Interview with Dr. Kelly Vasileiadou

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Interview with Dr. Kelly Vasileiadou

I set myself high goals – and I don’t give up until I achieve them.

I see challenges as motivation, not obstacles. I act with clarity and consistency, but always with fairness and heart. Empathy and sensitivity are not weaknesses to me – they are sources of true strength. They allow me to understand people and to make decisions with humanity.

Zodiac sign: Cancer

Passion: Turning visions into reality.

Life motto: “Never give up, never stand still, always discover something new.” or “Follow your own path, even if others expect something different from you.”

1. What was your first job?
My first job was during my medical studies – as a student assistant to a professor of surgery at the university. I still remember the excitement of standing in the operating room for the first time: the atmosphere, the focus, the trust you feel when you’re part of a team helping another human being.
I was allowed to assist him during surgeries and consultations, to see patients, to hear their stories. That period shaped me deeply – it showed me how much responsibility and, at the same time, fulfillment lies within medicine. Looking back, that was the moment I felt: This is my world – and perhaps the very first seed of my wish to one day work independently.

2. How much did you earn back then, and when was that?
That was in 2002, during my medical studies. I worked part-time – mostly evenings after university and on weekends when surgeries were scheduled. My income was around €1,300 gross, about €800 net – a very good salary for a student at that time.
But far more valuable than the money was what I learned during that time. I discovered my passion for surgery and realized that I had the talent and calm needed to become a good surgeon. At the same time, I learned from my supervisor – a self-employed doctor and entrepreneur – how essential it is to combine medical competence with entrepreneurial thinking. That insight still shapes me today.

3. Did you have a dream job as a child?
It may sound a little cliché, but I knew already in the second grade of primary school that I wanted to become a doctor. Don’t ask me why – I can’t quite remember what moved me at that time. But I do remember telling my mother. Even today, friends and family in Greece say that I used to announce with conviction as a little girl: I will become a doctor one day. I never doubted it – and I have never changed that wish.

4. How important is your work to you today
I became a doctor because it was my childhood dream – and later a surgeon, which to this day is my true dream profession. I’ve never regretted this path.
However, becoming self-employed was a massive step – as a woman, as a surgeon, and as a foreigner in a country that wasn’t my homeland. I invested everything back then: not only financially, but also emotionally and in terms of time. My work has therefore always played a central role in my life – equally important as my role as mother and wife.
In recent years, however, I’ve learned to find better balance. I still go to bed thinking about how to evolve myself and my company – but today I do it with more calm. My work fulfills me deeply, but I now also find peace, happiness, and meaning in other areas of life.

5. What exactly do you do professionally?
I am a cosmetic (aesthetic) surgeon – and at the same time, an entrepreneur. As founder and CEO of the Dr. Kelly® Group in Zug, I lead a large center for plastic surgery, aesthetic medicine, longevity, and skincare.
Alongside my surgical work, I manage a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, and beauty experts and continue to develop our own skincare line, Dr. Kelly® Skincare. I love the diversity of my profession – the precision and responsibility in the operating room on one hand, and the creative and strategic work of running and growing a company on the other.

6. How did you get into this profession?
I worked in several hospitals, most of the time at the University Hospital of Basel, where I gained invaluable experience. Even then, I knew I was someone who needed to work within my own structure and according to my own principles.
I wanted to create an environment that united my vision of surgical perfection with refined aesthetic sensitivity. That thought led me step by step towards independence – and ultimately to bringing my vision to life through the Dr. Kelly® Group.

7. Are you happy in your profession?
Yes, absolutely. I couldn’t imagine a more fulfilling career. I have the great privilege of doing exactly what I always dreamed of – working as a surgeon, realizing my vision, and running a growing company.
I am grateful that, as an independent professional, I can implement my ideas and keep evolving without having to compromise. Of course, this path comes with responsibility – but that’s exactly what drives me. I am happy with what I’ve achieved, and excited for everything still ahead.

8. Which aspects of your job make you happiest?
What I value most is that, as founder and CEO of the Dr. Kelly® Group, I can live a truly unique combination. On one hand, I take on leadership and administrative responsibilities, make important decisions, and shape the company’s future – which is already a deeply creative process.
On the other hand, I’m fortunate to still operate as a surgeon. Surgery, for me, is the purest form of creativity. But what makes me happiest is the direct connection with my patients – listening, understanding what moves them, and creating a result that truly fulfills them. That feeling is incomparable.

