The Founder Mindset

In this bonus episode, Leah sits down with Dr. Christy Lane, Co-Founder of Flora, an InsurTech company revolutionizing fertility insurance and women’s health discussions. Dr. Lane shares her entrepreneurial journey, from her early research in wearable technology at the University of Michigan to founding Vivametrica, a health data analytics company later acquired by TELUS.

Inspired by her own experience with infertility, she launched Flora in 2021 to provide an affordable insurance option for women aged 20-34 seeking insurance to offset the financial burden of future infertility treatments, should they be necessary. Flora is filling a critical gap in financial planning for reproductive health and providing women with a community to discuss their health needs and concerns, and find support.

Dr. Lane discusses the challenges of launching an insurance startup, from securing industry partnerships to navigating regulatory hurdles. She highlights the importance of community and education in normalizing conversations around fertility, as well as Flora’s plans to expand support to men and families. With $2 million in funding secured, Flora is on a mission to make fertility care more accessible and financially feasible. Tune in to hear Dr. Lane’s inspiring insights on resilience, innovation, and the future of fertility insurance.

About Dr. Christy Lane

Christy is a global insurtech, analytics, and digital health expert. She is the Co-Founder of Flora, the first direct-to-consumer insurance solution for fertility and women's health. She also founded and exited Vivametrica, an insurtech focused on lifestyle-based underwriting and engagement. Christy founded the Stanford Wearable Health Lab. She is a Venture Partner at IA Capital and was a “Female Founders of Insurtech” winner and awarded “Top 20 Women in Tech.”

While there is a lot of innovation in insurance, there remains a looming gap in products focused on women’s health and fertility. Flora represents positive impact insurance, starting with customers early in their fertility journey with the opportunity to have a huge impact on quality of life.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Highline Beta
• Daughter Creative

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Contact Thin Air Labs:

• Website: ThinAirLabs.ca
• LinkedIn: Thin Air Labs
• X: Thin Air Labs
• YouTube: Thin Air Labs

Contact Dr. Christy Lane:

• Website: heyflora.co
• Linkedin: ChristyLane

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Transcript

Leah 00:21

Hi, thanks for being here. And welcome to Season Two of The Founder Mindset, brought to you by ATB. I'm Leah Sarich, your host, and I'm super excited to talk to more Founders about the human experience of being an entrepreneur. In this podcast, we're digging into what it really feels like to build a company from nothing. I was a broadcaster for over 20 years. So I've interviewed thousands of people, but entrepreneurs, not that many. And yet they have the best stories. They're solving big problems. And they're creating incredible impact. But it is hard work. So why would they do this? Let's find out. Joining me in studio today is Dr. Christy Lane, Co-Founder of Flora, an InsurTech company that allows women to buy low cost insurance to cover future fertility treatments. Christy, thank you so much for being here today.

Christy 01:18

Hello. Thank you for having me.

Leah 01:21

Absolutely. Well, as we always do with these podcasts, we kind of go back in time, if you will, and start with, when did you first sort of figure out I'm going to be an entrepreneur?

Christy 01:32

Oh, great question. I mean, I'm a scientist by training, originally, so it definitely wasn't in business school. I'd always kind of been entrepreneurial-curious. But the real defining moment, I would say, was probably during my postdoc, and that would have been like 2008, I was at the University of Michigan, and was doing some really interesting research in wearable devices. And wearable this is, you know, early generation wearables, pre Apple watch stuff, and was just so excited about the data that we were seeing and the insights we were able to gain from the wearable data. That's when I started thinking, man, there has to be a business in this. We have to be able to get this interesting data and insights to be able to help people in day to day life, and so really, five years later, o...

Join host Leah Sarich as we hear about Kyle Friedman’s entrepreneurial journey to success with his payment platform Quickly. Kyle makes it clear that there’s no linear path to success in business, but when you have a strong belief in yourself and the possible, great things can happen. Listeners will be inspired by Kyle’s resourcefulness and sheer audacity when it comes to following intuition. He’s also a great example of how to maintain a fierce commitment to family while running a business. He shares advice and wisdom on how to balance family life with entrepreneurial aspirations and finding the right community to help you through it all.

From discovering his entrepreneurial roots in small-town New Brunswick to growing a company he put together in an afternoon into one of the largest painting companies in the country, Kyle’s tale is about determination and a willingness to keep trying. He shares examples of his ideas that failed and how he found the courage to keep trying until he created a product that fit the market, even if it meant starting over.

Kyle also shares his biggest secret to success—creating a boundary between work and home and protecting his time to keep family a priority. Busy entrepreneurs will hear how finding a safe space with other business owners can help provide a safe space to celebrate success and discuss fear and doubt with like-minded people rather than bringing all your business trouble home. Whether you’re new to starting a business or have been a Founder for decades, there are valuable lessons to be learned inside this episode!

About Kyle Friedman

Kyle Friedman is a seasoned entrepreneur with over a decade of experience at the helm of innovative ventures. As the Co-Founder and CEO of Quickly Technologies Inc., Canada's foremost leader in Earned Revenue Access, he's pioneering a tech platform that empowers businesses to tap into their earned revenue on demand, fuelling their growth and efficiency.

