We were lucky to catch up with Diala Burjak recently and have shared our conversation below.

Diala , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

Starting my own business was an uncalculated risk driven purely by passion. I wanted to improve my CV and teaching experience, but more importantly, I wanted to fill a gap I noticed in surgical education. After asking myself, What am I good at? What can I teach? it became clear: suturing, a skill I had been honing for years.

The idea stemmed from my own experience at a suturing workshop during medical school. The event was crowded, tools were worn out, and each participant had minimal practice time. I left with a basic understanding of two techniques and a deep desire for more. I decided to create a workshop that provided students with an ideal experience: small groups, high-quality tools, and plenty of hands-on practice.

When offering a service, you need to give people a reason to try it. I was the first in Jordan to introduce fruit as a medium for suturing practice and designed workshops to cover both basic and advanced techniques. I also limited group sizes to ensure every participant received personalized attention. My focus was never on profit but on the participants’ experience and passion for surgery.

The main challenge was balancing affordability with quality. I started with a fee of JD 5, barely covering costs, but this allowed me to gather feedback and establish the workshop’s value. Over time, I refined the pricing model to keep it accessible while sustaining the business.

As the workshops grew, I faced another challenge: scaling the initiative while maintaining quality. After moving to the US for my research fellowship, I hired and trained a team of instructors, ensuring they shared my vision and upheld the same standards. Building a strong team was key to sustaining the mission, and now, I’m planning to expand internationally.

If I could go back, I might have focused earlier on strategic planning and delegation to streamline the process.

My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: Follow your passion, stay authentic to your purpose, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Focus on your vision, your big big dream and trust the journey—you’ll figure things out as you go. It will all naturally fall into place, just begin and keep going. Never let your idea die, dare to live your dream.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am the founder of Live Your Dream Suturing Workshops, a venture born from my passion for teaching and surgical skills development. What sets my business apart is its focus on providing students with the best possible learning environment. From the start, I prioritized quality over quantity. My workshops feature small groups, high-quality tools, and hands-on practice time.

I was the first in Jordan to use fruit as a suturing medium and the first to teach both basic and advanced techniques. This innovation, combined with a commitment to each participant’s growth, created a unique experience that inspires students to pursue careers in surgery. Over the years, I’ve personally taught over 300 students, while my trained instructors continue to expand our reach.

In addition to workshops, I launched my own suturing kits brand, ensuring that students had access to top-quality tools. I personally tested each needle holder for comfort and efficiency, refusing to compromise on quality. I also created an online suturing course, enabling students from around the world to learn remotely and receive real-time feedback.

The main problem I aim to solve is the lack of hands-on practice for medical students and young professionals, which often leaves them unprepared in clinical settings. By equipping students with skills and confidence, I hope to enhance patient care quality while igniting passion for surgery in the next generation.

What makes me most proud is seeing the transformation in my students—from their first tentative sutures to mastering advanced techniques. My ultimate vision is to establish a factory for surgical tools, ensuring even higher quality products and expanding accessibility worldwide.

To anyone considering joining my workshops or using my products: I want you to know that this venture was built on authenticity and a genuine desire to improve surgical education. With Live Your Dream Suturing Workshops, you’re not just learning a skill—you’re stepping into your future.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

You are responsible for your own reputation. I believe my reputation stemmed from my authenticity and passion, which were visible in everything I did. My journey began with sharing my life in medical school through vlogs and showcasing my enthusiasm for suturing. I embraced creativity by introducing suturing challenges, starting with everyday objects and evolving into intricate challenges like suturing a flower or noodles. This creativity, combined with my dedication, established me as someone known for exceptional skills and innovative techniques. A viral video further amplified this reputation, motivating me to innovate and challenge myself more. These efforts not only showcased my expertise but also inspired others to trust me in their learning journey, particularly in workshops where I aimed to help attendees reach their full potential with unique and engaging experiences.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Effective team management and high morale require a combination of planning, adaptability, and genuine care. First, multitasking, documentation, and thorough feedback loops are essential. Feedback, in particular, is a cornerstone—I ensure it is collected from trainers, students, and co-trainers to create a comprehensive understanding of what works and what needs improvement. Second, selecting the right people for your team is crucial. Beyond skills, I prioritize hiring individuals with great personalities, pure intentions, and a shared vision. I believe that while technical skills can be taught, qualities like good communication, teaching ability, and kindness cannot. Loving and trusting your team fosters a strong connection, which directly impacts morale. Lastly, never settle for mediocrity; always strive for improvement and ensure every team member feels valued and aligned with your mission. This creates a cohesive, motivated team that thrives together.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSds0rIq2V-nYBJO8u8u4ea1833zqk-lCSO6_I1ygp5ztozUtQ/viewform?usp=pp_url
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diala_burjak?igsh=OTJqYW5ibDJiZmxq&utm_source=qr