This episode is part of a limited series called Money Ball in conjunction with the BLPN Club. BLPN's Money Ball program helps founders step up to the plate and knock fundraising out of the park. You'll hear about the people, their ventures, and their pitch-making experiences.

In this episode of The Healthy Enterprise, host Heath Fletcher interviews Doug Cohen, the Co-Founder and CEO of IR Medtek, about his journey in developing a groundbreaking technology for cancer detection. Doug shares his unique background in mechanical engineering and how it led him to identify a significant gap in the healthcare market, particularly in skin cancer detection. The conversation delves into the development process of their innovative device, the challenges faced, and the importance of refining their pitch to investors through the Money Ball program. Doug emphasizes the value of collaboration, confidence in their technology, and the potential impact on patient care.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Money Ball and IR Medtek
01:14 Doug's Unique Background and Journey
02:27 Identifying the Gap in Cancer Detection
05:51 The Development Journey of the Technology
07:41 Current Progress and Future Steps
08:39 Understanding the Device and Its Functionality
10:58 Enhancing Primary Care with Technology
13:25 Investor Response and Presentation Experience
14:34 Refining the Pitch through Money Ball
18:32 Public Speaking and CEO Responsibilities
21:12 The Advantage of an Engineering Background
24:11 Reflections on the Money Ball Experience

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name: Doug Cohen
• Guest's Title/Position: Chief Executive Officer
• Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-cohen-64761410/
• Company / Affiliation: IR Medtek https://www.irmedtek.com/
• Guest's Bio: Doug Cohen is IR Medtek's Co-Founder and CEO and has over 20 years of experience in manufacturing equipment, product design, global sourcing, and logistics. Doug is a graduate of MIT in mechanical engineering and has experience as both an owner and investor in start-ups. He owns a number of technology patents and serves on the board of the public company Organovo.

Takeaways:

• Doug's background in mechanical engineering shaped his approach to IR Medtek.
• The technology developed can differentiate tumor from non-tumor tissue.
• Skin cancer detection is a significant market opportunity.
• The device provides real-time feedback to primary care doctors.
• Investor confidence is crucial for the success of startups.
• Refining the pitch can significantly improve investor engagement.
• Public speaking skills are essential for CEOs in fundraising.
• Collaboration with experts enhances the team's capabilities.
• The Money Ball program provided valuable networking opportunities.
• The technology has the potential to improve patient outcomes significantly.

The Healthy Enterprise Podcast is produced by Bullzeye Global Growth Partners https://bullzeyeglobal.com/

In this episode of the Healthy Enterprise podcast, host Heath Fletcher engages with Elissa Zylbershlag, Founder of Work Wise Labs, who specializes in proactive HR strategies and positive workplace environments. Elissa shares her journey from being an anti-bias educator to establishing her own business, emphasizing the importance of fostering a positive work culture. She explains the concept of anti-bias education, which aims to create a more just and equitable world, and how it connects to workplace dynamics. Alissa also introduces the principles of positive psychology, highlighting how focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses can lead to a more fulfilling and productive work life.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Elissa Zylbershlag and Work Wise Labs
01:23 Understanding Anti-Bias Education
07:06 The Shift to Positive Psychology
13:52 Work Wise Labs: Services and Offerings
20:41 The Journey to Entrepreneurship
22:10 Challenges Faced by Leaders Today
26:27 The Role of Coaching in Personal Development
27:15 The Dynamics of Coaching Relationships
29:29 Prioritizing Personal Needs in Leadership
30:56 The Importance of Self-Awareness
33:20 Understanding Perceptions: The Portrait Analogy
39:20 The One, Two, Three Theory of Feedback
42:15 Embracing Growth and New Opportunities
44:13 Networking and Building Connections
46:19 Transforming Conflict into Connection

