Dr C Vivek Lal of ResBiotic On Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Startup

An Interview With Doug Noll

Many founders fall in love with their innovative idea before validating a real market need. Gather insight and testimonials to make sure you are offering an actual solution that will sell.

Startups have such a glamorous reputation. Companies like Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Uber, and Airbnb once started as scrappy startups with huge dreams and huge obstacles. Yet we of course know that most startups don’t end up as success stories. What does a founder or a founding team need to know to create a highly successful startup? In this series, called “Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Startup” we are talking to experienced and successful founders and business leaders who can share stories from their experiences about what it takes to create a highly successful startup. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. C. Vivek Lal

Dr. C. Vivek Lal, MD, FAAP is a physician scientist and innovator based in Birmingham, AL, USA. Dr. Lal is a double board-certified physician, having completed medical school, residency training and clinical fellowship in neonatal and perinatal medicine. He also completed a research fellowship in pulmonary and vascular biology from UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX and executive program in drug and device development from MIT, Boston, MA. On the academic side, Dr. Lal serves as Director of Clinical Innovation at The Marnix Heersink Institute of Biomedical Innovation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and is the Director of Pulmonary Microbiome Lab. Dr. Lal is a serial entrepreneur, and Founder of Biostack Ventures through which he launched successful companies such as ResBiotic Nutrition which makes consumer probiotics, Alveolus Bio which does FDA approved pulmonary drug development. Dr. Lal also co-founded and serves on the Board for Urgent Care for Children, a Southeast US based urgent care chain. He serves as the CEO of ResBiotic Nutrition. Dr. Lal serves on the Board of Microbiome Therapeutics Innovation Group, the Washington DC based national advocacy group for FDA approved microbiome therapeutics, and on the Executive Board of BIO Alabama. In addition, Dr. Lal is a member of Society of Pediatric Research, American Thoracic Society and other national and international societies.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?

My journey into entrepreneurship started with a deep passion for creating impact and improving health outcomes. My entrepreneurial spirit was ignited by the desire to bridge the gap between scientific research and tangible solutions that could positively impact people’s lives. I grew up in the Andaman Islands, India, where my parents emphasized the value of hard work and achievement. As a young man, I moved to the United States to study advanced medicine, pursuing my mother’s dream for me to become a doctor. While medicine wasn’t initially my vision for myself, helping others was always my passion. I went on to become an ICU physician and microbiome scientist. Though I enjoyed patient care and research, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. This ultimately led me to found ResBiotic® or Restoration Biotic! Through ResBiotic®, using my medical, scientific and business background, I wanted to create solutions which could impact the consumer industry.

What was the “Aha Moment” that led to the idea for your current company? Can you share that story with us?

What began as a clinician’s curiosity at a patient’s bedside has become our first solution available to the public, with the potential to transform health and wellness. This led to years of intensive research, including pioneering mouse models to elucidate microbiome signatures and imbalances to explore the ‘gut-x’ axis, starting from the gut-lung axis. We dove deep into the gut-x axis, revealing pathways where gut microbes interact with distant organs like the lungs. The “Aha Moment” for ResBiotic® came from a thorough market research with the realization that the consumer industry is polluted by non-efficacious, unscientific, and low-quality products. We saw a gap in the industry which could be filled with efficacious products for the informed consumers. Ultimately, we took the science out of the lab and into people’s lives. Rigorous in vitro, in vivo and clinical research inspired the formulation of ResBiotic’s flagship product, resB® Lung Support, followed by prebeet®

Was there somebody in your life who inspired or helped you to start your journey with your business? Can you share a story with us?

Growing up, my father instilled in me the importance of taking initiative and not being afraid to pursue my dreams. One particular piece of advice he often imparted on me was, “If you ever wonder how to do something, just start and you’ll end up looking back wondering how you did it.” Moreover, while my mother had envisioned a career in medicine for me, she also played a significant role in nurturing my entrepreneurial spirit. Despite her aspirations for me to become a doctor, she wholeheartedly supported my endeavors and encouraged me to follow my passions. As a result, I found myself straddling two worlds: the realm of medicine, where I served as an ICU physician and pursued groundbreaking research in microbiome science, and the world of entrepreneurship, where I founded and led ResBiotic®.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

ResBiotic® stands for Restoration Biotic, which is founded on my unwavering commitment to scientific rigor, innovation, and impact — all while being consumer friendly. What sets us apart is not just our products but the journey that underscores our ethos. Our journey began at the patient bedside over a decade ago, where we observed the critical role the microbiome plays in various health and disease states. This sparked a relentless pursuit of understanding microbe-host interactions and their impact on overall health. Through years of rigorous research, spanning various disciplines from genomics to metabolomics, we explored the intricate connections between gut bacteria and different organs of the body, such as the lungs.

