In today's episode, we chat with Joe Spector. Joe is Founder and CEO at Dutch, an online veterinary pet telehealth service. He is also an investor and advisor to several startups in the healthcare space.

Fleeing from Uzbekistan at a young age, Joe experienced a massive culture shock. However, it didn't stop him from adapting to his new environment and learning new things, including English. 

It wasn't an easy path, though. Because of financial issues, Joe had to work nonstop during college to support himself. He learned the value of hard work and education early, leading him to his entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode, Joe shares his experiences right after college, going to business school, and finding his passion for entrepreneurship. We also get to hear the history of Hims, a telehealth company that he co-founded in 2017, and Dutch, his current company.

Finally, Joe tells us valuable insights on entrepreneurship and the lessons he learned in his journey.

Episode Quotes:

On the challenges he faced as an immigrant

A lot of these things, later on, led me to this entrepreneurial journey by giving me a very thick skin, by making me feel comfortable with the uncomfortable because I've had to learn everything that was just so foreign entirely from scratch. I also think it made me empathetic to other immigrant experiences and other experiences where someone may feel outside of their comfort zone.

What he learned on his startup journey

I started my first failed startup right after business school and I would say that sort of created this journey where I worked in a number of other startups and all of that led me to Hims where really it started off just like other startups; it was an idea on a piece of paper. But along the way, I learned the people I need to surround myself with. I built up relationships. I built up more confidence and more strategy. And so, by the time Hims came around, I think I had a lot of battle scars that made that experience go significantly better. 

On being an investor and a mentor

I wanted to stay in health care because I think the mission aspect of it is something that resonates. One thing I was saying earlier is that realization in my twenties that there's more to life than making money. I want to have a positive impact on the world around me and I think healthcare is kind of one of those areas. And as far as advising and mentorship, I've had mentors who have had an immense impact on me, and I think, again, I’d like to give back and mentor and pay it forward. 

Advice for students

Take advantage of the multiple experiences that are available. And don't have horse blinders on in your undergrad. Use that moment to do things that feel uncomfortable.

Advice for entrepreneurs

Don't take no for an answer. And change is constant. If you're having a bad day or something's not working, that's not forever. But at the same time, you're in control of your destiny. I think another one, and this is my mantra for this year, is that I don't have to react to everything right away. You can take a moment as long as you need because again, with startups, it just seems like you have to decide right away, but know that you can take a pause and not answer everything immediately. 

Show Links:

• LinkedIn Profile
• Dutch Pet, Inc.

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