What a Serial Entrepreneur Learned About Living Longer | Tomaž Erjavec

What does it mean to truly succeed? For Tomaž Erjavec, the answer is simple: "Success is being alive and present." In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Tomaž Erjavec, a Slovenian serial entrepreneur who has spent his career building at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and longevity. From spotting his first business opportunity at age 11, to creating entirely new markets in European health tech, to exploring what it takes to live a longer, healthier, more meaningful life, Tomaž brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial depth and genuine self-awareness to the conversation. Tomaž shares the founding stories behind Doctrina and Oculus, the lessons learned from bootstrapping versus raising venture capital, and the cultural challenges of scaling startups across Europe. He opens up about the exit of Doctrina, his pivot into robotics and hospital disinfection, and what drew him into the world of longevity and health span. He also reflects on burnout, meditation retreats, the Harvard Business School experience, and why community is one of the most underrated drivers of a long life. This is a conversation about building businesses, yes, but more than that it is about building a life worth living. What we cover: Early childhood influences and the first sparks of entrepreneurship Creating markets where none existed in European healthcare Bootstrapping vs. venture capital: the real tradeoffs Scaling challenges and cultural differences across Europe AI, robotics, and the future of healthcare innovation Longevity, health span, and the lifestyle habits that matter most Why community is crucial for long-term health Lessons from Harvard Business School Avoiding burnout and finding balance Self-discovery through meditation and introspection What Tomaž wants to be remembered for Follow The Quest for Success Podcast: Website: https://www.thequestforsuccesspodcast... Facebook:   / 61560418629272   Instagram:   / thequestforsuccesspod   Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn:   / the-quest-for-success   TikTok:   / thequestforsuccesspod   Connect with Tomaž Erjavec: LinkedIn:   / tomaze   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Tomaž Erjavec 01:36 Defining success and personal fulfilment 02:42 Early influences and childhood in Slovenia 04:12 Early signs of entrepreneurship at age 11 05:06 First business ideas and family influence 07:31 Transition from nursing to business studies 08:30 Starting in healthcare with Doctrina 09:18 Identifying gaps in healthcare access 11:00 Creating markets in healthcare technology 12:47 Lessons from building Oculus and market creation 14:13 Fundraising journey: bootstrapping vs. venture capital 17:18 Scaling challenges and cultural differences in Europe 23:17 Understanding the business model of Doctrina 24:31 Leadership lessons and team management 28:41 The exit of Doctrina and subsequent ventures 29:44 Innovations in hospital disinfection with robotics 30:58 Evaluating new business opportunities 35:54 Getting into longevity and health span 37:40 Key lifestyle habits for longevity 40:24 The role of community in health and longevity 41:15 Exciting developments in AI and healthcare 43:17 Opportunities for innovation in health tech 44:17 Lessons from Harvard Business School 45:08 Avoiding burnout and maintaining balance 47:54 Self-discovery through meditation retreats 50:03 Values to instil in children 52:11 Reflections on his journey and success 56:11 Current focus: family, mentoring, and giving back 58:51 Advice for young entrepreneurs and risk-taking 59:09 What Tomaž wants to be remembered for 01:00:21 Involvement in diplomatic services 01:01:03 Hobbies and personal interests 01:01:59 Feeling successful and grateful 01:03:17 Traits of a successful life: learning, introspection, giving back 01:05:10 Final thoughts and gratitude #QuestForSuccess #TomazErjavec #Entrepreneurship #Healthcare #Longevity #Leadership #Innovation #Slovenia #HealthTech #StartupJourney #SuccessMindset #PersonalGrowth #AIInHealthcare #BusinessPodcast #Inspiration