Early Academic and Extracurricular Foundations
- Osama Elsherif, a cardiologist and consultant, did not initially intend to pursue a career in medicine. 0s
- During high school, he established a goal-setting system based on his academic performance: aiming for engineering if he scored between 90% and 95%, medicine if he scored above 95%, and other fields if he scored below 90%. 15s
- After achieving a 99% score in his second year of high school, he chose to pursue science and eventually medicine. 35s
- Coming from a family of merchants with no medical background, he faced skepticism from his father regarding the seven-year commitment required for medical school. 45s
Integrating Design and Student Activities
- Upon entering medical school, he felt disconnected from peers who focused exclusively on rote memorization of subjects like physiology, anatomy, and pharmacology. 1m15s
- To cope with the academic environment, he sought an outlet through his existing interest in drawing and graphic design, specifically using early versions of Photoshop. 1m35s
- He engaged in extracurricular activities, including the student union and a team called "Insan," where he served on the arts committee. 1m50s
- His involvement in design and student activities was not intended as a way to neglect his medical studies, but rather as a way to develop his skills alongside his education. 2m6s
Early Business Ventures and Financial Milestones
- The company currently generates an annual revenue of 35 million Egyptian pounds. 5s
- Early professional activities included involvement in student unions and organizations, alongside medical hospital training during vacations. 12s
- In 2014, a significant milestone was achieved by obtaining a certified Adobe design qualification to facilitate professional work in the field. 20s
- The first business venture involved an online store that sold t-shirts, which was considered a novel concept at the time. 35s
- A billboard company named Smart Designs was established at the end of 2016. 42s
Financial Independence and Business Scaling
- A personal challenge was undertaken to achieve financial independence before finishing the third year of university, with a goal of earning one million pounds. 46s
- Although the one-million-pound goal was not reached by the end of the third year, the earnings were sufficient to purchase a car independently while still a student. 55s
- The acquisition of the car served as a personal symbol that challenged the traditional linear expectation of graduating, finding a job, and then purchasing a vehicle. 1m5s
- Access to modern resources allows current generations to achieve financial goals and side projects faster than previous generations. 1m15s
- The professional transition involved moving from working as a hands-on designer to managing a business with employees. 1m25s
Establishing Core Academy and Educational Services
- A business center named Circle was established in 2016, which faced financial challenges because it generated profits during the academic year but incurred losses during vacations due to rent and employee costs. 1m30s
- Core Academy was created to address the financial instability of the business center by providing educational services. 1m45s
- Initial efforts focused on providing post-graduation courses and personal skill development for the medical field through an entity called Core Academy, which aimed to bridge gaps in education 0s.
- The first batch of students for these courses reached 1,300 participants, generating significant revenue at 200 Egyptian pounds per student 0s.
- Despite the success of the initial courses, the first aid training sector was identified as a "red ocean," characterized by intense competition, low profit margins, and a high risk of being overtaken by competitors 0s.
Developing Nutrition Education Protocols
- In 2018, nutrition was identified as an underserved market, as formal education in the field was not widely available or accessible in Egypt at that time 0s.
- The National Nutrition Institute and Mansoura University were the primary entities involved in nutrition education, but they were initially unwilling to collaborate with one another 0s.
- A solution was implemented by establishing separate protocols with both the National Nutrition Institute and Mansoura University to bridge the gap between them 0s.
- Lecturers were sourced from the National Nutrition Institute to teach at Mansoura University, with the responsibility for curriculum content and management handled independently 0s.
- This initiative resulted in the first physical nutrition course in Mansoura, which predated the university's current nutrition programs and pharmacy diplomas 0s.
- The organization was rebranded from Core Academy to Circles Academy to better reflect its evolving identity 0s.
Merging Medical Expertise with Fitness and Athletics
- Engaging in multiple pursuits does not deplete human energy like a mobile phone battery; instead, pursuing passions and utilizing the creative side of the brain serves to recharge energy levels 0s.
- The combination of medical expertise and design skills served as a foundation for pursuing a collaborative project with Captain Salah Selim, a professional athlete 0s.
- The objective of this collaboration was to apply scientific principles practically, addressing the irony of professionals who do not embody the health or lifestyle standards they promote 15s.
- Circles Academy was established as a merger between medical and athletic expertise to provide applied science in the fitness market 35s.
- The academy sought international accreditation and began representing Egypt in the World Obesity Federation in 2018 45s.
Institutional Accreditation and Pandemic Challenges
- A formal protocol was signed with Mansoura University in 2019, establishing the academy as an accredited provider 1m0s.
- By 2020, the academy began independent educational operations without relying on the National Institute 1m15s.
- The founder graduated from medical school with honors in 2020, demonstrating that professional work and academic studies could be balanced successfully 1m35s.