From these observations, the concept of the “Gut-X axis” emerged, laying the foundation for ResBiotic’s groundbreaking approach to Gut-Lung axis as a start. Our flagship product, resB® Lung Support, is not just a supplement; it’s the culmination of years of scientific inquiry and meticulous formulation. Our second product, prebeet ENERGY+ follows the same story of scientific rigor, in the Gut, Gut-Heart, Gut-Energy and Gut-Skin space.

What truly sets ResBiotic® apart is our commitment to transparency, research rigor and validation.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

I have endeavored to utilize my success as a platform for positive change and social impact. Through my work with ResBiotic®, I have dedicated myself to improving global health, advocating for scientification of the wellness CPG industry, and empowering individuals to prioritize their well-being. Our mission extends beyond mere profitability; it’s about making a tangible difference and impact in people’s lives. In the process, we want to transform the wellness industry.

We also have utilized our platform to raise awareness about the importance of proactive healthcare and the interconnectedness of gut and health. By sharing knowledge, promoting education, and fostering dialogue, we are breaking down barriers and empowering individuals to take control of their overall well-being.

I believe that true success lies not only in personal achievements, but also in the positive impact we have on the world around us. Through ResBiotic® and other endeavors, we will continue to bring goodness to the world, one breath at a time.

Which three-character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Persistence, resilience, and creativity have been instrumental in my entrepreneurial journey. Persistence kept me going during challenging times, such as navigating regulatory hurdles or overcoming financial setbacks. Between regulatory obstacles and healthcare’s slow adoption curve, entrepreneurship is a marathon — not a sprint. Many times I wanted to give up, but my refusal to take “no” for an answer ultimately led to breakthroughs.

Resilience allowed me to bounce back from failures and adapt to changing circumstances, essential qualities in the volatile startup landscape. I faced setbacks during the early stages of building ResBiotic ®from a city/region which had no footprint in CPG entrepreneurship. Despite encountering challenges such as lack of mentorship, funding difficulties and skepticism from others in the industry, I remained resilient and persevered. Instead of being discouraged by obstacles, I viewed them as opportunities to pave a new path. By maintaining resilience in the face of adversity, I have been able to overcome obstacles, adapt to changing circumstances, and ultimately turn setbacks into successes.

Creativity and Innovation for impact has been a major mantra in how I have led the last several years of my life. This enables me to envision possibilities beyond the status quo and disrupt antiquated elements of healthcare. New solutions don’t emerge from conventional wisdoms, so thinking differently is key. I constantly ask “what if?” and leverage non-traditional approaches from other industries to improve outdated healthcare practices and the way people approach wellness. I always advocate that we should not do things which eventually don’t result in broader impact to mankind.

Often leaders are asked to share the best advice they received. But let’s reverse the question. Can you share a story about advice you’ve received that you now wish you never followed?

I firmly believe that everyone must chart their own journey and no two entrepreneurial journeys are identical. Hence, irrespective of the advice you receive, you must test and try things yourself. If something worked for someone, it is not necessary that it may work for you too, as there are several factors which play a role in success — the most important being timing!

My early experiences have taught me the importance of critically evaluating any advice and considering its alignment with my values, principles, and long-term goals. It also reinforced the importance of seeking guidance from diverse sources and drawing upon my own judgment and intuition to make decisions that are in the best interest of my business and its stakeholders.

Can you tell us a story about the hard times that you faced when you first started your journey?

When I started my entrepreneurial journey, medical and scientific knowledge came as second nature to me. But I did not have formal finance or business development expertise to win confidence from the investor or the entrepreneurial community. Formal medical and scientific training doesn’t teach you skillsets necessary to run a financial operation, but does inculcate in you important life skills such as resilience, hard work, empathy and work ethics. Using these life skills, I took it as a challenge and immersed myself in the entrepreneurial world and learnt every skillset necessary to succeed in the entrepreneurial world, in addition to being a physician-scientist. There are always moments of doubt and frustration, but what keeps me going is a steadfast belief in creating impact for the greater good.

Where did you get the drive to continue even though things were so hard? What strategies or techniques did you use to help overcome those challenges?

The drive to continue stemmed from a deep conviction that my work could make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Surrounding myself with a supportive network, while maintaining a long-term perspective were crucial strategies in navigating adversity and staying focused on our goals. I am always prepared for the worst and hope for the best. In addition, I don’t consider myself very important. This ideology keeps me grounded and keeps me going.

The journey of an entrepreneur is never easy and is filled with challenges, failures, setbacks, as well as joys, thrills and celebrations. Can you share a few ideas or stories from your experience about how to successfully ride the emotional highs & lows of being a founder”?

