“Don’t be afraid of failure. Expect it. I always say that I stand on the ashes of my failures like a phoenix, and that is being entrepreneurial. You stand on your ashes, and they create a huge mountain at the end.”
In a far-ranging interview with Angela Dailey, WISE CEO, serial entrepreneur Pamina Barkow talks about pursuing her passion for natural health and nutrition, turning failures into success and overcoming poverty and political oppression in her native Chile to reach financial and career success.
Today, the CEO and co-founder of South Star Medical Partners and former owner and CEO of Orange County Pain Management, has reached the point where she can give back, with a substantial gift to her alma mater, University of California Irvine. “I have so much more than I could have ever imagined as that girl growing up in Chile during a time of dictatorship,” says Pamina. “I know that I could not have gotten here without all the people that helped me along the way. Now it’s my turn to return that favor and say ‘Hey, I’ve gotten some helping hands. It’s time for me to give a helping hand as well.’”
Check out Pamina’s full interview here. It’s part of WISE’s Tearing Down the Pink Wall series, which highlights the success and career journeys of many of Southern California’s most inspiring business women.
Bio:
Pamina Barkow is a notable entrepreneur and community leader in Orange County, CA. She is the co-founder and CEO of PI Medical Partners, a management service organization focusing on medical practices in the personal injury sector. Barkow has a diverse background, initially working in international real estate marketing before transitioning to healthcare, where she co-founded and eventually led the sale of Orange County Pain Management clinics (Paul Merage School of Business) (OC Performance Coaches).
In addition to her business endeavors, Pamina Barkow is highly involved in community and educational initiatives. She, along with her partner Greg Harrison, pledged $1 million to the Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine (Paul Merage School of Business) . Barkow holds two Master's degrees from UC Irvine and has served in various advisory and leadership roles within the university. She is also a Certified Clinical Nutritionist and has worked extensively in culinary medicine and nutrition coaching (OC Performance Coaches).
Pamina Barkow, an influential businesswoman in Orange County, CA, has been featured in several articles highlighting her contributions to entrepreneurship, healthcare, and community service. She co-founded Orange County Pain Management in 2008 and led its expansion into one of the largest clinics in South Orange County. Following the passing of her husband and co-founder in 2018, she continued to grow the business and eventually led its successful sale in 2021. She then co-founded PI Medical Partners, focusing on serving medical practices in the personal injury sector.
Barkow has been recognized for her business acumen and leadership. In 2021, she was nominated for the Business Woman of the Year Award by the Orange County Business Journal, which honors outstanding professional women in the county. Her contributions extend beyond business; she is actively involved in mentoring young entrepreneurs and serves on multiple boards at the University of California, Irvine, including the Dean’s Leadership Circle and the Beall Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Barkow is also a frequent speaker on topics such as entrepreneurship, healthcare, and leadership (Paul Merage School of Business) (The Alpha Reporter) (Business & Financial).
