Glance behind the curtain with Dr. Adam Little as he chats with Ira about his startup journey including the highs of innovation and the lows of layoffs. Adam shares the hard knock lessons he learned with brutal honesty showing that integrity and compassion always win. You won't want to miss this episode with one of the most brilliant innovators in veterinary medicine. Learn more about Adam on LinkedIn
In our season finale, we dig into some game-changing customer engagement strategies that fueled our startups. Ever thought about how an app or a clever email campaign could transform your business? Or imagine hosting a Willy Wonka-inspired event in Las Vegas complete with golden ticket candy bars and a lovable mascot named Mr. Meowgy. We share behind-the-scenes insights that can inspire your next big idea. It's all about building a community that is both engaged and excited. As we toast to t...
As we approach the end of our season, we break down how we landed on the pricing strategy for our products. We also discuss the pros and cons of pricing against a competitor. We've got a TikTok to share by Luis Fernandes who shares some of his most loved and least favorite tequilas. Lastly, for our tip of the week, we both decided to share some valuable lessons we learned from our parents.
Have you ever wondered how to market effectively to a niche audience? In our conversation, we uncover grassroots marketing strategies tailored specifically for the veterinary medicine field. We offer practical tips for enhancing engagement through traditional marketing tactics and providing educational support to make your product indispensable. Is trade show marketing still relevant in the digital age? We tackle this question by exploring creative ways to make a splash at trade shows ...
This week, we dive into the labyrinth of startup organizational structures. Discover the sometimes arbitrary nature of assigning titles and roles within a small team, where everyone is juggling multiple hats. Learn about a friend's innovative approach to structuring roles based on compensation, and weigh its pros and cons with us. Finally, we explore how rigid titles can limit contributions and why a more flexible approach might just be the key to a thriving startup. Ira's tip of...
Ever wondered how to what the best way is to get feedback from your customers? Gathering useful user feedback for products in development is a critical step to building the right stuff. In this episode, we share creative strategies, such as involving children and parents for initial testing and how to set up an active engaged user group on social media. At the end of the day, the trick is to create a safe environment that triggers real, honest feedback from your audience. Special mentions: D...
Meet Luke Burnett, the innovative mind behind KeraVet Bio, who stumbled upon a brilliant idea that’s transforming pet wound care. In our latest episode, Luke shares the story of KeraVet Gel, a reformulated human medical product now eliminating the need for those pesky Elizabethan collars. Discover how this breakthrough is not only improving compliance but also strengthening the bond between humans and their furry friends. Luke’s journey is a testament to embracing unexpected opportuniti...
There comes a time in every successful entrepreneur's life when they just "know" (hopefully). It might be a key event, your inner voice or a gut feeling but some where along the journey, something happened that clued you in that you were really on to something. This week, Stacee and Ira share their special moment. Special mentions this week: Adam Little Elizabeth Green Ed Catmull Amy Wallace
Have you ever faced the daunting challenge of building a startup from the ground up? This episode is a goldmine of guidance, as Dr. Adam Little shares insights around foundational steps for budding entrepreneurs to thrive. Adam and Ira spend some time talking about de-risking the company, the problem with hiring too many people too early and why strategic partnerships are a huge waste of time for early stage companies in the veterinary space. The biggest lessons don't come from success, the...
Stacee and our special guest cohost, Beth Green, spin the wheel today and talk about their business partners and the way they found them. Special mentions: Toni Passaretti John O'Brien Dr. Pat Tomlinson Karyn Gavzer Martin Traub-Werner
Discover the inspiring journey of Beth Green, CEO of Vetmedux. She takes us through her remarkable transition from veterinary publishing into a leader of tech innovation in this field. As the brains behind Clinicians Brief, Beth's tale is one of pioneering spirit and ingenuity, turning a stack of unread journals into an essential resource for vets everywhere. Her company's strategic acquisition of Plumb's Veterinary Drugs is just one highlight of how Vetmedux has become a staple in every ...
This week, Stacee and Ira talk about where they found their first employee and discuss what type of person can you attract when you can't pay well and don't offer any benefits....yet! Tip of the week: Ira: You can find employees that actually care more about the business than yourself Stacee: The importance of holding in-person team meetings early on (and some great locations to do this).
Have you ever launched a marketing campaign that failed miserably? Trust us, we've been there. Join us as we take a walk down memory lane, cringing at our biggest mistakes in marketing. Here is a link to Stacee's embarrassing explainer video that is inappropriate on so many levels. Our favorite things: Ira: The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Pat Lencioni Stacee: Loom software
The question today is "What was your first office like?" In talking about this we delve into the importance of enjoying the climb when you are an entrepreneur. Take it from us, the money is good but the journey there is better. Our favorite tip, trick, or quote this week: Ira: Slack Stacee: Jotform To hear the whole Jim Carrey speech, go here: https://youtu.be/YAzTIOy0ID0 P.S. It's amazing!
This week, Ira tells us the story of his son being "scientist of the week" for his school and his quest to analyze the absorbency of paper towels —tackling variables, crunching numbers, and learning that the smallest details can make the biggest impact. The question today is "Who were some of the most critical people in your journey?" Ira and Stacee will share the stories of Dan and Mihailo, and their undeniable influence on technology and leadership in sculpting a business's destiny....
When Stacee Santi traded her veterinarian scrubs for the innovative world of tech entrepreneurship, she didn't just create an app—she sparked a revolution in pet care communication. On our latest podcast, Stacee shares her inspiring journey from observing pet owners' struggles with heartworm prevention to developing Vet2Pet, a game-changing app that bridges the gap between veterinary services and technology. Her tale is a testament to how a single idea, fueled by passion and perseverance, can...
Today, Ira shares with us his serendipitous shift from veterinary student to innovator, as we explore the origins of an online study platform that revolutionized veterinary education. Scaling a startup isn't all about number crunching and serious business. Ira's journey is proof that taking bold steps with friends can lead to unexpected, prosperous ventures in the world of healthcare education. Join us as we look back on the 17-year odyssey of Ira's enterprise, from its modest beginnings ...
Ever wonder what it's like to leap into the entrepreneurial abyss and come out the other side, not only intact but thriving? That's the topic Stacee Santi and Ira Gordon tackle in the Accidental Entrepreneur's debut. We're your unlikely business gurus, swapping tales from the trenches and doling out the kind of advice you'd wish you had when you were starting out. Together, we provide a rare glimpse into the real-world rollercoaster ride of launching and letting go of business ve...
In this episode, we reflect on Jerry Seinfeld's memorable commencement speech at Duke University. We delve into his three keys to life—bust your ass, pay attention, and fall in love—and discuss how these principles are essential for entrepreneurial success. We will also share a few stories about overcoming imposter syndrome, handling the pressures of starting a business, and even making the tough call to fire a customer to maintain the integrity of your venture. We tackle the difficult subje...
Being an entrepreneur isn't all rainbows and unicorns. Guest cohost Cindy Trice and Ira discuss some of the downsides to being the head honcho of a startup ranging from bearing the ultimate burden of all decisions to feelings of loneliness. Tips of the week: Cindy: "Humor Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life " by Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas Ira: Dr. Cheryl London: You really want to know what you're talking about at such a detailed level that like you could g...