9. How do you find balance between work and free time?
I believe balance between work and life isn’t a fixed state but a process. For a long time, my work had absolute priority – it’s my passion, my responsibility, and a huge part of my life.
But in recent years I’ve learned to create pauses and consciously take time for my family and myself. We try to travel several times a year – moments in which we completely disconnect and simply enjoy being together.
Sports also play a big role for us: tennis, golf, or yoga – these small but vital breaks bring calm and energy into our often full schedules. My husband, who also holds a leadership role in our company, is a huge support. This partnership gives me inner stability and peace.

10. Was there someone who supported you strongly in your career?
I would say I built my path largely on my own – without traditional sponsorship. But two people were decisive for my development.
The first is my husband. From the beginning, he has been my biggest supporter, making it almost his personal mission to accompany and encourage me. His trust and unwavering belief in my success continue to give me strength and stability.
The second key figure was my professor of surgery, with whom I worked during my studies.
He was my first mentor – he taught me not only surgical skills but also the importance of truly listening to patients and accompanying them with empathy. That attitude still defines my work today.

11. Do you have professional goals today?
As an entrepreneur and surgeon, I believe you never stop setting goals. Standing still is not an option for me.
As a doctor, my goal is to continue offering my patients plastic surgery at the highest, state-of-the-art level – with precision, safety, and heart.
As an entrepreneur, I aim to further develop the Dr. Kelly® Group and strengthen our reputation beyond Switzerland’s borders. I’m also deeply committed to growing our skincare line, Dr. Kelly® Skincare – which I see as a natural extension of our philosophy.

12. Do you have any professional regrets?
Perhaps that, at the beginning of my self-employment, I wasn’t a little louder – meaning more visible and bolder in communicating outwardly.
I poured all my energy into creating a safe, perfectly structured environment for my patients and ensuring that every detail met the highest standards. That was the right choice – because sustainable growth only comes from a solid foundation. Looking back, I see that the path paid off: we built trust from day one. Sometimes, you have to build the foundation first – and only then turn on the light.

13. Have you experienced setbacks? How did you deal with them?
I don’t see setbacks as failures but as important reminders that success is never a given. Our industry evolves rapidly, and competition is fierce – new trends, new providers, new expectations appear constantly. Sometimes, such moments wake you up and show you that things you took for granted must be rethought.
For me, these are not defeats but motivation. They keep me alert, focused, and driven to continuously refine our offer and uphold the quality for which the Dr. Kelly® Group stands.

14. What advice would you give young women today?
I would tell young women to trust their instincts – especially when it comes to major life decisions.
Don’t let yourself be guided by social, cultural, or family expectations – listen to your inner voice. Even in 2025, here in Europe, women often still have to fight harder for their place in professional life. That’s why it’s so important to take your own voice seriously.
As a doctor, I deeply believe in education, knowledge, and skill – but ultimately, what truly makes the difference is emotional intelligence and the ability to listen to yourself. Deep down, we usually know what’s right for us, even if others don’t see it that way. It takes courage to follow that path – but that’s where true strength lies.

About the Company

The Dr. Kelly® Group nites plastic surgery, aesthetic medicine, longevity, cosmetics, and skincare under one roof.Across 620 m² in Zug, the clinic offers a comprehensive range of cutting-edge treatments – from surgical procedures and non-invasive therapies to exclusive facials, IV drips, and its in-house skincare line Dr. Kelly® Skincare.

Name: Dr. Kelly® Group
Position: Founder and CEO of the Dr. Kelly® Group
Services:  Plastic Surgery, Aesthetic Medicine, Longevity, Cosmetics, and Skincare.
Clients: Our clients are individuals who value quality, competence, and trust. They come from all over Switzerland – women and men who consciously seek the highest medical standards when it comes to their appearance and wellbeing.
They are not mass-oriented “beauty-seekers,” but discerning individuals with style, education, and a sense of responsibility. Those who choose a treatment for their own body expect excellence – and find it with us, in an environment that combines discretion, safety, and aesthetics.
Website: Dr. Kelly® Group.

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