Daily Inspiration: Meet Jessica Bussert

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Bussert.

Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was working in a small town emergency room when a disabled vet came into my unit with the worst pressure injuries (bedsores) I had ever seen. He was septic and nearly dead. As I was taking care of him he said that his doctor had recommended an alternating pressure wheelchair cushion, but he couldn’t afford the $4,000 price. His story really touched me. I was outraged to think that a veteran who had served our country and now lived in a wheelchair was suffering this way because he was poor.

Shortly after this exchange, he was transferred to the main hospital. I never saw him again, but I never forgot his story. My background is an interesting combination of technology and health care, and I was confident that I could create a product that could be sold at an affordable price. After prototyping in my spare time for a couple of years I developed an idea that I knew would work better than what’s in the market and a way to make it affordable. I left nursing to found Wave Therapeutics and work full-time on bringing this new technology to market.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Sometimes this journey feels like a mountain range that never ends. Every time I think I’m reaching the peak I look up and see more mountains ahead. Covid hit our business really hard. We spent a lot of money converting my hand-built prototypes into designs for manufacture, only to find out that the components used in our design were no longer available. Eventually, we had to make the painful decision to set aside that design and start over, focusing on components that are available.

Fundraising has also been a challenge. I’ve founded several businesses over the years, but this is my first venture-backed business. To be frank, I didn’t realize how difficult it is for women to raise venture funding. Since founding the business I’ve learned that women get less than 3% of deal flow, so I have to meet with way more investors, just to stay afloat. Spending so much time on fundraising slows down our progress in getting to market.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been a maker/hacker all of my life and taught myself about electronics and programming when I was 12. I was a published software author at 15, a robotics programmer at 17, and started my own consulting business when I was 20. After running that business for 12 years I sold it and went to work for a Fortune 100 tech company. Eventually, I was transferred to Europe where I led the business consulting efforts for the EMEA region. Later in life, I retired from IT and moved back to the US.

I was living in a small town in Indiana, thinking about my next challenge. During that time I volunteered as a firefighter and first responder, and I discovered a love for emergency medicine. I returned to school and became an RN. For several years I lived in a motor home and traveled around the US, working as a travel nurse while also enjoying a chance to visit lots of beautiful areas.

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Along my journey, I also raised 5 kids. I’m an active community volunteer, a public speaker, a diversity community organizer, and a member of The Startup Ladies, SONSIEL, The Female Founders Alliance, Women in Bio, and StartOut.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://wavetherapeuticsinc.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wavetherapeutics/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessbussert/