A Day in the Life of Dr. Guillermo "Memo" Trujillo: The Art of Balancing Family, Career, and Entrepreneurship
By: Ime Maldonado | SEO Specialist for Whiteline
Visiting the clinic on a weekday afternoon is like watching an acrobatic game between the doctors and the rest of the team, whom we affectionately call The Whiteline Crew.
There is an atmosphere of cheerfulness and familiarity. They say that companies resemble their founders, and I think that in this case, that is certainly true. Ever since I met Dr. Memo, he struck me as a demanding, professional person who enjoys life. In my experience, that is a difficult dichotomy to achieve when you run a small business.
IM: Tell me about your day, Doc.
GT: We get up between 7 and 8 a.m., the three of us: my one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, my wife, and me. We make breakfast while Luna, our 14-year-old Labrador, demands her morning walk. I take her for a walk, and then I usually have time to go to the gym or do some exercise at home to stay active.
IM: And how does your morning unfold?
GT: At 9:30 a.m., I'm already at home reviewing administrative and marketing tasks for the clinic while we get my daughter ready for school. I take her to school and then head to the clinic, trying to take care of any external errands first, such as visits to the bank or dental labs.
IM: I've noticed that midday is key at Whiteline...
GT: Exactly. Starting at noon, we review pending issues with the administrative team: questions and specific issues for each patient. Around 1 p.m., I set aside special time for video calls with foreign patients or in-person appointments with local first-time patients. I like to be the one to welcome them to our clinic.
IM: And how do you handle the transition to the afternoon?
GT: At 3 p.m., I head home to have lunch with my family. I try to spend quality time with them before brushing my teeth and returning to the clinic around 5 p.m. to attend to my afternoon appointments.
IM: Coordination with the team seems essential...
GT: It's key. Coordination with the crew is important for the operation. We like to know all the patients in detail.
IM: And how do you end your day?
GT: Around 7:30 p.m., I stay a few minutes to check any pending issues. I usually organize my unanswered messages in WhatsApp, marking them specifically. After 8 p.m., I'm home getting ready for my daughter's bedtime. Once she's in bed, my wife and I catch up while we have dinner together.
IM: So much work and responsibility... How do you manage to stay sane in such a demanding life of productivity and results?
GT: I try to keep my curiosity alive. I like to research personal growth and finance, and I'm also an avid consumer of TV series and movies (I had to take after my brother Edu in something).
IM: Tell me about something else that interests you.
GT: I can be scattered on many topics, but I have a very detailed memory of Whiteline's clinical cases.
IM: I'm not surprised, because from my first visit I noticed your hyperactive vibes, Doc.
GT: Of course! Haha. Now, on a trivial note, I know the names of many actors and actresses and have seen many movies of all genres, especially before becoming a dad. Oh, and I like buttered popcorn with Doritos Nachos from Cinépolis!
As we say goodbye, I realize once again that Dr. Memo is that rare breed of entrepreneur who never forgets that his success depends on the people around him: his team, his suppliers, and, especially, the patients who entrust their dental health to the Whiteline family every day.
— Ime Maldonado