Stephanie graduated from university with a degree in Medicine and subsequently trained as a Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon. Having spent almost eight years working in the NHS, Stephanie co-founded Doctify in 2013 in collaboration with Suman Saha and Daniel Jung (a former investment banker and business consultant). Doctify is revolutionising the global healthcare market, enabling patients to search, book and review medical specialists online. The software covers 47 different specialties and works with around 30,000 consultant doctors.
1. Best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Early on in my journey, I was told by an accomplished fellow entrepreneur to celebrate the small successes. However in the first few years, I was so impatient because every bit of next potential progress seemed so far away and so important compared to where we were in my mind. I always just kept thought, “What’s the next thing?”. The first review we collected, the first pound we raised, I didn’t really celebrate. Now, over 4 years into it, I understand his advice better than ever. I really push myself and the team from time to time to take a moment to breathe, reflect and enjoy.
2. Worst piece of advice you’ve been given?
“Trust me.” By investors, to hire ‘experienced staff’. In an early-stage company, you have to solve new problems creatively all the time. Experience is great, especially when you personally don’t excel in that field, but the potential to develop and learn is much more important. In fact, occasionally very experienced hires have been blocked and unable to detach from their experience to find new approaches.
3. What would you tell your younger self?
Try to take a breath once in a while, reset and gain perspective. Deeply passionate about life and work, I am not good at holding still or holding back! However, never taking a break can impact creativity and resilience- especially in my role as CEO. I need to make sure I take occasional time off as my mind needs to be razor-sharp all day. It’s been a learning curve and I continually aim to improve.
4. What excites you most about the future of your industry?
Healthcare as an industry has generally accepted that a technology revolution is taking place and there is a lot of willingness in the industry to embrace and drive development. I am very excited about the fact that big, established healthcare giants have recognised, that they can move much faster if they work with startups/smaller companies. In the last 12 months, we have closed deals with large insurance companies and hospital chains and are now an
integral part of their offering. I find this approach and these strong partnerships inspiring. There is a huge opportunity for small, young health tech companies out there.
5. Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
My late grandmother is my biggest inspiration. She was a refugee from Latvia and managed to build a flourishing dental practice in Vienna. In that sense, she was a fighter but she did this with such grace. She was positive, unbelievably kind and always saw the light in situations and good in people. Being able to hold these characteristics is my true goal in life.
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