Allison Santos of Nice
An exclusive Tech Tribune Q&A with Allison Santos (co-founder and SVP Client Success) of Nice, which was honored in our:
Tell us the origin story of Nice – what problem were you trying to solve and why?
Nice originates from a core belief that everybody deserves access to primary care, and that nobody should have to be put out financially or otherwise to receive care they need. Healthcare as a whole is expensive. By solving to make primary care affordable and accessible, anyone can treat basic needs that have positive down-stream ramifications by keeping them healthier and saving money and time on treating more severe illnesses and conditions. Nobody should have to forego care that they need simply because they don’t have the money for the visit or the time to get to a medical appointment.
What was the biggest hurdle you encountered in your journey?
The biggest hurdle we experienced was having enough money to pay employees while also growing the business. This required personal financial and time sacrifices from the founders, but it was important that employees were paid for their contribution to the company each payroll.
What does the future hold for Nice?
Nice will become the place to begin or maintain a patient’s healthcare journey. Nice will expand its penetration in current markets and expand to additional ones, increasing the opportunity for new people to access Nice. Additionally, Nice will be the best place to work in healthcare.
What are your thoughts on the local tech startup scene in Minneapolis?
There are so many innovative and smart entrepreneurs in Minneapolis. Minneapolis offers a great environment for people to build their startup and connect with other founders.
What’s your best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs?
If you don’t want to do it alone, begin by finding someone or a small group of people who you inherently trust and who have different core skill sets and expertise than you do. Then, as you build your business, collaborate, but stay in your own lane. Assume the best of your counterparts and be ready and willing to sacrifice financial stability and a lot of your time. But perhaps most importantly, continue to put your loved ones first. Ensure they are able to stick with you and support you every step of the way, because without them, the journey is not as fun and is even more challenging.