201: Martial Trigeaud – The French Champion Cyclist Making Heart Surgery More Effective and Efficient
It’s another week of the Startup Junkies Podcast! This week, Caleb Talley, Jeff Amerine, Jeff Standridge, and Matthew Ward talk with Martial Trigeaud, serial entrepreneur and Chief Operating Officer of Vascugenix Incorporated. Vascuegenix Inc. is a medical device company focused on developing innovative products to improve patient safety during interventional cardiology procedures. In this episode, you will hear about Martial’s journey from France, his illustrious cycling resume, and Vascugenix’s innovative product called the Speed-Torque. We hope you enjoy this exciting episode!
Show Notes:
(00:34) Intro
(01:52) Martial’s Story
(04:34) Vascugenix Incorporated Overview
(10:30) What are the plans for vascular genetics?
(12:32) The transition from advisor to a member of an executive team
(15:58) Let’s talk cycling
(26:27) Work-Life differences between France and the United States
(28:05) Martial’s Remodeling projects
(30:05) If you could take all the knowledge you’ve accumulated at your current age and give your younger self advice when you were starting your journey, what would that advice be?
(32:53) Close
Quotes
“And that’s why I feel Vascugenix is going to be a very successful company because we really think about the 360 view from the worst scenario to the best scenario and everything in between.” (14:53)
So I feel like sometimes we need to push a little bit on people, but I understand at the same time, you don’t want to push too hard on people because it’s complex. Life in the US is very complex because you have family issues, financial issues. I mean, I understand all of that. I think we should do a mix of both where we need to push people a little bit more, but manage them correctly for them to do a good job. (27:28)
“Be a learner. The first thing is to learn how to learn. Understand what is valuable and what is not valuable.” (30:24)
Links:
Anatomy of a Successful Startup
Turning an idea into a fully functional business takes a ton of hard work and patience. There is never a clear-cut road to success. That being the case, there are many characteristics that successful startups all have in common. Martial Trigeaud, COO of Vascugenix, was kind enough to share his experience and insights to paint a clear picture of five characteristics in the anatomy of a successful startup.
Characteristic 1: Identify a Problem
A successful startup should clearly define and identify the problem they aim to solve. Looking at competitor products and determining their faults is a great way to start. In the case of Vascugenix, the team was able to identify weaknesses with existing “widgets” for implanting stents into hearts. Current market offerings were difficult to maneuver and tied up both of the surgeons’ hands. This became an especially problematic issue when accounting for the fact that there is no direct imaging technology to show surgeons what is going on. They must perform the procedure with a contrast image.
Vascugenix saw their opportunity and developed a revolutionary new way for surgeons to administer a stent through the patient’s artery. Their product is inexpensive, easily accessible, can be used without visual cues, and is designed for single-handed operation. By identifying the problem, they were able to develop a targeted solution.
Characteristic 2: Rock Solid Cornerstones
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Good Plan
To create the best opportunity for a startup to succeed, you must develop a solid business plan to define your operation.
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Good Story
A good plan is not enough though you also need a compelling story that inspires the market.
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Good Product
To cap off this startup trifecta, you need to develop a good product.
When choosing to partner with Vascugenix, Martial knew the startup had fully developed all three of these cornerstones, which gave him all the confidence in the world that they would succeed.
Characteristic 3: Work-Life Balance
Work Habits
For those creating startups, developing the correct work habits and workplace culture is crucial to long-term success. Martial notes that in his home country of France, the work culture and expectations are very different from those in the United States. He suggests that the startups embrace a workplace culture that falls within the goldilocks zone.
To do this, he states that the workplace should never be based on principles such as the “enough is never enough” attitude of France. He then says that more should be expected from people than in the United States workplace where the goals can be met without giving the best effort.
Get a Hobby, Stay Social
Entrepreneurs and founders of startups must maintain healthy social relationships and develop meaningful hobbies in their pursuits. For Martial, his passion was cycling. This provided an outlet for the stress and tension that came with the entrepreneurial lifestyle and moving to a new country.
Characteristic 4: Your Mindset is the Key To Your Success
The most critical characteristic that entrepreneurs who are yearning to build a successful startup can develop is learning the power of mindset. Martial illustrates this perfectly through a story from his younger cycling days. He noticed that he was losing speed, and despite rigorous training, he could not get it back. It was when he realized that his mind was not on the same page with his body that he understood just how powerful a frame of mind could be in the success of any pursuit.
Characteristic 5: Don’t Wait To Learn Anything
Martial’s most important insight to the entrepreneur who dreams of startup success is to never wait on a school to teach you what you need to know. Entrepreneurs need to learn how to learn and be willing to seek knowledge on their own terms.
He notes that in France, you are told how to plan your future and learn. Martial then says that one of the most surprising aspects of the United States regarding entrepreneurship and startups is the freedom to choose a path, and learn on our own terms.
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