Andrea So-Trgovcich of Wellness Integrated Network
Meet Andrea So-Trgovcich, founder of
Wellness Integrated Network, a website platform that helps manage diet and nutrition.
What is Wellness Integrated Network?
Wellness Integrated Network is a web/mobile platform that helps consumers stay compliant when it comes to diet and nutrition. It provides the consumer with menu plans, recipes, grocery lists and e- coupons. WIN saves average consumers time and money while encouraging them and rewarding them to stay healthy.
Why did you start your business? How did you come up with the idea?
I started WIN because I saw a real need as a wellness coordinator dealing with clients and with my own family's needs. My son was diagnosed pre-diabetic and my mother had an auto-immune disease. There was nothing out there that that had the functionality I needed, an everyday wellness tool, something that could be used at the point of sale when decisions are made – to make consumer choices clearer and also to track data.
What resources or organizations in Ohio did you take advantage of, and how did they help?
I got involved with Jumpstart around 2 1/2 years ago. I am also currently involved with BioEnterprise. I believe big in networking and I spend a lot of time attending events put on by these organizations.
What was the biggest surprise in starting your business?
I think my biggest surprise was how long everything took from funding to forming strategic alliances and partnerships. You have to be willing to wait and not give up ever.
Where did you find your first employee?
JumpStart introduced me to Bert Gray, my CEO. He was the CEO of Direct Notify Alert Systems and was formerly Vice President of business development at Oracle Corporation. He took his company from start to acquisition in just over three years.
What are some of the advantages to doing business in Ohio?
Ohio has great initiatives to build high tech jobs – the Third Frontier initiatives, and organizations like JumpStart and BioEnterprise. Their valuable services are often at no cost, which is huge for start-up companies.
What inspires you?
What inspires me is making a difference. I am passionate about helping people. I think my platform can make real difference in improving our healthcare system and help consumers achieve their wellness goals. I'm inspired when I see the progress of the company and the excitement it is generating now.
What companies or founders do you admire and why?
The two founders I most admire are Mark Zuckerberg because of his success as he connected the world in a truly simple everyday tool. (I have a similiar product only it has to do with food.) The other is Oprah simply because she built an empire and did it with passion and class.
What’s next for you and your company?
The next step is to soft test the product over the next few weeks to work out any kinks in the system. We will then launch to companies that have signed letters of intent to use our product.
Writer: Catherine Podojil