Dr Tom Cawood recently joined David Melse on the ALT Podcast.
Tom shares his long-term ambition: to grow Dr Tom Nailcare into a successful international business so it can help fund research into solving New Zealand's Didymo (rock snot) problem. A mission inspired by watching some of the South Island's most beautiful rivers change over the past two decades.
"I've seen the rivers go from beautiful... to things that are just really, really sad to see."
When asked what success would ultimately look like:
"If I died having achieved that, that would be fantastic... Leave the rivers better than when I found them."
Tom shares the journey from hospital physician and medical researcher to entrepreneur, explains the science behind stronger nails, and reveals the bigger purpose driving the business.
In the podcast, he delves into topics and questions like:
- Why are classical guitarists so dependent on healthy nails?
- What actually makes nails weak and can they really become stronger?
- Why is cancer still so difficult to cure?
- Does money really lead to happiness, or is purpose the more meaningful goal?
- What has a lifetime in medicine taught Tom about life, death and making the most of our time?
Hosted by David Melse, the ALT Podcast features thoughtful conversations with entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators from New Zealand and beyond.
Watch the full conversation below.