Give us your pitch: Why should someone buy one of your products/service? We provide a clinically proven treatment for Parkinson's disease that alleviates the walking symptoms of the disease, allowing people to reclaim their mobility and independence.
How did your business come about/where did the idea for it come from? I was working as a physiotherapist and could see the impact that this sound wave/auditory cueing treatment had on people with Parkinson's, however it had to be individually prescribed daily and was only available in an in-clinic setting.
How long has your business been running? We have been going for nearly three years.
What has been your biggest success? Our users' achievements. We have people who are now able to walk to the shops again and some are even finishing marathons. Their successes make it all worthwhile.
What have been your biggest challenges so far? Telling the world about our product. We have a great product and now it is time to let people know about it, to allow more people to benefit. This can be a challenging but rewarding experience
What has been your biggest influence thus far as an entrepreneur? I would say our board of advisors. They are all leaders in their respective fields and have provided incredible mentorship and support.
In the next 12 months, what would you like to achieve in your business? I want to enhance our impact. Our current treatment was mainly applicable to people in the early to mid-stages of Parkinson's, but we are now launching add-ons to treat speech and dexterity (fine hand movement), which apply throughout the stages of the disease.
What's your best piece of advice for other people setting up start-ups? Just go for it, if it's something you are passionate about, and create change. That will make all the difference. Also, keep your end user at the centre of everything you do.
What is the worst business advice you ever received, and did you follow it? Don't start a business, instead take a secure job. No, I thought of the impact that product could have and felt that I just had to try. It's not been easy, but I haven't looked back since.
What is the best thing about being your own boss? I don't think you're ever really your own boss. We put our users at the centre of what we do, they're the boss in a way, so I always feel the need to do more, deliver more and work harder for them. In conversation with Pamela Newenham Ciara Clancy is CEO of Beats Medical