Kyle's entrepreneurial journey spans diverse industries, including service, education, product procurement, and technology. His reputation for driving innovation, providing visionary leadership, and achieving remarkable growth is underscored by Zoom Painting's recognition as the 86th fastest-growing company in Canada in 2019.

Beyond business success, Kyle is an active member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization, where he's held the role of forum chair for the Calgary chapter. He's also lent his expertise to numerous Canadian non-profit organizations. Passionate about harnessing entrepreneurship and technology for positive social impact, Kyle is committed to making a difference in the world through his work.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Entrepreneurs’ Organization

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Contact Thin Air Labs:

• Website: ThinAirLabs.ca
• LinkedIn: Thin Air Labs
• X: Thin Air Labs
• YouTube: Thin Air Labs

Contact Kyle Friedman:

• Website: Quickly
• LinkedIn: kylemclaughlinfriedman
• Instagram: @helloquickly

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Transcript

Kyle 00:03

If I'm ever like, unsure or questioning myself, and I'm kind of in this like point of like weakness, like a low I, like, made a deal with myself a long time ago that I won't make a decision, so I just keep going with whatever decision I made before, because I think that I was probably in a better space when I made it.

Leah 00:23

Hi, thanks for being here. And welcome to Season Two of The Founder Mindset, brought to you by ATB. I'm Leah Sarich, your host, and I'm super excited to talk to more Founders about the human experience of being an entrepreneur. In this podcast, we're digging into what it really feels like to build a company from nothing. I was a broadcaster for over 20 years. So I've interviewed thousands of people, but entrepreneurs, not that many. And yet they have the best stories. They're solving big problems. And they're creating incredible impact. But it is hard work. So why would they do this? Let's find out. Joining me in studio today is Kyle Friedman, Co-Founder and CEO of Quickly, an early payment platform that ensures businesses can pay their vendors sooner while they maintain their working capital. Hey, Kyle, thanks for being here.

Kyle 01:20

Yeah, you have a beautiful voice.

Leah 01:22

Thank you. I'm in my happy place here in the studio. Thanks for sharing ...

Leah Sarich interviews Jenn Hunter, Co-Founder of PayShepherd, a contractor management platform for heavy industry. They discuss Jenn's journey into entrepreneurship, the challenges of digitizing workflows in heavy industry, and how PayShepherd has transformed contractor-client interactions. They also touch on the experiences of working in a male-dominated field and the changing landscape for women in heavy industry.

Jenn shares her journey of balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood while prioritizing personal wellness. She discusses transformative changes she implemented, including better nutrition, sleep, and physical movement, which enhanced her productivity and well-being. Jenn also emphasizes fostering a healthy work culture at PayShepherd, highlighting flexibility, team support, and the value of life’s big moments. She explains how the company’s approach positively affects clients and their communities, offering valuable lessons for entrepreneurs and business leaders.

About Jenn Hunter

Jenn Hunter is a Co-Founder of PayShepherd, a contractor management solution that automates contract compliance, resulting in real-time cost reporting, shared accountability, and effective risk management, providing clients with improved operating margins. PayShepherd is ranked #13 in “Forbes 2024 Best 200 Canadian Startup Employers” and “2024 Products That Count” winner in the category of AI & Data.

Jenn's focus is on customer outcomes. She brings deep domain expertise from her background in heavy industry and has navigated every phase of the customer journey, from solutions and delivery to end-user support. Jenn is an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 finalist, an associate member of the A100, as well as mother to 3 boys under the age of 5.

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Contact Thin Air Labs:

• Website: ThinAirLabs.ca
• LinkedIn: Thin Air Labs
• X: Thin Air Labs
• YouTube: Thin Air Labs

Contact Jenn Hunter:

• Website: payshepherd.com
• Linkedin: Jenn Hunter

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Transcript

Jenn 00:02

It's all personal to me. It's my baby, like I've sacrificed so much personally for this, and this has afforded me so much personally as well. And so the blend to me is just, it's just my time. And you know, whatever is the highest priority in the moment, gets my time.

Leah 00:19

Hi, thanks for being here. And welcome to Season Two of The Founder Mindset, brought to you by ATB. I'm Leah Sarich, your host, and I'm super excited to talk to more founders about the human experience of being an entrepreneur. In this podcast, we're digging into what it really feels like to build a company from nothing. I was a broadcaster for over 20 years. So, I've interviewed thousands of people, but entrepreneurs, not that many, and yet they have the best stories. They're solving big problems, and they're creating an incredible impact. But it is hard work. So, why would they do this? Let's find out.

Leah 01:06

Joining me in studio today is Jenn Hunter, co-founder and director of operations for PayShepherd, a contractor management platform for heavy industry. Hey, Jenn.

Jenn 01:14

Hey, Leah.

Leah 01:16

Thanks so much for doing this.

Jenn 01:17

Of course happy to.

Leah 01:19

So fun to have you in the studio. Let's go right back to the beginning, as we do with all of these conversations, how did you actually get into entrepreneurship?

