In the dynamic landscape of healthcare, addressing the complexities of chronic conditions like diabetes requires a sophisticated blend of personalized care and streamlined efficiency. Individuals navigating these lifelong health journeys benefit from bespoke education, continuous support, and precise therapeutic strategies. This approach demands a harmonious integration of an empathetic human touch with cutting-edge technological solutions. Recognizing this imperative, Simmi Dhussa Verma embarked on a journey with her husband, Hemant Verma, to establish Aarian Health - a venture aimed at facilitating seamless access to education, care, and services for every participant in the health ecosystem.

Simmi Dhussa Verma's extraordinary journey as the Co-Founder of Aarian Health serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs in the health tech arena. Her story is one of resilience, propelled by humble origins, spirituality, and invaluable lessons from her family. Simmi's enduring courage, optimistic perspective, and determination guide her through every obstacle.

Simmi's journey showcases the power of collaboration and family support. Together with her husband, they combine their expertise to achieve professional excellence and positively impact lives. Her children actively participate in their endeavours, and she is deeply grateful for a supportive and strong social and professional network that encourages her aspirations. Below is an excerpt of Simmi Dhussa Verma’s exclusive interaction with Women Entrepreneurs Review magazine.

Can you give us a glimpse of your professional journey? What are the key areas of expertise you have developed over the years in the industry?

Throughout my 25-year career journey, I've faced many challenges and celebrated a few triumphs. Embracing change and drawing strength from both personal and professional experiences, I've always viewed obstacles as opportunities. I accept the ups and downs as integral parts of life. The enduring values instilled in me by my parents—education, self-confidence, and perseverance—have shaped my optimistic outlook on life and played a pivotal role in my professional accomplishments. These values have provided the foundation and mindset needed to navigate complexities, innovate, and succeed in various endeavours.

I have always prioritized a balance between my work and my family, taking sabbaticals to nurture my children before pursuing career opportunities. My dreams have never been about comparing myself to others or seeking external validation; instead, they have been about making a meaningful impact around and creating something significant from my learnings and experiences.

In 2009, I moved to Australia with my husband and children with a mix of emotions, leaving a lot behind for an unknown, uncertain new phase of my life. My journey surprised myself and many others, highlighting that success transcends birthplace or background. Embracing the culture and lifestyle of Australia, I found a loving, beautiful, supportive, inclusive land and community that inspired me to give back.

My diverse professional journey across borders spans IT, education, training, and data analysis. With roles in esteemed organizations like Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim, NIIT, and Mother’s Pride, I've led global IT projects, focused on customer insights a n d engagement, and specialized in business development and data analytics. Each role and person I met during this journey contributed to my growth, enabling me to connect both my heart and mind in my professional endeavours. In 2019, me and my husband Hemant collab orate d and founded Aarian Health. This venture is the culmination of diverse experiences and continuous learning.

What motivated you to take up entrepreneurship? Tell us about the underlying idea behind establishing a health-tech platform.

My motivation to embark on the entrepreneurial journey stemmed from two decades of diverse experience in the education and healthcare industries. Passionate about making a meaningful impact, I recognized a unique opportunity to integrate these fields through technology. Entrepreneurship provides the freedom to innovate and create significant value, not just for oneself but for the broader community. In 2019, Hemant and I launched a health-tech platform initially named KnowDiabetes, building on our healthcare and commercial experience in diabetes care companies. However, we soon realized our vision extended beyond diabetes to enhancing the healthcare ecosystem, leading to the birth of Aarian Health. This venture was driven by the desire to leverage our strengths and experiences to deliver exceptional solutions, create opportunities, and make a positive impact in the healthcare sector.

Introduce us to Aarian Health. What are the key features of the digital health platform?

Aarian Health, inspired by the Sanskrit word 'Arya' meaning 'noble', embodies values of integrity and virtue. In response to the rise of chronic health issues like diabetes, Aarian Health addresses the increasing demands on healthcare systems by enhancing experiences for all stakeholders through innovative solutions.

Our flagship program, KnowDiabetes, is a Pharmacist-led initiative focused on Type 2 Diabetes Prevention and Remission. It empowers diabetes care with the latest scientific advancements. PharmacyDiabetes integrates cutting-edge healthcare innovations with existing community pharmacy technology, creating a comprehensive diabetes care hub. Our mission is to enable pharmacies to enhance their service offerings, while ClinicDiabetes provides essential education and support for effective diabetes management, empowering lives and preventing complications.

