Meet Cesar Visurraga

We recently connected with Cesar Visurraga and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cesar, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
In all honesty, I’ve often found myself being the only one that looks like me, and it’s become somewhat of the norm for me. Growing up as a Latino in Washington, D.C. during the 1980s, being the only one like me was a common experience. I’ve come to adopt the mantra, “I’m more accustomed to you than you are to me.” This unique position has taught me valuable lessons in navigating the complex world of decision-making which helped transform my anesthesia services company, Visurraga Enterprises LLC into a successful million-dollar side business.

Drawing parallels with Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” I’ve come to realize that employing the element of surprise and understanding your counterpart are two critical factors for achieving success in business when you’re the only one who looks like you in the room. For instance, I’ve learned that people tend to fear the unknown. Consequently, their initial response to someone different is often a fight or flight reaction. Leveraging my diverse upbringing, I’ve honed the skill of responding to business situations with cultural sensitivity to my advantage.

So, what exactly happens when people enter a fight or flight response mode? Based on my experiences, I’ve learned that it’s essential to offer a gentle response during the initial encounter because your surroundings can be quite hostile. Being the sole individual who stands out can make you an easy target for various assumptions and stereotypes. The intriguing part is that first impressions tend to linger, but they are largely superficial and influenced by preconceived notions related but not limited to race, gender, age, sexual orientation, and religion.

This is where the element of surprise comes into play. When you’re the only one who looks like you in a room, every action, word, or gesture gets interpreted through the lens of others’ personal beliefs and perceptions. To keep them guessing, adopt a softer approach. Speak less and make your actions speak volumes when others least expect it. In my case, as a Latino male who served as a U.S. Army Captain in combat, many initially expect me to be confrontational and flamboyant. To defy these expectations, I intentionally present myself in a different light. These lessons are my gold standard and serve me well in business interviews and meetings.

When others realize that I don’t conform to their preconceived notions, they often switch from an aggressive stance to a flight response. This shift in my counterpart’s reaction has proven to be advantageous in various business scenarios. The counterpart’s flight response is my opportunity to reorient them to focus on the reason of the encounter, which is usually about how I can optimize a business venture. This approach can take time to see the rewards and its not for the faint of heart. Realistically, the rewards are usually seen over time and patience is required. However, for a guy who has been the only one in the room for such a long time now, I don’t really need more help to make a first impression. As any small business owner knows, growth takes time and I’d rather see my actions produce long-term results than be a one-hit wonder first impression.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Hello, I’m Cesar Jesus Visurraga, a Nurse Anesthesiologist (CRNA, DNP), and the CEO of Visurraga Enterprises LLC, a Veteran-Owned business. I’m also the author of the Amazon Bestseller ‘MDA: Million Dollar Anesthesia’ and the inventor of a recently patented anesthesia intubation medical device. My journey in the field of anesthesia services began with my enlistment in the U.S. Army at the age of 18, where I pursued a career as a registered nurse Army officer. The leadership principles instilled in me during my time in the military played a significant role in inspiring me to start my own company. My entrepreneurial spirit was also influenced by observing my single mother, who successfully launched her own cleaning company while navigating life in the United States with limited English-speaking skills. Combining my experiences in ICU nursing, emergency combat land and air-evac nursing, I eventually became a nurse anesthesiologist. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Scranton and a doctorate degree from the University of Maryland.

The desire to expand my anesthesia services company led me on a path of growth and innovation. However, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected challenges to my business, as it did to countless small businesses. In response to the pandemic’s demands, my company had to make some tough decisions. Prior to 2020, we had fewer than 10 contracts with healthcare facilities for staffing anesthesia services across three states. The pandemic highlighted the critical need for healthcare services, particularly anesthesia services, and our company’s role grew significantly. Today, we provide staffing for over 50 healthcare facilities in five states. We recognized the urgency of the situation and made substantial investments in personnel and protective personal equipment (PPE) to ensure safe procedures for both patients and staff. We also deployed implementation teams to assist healthcare facilities in reopening their anesthesia departments with a focus on safety, relying on the best available evidence. Our specialization now lies in aiding ambulatory surgery centers and offices in establishing anesthesia departments, adapting to the new landscape of healthcare in the wake of the pandemic.

As a healthcare provider and business owner, I felt a deep sense of responsibility during the pandemic. The oath of selfless service in healthcare weighed heavily on my mind each day. I was eager to do more and found inspiration in developing my patented anesthesia intubation medical device. I’m currently collaborating with a top-tier anesthesia devices vendor to enhance the safety of placing breathing tubes (intubation) for patients on a global scale. The five-year goal will be to make this patented product into a new genre of life-saving tools ready to purchase on a global scale.

