Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health and wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Avantika Waring, Chief Medical Director of 9amHealth, located in Encinitas, CA, USA.
Which company are you working for, and who are your customers?
9amHealth has a clear purpose - to change how people see and treat diabetes by combining seamless access to care with genuine support to offer a comprehensive, lifelong care resource for people with diabetes at an affordable monthly price. 9amHealth brings together a team of diabetes specialists, prescription medications, and at-home lab testing in one comprehensive service. We’re dedicated to a care model where patients only pay for what they need, follow custom plans built just for them, and access medical professionals directly whenever they need them.
Tell us about yourself
I’m an Endocrinologist and diabetes specialist. I worked for many years in brick-and-mortar hospitals and clinics, building large-scale population health programs for people living with diabetes. Through those experiences, I learned to empower people to manage their chronic conditions, but I also saw where the traditional healthcare system fails patients and who gets left behind. With a desire to provide excellent care at a larger scale and in a more inclusive way, I came to 9amHealth as the Chief Medical Officer. At 9amHealth, I work with an amazing group of like-minded folks. Our collective aim is to remove patients’ barriers to managing their health and wellness. I wake up each day excited to use my clinical knowledge to innovate exciting ways to provide compassionate healthcare to broader communities.
What's your biggest accomplishment?
As Chief Medical Officer, my accomplishments happen every day, in small but exciting steps. As we develop new products and optimize and expand our medical offerings, I see my clinical vision and overall medical strategies come to life. As a company, our biggest accomplishment at 9amHealth is creating a product and service that can scale quickly to meet the medical needs of a diverse population. We’re providing a personalized patient experience delivered with empathy by people who know what it’s like to live with diabetes (many in our company, including two of our founders, are living with diabetes themselves).
What's one of the hardest things that come with your role?
In a dynamic start-up, priorities are constantly changing based on customer feedback and market developments. I would say the biggest challenge is staying committed to our mission while being flexible and open-minded about how to change the way we fulfill that mission. Adapting to quick pivots and having a growth mindset is part of the job.
What are the top 3 tips you'd give to any professional working in the healthcare industry?
- Believe in what you are marketing. If you are passionate about your company’s mission and the service and product you’ve created, it’s easy and enjoyable to wake up and do your best work each day.
- Always think about who might be left behind. I say this as a physician who cares deeply about meeting the needs of all patients. If you pause along the way to consider whose needs aren’t being met, you will be one step closer to true equity and inclusion.
- Be kind and listen! Feedback and ideas from your colleagues, customers, and community are key ingredients to the recipe for success.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://9am.health/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/9amhealthofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/9am/
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/9amhealth_media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/9amhealth/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.