Author: Amanda Mao, PhD
The other day, during a routine dental check-up, my dentist asked how long I’d been running my business.
When I realised the answer was ten years, she said something that stayed with me:
“That’s a big achievement. Not many businesses last that long and stay profitable.”
That simple comment sent me down memory lane.
Back in January 2016, just a few months after my family landed in Australia, I was doing what many migrants do — actively looking for a full-time job, believing it was the only way to earn an income. At that time, a new local connection casually mentioned something called ABN (Australian Business Number).
“It takes seconds,” they said. “And it’s free.”
I registered straight away. Just like that, a freelance business was born under my name.
In 2017, I registered the business name Acurit Medical Communications — a name I still use today. That same year, I set up a website and a work email, which are also still going strong.
By 2019, the business had evolved again, moving from freelancing to a more formal operating structure.
Then came the pandemic. Like many others, Acurit lost some clients. But we kept operating, adapting, and moving forward.
Fast forward to 2026. I’m still the main operator of Acurit, now supported by a small team across China and Australia.
What started as bilingual Chinese medical writing has gradually morphed into cross-border clinical trials and alliance management in drugs and nutrition. We primarily work with long-term retainer clients, creating genuine and win-win partnerships. I’m especially grateful to have been consulting for Edanz running clinical trials in China for five years and counting, with amazing support and trust from the management team.
Medical translation continues, starting right from the beginning, now with a team member, Annabel Wang, confidently in the driver’s seat as Project Manager — handling client engagement, working with translators, and delivery end-to-end.
For the past two years, I’ve been working out of Waterman Workspaces. For a small business owner, it’s been a game-changer — full autonomy paired with a real sense of belonging in a thriving small business community. It’s impossible to feel unmotivated and dull working at Waterman centres.
Last but not least, through all the seasons of change, I’m deeply grateful for my Christian faith, which keeps my spirit grounded and hopeful, no matter the circumstances.
Here’s to the next ten years — with even more purpose, growth, and fulfilment ahead.
(Photo: My partner and I, admiring the beautiful autumn leaves in Kyoto, Japan in November)