SmaartHub, our proprietary digital tool, functions as an acquisition, activation, and retention platform with robust CRM reporting capabilities. Its modular design allows customization to meet the needs of any healthcare organization seeking to upgrade or implement a new CRM system. In India, Aarian Health strives to be a collaborative force in managing diabetes by upskilling healthcare professionals with top-tier e-training programs. We also aim to ensure convenient access to healthcare services that transcend geographical barriers. Leveraging AI and advanced technologies, Aarian Health is committed to revolutionizing healthcare delivery.

Enumerate the key challenges you are faced with as an entrepreneur. How do you overcome the roadblocks?

For me, the entrepreneurial journey is akin to a roller coaster ride, constantly oscillating with ups and downs, bringing new challenges and opportunities at every turn. What was initially exhausting and frustrating has now become part of our continuous learning and adaptation process. It has imparted invaluable life lessons, such as the survival of the fittest and never-give-up attitude.

Starting Aarian Health came with its own set of difficulties. Healthcare is inherently complex, involving diverse stakeholders like patients, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and pharmaceutical companies. Understanding and addressing their varied needs is one of our biggest challenges. We faced constant hurdles, rejections, silent responses, interminable wait times, financial constraints, competition from established market players, and my personal health condition. Despite these obstacles, our persistence, self-belief, and unwavering determination enabled us to create a meaningful and impactful healthcare solution. This journey underscores that leadership and entrepreneurship are forged through resilience and tenacity.

Throw light on the most important professional milestone you have achieved throughout your professional journey.

Whenever Aarian Health’s programs or digital solution assists a healthcare professional in delivering the education and care to the patients or supports a customer through our pharmacy portal, it feels like a significant milestone. True fulfillment comes from the positive impact we make, uplifting those battling chronic conditions. Our mission is to enhance healthcare experiences with every interaction. We focus on a collective journey toward a healthier future, rather than just individual achievements.

A particularly proud moment was presenting our diabetes prevention program to the Australian Parliament, symbolizing the potential for positive change when diverse voices unite. Recently, we were selected one of the top 4 finalists to showcase our diabetes medication annual cycle care program to the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. With the trust of our partners and stakeholders, we remain committed to making a meaningful difference every day.

What has your success mantra been over the years?

There isn't a universal mantra that suits everyone because everyone’s circumstances and coping mechanisms are unique. For me, what has worked over the years is seeing life through the lens of possibility and positivity, never giving up, and believing in oneself. I embrace imperfection as the canvas of my growth, where mistakes are strokes of compassion and understanding. I believe in doing things in an agile way rather than waiting for a perfect solution. It's about balancing excellence and compassion, valuing progress over perfection, and creating a world where kindness and creativity thrive above all else. In a world filled with noise, it's easy to lose sight of our true selves. But amidst the chaos lies the power of our inner voice – that gut feeling takes us towards our authentic path. Introspection isn't just about looking inward; it's about listening intently to what our inner voice whispers to us. It's about self-analysis, understanding our fears, desires, and motivations on a deeper level to guide us toward self-discovery and fulfillment.

What's your outlook on the future of Indian health tech? How does Aarian Health plan to align with industry trends?

India's rapid growth in healthcare makes me very proud, and I'm confident this journey will mark India’s position even stronger on the world map. However, global health budgets are spiralling out of control, and economies struggle with escalating health conditions. Prevention and technology offer solutions:

Preventive Healthcare: Rising costs and an aging population make prevention important. Aarian Health plans to include new health screenings, wellness programs, and lifestyle management tools.

AI & Data Analytics: These can enable personalized treatment plans and improved outcomes. Aarian Health plans to use AI and data analytics for personalized health insights.

Telemedicine: Increased smartphone use and better internet connectivity will continue to drive telemedicine. Aarian Health aims to make healthcare more accessible.

These strategies can help manage costs and improve health outcomes.

Simmi, Co-Founder & Director, Aarian Health

Simmi, Co-Founder & Director of Aarian Health, envisions personalized care that bridges the human touch with cutting-edge technology. Her passion and commitment drive Aarian Health to reshape healthcare delivery and promote engagement between patients and their healthcare professionals, prioritizing people-centric solutions.