Who is Manisha Verma, could you please introduce yourself?
I am an experienced family physician with an interest in helping patients prevent and treat chronic diseases through therapeutic lifestyle interventions. . I am passionate about the prospects Lifestyle Medicine offers and look forward to helping others make positive changes to improve health. I am also a mother to two amazing girls. I hope to inspire them to be strong women, who make a positive impact on the world. I love to travel, read, play tennis, and I am self proclaimed ‘foodie’.
What is your business and when did you start?
Nectar Lifestyle Medicine launched in October 2023 and is a physician run Lifestyle Medicine practice, that helps people make behavioural changes to improve health.
What inspired you to start your business?
Over the past decade, I have seen first hand patients struggle with conditions that can be improved with behavioral modifications. The limited time I had in a traditional family practice, didn’t allow for the type of in-depth analysis, and counselling, that could truly help patients make lifestyle changes. I have also seen remarkable outcomes when patients have successfully modified their lifestyle. Prevention is a missing piece of our health care system and I am passionate about bringing more awareness to this.
What were the challenges in the initial stages of your business and how did you overcome them?
Lifestyle Medicine remains a relatively new area of medicine in Canada. I am frequently teaching others about the ‘pillars’ of Lifestyle Medicine. I am also contemplating various ways in which I can deliver important content.
What motivates you about your business?
I always felt that I had an entrepreneurial spirit, and now I feel motivated to pursue this passion. I also strongly believe in the components of Lifestyle Medicine and feel this program can provide a lot of value to improving peoples’ health.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Believe in yourself. Start small (there is always room to grow!). Just get started (“A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step”).
Interesting fact most of the people do not know about you?
Standing at only 5’0, I have played basketball for most of my life.
The best business advice I ever received was…
…that there is a place for my vision, voice, energy, and gained wisdom. It may take time before the details become clear but push forward with excitement.
My definition of success is…
Balance. Ensuring that all the parts of us that keep us well and happy are aligned. In terms of business success specifically, I would define success as sustainably providing a service that truly adds value, is accessible, and high quality.
If I could go back in time when I started my business, I would tell myself to…
I am in the early days of my business and I am telling myself things daily! Currently, I am seeking out mentorship, and knowledge, from others who have travelled a similar journey.
The books I recommend for entrepreneurs are…
Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
My personal tagline is…
A healthy lifestyle is medicine.
