Author: 李安騏
Company: Healthcare Industry – Problem Solving International Co., Ltd – Dr. Nail Foot Health Institute
Education Industry: AIMA International Sdn. Bhd – GSA Growing Seeds Academy
Occupation: Holistic Foot Health and Preventive Care
1. Why I Joined the “Women Writing Power” Project
I have always believed that words can be both healing and empowering. As the founder of Dr. Nail Foot Health Institute and Growing Seeds Academy Tuition Center, every step of my entrepreneurial journey was never about chasing a dream for its own sake; it was born out of real, everyday needs. These seemingly ordinary stories, born from solving life’s small problems, actually weave together the tapestry of my life as a woman, a mother, and a healthcare professional. My experiences reflect not only my own journey but also that of countless women who quietly endure, transform, and grow stronger through life’s challenges.
Through Women Writing Power, I hope to document this path from toes to the heart, from home to society, a story of transitions, resilience, and quiet determination. I do not write to preach ideals, but to leave behind an authentic trace of my journey. Perhaps these words will offer a bit of direction and courage to someone standing at a crossroads in life.
2. My Story: How a Toe Shaped My Life and Career
I founded Dr. Nail Foot Health Institute in 2005, driven by a very simple reason: a long and personal struggle with my own toes. As a child, my left big toe was crushed by a brick, leaving it deformed and chronically inflamed. I was frequently taken to dermatologists and surgeons, yet no treatment ever truly worked. During my teenage years, a moment at a riverside outing when classmates stared at my feet left me deeply embarrassed. That instant of shame made me realize how a small physical flaw could profoundly affect one’s sense of self and body image.
Years later, as a nurse working in dermatology and plastic surgery, I encountered many patients facing the same problem, some even worse. Diabetic patients risked amputation due to foot and nail issues, while traditional medicine offered only limited solutions: drugs or nail removal. I began to wonder, wasn’t there a better way?
By chance, I came across Germany’s Fusspflege (foot health science) through Japan. I discovered that in Germany, this profession had been developed for nearly a century, combining advanced techniques with medical and orthopaedic support systems. Determined to find better answers for both myself and my patients, I travelled to Germany to study this field in depth.
That was the beginning of a long and unconventional journey, cleaning feet, treating severe foot conditions, and correcting deformed toenails. It wasn’t glamorous work. It was humble, often overlooked, and sometimes even avoided by others. Yet I’ve devoted twenty years to this path, quietly transforming what seemed like a “lowly” job into a respected and in-demand profession. Over time, my persistence was recognized, and Dr. Nail became a trusted name in the industry, pioneering a new professional field across Asia. I often say, “The lower you start, the higher you can leap. When you are willing to do what others avoid, that’s where opportunity lies.”
In 2023, my life took another turn. My child came to Malaysia for schooling and suddenly, academic support became my new challenge. As a mother, I wanted to build a space where diligence could compensate for talent, where learning was steady and nurturing. Together with my close friend Jessy, my child’s godmother and a 28-year-old lawyer, we decided to create our own solution. That’s how Growing Seeds Academy was born.
I often joke that it was like “raising a cow and building a farm just to get a glass of milk.” But because it was for my child, I insisted on doing it right, quality teachers, a warm yet effective environment, and an approach that could benefit not just my child, but many other families too. Only then could I return to my medical profession with peace of mind, knowing I had also planted seeds for others’ growth.
Throughout these years, I have moved between many roles of care, caring for my feet, for my patients’ feet, and for my child’s future. These experiences were once just silent responsibilities I carried. But now, I wish to give them a voice to let these real stories of women’s endurance and transformation become visible, and to show that quiet strength, too, is power.