The Early Days: Building Foundations and Facing Challenges
For nearly three years, I’ve served as the Chief Operating Officer of Lifesten Health, a role that has significantly shaped my career and expanded my experience as a healthcare provider. The journey began with my co-founder, Stephen Ogweno, whose shared vision and commitment have been crucial in keeping us grounded and focused on our mission. The first year was a whirlwind of experimentation and adjustments as we tried to identify what would best serve our market. Weekly brainstorming sessions produced over 100 ideas, requiring us to continually prioritize and refine our approach.
Expanding the Team and Seeking Partnerships
Initially, my responsibilities centered around the day-to-day operations, but as we evolved, my focus shifted to building partnerships. Convincing potential collaborators to join us based on just an idea was challenging yet rewarding. As we began app development, our team expanded from just the two of us to five members. It became my task to ensure that all efforts were aligned with Lifesten’s objectives.
Funding and Operational Growth
Securing funding was the next critical step, enabling us to approach the market and gain traction. Through our collaboration with the HealthTech Hub, I managed operations for an internal team of 14 while training and supporting over 70 agents. This phase also involved organizing outreach activities and forging partnerships with key stakeholders in both the government and private sectors. Continuous monitoring and evaluation (M&E) ensured that we stayed on track with our goals, while providing regular reporting to keep our funders and stakeholders informed.
Advocating for Health Equity
A core element of my role at Lifesten is advocating for health equity. My master’s degree ingrained in me the importance of equitable healthcare delivery. Every solution we design aims to bridge the accessibility gap and reduce existing fragmentation in care. I see this as my biggest role in the healthtech space let alone Lifesten Health. Technology should bring access close to last mile communities and be leveraged on to create a more informed and healthy community.
Lessons Learned: Flexibility, Teamwork, and Collaboration
Throughout this journey, I’ve learned invaluable lessons;
- Flexibility in timelines is essential, especially in the ever-changing startup environment.
- The importance of a strong team cannot be overstated—our success has largely been due to our talented and dedicated members.
- Despite the common advice against partnering with friends, the friendship Stephen and I have developed has been a cornerstone of our success, allowing us to leverage each other’s strengths and support each other’s growth.
- Collaboration over competition has also proven beneficial. The market is vast, and working together with other institutions and even competitors can lead to mutually advantageous outcomes. Approaching potential partners with an open mind often yields unexpected and rewarding results.
Overcoming Challenges: Gender Bias and Regulatory Hurdles
Challenges are inherent in the startup world, especially in healthtech. I’m fortunate that within Lifesten, I’ve experienced respect and equality. However, outside the company, gender bias persists. Investors often prefer to communicate with my male co-founder, and stakeholders sometimes delay or postpone meetings if he isn’t available. Knowing which battles to fight helps maintain focus on what truly matters which is building Lifesten into the leading healthtech company in our region.
Regulatory challenges are another significant hurdle. Healthtech being a new sector means that regulators are still developing appropriate frameworks. This has led to time-consuming and sometimes redundant approval processes. Despite these obstacles, collaboration and persistence have been key in navigating these regulatory landscapes.
Looking Ahead: Continuing the Journey
Starting Lifesten, we understood that achieving product-market fit would take time, but the waiting never gets easier. Being part of the HealthTech Hub has been invaluable, allowing us to share insights and learn from more advanced startups. The journey continues, driven by a commitment to innovation, equity, and collaboration.
In reflecting on our path, I’m reminded that growth and success in healthtech require not just vision and determination but also a willingness to adapt, collaborate, and advocate for what is right. The lessons learned and the relationships built along the way have been as valuable as the milestones we’ve achieved.
Lifesten Health 