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name: Elissa Zylbershlag
• Guest's Title/Position: Founder
• Guest's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissazylbershlag/
• Company / Affiliation: Work Wise Labs https://www.workwiselabs.com/
• Guest's Bio: Elissa Zylbershlag, M.Ed. is the Founder of Work Wise Labs and a leadership development and team-building professional who helps nonprofits, universities, and small organizations create healthier, more connected workplaces. Through proactive coaching, interactive workshops, and culture-focused training, she works 1:1 with leaders and facilitates engaging group sessions that strengthen communication, trust, confidence, and collaboration—always with a focus on making work both productive and enjoyable. Through Work Wise Labs, Elissa equips organizations with practical tools to build supportive, mission-aligned cultures where people actually want to show up for work.

Takeaways:

• Different does not mean bad.
• Focusing on strengths makes you happier and makes your life more meaningful.
• Coaching is about possibility, what's possible, and it's about action plan.
• The workplace is a hotbed of bias and discrimination.
• Positive psychology looks at what's right with people, not what's wrong.
• Coaching relationships can last from months to decades, depending on individual needs.
• Self-awareness is crucial in leadership; it's about understanding how others perceive you.
• Feedback from multiple sources can reveal patterns in behavior and perceptions.
• Addressing conflict can improve relationships 75% of the time when done correctly.
• Prioritizing your own needs is essential before helping others.

The Healthy Enterprise Podcast is produced by Bullzeye Global Growth Partners https://bullzeyeglobal.com/

This episode is part of a limited series called Money Ball in conjunction with the BLPN Club . BLPN's Money Ball program helps founders step up to the plate and knock fundraising out of the park. You'll hear about the people, their ventures, and their pitch-making experiences.

In this episode, Rob Boyce, CEO of Plakous Therapeutics, discusses the company's mission to develop regenerative medicine solutions for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a devastating disease affecting premature infants. He shares insights into the challenges of developing treatments for this vulnerable population, the importance of funding, and the role of networking in the biotech industry. Rob also highlights a case study of a patient named Laurel, illustrating the potential impact of their product on improving outcomes for babies at risk of NEC.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Plakous Therapeutics
01:08 Understanding Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
04:23 The Genesis of Plakous Therapeutics
06:24 Innovative Approach to Treatment
09:27 Real-Life Impact: Case Study of Laurel
13:32 Navigating the Funding Landscape
16:06 Refining the Pitch Process
22:05 Challenges in the Current Investment Climate
25:11 Current Stage and Future Plans

Guest Information:

• Guest's Name: Robert Boyce
• Guest's Title/Position: Chief Executive Officer
• Guest's Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertwboyce/
• Company / Affiliation: Plakous Therapeutics https://www.plakoustherapeutics.com/
• Guest's Bio: Rob Boyce is the CEO of Plakous Therapeutics, Rob has been working in healthcare and life sciences throughout his career. He has been part of several start-up companies. Prior to Plakous Rob was at Imago Systems, Inc., a software as a service medical diagnostic company seeking to redefine the medical imaging. He started his business career at Johnson & Johnson, marketing the Tylenol Brand. While at J&J he led worldwide Sales and Marketing for Independence Technology, a Johnson & Johnson company specializing in state-of-the-art rehabilitation technology. Rob launched his career as a naval flight officer in the Navy’s E-2C Hawkeye.

Takeaways:

• Rob Boyce is the CEO of Plakous Therapeutics, focusing on regenerative medicine.
• Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe condition affecting premature infants.
• The last FDA-approved medicine for NICU babies was in 1991.
• Plakous's product mimics amniotic fluid to support GI tract development.
• Laurel's case illustrates the challenges faced by NEC patients.
• Funding for pediatric biotech is particularly challenging.
• Networking and preparation are crucial for successful investor pitches.
• Understanding the audience is key to effective presentations.
• Regulatory pathways for pediatric treatments are complex and uncertain.
• Plakous aims to raise $8 million for further development.

The Healthy Enterprise Podcast is produced by Bullzeye Global Growth Partners https://bullzeyeglobal.com/