Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Albert Ho, founder of Healthcare Heroes, located in Toronto. Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Healthcare Heroes a healthcare coaching and consulting business. Healthcare businesses such as startups hire me to optimize business processes. Pharma and medical devices sales representatives can hire me for one-on-one sales coaching.
I have condensed my 2 decades of experience into my first book Checkmate: How to Win the Sales Game in Healthcare. I am a highly sought-after keynote speaker and have delivered over 30 keynotes to audiences of up to 1,500 people.
I have been featured in over 20 media outlets including Authority Magazine, Project Management Institute and Thrive Global.
Tell us about yourself
I was inspired by my mother who was a Family Physician, she was able to come to Canada in the late 1970's and was able to build a thriving two-office practice for over 40 years. Seeing her passion for helping her patients, inspired me to become a Registered Nurse.
I started my career as a medical secretary and then went on to become a Registered Nurse and then started managing hospital-wide projects as a Project Manager.
I completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Ryerson University. I then completed my Master of Business Administration from Vancouver Island University and a Master of Science in International Management from the University of Hertfordshire. I remain a member of the Canadian College of Healthcare Leaders and recently completed the Certified Health Executive designation.
What motivates me each day, is that I'm grateful to make the Canadian healthcare system the best in the world. Being a keynote speaker, I want to continue sharing my experiences and inspire the next generation of leaders.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Launching a medical device business was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences that I've had the chance to manage. Prior to starting this business, I had no formal sales experience. I sold Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines which treats sleep apnea, these are prescribed devices and are high-value products that are worth $1,000+ each.
I learned to understand the needs of patients and would reccomend appropirate products and services, and I was able to scale the business quickly. I was lucky to be partnered with business partners that trusted me and was able to build a large network of contacts that could be leveraged. I had sales of over $1,000,000 within 2 years and had two office locations in Toronto.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner is having the commitment to keep going each day. Every day is a new day, and if you're a business owners you need to prioritize and strategize how to tackle each day. This motivation needs to come from within and needs to be unstoppable. Having a clear vision of why you started the business in the first place must remain front and center.
I'm very lucky that my wife Sandy Yong and I support each other with our dreams and goals. Finding a partner that 100% supportive, makes the journey that much easier and fun.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
1. Create a minimum viable product An MVP is a working prototype that should be completed as quickly as possible, in under 3 months ideally. With the pace of change and innovation, if you don't get to market quickly someone else will.
2. You don't need outside capital Being a fan of Dragon's Den and Shark Tank, I used to think that I needed millions of dollars to start a business. I've now realized that most startups don't need outside capital to get started. The best business are bootstrapped from the beginning, when needed you can decide if outside capital is needed.
3. Validate your product or service as soon as possible Validating your product means that you're getting it in front of customers as soon as possible. If your customers need your product, they will buy it. With early validation, this will confirm if you have found a product - market fit.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3qQcP2a
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.instagram.com/checkmatebook/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertho/
https://twitter.com/checkmatebook1
https://www.facebook.com/checkmatebook1
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
