From Science to Business as a DVM, Part 1
By Dr. Nihan Marun, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Sigma BioVet Sciences
Contact: nihan.marun@drnihan.com
Years spent at one of the most rigorous universities. Heavy, thick, intimidating textbooks had to memorize word for word. Endless hours to learn and understand not only animals, but also nature, science, and life itself. After nights and days full of headaches and doing your best, you finally graduated with a Veterinary degree.
Congratulations! Well… but now what?
For me, the shift from veterinary science to international entrepreneurship was anything but straightforward. It was a winding path filled with challenges, doubts, and invaluable lessons. Over time, I discovered that failure isn’t a dead end but a stepping stone. When the day comes, the obstacles become the beautiful building blocks in your success story. Science and business complement each other in ways most people don’t realize. Science and business, when combined, can unlock fantastic possibilities far beyond the lab bench.
From Science to the Greatest Unknown
My journey began in Türkiye, where I earned my DVM and later a PhD in Microbiology. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a professor and spending my life in academia, researching and teaching. And for a time, I lived that dream. I was teaching undergraduates and diving deep into microbiological studies.
Yet something felt incomplete – like I was holding only a tiny slice of a much larger pizza! So, I made what seemed like a logical next step: joining a private animal health lab. Sounds safe, predictable, and comfortable, right? It was another small step… But still not what would make me feel fulfilled! Deep down, I knew I wanted something different, something more. Something that not only helps animals and makes science but also reaches out to the whole world. So, I chose uncertainty instead of following the expected path in my comfort zone. Yes, I did!
I began working with a company to import, manufacture and distribute its first probiotic products for animal health while still in my twenties. I’ll admit that, at that time I barely understood the difference between import and export! But I dove in, learning on the job. While keeping up with the latest in intestinal biochemistry, I was also memorizing international Harmonized System codes and regulatory standards from around the world. Each challenge, from negotiating EU compliance updates to training veterinarians and pharmacists, made me stronger—even if I didn’t always know where it would lead. There was no master plan. Just a sense that the answers I sought weren’t confined to the classroom or the lab.
Never forget: The best school is the job itself! Plus, you get paid to learn!
Follow Your Instinct Without a Map
Leaving the safety of a traditional career path can be terrifying. Even with a PhD and years of experience, uncertainty never completely disappears. But I learned not to seek comfort—instead, I sought purpose.
If you feel pulled toward something different, listen. That instinct, that gut feeling (or call it 6th sense) often holds more wisdom than we credit it for.
A wise businessman once told me, “You don’t need the full picture to take the first step. Just start and take small steps, then show up every day.” And that advice has guided me ever since. I showed up every day, took incremental steps, and trusted the process. Not every effort led to success, but each taught me something. In time, I found that the most meaningful opportunities often appear when you take calculated risks, even when the plan is incomplete.
In Summary
Taking a leap of faith is scary, and taking risks often feels terrible. But they usually bring the most fulfilling success stories. Trust the process. Trust yourself.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll share the key lessons I learned at the intersection of science and business—and how failure can become your most fantastic teacher.