From Corporate to Startup to Building a Unicorn w/ John Figueroa

Careers are a funny thing. We build them and nurture them and then, for some of us, we switch gears and chase our dream to build a unicorn startup. It can be a scary place for most folks. But when you have an established career in the healthcare space, you’ve got a lot of leverage that you might not know you can capitalize on. This week, we sit down with John Figueroa, Founder and CEO of Carepath Rx. He shares some of the strategies he used to do just that: chase the dream of a unicorn startup that changes healthcare - for the better. Touching on everything from how to leverage relationships you’ve built over the years to understanding the criteria and framework for a true unicorn business, John brings it all to the table for listeners. Maybe you’ve been thinking about how you need a change, or want to make a difference, or would really like to put your idea to the test. Whatever your reasons, if you’re considering a change in perspective for your career, you’re going to want to tune in! Here are the show highlights: Switching gears from an established career to a startup (7:11) How to leverage your experience (and relationships) to open doors (11:28) Why service innovation is a form of product innovation (14:01) How digital technology can make America healthier (17:39) A breakdown of the unicorn criteria (18:36) Healthcare trends to watch for (23:55)  Guest Bio John Figueroa is the Chairman and CEO of CarepathRx, a company providing innovative pharmacy solutions to hospital health systems. In his 30-year career in the healthcare industry, John has served as CEO of Genoa Health, Chairman and CEO of Apria Healthcare Group and Coram LLC, CEO and Board Member of Omnicare, Inc. and President of McKesson Corporation’s U.S. Pharmaceutical Group. Honored with the Distinguished Alumnus and Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Inspired Leadership Award, he went on to receive the Supply Chain Executive of the Decade award from the Global Supply Chain Leaders Group (GSCLG) and served as a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army as well as serving with the 12th Special Forces Group. John received his Bachelor’s degrees in both English Literature and Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles, and his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. If you’d like to know more about John and CarepathRx, visit their website at carepathrxllc.com.