Conscious Entrepreneurship: May I introduce Patrick Frank
Today I would like to introduce Patrick Frank, the co-founder of rightdevice, a venture backed health-tech company focused on creating a better patient experience through relatable connections between patients.
Born and raised in San Diego, Patrick set a goal to explore other lifestyles and industries across major cities in the United States. His passion for new experiences led him to work across a variety of industries including oil & gas, law, real-estate and healthcare. After traveling to Dallas and New York, he came back to California where he found himself unfulfilled from the work he was doing. So he did the only rational thing one would do. He quit his job without any idea of what he was going to do next. During this period of time, Rightdevice was founded. Simultaneously, he accepted a new role in consumer tech and over the next 3 years he spent his days at work, and nights building rightdevice. The decision to leave a stable role to pursue rightdevice full time with no salary, was one of the biggest risks he has ever taken. He knew he had to focus on creating a better patient experience.
CONSCIOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP — What meaning do you give this term?
Conscious entrepreneurship is creating with purpose and building for impact. This refers to being in tune with the greater purpose behind what you are building while focusing on how it will create the most amount of positive impact for whom you are doing it for. It is being aware that what you are doing is bigger than yourself.
MENTORS — We all need a little help along the journey. Who has been an invaluable mentor for you? Can you share a story about how they made an impact?
Greg Shepard who is the CEO and founder of BOSS capital has been invaluable to us throughout our founder journey. Originally when we pitched him our business, he passed on the opportunity financially, but offered to help through his mentorship and guidance at no cost. He continues to show me the power of creating availability in one’s life to give to others even when there is no monetary benefit on the other side.
TO THRIVE — When you see yourself thriving: Do you see yourself opening up opportunities for others along the way to participate in your success, and how?
With success comes responsibility, and that responsibility is not only to the company but to the people who helped you build it. Being able to create opportunities for people to lead, innovate, and challenge themselves is one of the greatest rewards of entrepreneurship. Supporting these individuals and giving them the resources they need to reach their own goals is critical for anyone who wants to be successful. Success is the culmination of positive impact that you have given to others both in and through your business.
CAUSE — What are the causes close to your heart, and you are supporting right now? Can you share a story how you got involved? How did it make you feel?
I recently began the process of starting my own non-profit organization that is focused on working with underprivileged entrepreneurs and connecting them to leaders in our community to provide resources and connections they would otherwise not have. After working with several individuals on my own, I found it to be one of the most rewarding activities I have ever been a part of and wanted to bring others into it. Stay tuned we are set to launch in 2021!
THE FUTURE — How do you see the face of entrepreneurship in 5 years? How do companies /brands need to adapt to secure their place in the future?
The face of entrepreneurship will continue to become younger and more diverse. The current focus on empowering overlooked groups of leaders will help drive new innovations into industries that have yet to adapt and improve. Legacy brands and companies need to be in tune with how social impact is driving changes and consumer behavior in order to continue to be relevant and grow.
ADVICE — What kind of advice would you like to give to an aspiring entrepreneur who feels limited due to their background or lack of resources?
It is not money, status, or your background that creates a successful entrepreneur. It is grit, passion and availability. Approach all of your problems with grit, and you will find a unique way to solve them. Bring passion into everything you do to inspire those around you. Finally, create availability in your life to opportunities and for others to constantly expand your mind and network.
DRIVE — Do you sometimes feel bad for “wanting more out of life”, and if so, why? What is your personal motivation that leads you through the hardships of entrepreneurship?
I never think it is a bad thing to want more out of life as long as you have the right motivations. There is a big difference between wanting a mansion, or a supercar versus wanting to create a new company, opportunity, or leading a cause. The “more out of life” is what you make it. What motivates me everyday are the people around me and the people that we are building this company for. We cannot let them down. My goal as an entrepreneur is to create social impact through new innovative companies and ideas. Through these endeavors I want to bring together and inspire a new group of world class leaders who will strive to do the same.
YOU — Is there anything you would like to share that we have not asked you here?
Starting a company, participating in a cause that you care about, or making a change in your life is sometimes looked upon as a daunting or impossible task. This thought prevents many of us from ever taking the first step. The fact is, that this step is the most important, and also much easier than you think. Instead of thinking of the barrier being, “I don’t know where to start?” or “How do I do this?” Realize that it is a mental barrier that you are creating for yourself. If there is something you want to do, or a change you want to make, do it. The worst that can happen is that you learn something that impacts what you do next. If you have started or are thinking about starting a company, reach out to me as I want to be available to you!
THANK YOU!
Reach out to Patrick on LinkedIn
Demee Koch about the MEDIUM interview series on CONSCIOUS ENTREPRENEURSHIP:
Conscious entrepreneurship for me is about building a sustainable business that values and respects the resources used and makes an effort of giving back to society.
I believe we need entrepreneurs to really get involved in the causes close to their heart.
This is why I reach out to entrepreneurs that aim for more than generating profit. With this interview, I aim to share entrepreneurial purpose-led passion to inspire others.
Looking forward to learn from you. Reach out to me via LinkedIn.
Demee ❤︎
