I have spent my career in psychology and public health research. I am happiest when conducting research to gain a deeper understanding about public health challenges and making recommendations about how we can address gaps. But sometimes research becomes personal, and when it did for me, I knew I could work toward creating the solution.  

I’ve specialized in adolescent sexual health for almost 20 years. My inspiration for Let’s Talk stemmed from conversations with my sister who was struggling to engage with my 10-year-old niece in a meaningful and non-awkward way around topics like puberty, bodies, and sex. I had an idea for a platform that could provide a way for parents, caregivers, and tweens to communicate asynchronously about these sometimes challenging topics. Not only would this give kids the opportunity to ask questions without having to discuss possibly embarrassing topics out-loud and face-to-face, but it would also give adults the space to think about their answers—and conduct extra research if necessary. The platform would also provide evidence-based, factual information about topics like growing up, puberty, and adolescent sexual health. 

Inspired by the idea, my team and I applied for an NIH grant to begin the long path of transforming it into reality. We made some progress in developing the content, and then we began to work with a business coach, who had a revelation of sorts for me: I was going to have to learn to sell this idea. 

I started to work on this idea because I wanted to help families. I told our business coach that I didn’t care about the money, and she basically said: No. You have to care. Selling this offering means it is getting into people’s hands and helping families, and ensuring the sustainability of this offering means we can continue to develop content and ensure that the most people possible have access to this important information.  

Equipped with the knowledge that I had to care about cash flow, but with little idea about where to start, my team and I began to look for an accelerator that could help us advance our idea—and we were fortunate to be accepted to the first cohort of the Launch Innovation Accelerator. 

Working with Launch has been so beneficial because it has provided me with a primer in the business topics where I had limited previous background. Through our time in the program, we’ve really started to think about what our go-to-market strategy might be, considered different models we might use to sell our offering, and thought about price points. As someone who’s much more well versed in public health and psychology, I have found these business conversations and trainings invaluable. I have shifted my mindset and learned to embrace my entrepreneurial side (even if I didn’t previously know that side of me existed). 

And now? I still care about the common good above all. I aim to get Let’s Talk into the hands of thousands of families and help kids across the U.S. But now, I can also see the long-term future of Let’s Talk—and I know I also have to care about the cash to make this dream a reality.