It takes a lion’s heart to be an entrepreneur. Creating, let alone sustaining, a business from scratch can be strenuous in almost every way — emotionally, mentally, and financially. This is even more challenging for the healthcare sector where challenges get multiplied by many industry-specific challenges like extensive regulation along with uncertain and unclear path to earn money.
However, healthcare is now the center for many visionaries to tackle some of the most sobering problems. And one such pioneer, Dr. Ahmet Bahadir Ergin, a leading endocrinologist, stands out as an example of an entrepreneur who believes in the power of impacting lives.
With his radiant smile, calm demeanor, and unmatched concern for patients, he goes beyond the textbook description of a doctor. In every interaction, he shows his in-depth knowledge, empathy, and a sincere effort to make a difference.
Yet, what truly sets Dr. Ergin apart is his unique take on leadership. He has a knack for using the ups and downs of his journey to his advantage — both confidently and adeptly.
In fact, when he engages with his team, he doesn’t just share his vision — he listens, he empathizes, and tailors his approach according to each individual. As a dynamic leader, he is unafraid to take risks, leads by example, and brings his intuitive abilities to communicate effectively with every person on his team.
Dr. Ergin also believes in investing in his team and diligently takes the time to listen to their feedback, all the while recognizing that the best ideas often stem from suggestions and collaboration.
However, Dr. Ergin’s ability to demonstrate this dynamic leadership style is built on his values to be a life-long learner. He is always keen to learn more and tries to stay updated on various industry trends.
In fact, his leadership’s essence is borrowed from the remarkable lessons penned in the book “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries. This is also one of the books he recommends every aspiring entrepreneur to read so as to understand the significance of experimenting, and approach building businesses with an innovative mindset.
These qualities make him a leader who is proactive, responsive, and always pushing the envelope to unlock higher levels of success. Fittingly, Dr. Ahmet Bahadir Ergin features on the Cover of Exeleon’s 2023 listing of the 100 Dynamic Leaders of the Year.
Empathy in Action: Diabetic Care
Growing up, Dr. Ergin was always curious about healthcare and the impact it had on people’s lives. However, it wasn’t until later in his childhood that he began to develop a specific interest and passion for diabetes care.
He shares, “Watching a close family member struggle with their diabetes diagnosis had a profound effect on me, and I wanted to learn as much as I could about the disease and how to help those affected by it.”
Later, through reading and research, he became fascinated by the intricacies of diabetes management and the ever-evolving treatment options available.
Now, he is happy to share that his passion for diabetes care has only continued to grow, and so has his commitment to make a difference in the lives of those living with this disease. “This goal adds up many responsibilities on my plate and forces me to be more productive,” he mentions.
Additionally, to be productive, Dr. Ergin realizes that time is of the essence and managing and prioritizing an endless list of responsibilities can be a challenge. Luckily, for him, one productivity tool helps him stay on top of his game: the Pomodoro Technique.
“This time management method involves breaking down your workday into 25-minute intervals, or pomodoros, with five-minute breaks in between. By sticking to this schedule and avoiding distractions during each pomodoro, you can increase your focus, productivity, and success,” he explains.
SugarMD: Patient-Centric Excellence
In the healthcare space, it’s not uncommon to come across gaps in knowledge and treatment. Dr. Ergin realized that this was the case for many diabetic patients who were not receiving the kind of education and well-rounded approaches they needed to manage their condition.
This led him to start SugarMD, a comprehensive solution to help patients stay informed and empowered about their diabetes diagnosis. He wanted a name that was memorable and conveyed that mission. He asserts that the name SugarMD does just that — it’s catchy, straightforward, and emphasizes the importance of managing blood sugar levels.
He says, “At SugarMD, we believe that diabetes shouldn’t control your life — and we’re here to help you take charge. We also pride ourselves in providing our customers with the highest quality products possible as we understand the importance of getting the desired results for them.”
Moreover, Dr. Ergin and his team take necessary measures to ensure that their products are pure, potent, and effective. One of the ways that they do this is by undergoing third-party testing. “This means that we have a completely unbiased organization to evaluate our products to ensure that they meet the highest standards in terms of safety and efficacy.”
Additionally, their products are manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines, further guaranteeing its overall quality.
Lastly, Dr. Ergin is ecstatic to share that all of their products are proudly made in the USA, ensuring that his patients receive products that meet the highest quality standards. “Choose SugarMD, and rest assured that you are getting products that prioritize your health and well-being,” he claims.
Reflecting on His Journey
As a leading endocrinologist, Dr. Ergin believes that every day brings new challenges and opportunities to empower people and make a positive impact on their lives. Throughout his career, he has made it his mission to approach diabetes with a holistic and personalized approach, tailoring treatments to each individual’s unique needs.
He finds it incredibly rewarding to see his patients gain control over their health. Moreover, it’s been a moment of pride for him and his company to watch their reputation grow, both nationally and globally. “Looking back, the journey has been both exciting and satisfying, and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead,” he says.
Dispelling Myths: The Ultimate Diabetes Book
Dr. Ergin believes that managing diabetes can be an overwhelming and confusing task, especially if you don’t have a background in medicine. Luckily, The Ultimate Diabetes Book is an excellent resource to help anyone understand and manage this condition.
The distinct element of this book is that it’s written in a concise and digestible manner, thus making it understandable to everyone. It covers various themes from the basics of diabetes to the latest and most relevant treatments. In fact, it serves as your go-to guide to learn everything about diabetes and makes it manageable to live with it.
Dispelling the countless misconceptions around diabetes, he shares that the idea “sugar causes diabetes” is the biggest myth that needs to be broken.
Dr. Ergin also feels that although consuming large amounts of sugar can contribute to certain health problems, it is not the direct cause of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In fact, diabetes is a complex condition that involves a variety of factors, including genetics and lifestyle choices.
“By spreading awareness and accurate information about diabetes, we can work together to dispel harmful myths and empower those living with the disease to take control of their health,” he adds.
The Vision: Creating Global Impact
With SugarMD, Dr. Ergin’s vision is to create a trusted global resource for those diagnosed with diabetes. He is driven and excited at the opportunity of reaching millions of people affected by this condition.
While sharing his ultimate goal, he unhesitatingly states, “leaving a lasting impact and inspiring people to look after their wellbeing, even after I am no longer around.”
He is on a journey to offer a compassionate, authentic, and reliable platform for people around the world and he firmly believes that he and his team can make this dream a reality, one day at a time.
All these years, Dr. Ergin has been on the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship and even though it has been a journey of excitement and challenges, he has learned the importance of prioritizing his mental health.
If there is one piece of advice that has been particularly impactful for him, it is this: mindfulness. “By staying present in the moment and focused on my thoughts and emotions, I am better able to recognize when I am feeling overwhelmed or anxious. This allows me to take the necessary steps to address those feelings and prevent them from spiraling out of control,” he says.
“Good things come to those who wait, but better things come to those who work for it” — this quote has always been my go-to source of motivation, especially when it comes to managing myself and my business ventures.
Ultimately, taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our businesses — and he believes that prioritizing both is the key to long-term success and happiness.
