Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jennifer Hintzsche Ph.D., founder and CEO of PherDal Fertility Science Inc., located in Dixon, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
PherDal Fertility Science is developing the first FDA-cleared, sterile, and patented assisted reproduction kit as an affordable over-the-counter fertility option. The PherDal kit makes fertility science accessible and private thanks to its patented sterile technology. PherDal is the first non-invasive, safe, effective option for people to try and use to build their family in the comfort and privacy of their homes, using the same technology as the fertility clinic.
We believe everyone deserves a safe and sterile fertility option. This includes members of the LGBTQIA+ community, single mothers by choice, and people diagnosed with male-factor and unexplained infertility.
Tell us about yourself
At 32, my husband and I went through 16 months of infertility trying to start our family, which almost broke our new marriage. When we received our diagnosis of unexplained infertility, we were told that our insurance wouldn't cover the invasive procedure of IUI, so instead, we were handed a loan application for $10,000. Instead, I dug into the scientific research and found out about another option that was less invasive but had the same success rate. However, there was nothing on the market that was safe or meant to be used to assist in getting sperm closer to the egg. I have a Ph.D. in Biology, my husband is a mechanical engineer, and together we invented what is now known as the PherDal kit. In the second month of use, our daughter was conceived using our invention. I knew I had to help people have the same option as we were able to make for ourselves.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We've been so grateful for the support we have behind us that helped us celebrate our patent and crowdfunded over $630,000 in less than five months. However, my biggest accomplishment is not just changing lives but creating lives. I was able to hold the second PherDal baby in my arms while her mother, a former stranger on the internet, now my dear friend, thanked me for helping them get their beautiful daughter after two years of infertility. That's how I measure our success, the number of people we can help.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
PherDal started as my story. To start this company, I had to share my infertility story, which was my biggest secret and caused me a tremendous amount of shame and isolation. Being able to share the most intimate and private moments of my life and marriage with the world took a lot of courage and bravery that I didn't think I had.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- If it isn't a passion, don't do it. This journey will be a roller coaster of emotions. If you do it for the right reasons and with passion, you can get through the lows to make the highs. Without passion, it's so easy to give up.
- Set goals and achieve them, but let the path to get there be intentionally unclear. We often have preset ideas or expectations of our journey, but it closes us off to different ideas of how to get there. Keep your eyes on the goal, but give yourself a few different next steps to get there.
- Let your customers lead and be heard. It's your business, but it's not about you. Your business provides a service or product to someone. It's about them. Swallow your pride and listen and hear what they have to say. All feedback is a gift. Accept it and use it to make you better.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.pherdal.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PherDal/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pherdal_science/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhintzsche/
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.
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