When it comes to umbilical cord blood, there are a lot of misconceptions and myths floating around. This startup founder is looking to change all that. Through her work as an entrepreneur, she is reshaping the discourse surrounding umbilical cord blood. She's breaking down the myths and educating people about the benefits of cord blood banking.
The dedication and enthusiasm of this pioneer will surely change public perception toward umbilical cord blood. Thanks for all you're doing, founder!
In conversation with Anja Health, Kathryn Cross shared what drives her towards her dream startup.
An Unprecedented Business Idea
During the Covid19 lockdown, Kathryn Cross explored business ideas that would bring a positive impact on society. She got the notion to launch a small business management and marketing consulting firm - Bridge Strategy.
Kathryn wanted to use her financial services and management consulting background to help companies struggling to digitize and connect with tech-savvy younger customers.
Kathryn drew out a business plan to put her ideas into action. She made presentations to all of her school groups and used social media to find clients. Her unwavering efforts paid off in the form of new clients. Kathryn learned many entrepreneurial experiences while putting her formative educational experience into practice at Bridge Strategy. Her experience running a Gen-Z-focused marketing consultancy aided her in developing and running Anja Health, her dream startup.
On a Mission
Kathryn Cross, the founder of Anja Health, personalized cord blood banking, is on a mission to change the way people think about umbilical cord blood. She aims to educate people about the potential benefits of cord blood banking and dispel the myths.
Cord blood is a type of blood that is harvested from the umbilical cord immediately after a baby is born. This blood is rich in stem cells, which can be used to treat many diseases and disorders. While cord blood has been used for medical treatments for decades, it has only recently begun to gain mainstream attention.
Driven By Purpose
Kathryn lost her brother Andrew to pneumonia and cerebral palsy. As a result of her loss, she decided to pursue a career in medicine. Women's health, in particular, drew her attention. Kathryn knew that umbilical cord blood banking is FDA-approved to cure about 85 conditions, including leukemia, solid tumors, metabolic issues, and the potential to help many others, like her brother. She wanted to create awareness around this.
Kathryn took advantage of the social media craze to spread the word about the need for umbilical cord blood banking. Her Tik Tok videos have racked up millions of views on the internet.
Lead with Empathy without Losing the Voice
Kathryn is a strong advocate for compassionate leadership. She combines perseverance and empathy to get the outcomes she needs for her startup in the startup ecosystem, where it can be challenging to reach out to people, build brand awareness, and find investors.
In the face of adversity, Kathryn believes that failure is not an option - especially in healthcare. There is always more that can be done.
Kathryn always stays aware of the social dynamics and often calls out the injustice without hesitation.
Ask for Help
Kathryn believes that as an entrepreneur, you must wear several hats, from developing the business idea to operating operations, pricing, and client acquisition, among other things. However, there are instances when you may let others wear such hats - taking advantage of others' experiences and relinquishing some control has benefited her firm.
Good Leaders not Only Create Space but also make space.
According to Kathryn, a good leader is a good listener. And a team’s opinions and collaboration can make or break a business.
Stand Out from the Crowd
In today's startup world, it's more important than ever for women to have a strong voice, says Kathryn. Being the only woman in the room gives us a unique perspective that can be invaluable.
But it also means we have to work a little harder to be heard. So don't be afraid to speak up and share your ideas. You have something valuable to contribute. And who knows, you might inspire other women to join the fray. So go out there and make your mark!
We had a great experience knowing this startup founder. We believe that Kathryn Cross is a great role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, having started her entrepreneurial journey as a student, pushing her inner potential, and perceiving the healthcare gap as a business opportunity via personal experiences.
