Today we’d like to introduce you to Nissan Mosapor.
Nissan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles by my single mom with my grandmother and sister. I lived most of my childhood in a small apartment in San Fernando valley. My mom wanted us to have a good education, so she put herself through court reporting school and we were able to find an affordable apartment in Beverly Hills, where my mom believed the school district would give us a good education. I started there in the 5th grade through high school.
My first experience working in a hospital was part of a high school program that allowed me to work after school there for two months. I immediately fell in love with the profession. In the veterinary field, we talk about a moment that drew us into it, a sort of calling. I think my calling started at a young age when swimming in the community pool, I used to rescue all the bees and insects. My mom always told me I had a special way with animals and I always felt there was this unspoken bond I had with them.
I have worked in specialty veterinary hospitals for 20 years and have held every position other than a veterinarian. I am fascinated by the field and I know my passion is to help this profession thrive. While working as a surgical manager, I started a marketing and clinic infrastructure business helping specialty hospitals market their business from the inside out. Working within many hospitals, I saw what worked and what didn’t and I wanted to be part of creating something that not only was known for providing excellent medicine but also a place employees could fulfill their passions and thrive.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Was my path hard? Yes. Was it a struggle? Yes, but it was all worth it.
Sometime ago, I was in a relationship with a very accomplished professional who, when she broke up with me, told me I would never amount to anything. That was the last time I let someone define who I am and what I was going to become. It was a wake-up moment for me. When people don’t see you fulfilling their expectations of you, it’s easy for them to bring you down and it hurts most when it comes from people you care about. But sometimes we need that push to remind us what we are here to do.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My company Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital (MASH) was founded by myself and three doctors, whom I had worked with previously at different points in my career. MASH is a veterinary specialty hospital located in the heart of Hollywood. We all shared the same vision, which was to create a place where veterinary medicine is as important as how we treat each other. There is a quote from Richard Branson; he said, “Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough, so they don’t want to.” I agree with this statement and believe in its power. We all want someone to care about us and help mentor us to be successful. I hope to be a mentor and contribute to others the way my community has contributed to mine.
When we opened our doors over three years ago, we had 19 employees and three specialties. Today, we are 180 employees strong and we are opening up our 10th specialty. I honestly believe our quick growth was in large part due to the culture we created in the hospital. We continue to invest in our staff and our staff continues to invest in us through passion and hard work. We are now the only specialty hospital in California with a full-time social worker on staff to help our staff and clients through the emotionally difficult days we encounter.
What role has luck (good luck or bad luck) played in your life and business?
I don’t believe in bad luck, I believe in good luck. I have been fortunate to be blessed with an incredible mother who always supported me and helped foster my passions. She encouraged me to follow my dreams and made sure I was given the opportunities to make my dreams come true. Her sacrifice is the one big reason why I am here today.
I am equally blessed to have met a mentor named Philip Homsey who took the time to care about my future and my life. He guided me through my business and life. He helped me understand that you get out of life what you put in and most importantly, believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, how do you expect others to do so. He also reminds me to laugh a lot. I am so incredibly lucky to have found my guardian.
Contact Info:
- Address: 6565 Santa Monica Blvd Hollywood CA 90038
- Website: WWW.MASH.VET
- Phone: (855) 350-7387
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mashvet/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetropolitanAnimalSpecialtyHospital/
Image Credit:
Rick Zuniga, Hospital Coordinator at Metropolitan Animal Specialty Hospital (MASH)
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