- The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the academy's opening ceremony and the closure of the center 1m50s.
- Financial challenges arose during the pandemic as the founder had invested all available capital into the center, which was forced to close due to government-mandated lockdowns 2m15s.
- Despite the lack of external work opportunities and the necessity of paying staff salaries from personal savings, the founder continued to manage the academy during the crisis 2m35s.
Transitioning to Online Education and Business Expansion
- Initial efforts to record courses and establish an online presence were met with skepticism, as people questioned the viability of online education and the necessity of a costly website investment of 13,000 Egyptian pounds 0s.
- The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic served as a turning point, demonstrating that luck is often a result of being prepared when an opportunity arises 15s.
- The transition to online learning was completed in three days by utilizing pre-recorded content, Zoom subscriptions, and WhatsApp for student support 25s.
- By eliminating the need for physical attendance at the university, the online model successfully bridged the gap created by pandemic-related restrictions 45s.
- Between 2020 and 2022, a dual-career schedule was maintained, balancing medical work at Circles Clinic on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays with other professional commitments on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 55s.
- The period during the pandemic was utilized to complete a diploma from the National Nutrition Institute 1m5s.
Scaling Clinics and Diversifying Ventures
- A second branch of the clinic was opened in the Suez Canal region, specifically in Mansoura 1m10s.
- Professional development continued through obtaining CNA provider status, reflecting the belief that medical education is a continuous process where information must be constantly updated to avoid obsolescence 1m15s.
- A partnership was established with an entity called ASEN in 2022 to further educational initiatives 1m30s.
- A healthy food restaurant was launched between 2021 and 2022 1m35s.
- From 2022 to 2024, the various business ventures experienced significant growth, including the expansion of the restaurant to three branches and the growth of the clinic team to over 50 members 1m40s.
Defining Success and Impact
- Success is not defined by the number of followers one has or the amount of money one possesses, as individuals who inherit wealth or gain social media attention do not necessarily achieve meaningful accomplishments. 0s
- True success is defined by the impact an individual leaves on others. 0s
- In the context of Circles Academy, success is measured by training specialists who then apply scientific methods to positively influence the lives of their patients. 0s
- Learning more leads to earning more, and financial gain in business should be viewed as a side effect of doing one's work well rather than the primary definition of success. 0s
Navigating Economic Instability and Business Closures
- Business environments are unpredictable and often involve facing unexpected challenges. 0s
- During 2025, the market in Egypt experienced significant instability, characterized by the dollar reaching 70, a sharp increase in the price of olive oil from 80 to 800 Egyptian pounds, and rising costs for poultry. 0s
- Faced with these economic pressures, businesses had to decide whether to close down or compromise on product quality by using cheaper ingredients to maintain pricing. 0s
- For example, a burger that previously cost 70 to produce saw its costs rise to over 150, making it impossible to maintain the original price point for customers. 0s
- Ultimately, the decision was made to close three branches of the business, including all associated centers and equipment, rather than lowering the quality of the products. 0s
- Business ventures carry inherent risks where periods of success are often accompanied by phases of financial loss, a reality that is frequently overlooked. 0s
- During difficult financial periods, business owners may face the challenge of liquidating assets to ensure that employees receive their salaries, as staff members have personal financial responsibilities regardless of the company's performance. 0s
Pivoting Skills and Future Projects
- When facing professional setbacks, it is effective to reflect on one's existing skills—such as design or the ability to explain complex concepts—to pivot toward new opportunities in the market. 25s
- After obtaining three diplomas in teaching, a transition into lecturing became a viable and successful career path. 35s
- A new project focused on longevity and "bio-hacking" is scheduled to launch, which integrates multiple medical specialties to enhance human performance and address physiological deficiencies. 45s
- Resilience during professional failure is not driven by abstract passion, but by identifying one's specific skills and determining how to apply them effectively. 55s
Lessons on Professional Resilience and Starting Small
- Skills acquired through student activities and extracurricular work are often more critical for long-term professional endurance than the theoretical knowledge found in textbooks. 1m5s
- The professional job market is demanding and does not operate on a standard, comfortable schedule; it requires significant adaptability and persistence. 1m15s
- Academic perfection, such as achieving a 100% score in secondary school, does not guarantee success or serve as a sufficient indicator of future professional capability. 1m25s
- It is unnecessary to wait until one feels 100% prepared or possesses perfect equipment to begin a project, as starting without perfection is a necessary step in the process. 1m35s
- Begin by utilizing the resources currently available, such as a mobile phone camera, rather than waiting for ideal conditions. 0s
- Actively search for opportunities within existing circumstances instead of remaining idle while waiting for a better situation. 0s