Jenn 01:27

I wouldn't have thought that I would be an entrepreneur. It definitely wasn't something I thought about growing up. But it wasn't something I was exposed to a lot. But a colleague that I'd worked with for many years had, you know, left the company that we were both at, and he was starting something and he asked if my husband and I wanted to invest. And so I actually got to kick the can without taking a lot of risk. I still had a full-time job, I didn't have to, you know, lose that financial security for my family. But I was able to kind of join the hustle and see what that was like. And it was a really great stepping stone for me to actually take it on full-time, which I would consider kind of the real baby as PayShepherd.

Leah 02:01

Okay, cool. So, you dipped your toe in the water with this first operation? And how did you feel about it? Even from the get-go? What did it feel like to you?

Jenn 02:10

I mean, it felt really natural for me like the hustle, you kind of like picking up the evenings and...

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Amaan Banwait, Co-Founder and Chief Commercialization Officer at PurposeMed, takes us through his journey from a management consultant to a healthcare-focused leader with the Clinton Foundation to Co-Founder of PurposeMed. He explains how each of PurposeMed’s brands serve different underserved communities, including Freddie—which supports HIV prevention, Frida—which focuses on ADHD and mental health diagnosis and treatment, and Foria—which offers expert gender-affirming care.

Amaan shares the complex challenges PurposeMed faces in overcoming barriers, such as social stigma towards their target audience and high specialist wait times. He also discusses how PurposeMed’s tech-driven approach enables patients to receive comprehensive care from diagnosis to treatment, no matter where they live in North America.

Amaan also gives insight into PurposeMed’s shift from a revenue-focused business model to a bottom-line-oriented business model—an essential transition for building a sustainable organization in healthcare without compromising results. As Amaan opens up about his personal growth and leadership journey, he reveals his commitment to continue making a global impact in healthcare, with future aspirations that include applying PurposeMed’s learnings to emerging markets. This conversation offers an inspiring look into the complexities of healthcare innovation and the personal drive needed to make a lasting impact in the lives of others.

About Amaan Banwait

Amaan is a Co-Founder and Chief Commercialization Officer of PurposeMed. PurposeMed delivers complex healthcare to underserved communities through various brands such as Freddie, which is Canada's largest HIV prevention service and Frida, which provides mental healthcare online. Amaan was previously the Co-Founder of Ilara Health, a VC-backed provider of affordable diagnostics for African clinics. He was also previously a manager at the Clinton Foundation, helping the Government of Uganda scale up its HIV/AIDS programs, and a consultant at Bain & Company. He holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BComm from UBC.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• Ilara Health
• The Clinton Foundation
• Freddie
• Frida
• Foria
• Landmark

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Contact Thin Air Labs:

• Website: ThinAirLabs.ca
• LinkedIn: Thin Air Labs
• X: Thin Air Labs
• YouTube: Thin Air Labs

Contact Amaan Banwait | PurposeMed:

• Website: purposemed.com
• Linkedin: AmaanBanwait

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Transcript:

Amaan 00:02

Going back for me, growing up, I always knew I wanted to do something good for the world. I wanted to make a difference. I didn't know what that was, that you know, the flavour of that changed many times over, but ultimately, sort of kicked off with my time at the Clinton Foundation. And, you know, I've kind of weaved impact into my work and my story in different ways since then.

Leah 00:20

Hi, thanks for being here. And welcome to Season Two of The Founder Mindset, brought to you by ATB. I'm Leah Sarich, your host, and I'm super excited to talk to more Founders about the human experience of being an entrepreneur. In this podcast, we're digging into what it really feels like to build a company from nothing. I was a broadcaster for over 20 years. So I've interviewed thousands of people, but entrepreneurs, not that many. And yet they have the best stories. They're solving big problems. And they're creating incredible impact. But it is hard work. So why would they do this? Let's find out. Joining me today is Amaan Banwait, Co-Founder and Chief Commercialization Officer of PurposeMed, a company improving access to complex health care for underserved communities. Amaan, thank you so much for being here.

Amaan 01:19

Thank you so much for having me.

Leah 01:20

I just love the work that you are doing, to be very clear. I've done a little bit of research on you, and I'm deeply impressed. You're the Co-Founder of another company as well, with PurposeMed, but al...

“This is a guy, an accidental entrepreneur, with a low risk tolerance - a guy who stumbled into entrepreneurship because someone opened a door for him, and now he talks about it like a north star. He’s got it.” —James Lochrie on ZayZoon CEO Darcy Tuer

In this episode of The Founder Mindset, Darcy Tuer, Co-founder and CEO of ZayZoon, chats with Leah about:

• Why he’s continually drawn to being a founder
• How he thinks about rejection
• What he’s learned from facing several ‘go or no go’ points in his startup journey

BONUS CONTENT

At the end of the episode, Leah gets reaction to her conversation with Darcy from James Lochrie, Managing Partner of Thin Air Labs.

Hear how James deeply respects Darcy’s desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, how he shares Darcy’s low risk tolerance and love of problem-solving as risk mitigation. And learn more about James and Darcy’s love of the Calgary innovation ecosystem.