Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz is the founder of De La Cruz Plastic Surgery, Dr. Emmanuel is a thought leader, influencer, visionary, and successful entrepreneur. Dr. Emmanuel provides the leadership and energy that has inspired the creation of De La Cruz Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz joins other leading Bestselling Authors, International Speakers & entrepreneurs, CEOs, and Founders taking part in our Leader Roundtable Interview Series. The DotCom Magazine editorial team is delighted to have Dr. Emmanuel join us for our Leader Roundtable Interview.
Bio
Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz is a cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon based in Woodlands and Houston, Texas. He is the founder of De La Cruz Plastic Surgery practice which offers various cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Some of the practices’ services include breast augmentations and reductions, facial, lip, and arm uplifts, abdominoplasty, rhinoplasty, and tons of others. Dr. Cruz’s love for surgery came about when he was still a young boy and underwent a finger replant procedure. His success in the industry can be attributed to his excellent surgical skills, which he has perfected over the years. He invested a significant amount of time learning and getting trained in different courses. His academic achievements are vast and include a medical doctorate, a degree in cellular and molecular biology, and training in Hand and Microsurgery and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. He attained his qualifications from reputable schools such as the University of Texas Medical School Houston, Georgia Health & Sciences University, and the Oregon Health Sciences University. Dr. Cruz has achieved tons of awards and distinctions as a result of his academic and professional achievements. While still a student, he developed the “Celtic cross technique” for immediate umbilical reconstruction, published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, and earned the Frank Webber Prize in medical research. Other awards include the St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital “Helping Hands Award” and the “We Are One” Award in Stockholm, Sweden. He is Board Certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Cruz is also very passionate about humanitarian acts and participates in numerous ventures to that end. These include offering surgical services in developing countries and helping rectify issues such as cleft palates and lips. He is an accomplished painter and sculptor and also uses his artistic skills to serve others better.
Q: How did you get started in your industry?
I have always had a passion for helping others out, and I felt like I could achieve that in the medical industry. When I was young, I underwent a finger replant surgery that sparked my interest in surgery. I spent several years studying medicine and took specialized training in Hand and Microsurgery and reconstructive surgery, which helped me perfect my surgical skills. I also served as Chief Surgery Resident in Plastic Surgery before establishing my cosmetic and reconstructive surgery practice.
Q: How do you make money in your field?
I make money from the consultation and surgical services that I offer my clients. I offer numerous services such as face, neck, and arm lifts, breast augmentations and reductions, Brazilian butt lifts, liposuction and tummy tucks, rhinoplasty, abdominoplasty, biopolymer removal, and laser treatments among other services.
Q: How long did it take for you to become profitable?
The practice took about three months before it became profitable. I encountered some setbacks while setting up, which caused delays, but in the end, everything worked out well.
Q: When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
I never doubted that the practice would work because I put in a lot of hard work and was ready to face the challenges that came. My team also comprised highly qualified professionals, and I was confident that together we would see the practice grow to what it has become today.
Q: Do you remember how you got your first client?
It was through a referral by a friend. It was one referral that opened many doors for me, and I am grateful to date.
Q: What is one marketing strategy that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
My main and most important marketing strategy is SEO. SEO marketing has mainly been very useful in increasing traffic to my business page and getting new clients. I like that digital marketing has opened up my business to clients from a different worlds who I would not have accessed using print or other traditional media forms. I also love that digital media has allowed me to reach different demographics by simply using different social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. Generating reports is easy and seeing how many people I have reached is very easy thanks to tools such as Google analytics.
Q: What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in your professional life?
The most difficult decision has been keeping most of my staff or letting them go due to the covid pandemic. The economy took a hit, and naturally, so did business. I have come to rely on my team heavily, and the thought of having to let them go weighed really heavily on me. In the end, I decided to keep most of them, although the whole team, myself included, had to manage with pay cuts and fewer benefits than usual.
Q: What do you think it is that makes you successful?
I think my success has come about as a result of my hard work and the efforts of the skilled team I work with. I spent years learning and perfecting my surgical skills and finding ways to help my clients have the best possible outcome. Thanks to my efficient team of professionals at the practice, I can attend to other matters that have helped the practice grow. I can freely participate in humanitarian acts and give back since I know that they can handle the practice in my absence.
Q: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
I don’t have one specific satisfying moment, but it is immensely gratifying to see my clients go after their dreams confidently and love how they look. I’m also satisfied knowing we have positively impacted the lives of those who have received our services, such as the cleft lip and cleft palate correction surgeries.
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would advise my younger self to have more faith in myself and trust my instincts and the process. I am grateful that I have pursued a career that I love, but it would have been much easier for me just to flow. I was worried about how things would turn out and second-guessed myself a bit. The journey to this point has been long but very fulfilling, and I have learned so much. I would also advise my younger self to stay true to my purpose. I believe that through my career, I have achieved my purpose of lending a helping hand to those in need.
Q: What business books have inspired you?
One of the books that I have found to be very resourceful is Dare To Lead by Brene Brown. The book has a lot of insight into how companies can grow from one level to the next and highlights some factors that may hinder or slow this growth. As a researcher, I was drawn to this book as it was founded on research as opposed to theory and fiction. It has helped me get my practice to where it is today.
I also love Crushing It!: How Great Entrepreneurs Build Their Business and Influence-and How You Can, Too by Gary Vaynerchuck. It has beneficial information on setting up and building successful businesses. It gave me some great ideas on prioritizing and executing tasks, ensuring maximum efficiency and less stress. For someone juggling a busy professional and personal life, this book continues to help me set my priorities without neglecting any aspects of my life. It has taught me to plan, delegate, execute and still make time to relax and take part in my hobbies.
Q: What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
I am excited about the possibility of reaching out to more people in need of my services and helping them improve their lives. Especially those from economically disadvantaged communities.
Dr. Emmanuel De La Cruz, thank you so much for participating in the DotCom Magazine Leader Roundtable Interview Series. We appreciate you participating in this important roundtable interview series, and helping our readers learn more about what it takes to build a great company and become a great leader. We wish you, your family, and of course De La Cruz Plastic Surgery, nothing but the best.
