Meet Jennifer Devening of YourHealth. YourHealth makes it easy to manage, summarize and share healthcare information and personal directives in an emergency. Your information is accessible 24/7 as an Emergency Care Card that is available digitally on a mobile app, desktop, with personalized QR codes or on a printed card. We had the opportunity to speak with their founder Jennifer Devening to learn more about her journey, passion and how her health journey evolved into a solution. Check out the details of what her team is up to at YourHealth.

What’s your story? How did you get here?

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. I quickly learned how take control of a chronic disease and become an active patient curator and captain of my journey. With multiple doctors, patient portals, changes in medications and too many medical records to count, I needed to bring order to the chaos of cancer. I took my executive skills and created a personal framework that provided better knowledge, control and organization over her disease. This was the inspiration for YourHealth.

What problem are you trying to solve?

We live in a world where we depend on quick and easy access to information. Most critical are those essential documents and instructions that protect our health and wellbeing. At no time is this more essential than when facing a health emergency, or making vital life decisions. Enabling immediate, secure access for ourselves, medical professionals, families and loved ones can mean the difference between health and tragedy. Until now there was no easy way for an individual to collect, maintain and distribute critical health information and care instructions.

How many pitches did you give to get funding?

None yet, we are bootstrapped.

What keeps you up at night?

How hard it is for people to manage their own health care data and how difficult healthcare systems make it for patients.

What is your favorite beverage?

Non-Alcoholic, cold bottled water and on occasion, a really good Margarita.

Are you a risk-taker and/or how did you learn to embrace risk-taking?

I wouldn’t call myself a risk taker but a problem solver that can identify an opportunity and start building a solution based on the market opportunity.

Have you had to pivot since your initial idea/product/solution?

Yes, of course. We had a deeper initial focus on people with chronic conditions. After deeper engagement with this group and others it became obvious that the solution was valuable to everyone that wants to keep their health information organized and available 24/7.

What is something that fits into the “If I knew then what I know now” category?

I had consulted and advised startups earlier in my career about business plans and raising funding. No matter how much you think you know, raising funds is still hard.  You have kiss a lot of frogs and frogettes to find a match that works for both parties.

What are your passions/interests outside work?

Besides High Tech and healthcare, my passion is riding horses. For the last 12 years, I have jumped and shown horses competitively. This passion has kept me happy, whole and fill me with joy during my cancer journey. If I am not working, you will find me at the barn or at a horse show. 

Do you have any pets?

Yes, I have two Chihuahua/Terrier rescue mix dogs- Oso (Bear in Spanish), 10 and my new dog, Zelle, who is 3 and named in honor of my Dad’s last hunting dog.

What is one thing people don’t know/misconception of being a founder?

Don’t try starting a company unless you have an unwavering passion that can fulfill you in hard times.

Make sure you think about a problem and solution through the lens of your customer’s journey and needs. 

What advice would you give someone starting their own business?

Seek out trusted executives and advisors that will have your back no matter what happens.

Debbie is co-founder, chief of customer success at Buzzy Rocket and yellow lab lover. From LA to London, she is well known as an expert in creating that certain elusive magic that drives explosive growth at the intersection of companies, customers and mobile. She has proven strategic vision, and isn’t afraid to get in the trenches. In fact, she’s been doing this at companies big and small for 25+ years. Her background includes executive level positions at both public companies and startups where she has proven over and over again that her passion, drive and results oriented perspective get it done. She is tenacious, loves the game changer and loves to win.

Debbie is co-founder, chief of customer success at Buzzy Rocket and yellow lab lover. From LA to London, she is well known as an expert in creating that certain elusive magic that drives explosive growth at the intersection of companies, customers and mobile. She has proven strategic vision, and isn’t afraid to get in the trenches. In fact, she’s been doing this at companies big and small for 25+ years. Her background includes executive level positions at both public companies and startups where she has proven over and over again that her passion, drive and results oriented perspective get it done. She is tenacious, loves the game changer and loves to win.