Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Velasco
Hi Amanda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Amanda Velasco, and I was born and raised in San Jose, CA. Growing up in a single-parent household with three younger brothers, I faced a challenging childhood that instilled in me a strong sense of perseverance and a desire to help others. During my professional journey at Stanford Hospital, I worked as a Pediatric Charge Nurse. During my tenure, I noticed recurring issues among parents and caregivers who struggled with proper medication dosing for children. This led to unnecessary hospital visits for issues that could be managed at home with proper guidance.
Recognizing the need for a solution, I envisioned The Pedi Dose—a digital dosing calculator to help parents accurately dose medications based on their child’s weight. Initially, the idea remained dormant as I focused on motherhood, but a move to Tennessee rekindled my determination. I left my job and dedicated myself to turning the idea into reality, culminating in a soft launch in January 2022.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The journey has been far from smooth, but each challenge has been a learning experience. As a single mother of three, balancing my responsibilities has been my biggest hurdle. Managing a self-funded startup requires time and commitment, often conflicting with my primary duty as a mother. Despite these challenges, I’ve mastered the art of planning and coordination, allowing me to pursue my entrepreneurial goals without compromising my role as a parent.
After the soft launch, I received valuable feedback, particularly about making the app accessible to low-income families. In response, I transitioned to a free version with ads and a paid subscription without ads, which is currently in development. Additionally, I’m actively working to spread awareness by collaborating with physicians, emergency rooms, and clinics to distribute pamphlets as a free resource for families. The website is www.thepedidose.com/intro and the app is available on Google Play Store.
We’ve been impressed with The Pedi Dose , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Pedi Dose is a weight-based dosing calculator designed for administering medications like Acetaminophen (Tylenol™) and Ibuprofen (Motrin™). Parents can create a profile for their child, including medical history, allergies, weight, and current medications. By scanning a barcode or selecting from a list, the exact dosage for their child’s weight is provided. The app also allows documentation of symptoms and medication administration, with features to set reminders for doses and prevent double dosing.
A parent can also add a child’s daily medication to their profile and mark it as given to set a reminder for when the next dose is due. We have enabled a free text area to assist with various medications. Working in the ER you meet parents who have children on a laundry list of medication for chronic illnesses, to the child who was just prescribed antibiotics for a recurrent urinary tract infection because doses of the previous prescription were missed. We have added the timed dose reminders as a feature to help parents have one less thing to worry about.
What sets us apart is our commitment to safety and ease of use. Our app includes safety mechanisms to prevent overdosing and offers educational resources through our blog and social media channels. We’re proud to offer both a free version with ads and an upcoming subscription-based version without ads, ensuring accessibility for all families.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was strong, independent, and a bit of a tomboy. I loved being outdoors, playing sports, and watching games. Challenges motivated me to find solutions, a trait that has carried into my professional life. I also have a passion for travel and reading, making it a point to explore new destinations and delve into numerous books each year.
Pricing:
- The app/website without ads will be $19.99 per year. The free version will be available with ads.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.thepedidose.com/intro
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepedidose/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepedidose
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thepedidoseinc.9643
