Back in 2009, I started with Practice Fusion as the No. 8 hire and the directive to be a one-person communications team. I arrived on my first day to an empty desk and had to take a taxi home to pick up my laptop to bring back to the office. I was seriously questioning why I left my cushy job, with four weeks vacation and a good salary, for this tiny startup with no computers. By lunch, those worries had already passed and I was hard at work on our new brand.
It feels like just a blink of a eye later that the company is now 340 people, with $150 million in funding, 75 million patients on the platform and an IPO on the horizon. Over the course of those four years, I built up a team, worked with outstanding people and got promoted to VP. There's a saying about parenting being full of long days and short years that seems to also ring true for working in a startup - it went so quickly somehow. I've put together a pinboard of all my favorite memories and milestones along the way.
I'm planning to take up to a year sabbatical to travel and recharge. Since Rob can work remotely, we're only bound by needing to be somewhere with internet access. I'll do some advising and consulting along the way with other startups, will consider a couple invitations to be an entrepreneur-in-residence. Eventually, I know I'll jump back in to a new executive role.
I'll go back to being an executive because I love it. Sure, there are times when it can be so hard. And being a woman in the male-dominated Silicon Valley tech and healthcare sectors added a little extra spice to the experience. At the end of the day, nothing compares to the feeling of being trusted to make important decisions, seeing ideas turn into facts and being a part of a close-knit leadership team.
If you're considering taking the leap to either join a startup, create one of your own, or take on a leadership role - I hope you'll do it! The world needs more women leaders of all kinds. If you need a voice of encouragement, just send me an email and I'm happy to give you a boost. For me, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
so exciting! best of luck in your new chapter. Wish I could have come to say hi while I was in town this last weekend. big hugs.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I hope you will continue to blog about your travels! What an exciting time!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Em! I've always been impressed by how capable you seem in every aspect of your life...and I'm sure the future holds bright things for you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and good luck on your adventures!
ReplyDeleteReally exciting for you! I have a dream of designing, building, and creating a new kind of "nursing home" facility. There needs to be a paradigm shift regarding long-term care. My role would be a nursing teacher trainer, but I don't see myself as the director. I wonder why I don't see myself in that position?
ReplyDeleteI like your dream, Kristy! There are all kinds of new innovative models for care being developed these days. You might take a look at what One Medical has done with primary care - a venture-backed medical clinic startup.
ReplyDeletethanks for the tip! I'll take a look. btw the turkey sliders xmas eve were a hit. A cranberry relish is a must-do with the sandwiches. I went over to the site with the pretzel roll recipe to add my notes. thanks again.
ReplyDeleteYour Hawaii posts remind me of my wedding day and honeymoon there!