-Packard, Sensis (Telstra) and IBM, Andrew also has mentored dozens of junior staffs to help them achieve their professional goals. Meeting and influencing high-profile public figures helped Andrew to realise just how many professionals require more understanding and control of their public brands or appearance, and need help with the skills to use the many amazing free tools at their disposal to generate success. At Social Star, Andrew consults with clients to uncover their personal brand – both where it is today and where it can be tomorrow – and refine and define how that should be displayed in social media in order to attract their perfect target audience. Andrew mentors his clients to rapidly grow their business’ audiences, resulting in larger potential client bases and higher revenue. Applying formulas that integrate over twenty years of Andrew’s business experience and fifteen years of formal business education, Social Star specialises in building clarity and velocity for clients’ brands using the ‘Understand, Build and Leverage’ methodology. ‘Having a Personal Business enables people to have an authentic, congruent connection with their valued clients and partners, using their brand as the bridge,’ says Andrew. ‘I’m highly driven to work with the new breed of entrepreneurs and small business owners – people who have a passion for making the world a better place. Traditional business models are stepping aside as people follow their innermost dreams and my role is to see them operate within their values while creating wealth. Some people think you have to sacrifice what you love to be successful in your business, yet it is actually the opposite. Follow your passion and success will come.’ Lecturing at Swinburne University from 2009 to 2011 on brand dynamics and digital marketing, presenting at numerous conferences, and consulting to hundreds of clients, Andrew has seen his philosophy work that if you follow your unique path, based on your skills, experience, values and goals, you will automatically attract the opportunities you desire and achieve the success you deserve. Living his mantra, Andrew has created a successful business and attracts high-profile clients including musicians, athletes, authors, models, entrepreneurs, professionals and small business owners, helping them find their ‘why’ in their business and fulfilment in their lives. Business for Andrew is more than work, it’s personal. Running a personal business means that he is able to fulfil all of his values rather than separating his life from work. It supports his two boys while providing social opportunities, educational development, fitness opportunities, spiritual fulfilment and many valuable friendships. Social Star has now become the vehicle for Andrew to crystallise his mission in the world, to help people love what they do, supporting his ‘why’, that if more people loved what they did, the world would be a better place.
http://www.andrewford.com.au/
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Build Your Own Business with Andrew Ford - Episode 8 with John Perry