I am an ER doctor, a mom, a Black woman, and the CEO of a medical device company. These roles are not separate – they intertwine and fuel my vision for impact. My journey into entrepreneurship started in the chaos of the emergency room, where I treated countless patients for something as seemingly minor as nosebleeds. We see over 500,000 ER visits every year for this issue, and yet the solutions were outdated, messy, and frustrating. I knew there had to be a better way.
The Birth of NasaClip
As a resident, I created NasaClip, a hands-free, adjustable compression device with intranasal sponges that can even be medicated. It was a simple idea with transformative potential: the “Band-Aid of nosebleeds.” What began as a sketch in my mind became a reality through grit, sleepless nights, and a willingness to dive headfirst into a world I knew nothing about – entrepreneurship. I had no business background, but I pitched, applied, wrote grants, and raised more than $4 million, including an NSF SBIR Phase I grant of $256,000. Today, NasaClip is available on Amazon and has already started changing lives. The next step? Expanding it into an intranasal drug delivery platform for life-saving medications like naloxone.
A Nontraditional Path
I was born and raised in Denver, the eldest of four girls. Leadership was not optional – it was who I was. I was the only female kicker on my high school football team, a swimmer, a soccer player, and always a risk-taker. At Duke University, I carved out my own major in Medical Ethics & Religion. Later, a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health opened my eyes to the dynamic energy of the DMV area, where I chose to build my career. After earning both an M.D. and an M.A. in Bioethics at Case Western Reserve University, I trained in Emergency Medicine at George Washington University, where I served as Chief Resident. I learned to treat patients as people, not just as diagnoses—a lesson that continues to guide me.
My Burning Message
The power dynamics of the world are shifting. The resilience, creativity, and ingenuity of women and people of color are reshaping what leadership looks like. When diverse voices bring innovation to market, it elevates all of humankind. My dream is a billion-dollar exit not for the number, but for the inspiration it will bring to the next generation: proof that success can come from every background. Leadership is best taught through example, and my example is simple: believe in yourself, take risks, and never forget the power of your own voice.
