Curious about startup life in the Midwest? Thoughts from an executive at one of the region’s fastest growing tech companies
Matt Brennessel is the VP, Pharmacy Solutions and a founding team member at ScriptDrop — where he is responsible for implementing impactful solutions for ScriptDrop’s pharmacy customers and managing the company’s vast network of courier partners. We caught up with him to learn more about his role and what life’s like building a tech company in the Midwest.
Q: Is this the first start-up you’ve been a part of?
A: ScriptDrop is my first early-stage start-up, but prior to joining I spent nearly 5 years at CoverMyMeds.
Q: How early were you at CoverMyMeds?
A: I joined CoverMyMeds in early 2013 as employee number 50.
Q: What was your role there?
A: I started in Account Management, working to enhance and scale an integrated prior authorization solution for pharmacies. As the company grew at a remarkable rate, I was fortunate to be able to grow my industry knowledge and skills along with it. Over the course of my employment, I had the benefit of being involved with all aspects of the pharmacy vertical and collaborating with other parts of the business.
Q: So let’s talk about ScriptDrop. Were you earlier there?
A: Yes. I can proudly count myself among the founding team members.
In as few words as possible to do it justice…. what/who/when/where/why is ScriptDrop?
A fast-growing team of passionate, people driven by the opportunity to create meaningful change in healthcare.
What makes you and your team the one to make this happen?
A: We have been fortunate to field a highly-talented team that connects with the core values that create a great company and culture. We all understand the work required to make a real impact on our industry, and no one here is afraid of rolling up their sleeves.
Q: What was your role at ScriptDrop when you joined? How has it changed?
A: One of the coolest things about joining an early-stage startup is the ability to try your hand at various roles. Although it is often based out of necessity rather than choice, it provides an opportunity to realize new strengths within yourself and develop skills that may not have been needed at past jobs. Joining ScriptDrop, I expected the majority of my focus to remain on pharmacy-related items. Shortly after I joined the company, the growth of our pharmacy solution created the need to become involved with managing our customer support team, our courier relations and overall operations as a whole.
Q: Seems like it’s working — you grew your network by 1400% last year… What? How?
A: Can’t overstate the team effort, but we also have a CEO that is exceptional at challenging those around him to dream bigger; then do what it takes to make it a reality.
Q: Of the thousands of patients you’re serving across hundreds of cities daily, you’ve got one out there that’s 104 years old… how does that make you feel?
A: Thankful. Being surrounded by amazing people is reason enough to appreciate your job. But knowing that the work put in directly results in helping that patient is truly humbling. It’s also an inexhaustible source of motivation.
Q: What is the best thing about working at a startup?
A: One of the more significant realizations made during my time at ScriptDrop is how many self-imposed limitations we accrue over the course of a career and lifetime. They are acquired as our skills become specialized, our roles become more segmented and the ambition that once drove us to challenge ourselves fades. Joining an early-stage startup forces one to realize these limitations and face them head on, which can create a level of empowerment that extends far past the workplace. At first, seeing this in myself was my favorite part about working at a startup. Now, it is seeing it in others.
Q: You’ve raised money and grown fast in the Midwest. What tips would you give to other Midwestern founders looking to raise early stage venture?
- Big things are possible right where you are. You don’t need to head to the west coast to find a VC that can get behind a big vision and help you execute it.
- You’re not alone. Take advantage of the opportunities to engage with other founders and startups and see how they tackled the challenges keeping you up at night.
Q: For the non-founders out there, would you recommend working at a start-up?
A: Absolutely, but it’s not for everyone. Assuming you’ve done the research on the organization, can get behind the mission, and find the culture to be a good fit, the decision to join can still seem daunting because….THERE WILL ALWAYS BE UNCERTAINTY. This is a lesson as true in the startup world as it is in life. Ultimately, the decision on whether or not to take the job boils down to the ability to bet on yourself. “Will you be able to get up to speed and contribute?” “Can you have a direct impact on whether or not the company is successful?” And most importantly, “will you always find a way to land on your feet, even if things don’t pan out?” These were the questions I had to answer within myself before I could make the leap, and I encourage others to consider them. Also, if you’ve ever said “that’s not my job” in the workplace, I would not recommend joining a startup.
Q: What does 2019 hold for ScriptDrop?
A: Some exciting new partnerships will allow us to create additional service offerings and scale them quickly. Innovation will lead us to more ways to make a meaningful impact for patients.
About ScriptDrop
ScriptDrop provides pharmacies with an integrated workflow for managing prescription deliveries and boasts a network of HIPAA-Certified courier partners that can reach any patient in the nation. Through focus on operational efficiency and healthcare regulation compliance, the company’s cost-effective offering is quickly becoming the solution of choice for pharmacy operations, both large and small. Visit www.scriptdrop.co for more information.
Twitter: @ScriptDrop
About Matt Brennessel
Matt is responsible for implementing impactful solutions for ScriptDrop’s pharmacy customers and managing the company’s vast network of courier partners. Prior to joining ScriptDrop, Matt led a team responsible for managing the use and implementation of an industry-leading solution in many of the nation’s retail, long-term care and specialty pharmacies. Matt is an adamant supporter of enhancing pharmacy, patient and provider experiences through innovation in health care.
About Midwest Startups
Midwest Startups is the best resource for all things startups and tech in the Midwest. Create one profile to access job opportunities at several dozen venture-backed tech startups in the Midwest. Developed by M25 — one of the most active early-stage investors across the region — to create a hub for aspiring and experienced talent to easily access the fastest-growing companies where they want to work.
Twitter: @MidwestStartups
