Future Founders Recap

By: Sangeeta Croteau

Panel notes: 

What are some tips you have for people looking to start a company, nonprofit, etc:

• Have a senses of plan 

  • But make sure to be flexible as plan may not work out 

• Important to find good mentors; find people with skills similar to your own but also important to find mentors with skills unlike yours 

• Make a LinkedIn for networking 

• Be true to yourself, ask yourself what makes me happy?

• When starting a business, ask yourself what impact do I want to make? 

  • Figure out how to measure what you are going to achieve 

• Make sure problems don’t become outdated and don’t get too caught up on one issue

• Some of the greatest of her growths are from when she failed

  • Have a plan for if something fails 

• Know when you need help and then asking for it 

What advice do you have for people experimenting with technology within their business?

• Ask people within your network for help and reach out as soon as you can

• If the technology is not simple, figure out how to make it simple because it is important for the user to know exactly what they have to do 

How do you insure your adventures are sustainable and scalable? 

• Think about how it is going to fund itself

• Plan and measure things

• Adjust as you go 

• Look at your completion 

What role does telehealth play in adjusting disparities? 

• You can connect people via telehealth 

• It is a way to bring resources to places that have trouble accessing them

• Connects supply and demand 

Funding question: 

• Innovation doesn’t have to be expensive 

• Figure out how to remove and not add things, but still make a difference 

Share an example of your business that has successfully solved a major healthcare issue

• Brought a doctor into a community to help make a difference in a families life and help them with their kid 

What opportunities do you see for people going into the industry: 

• Opportunities are endless 

  • Many different types of healthcare, something for everyone

How did neworking help you achive your goals and how did you achieve a good networking system? 

• Everyone around you can help you and is a part of your network 

  • Ask your parents and people within your community 

• Connect with alumni from your high school 

• Start a LinkedIn relationship, it is a good way to make yourself a network 

• Take jobs and volunteer opportunities, even if it isn’t your ideal job 

  • Helpful to learn what you do and don’t like 

What strategies do you have to connect with healthcare providers? 

• Ask them for advice and ask them about themselves 

• Reach out to people in the industry you are interested in 

• Ask everyone what a typical day is like for them 

• Taking a job can immerse yourself in something even if it isn’t the perfect job 

How can students start building their professional networks, and do you have any internship opportunities for students? 

• Put yourself out there and talk to your parents and their co-workers

• Take any job, even if not perfect 

• Take in-person jobs 

• Talk to your school

Q+A session notes

What advice would you give your high school self? 

• Take more risks 

• Take time to explore who you are and what interests and excites you 

• Spend time thinking about what is important to you 

• Have fun!

If you were to go back in time in college what would you change? 

• Have your eyes open to all different parts of the career paths 

• Take interesting classes to figure out what interests and excites you 

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs? 

• Get someone to partner who has different skills than you? 

What do you look for when working with someone? 

• Communication skills, how do you present yourself? 

• Send a thank you note when you meet with someone 

  • Hand written is best, but email is ok 

  • Shows professionalism 

• Think if they are going to be a good fit for the team 

• Compensation expectations 

What does creating your LinkedIn account entail and what should you put in it? 

• Start a resume before creating a LinkedIn

  • Include awards, classes, papers, accomplishments, etc

• Make sure to add a note and put context to remind someone how you met 

• Scan QR codes for LinkedIn

• You can follow people on LinkedIn that you are interested in 

How do you navigate working with people that you disagree with and you can’t get out of the situation? 

• If there is a manager, ask the manager for advice and ask if they can help with the situation 

• You’re not going to love everyone but sometimes you can grow tolerant to someone 

• It is important to ask for help 

What is your advice surrounding grades in school and how important is a 4.0 GPA that important? 

• It isn’t that important to get a 4.0 GPA 

• Colleges are looking far beyond your grades 

  • They look for impact and what sort of citizen you would be in their school

• Do not give up hobbies and interests for perfect grades because schools don’t want that