Connect with Allen! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-cooper-4a07598/ Website: https://ancillaventures.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:40 The Value of an MBA and Entrepreneurship 07:16 The Need for Transparency in Healthcare Costs 12:07 Improving Room Turnover Efficiency and Infection Control 26:34 Improving Efficiencies and Infection Control 28:50 Addressing the High Cost of Care 35:11 Minimizing Infections in Hospitals 38:37 Optimizing Labor and Improving Patient Care 41:29 ReadyList: Growing and Expanding Summary Allen Cooper, CEO and President of Ancilla Ventures and CEO and Co-founder of ReadyList, shares his background and journey in entrepreneurship. He discusses the value of getting an MBA and how it can provide a strong foundation in business knowledge. Allen also talks about the opportunities and challenges in the healthcare industry, particularly in terms of transparency and cost. He explains the focus of Ancilla Ventures on providing solutions and support to hospitals, and highlights the importance of trust and building relationships with healthcare providers. The principal themes of the conversation are improving efficiencies in hospitals, addressing labor shortages, and managing infection control. The cost of care in hospitals is attributed to factors such as high overhead costs, luxurious facilities, and competition among health systems. Infection control is crucial for hospitals to maintain their brand reputation and quality of care. ReadyList offers solutions to help hospitals minimize infections and improve patient turnover. The ROI of properly managed infection control includes cost savings, revenue optimization, and improved patient experience. ReadyList aims to expand nationally and develop new products. As a CEO, Allen Cooper emphasizes the importance of resilience, energy, and nurturing a positive experience for both customers and employees. He advises entrepreneurs to understand their why, make deliberate decisions, and strive for excellence rather than perfection.

Connect with Patrick! https://www.linkedin.com/in/disasterpatrick/ https://disasterpatrick.com/
Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

04:08 The Importance of Finding a Mentor

10:56 Challenges and Fulfillment in a Career in Emergency Preparedness

14:48 Understanding the Phases of Disaster Response

24:44 Building Resilience: Being Prepared and Independent

30:23 The Risk of Disasters in Louisiana

35:32 The Importance of Business Recovery in Disasters

46:29 Creating a Fun and Empowering Disaster Preparedness Channel on YouTube

52:08 Embracing the Future and Using Obstacles to Grow

01:04:20 The Power of Preparation in Avoiding Disasters

Summary

Patrick W Hardy, an expert in disaster recovery, shares his career journey and the importance of disaster preparedness. He emphasizes the need to find a mentor who can guide and support personal and professional development. Patrick believes that disasters become worse when individuals are too dependent on external factors, such as insurance or a single job. He encourages people to be proactive in preparing for disasters and to view them as opportunities for growth and resilience. Patrick also explains the different phases of disaster response, including preparedness, response, and recovery. Patrick W Hardy discusses the importance of understanding and accepting the risks associated with living in high-risk areas prone to disasters. He emphasizes the need for personal responsibility and having a plan in place in case of a disaster. He also shares his decision to start a YouTube channel focused on disaster preparedness, where he aims to make the topic approachable, fun, and empowering. Patrick plans to finance the channel through ad revenue, sponsorships, and consulting opportunities. He also highlights the significance of mentorship in his career and advises others to seek out mentors.

Takeaways

Finding a mentor is crucial for personal and professional development

Disasters become worse when individuals are too dependent on external factors

Preparing for disasters can turn them into opportunities for growth and resilience

The phases of disaster response include preparedness, response, and recovery Understanding and accepting the risks associated with living in high-risk areas is crucial.

Having a plan in place for disasters is essential, and personal responsibility is key.

Patrick W Hardy aims to make disaster preparedness approachable, fun, and empowering through his YouTube channel.

The channel will be financed through ad revenue, sponsorships, and consulting opportunities.

Mentorship has played a significant role in Patrick's career, and he encourages others to seek out mentors.

Guest and business inquiries connordeckpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Prashant! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pka3300/ Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:53 Defining Startups Beyond Technology

04:29 Challenges of Starting a Technology Business

08:38 Building Viable Technology as a Non-Technical Founder

11:49 Resource and Time Requirements for Building Software

14:44 Exploring Funding Options Beyond Venture Capital

21:36 Mistakes in Approaching Venture Capital

24:38 Research-Based Approach to Finding the Right VC

25:35 Understanding the Conversion Ratio in Fundraising

26:50 The Relationship Between Founders and VCs Post-Funding

28:54 The Control VCs Have Over Startups

32:13 Selection Criteria for VCs

38:08 The Democratization of Technology and its Impact on VCs

45:55 Best Options for Securing Initial Funding

Summary

Prashant Agrawal, a former banker turned consultant, works with startups and small businesses to develop their business strategies and improve their pitches. He emphasizes that startups are not limited to technology companies and that any tangible business solving a real problem can be considered a startup. Prashant advises founders to focus on understanding the problem they are solving before incorporating technology into their solution. He also highlights the importance of diverse funding sources and recommends exploring options beyond venture capital, such as bootstrapping, crowdfunding, and government grants. The conversation covers post-funding dynamics and the relationship between founders and VCs. It emphasizes the importance of finding VCs who are aligned with the founder's vision and purpose. The VCs can act as allies and mentors, providing support and guidance throughout the journey. The VCs typically have some level of control and monitoring through board membership and regular check-ins. The conversation also touches on the selection criteria for VCs, highlighting the focus on the problem being solved rather than proprietary technology. The democratization of technology has made it easier for anyone to build similar products, but investors are still interested in the scalability and viability of the solution. The most popular funding options for founders are bootstrapping and friends and family.

Takeaways

Startups can be any tangible business solving a real problem, not just technology companies.

Understanding the problem and developing a clear solution is crucial before incorporating technology.

Diverse funding sources, including bootstrapping, crowdfunding, and government grants, should be explored before seeking venture capital.

When approaching venture capitalists, it is important to research and target those with aligned interests and priorities. Finding VCs who are aligned with the founder's vision and purpose is crucial for a successful partnership.

VCs can act as allies and mentors, providing support and guidance throughout the entrepreneurial journey.

VCs typically have some level of control and monitoring through board membership and regular check-ins.

The focus of VCs has shifted from proprietary technology to the problem being solved and the scalability of the solution.

The democratization of technology has made it easier for anyone to build similar products, but investors still look for scalability and viability.

The most popular funding options for founders are bootstrapping and friends and family.