Apredica

www.apredica.com

Why You Left Your Last Job:   I was laid off, along with everyone else in R&D.  I was working for a drug discovery company whose first product failed in the marketplace.  All research was ended to conserve cash, but that still did not work.  The company ultimately closed.

How You Started Your Business:  I was sick of the hire-and-lay-off cycles in R&D.  It became clear to me the work done in my scientific specialty would be more efficient to outsource because now most drug discovery is happening in small venture and grant funded startups that need my specialty for only a couple of years as part of their business lifecycle.  In fact, in the prior 5 years several companies had entered this market, but none of them were located in my region.  This all said opportunity.

Most service businesses don't take a lot of cash to start.  Mine did, because it requires expensive scientific equipment and a lab.  To supplement what my husband and I could put into the business, we got friends and family investors.  To convince them that we had a good plan, we entered business plan contests -- and won. This, plus figuring out how to do more with less were crucial to getting our start.

What Does Success Mean To You: The meaning of success is elusive.  One success sets up the next challenge. 

 

 

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