Clemson University, CUBEInC, and Greenville have played a vital role in my professional development. I graduated from Clemson University’s College of Nursing fully equipped to work in cardiac care and engage in strategic conversations with healthcare and business professionals. The hands-on practical skills combined with the scientific background and leadership training continue to benefit and shape me. It was while practicing as a nurse I recognized we could do more to engage, equip, and empower patients. The communication and problem-solving skills acquired at Clemson enabled me to patent a mobile documentation system and start what is now New Ocean Health System.
The Greenville business community has proven willing to assist and advise all along the way. Initially, I did not know I was starting a company. The nursing process was ingrained in me at Clemson: Assess, Diagnose, Plan, Implement, and Evaluate. When I saw an unmet clinical need, I was able to apply the nursing process systemically. The beautiful thing is, when the nursing process is applied to almost any problem, positive results follow. Not knowing better, I applied the same process to business decisions. As a result, I’ve been able to quickly identify and minimize risks and ensure we continue to achieve our milestones on time and under budget while realizing a positive return on investment.
When the company was pre-revenue and doing business as CareCam Innovations, I first become aware of CUBEInC and the ambitious goal to combine academia and commerce in a meaningful and proven manner. I was hooked and wanted to take part. Though I am not a bioengineer, I recognized metadata, health information technology, and machine learning would soon play a large role in all things life sciences. I heard Dr. LaBerge speak at an event and immediately applied for a space at CUBEInC.
The CUBEInC facilities permitted me to work within a start-up budget while enjoying the benefits of a state-of-the-art-environment as well as actively engaged clinicians within close proximity. I toured the space with an out-of-town guest who subsequently became our largest investor and CEO. We now have headquarters in Conshohocken Pennsylvania (outside of Philadelphia) and an Operation Center in Greenville, SC.
Even so, I continue to keep my personal office at CUBEInC. It inspires me to work alongside visionary, vibrant, and driven students, faculty, and business leaders. As an entrepreneur, I am humbled and encouraged each day. As soon as I figure out an unknown, three more larger obstacles soon appear. The challenges make the rewards all the sweeter. Confidence and industriousness require intense challenges to take hold and set in. The more I learn, the more I know, and I will never stop learning or struggling to do my best. It continues to be rewarding to work alongside careful, creative, and curious risk-takers.
The best advice I can share is the advice that has carried me along the way…
1. You cannot fail if you resolve not to quit.
2. Consider the costs and what you are willing to give before going all in.
3. The end of a matter is better than the beginning of one: see it through to the end.