The pandemic profoundly transformed my perspective on both life and running a business. While some companies unfortunately did not survive, mine not only persevered but thrived. Many of the lessons I learned in navigating the complexities of running an anesthesia company are outlined in my Amazon best-seller ‘MDA: Million Dollar Anesthesia.’ Through this book, I aim to uplift and inspire healthcare providers to lead their own companies to the next level of anesthesia leadership. It’s not just a ‘how-to’ guide; ‘MDA’ provides evidence-based resources and conceptual thinking for independent contractor anesthesia providers looking to achieve million-dollar management on a tight budget.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In my journey through various roles in anesthesia services, I’ve had my fair share of jobs since I started working at the age of 6. I’ve worn many hats, from being a cashier, housekeeper, and sales representative to taking on roles like a cook, janitor, personal trainer, property manager, and even a construction worker. My journey also led me to serve as a soldier and military officer. I’ve had my ups and downs, but there two skills and one quality that have profoundly influenced my business journey. First and foremost, humility has been a driving force quality. It’s as simple as being willing to say “please,” “I’m sorry,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome.” This also means setting aside pride and focusing on results. There may be moments when you feel a job is beneath you or someone treats you disrespectfully. In such situations, take a moment to reflect on the value of humility. Is puffing up your chest in response to perceived disrespect worth sacrificing potential revenue? As a small business owner, I’ve learned that not all battles are worth fighting, especially when pride clashes with profit.

One of the most crucial business skills I acquired dates back to my time as a 16-year-old shift manager at McDonald’s. It’s the art of providing exceptional customer service, which I consider the single most important skill I’ve ever learned in business. The notions of “the customer is always right” and delivering a quality product promptly were instilled in me during those formative years at McDonald’s. Today, the quality of the anesthesia services and staffing we provide reflects my commitment to exceptional customer service. My advice to fellow entrepreneurs is to prioritize ensuring your customer feels valued and right, and always strive to deliver your services ahead of schedule or on time.

The second most valuable business skill I’ve acquired is speed reading. As a lifelong learner, I’ve often found myself in unfamiliar business scenarios. The ability to speed read has been a game-changer, significantly reducing the time it takes to grasp new concepts. For instance, when faced with the task of creating a business plan for my first major anesthesia contract, I felt lost. I headed straight to the public library to find free resources on business plan development. Over the course of twelve hours, I devoured nine business planning books, four books by renowned business authors, and numerous online self-help guides. By the next day, I had not only a well-crafted business plan but also the knowledge to present it effectively. If you’re interested in improving your speed-reading skills, I recommend checking out books on speed reading at the public library and exploring YouTube resources. Start by revisiting something you’ve read before, focus on the first and last words of each sentence, pay attention to uppercase letters, and be on the lookout for words of absolute importance or numbers, such as “many,” “several,” “never,” “none,” “every,” “single,” “but,” “if,” and “when.”

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Thank you for asking this question because we are always seeking more talented Nurse Anesthesiologists (CRNAs) to join our dynamic team. Are you a dedicated CRNA seeking a fulfilling career opportunity? Look no further!

What We’re Looking For:

Certified Expertise: You must hold a valid CRNA certification and state license in the state interested in working. We are seeking CRNAS who hold their own malpractice insurance with a dedication to excellence in anesthesia care for either of the following states: Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington, D.C.

Team Player: We value collaboration and teamwork. Your ability to work effectively within a healthcare team is crucial.

Problem-Solving Skills: Independent, Quick thinking and the ability to adapt to various situations are key in our fast-paced environment in both Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Offices.

Compassion: We seek individuals who are not only skilled but also empathetic and compassionate in their care for the adult patient population.

Commitment to Quality: You must be committed to delivering exceptional patient care and upholding the highest standards in anesthesia services.

Desire to Grow: We welcome CRNAs who are eager to grow in their careers and contribute to ongoing success.

Why Choose Us:

Excellence is Our Standard: We are committed to providing the highest quality of care to our patients. Join us, and you’ll be a part of a team that consistently exceeds expectations.

Prime Locations and Schedule: Our facilities are located in vibrant and diverse communities, offering you the opportunity to live and work in desirable areas with your desired 1099 schedule.

Collaborative Environment: You’ll work alongside experienced anesthesia providers who share your commitment to excellence in healthcare. Additionally, we provide referral bonuses for referring your colleagues to join the team.

Continual Learning: We believe in investing in our staff’s professional development. We offer ongoing training and educational opportunities with our CRNA business experts to keep your skills at the forefront of the industry.

Any CRNA who is interested can reach us at the following point of contact:

Visurraga Enterprises LLC
www.CRNAhired.com
(202)-948-7866
[email protected]

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Adobe Post

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