The Family Business with Matt Kaufman

Compliments from unexpected sources resonate. They stay with you. In some cases, it builds the confidence for a person to accomplish extraordinary feats.

On this episode of The Family Business, we sat down with Michelle Ortiz. When she was growing up in Puerto Rico, her pediatrician remarked on how intelligent she was and to consider being a biomedical engineer. Michelle took the compliment to heart and since then she has gone on to have a stellar career along with a beautiful family. My favorite part of the story is that she is still in touch with this woman and she shares all of her achievements with her. Ripples in a pond. All it took was one sincere comment from a person she respected. Michelle can tell a story. Some funny stuff throughout her time at Smith & Nephew CONMED Corporation and currently at DSM. We laughed during the entire conversation. Incredibly candid. I will not spoil some of the surprises. Trust me it is worth watching the entire chat. Big reveal.

Got to finally ask the question I have been wondering for 19 years.

What does it feel like being a kid told by your parents that we are moving for a new job?

Always heard, "Oh they are fine with it. Kids make friends easily, blah blah". Wondered, is that really what happens? I always imagined dishes flying and doors slamming.

As luck would have it, on this episode of the Family Business we sit with both Christie Blakely and Lauren B.. We get to the bottom of the big family move. Both of them are in the orthopedic space and have made significant impact for patients around the world. People would say "like mother, like daughter". In this case, they are both profoundly independent. Colleagues of a sort.

On top of it, they are rather funny. Some great stories about her Dad raising two daughters while Mom's career flourished. Figuring out pony tails and other important tasks.

Christie is leading sales and marketing at Geistlich Pharma AG while Lauren is forging her own path at DJO. First time in this program that we had a parent and child both in the medical device industry. Compelling perspective and banter between the two.

Go Gators.

The man worked at NATO and for a 4 star general. Sounds like the beginning of a James Bond movie. You wonder how successful executives get started. Here is your chance to hear one hell of a story...

Here is Carsten Schroeder or 008. As good a person as I know in the healthcare industry. What makes him truly amazing is his genuine care and regard for his family and his workmates. In this episode of The Family Business, we will learn how a test in 5th grade sent him on a path to impacting thousands of lives while at MicroVention-Terumo Grifols Novartis and Boston Scientific.

His love of animals that he shares with his family is also discussed with his adoption of a lonely dog on the side of the road and a lame horse. Quite a guy. Quite a family.

Here is a piece of information that will make you go "Huh, that makes sense"

Apparently in Switzerland the term for Godfather is Gotti. I know, right?

In this episode of The Family Business (pun intended here) we break new ground. In this conversation are the Co-CEO's of VirtaMed - Stefan Tuchschmid and Raimundo Sierra. In addition to creating the most advanced surgical simulation technology I have ever seen, they both are dedicated family men.

They went to the same PhD program and developed a friendship that has forged not only the bonds of building a business together, Stefan asked Raimundo to be Gotti to his youngest child. Quite an honor. Okay, I'll say it - he gave him an offer he couldn't refuse...

The conversation covers what it is like being Co-CEO's, using social media to describe their culture and adjusting to the pandemic with a mobile van showcasing their simulator. Truly brilliant folks and their company is thriving.

Quick note to those manufacturers that laughed at or ignored Poorvi Patodia. Might want to look up Biena Snacks.

To steal a line from Pretty Woman: Big mistake.

In this episode of The Family Business, we hear how a start up in the consumer goods industry gets off the ground. Her company has taken off and is on the shelves of over 15,000 stores including Whole Foods Market. Poorvi literally had chick peas all over her apartment all while being married and having a baby. She had a blossoming career in healthcare going and decided to take the unlikeliest of routes and bring a healthy snack to the market based on what she ate as a child.

Some funny stories of her convincing her family to be the tasters of countless versions and flavors, explaining what she is doing instead of her corporate career and ignoring anyone who doubted her.

Truly inspiring as she is incredibly humble. Talk about the 1% of the 1%.

So what did we learn?

Apparently Stacey Porter is the "cop" of her house. Also, her son Henry is a scene stealer.

In this episode of The Family Business, we unpack incredible insight on how to build a culture while building a family. Stacey has had an extraordinary career with Intuitive and now with the prolific dialysis corporation Outset Medical, Inc. She manages all of this with a combination of style, kindness and humor.

All while raising her precocious teenager and married to a brilliant architect. Love this conversation as we get to hear how the sausage was made developing these well known corporate cultures.

Never knew there was such a thing as a Fencing mom. Leave it to the incomparable Mika Nishimura to be this anomaly.

In this episode of the Family Business, I caught up with her about her life, family and career. She has lived, folks. Brilliant, determined, successful and downright funny.

Great stories about her Dad helping her with MBA studies and then sliding a loan agreement under her nose at a "friends and family rate" and her attempt to be a stay at home mom which lasted for a cup of coffee.

Cannot say enough about her as a person. Quick to help anyone and promote women in business at every opportunity. She is on a few Boards and offers guidance on women who are looking to ascend there. She has been doing extraordinary work throughout her career building companies and currently at Gilde Healthcare. 

Is it okay to enjoy being an empty nester? Apparently so according to John Lockhart and his wife Danielle.  In true funny Lockhart fashion they determined that yeah, we are pretty good with their kids leaving… In this episode of The Family Business I sit down with John who has had an unparalleled career at Penumbra, Inc. and with REAL System by Penumbra, Inc. What I did not know is how Danielle would steal the show. She should take her act on stage. The conversation is candid, lively and incredibly genuine. My favorite line so far is "Pipe down, Twin". They have a set and we had a great time giggling at twins wanting to be considered independent from each other. 

Being a parent means that whatever your kids are carrying, you are carrying.

In this episode of The Family Business, we connect with Ariel Klein Sutton. She has built a phenomenal career and is currently making a difference for #stroke patients as the EVP Marketing with Imperative Care.

We were speaking about allergies and how they affect children. She shared a story about her son and how her mother's intuition likely saved his life. She then went on to become a substantial supporter of organizations focused on children's allergies.

All this while she and her husband build their careers and raise their three boys. Quite a story.