Family Wellness

When Boston-based entrepreneur Ellen Murphy became pregnant with her first child, she realized that ultrasound technology has not changed a whole lot over the last 40 years. For decades, expectant parents were given the same static thermal printouts – but in an age where so much of our lives exists on our smartphones, Murphy wondered if there might not be a quicker way for healthcare providers to share images with patients, and for patients to then share images with their family and friends. In 2016, she launched Sona, a HIPAA-compliant technology that lets ultrasound providers send images and clips directly from their machines to a mobile app for expectant parents, so families can instantly see their baby and easily share those moments with loved ones. Here's our lightly edited Q&A, from The Story Exchange 1,000+ Stories Project. How is your business different from others in your industry? Our technology is free for ultrasound providers to use, setup takes less than 10 minutes, and no hardware is required. Access for parents is free as well. Tell us about your biggest success so far. We have partnered with 12 of the top maternity and baby brands in the industry to offer expectant families discounts and products. What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? Building and scaling Sona without outside funding. Bootstrapping in healthcare is especially challenging given the technical, compliance and trust requirements, but it has pushed me to be resourceful and intentional with every decision. We focus on building real value first, with technology that solves problems for both providers and patients. We then generate revenue through partnerships and subscriptions to grow sustainably. What is your biggest tip for other startup entrepreneurs? Talk to others who’ve already been through it. You can save yourself countless hours and avoid some painful mistakes by learning from those who are a few steps ahead of you. The best advice I’ve gotten has come from other founders who were generous enough to share what worked (and what didn’t). Those conversations have been invaluable. How do you find inspiration on your darkest days? My team. Their excitement and belief in what we’re building always lift me up. Surrounding myself with people who share that energy has been the key to pushing through and growing stronger. What is your go-to song to get motivated on tough days? This past year, I've been more into podcasts to get me motivated. But I do really enjoy “Straight and Narrow” by Sam Barber. My kids love it, too, and it reminds me of them while also pumping me up. Who is your most important role model? My dad. He built a large and successful ultrasound service business from the ground up when his fifth child was just 2 years old, and his oldest was only 10. Despite the demands of entrepreneurship, he always showed up for the moments that mattered most: Family dinners, bedtime, and every sports game he could make. Watching him build something from nothing while staying grounded in the family taught me that success isn’t just about growth, but about doing meaningful work without losing sight of what matters most. Facebook: @SonaInstagram: @Sona.appLinkedIn: @Sona Share your story! Check out our Advice + Tips for entrepreneurs starting-upWatch our latest videosSubscribe to our podcast

Family Wellness

Her Tech Makes Ultrasounds More Shareable

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