Entrepreneurship is the toughest thing I have done. The only thing that prepares you to run a company is actually running one. The highs could be very high, and the lows could be very low. Hence, I feel that emotional resilience is paramount in navigating the tides of entrepreneurship. Maintaining equipoise and balance during both the highs and the lows is an important skillset. While dedication and hard work are essential for success, it’s equally crucial to prioritize self-care and spend quality time with loved ones. My family is my biggest strength and stressbuster.

Let’s imagine that a young founder comes to you and asks for your advice about whether venture capital or bootstrapping is best for them? What would you advise them? Can you kindly share a few things a founder should look at to determine if fundraising or bootstrapping is the right choice?

The choice between the two approaches is highly dependent on the nature of the business and its founder. It hinges on your objectives: the pace of desired growth, your exit strategy and its timing. Bootstrapping holds significant value in the early stages of a startup, yet there should be no aversion to equity dilution and venture funding if rapid expansion is the goal. Each method offers distinct advantages, and there is no incorrect path to pursue.

The best approach depends on your specific circumstances, business model, and long-term objectives. Consider factors such as your appetite for risk, growth trajectory, competitive landscape, and market dynamics when weighing the pros and cons of each approach.

Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. Many startups are not successful, and some are very successful. From your experience or perspective, what are the main factors that distinguish successful startups from unsuccessful ones? What are your “Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Startup”? If you can, please share a story or an example for each.

1. Vision and Purpose to Solve a Real Problem: Successful startups are driven by a clear vision and a deep sense of purpose. They have a compelling mission that inspires their team and resonates with their target audience. This clarity of purpose guides their decision-making, fuels their passion, and attracts top talent and investors who share their values. Hence, identify an urgent need that is not being adequately met and then build solutions that directly address those frustrations better than any current option.
2. Assemble an A Team: Surround yourself with talented people who have complementary skill sets. Diversity of perspectives leads to better solutions and teaches you new ways of thinking. One of the biggest company values at ResBiotic® is Radical Candor — where I expect my teammates to challenge each other with ideas, data and facts and not agree with someone just to please each other.
3. Execution, Execution, Execution: Everyone has ideas, and ideas are a dime a dozen. Don’t just be an idea person, it all comes down to execution of those ideas. Even the best ideas, without good execution can fall flat on the face.
4. Resilience, Adaptability and Emotional Equipoise: Building a successful startup is a journey filled with ups and downs, setbacks, and unexpected challenges. What sets you apart is their resilience in the face of adversity and their ability to adapt to changing circumstances, without giving up and while maintaining their calm.
5. Customer-Centric Focus: Successful startups prioritize their customers’ needs and preferences above all else. By listening to our customers and incorporating their input into our decision-making process, we’ve been able to build a loyal customer base and drive sustainable growth, especially because healthcare is notoriously complex and inconvenient. Simplify and streamline every touchpoint for customers. See through their eyes at each step to offer intuitive access, clear instructions, empathetic support and, now more than ever, convenience. Don’t launch any product or process which you yourself won’t want to endorse as a customer.
6. Stay Focused and Persist Passionately — Attempting to boil the ocean early on dilutes efforts. Tackle one niche very well before expanding offerings. Change doesn’t happen easily or quickly. Be prepared for a marathon. Stay relentlessly focused on your mission through the inevitable delays and roadblocks along the way. And be prepared for something to take longer than you originally planned.

What are the most common mistakes you have seen CEOs & founders make when they start a business? What can be done to avoid those errors?

As a physician entrepreneur, I’ve myself committed many mistakes and have seen many healthcare founders make preventable mistakes. The most common pitfalls include:

1. Building a great solution for a problem that doesn’t really exist. Many founders fall in love with their innovative idea before validating a real market need. Gather insight and testimonials to make sure you are offering an actual solution that will sell.

2. Hiring the wrong team too quickly. Early on, it’s better to wear many hats than to hire the wrong people who will take you off course. Take the time upfront to find that perfect co-founder or first hire who shares your same vision and values. And don’t be afraid of personalities or skillsets that don’t match yours. You’ll need other perspectives along the way that they can offer.

3. Attempting to scale before nailing the business model. Most startups, especially in the healthcare industry, shouldn’t replicate the growth-at-all-costs mentality of Silicon Valley. It’s wise to stay laser focused on solidifying product-market fit within a niche before chasing growth.

4. Underestimating the challenges of industry specific regulation. For example, in healthcare, from privacy compliance to FDA approvals, healthcare has unique regulatory hurdles. Working with experienced advisors can prevent painful missteps on the path to clearance and reimbursement.

5. Sacrificing self-care and burning out. Healthcare entrepreneurship is a marathon requiring endurance and stamina. Making self-care a priority is not selfish — it’s critical to avoid exhaustion that destroys creativity and productivity. Easier said than done, but it is important.

6. Getting investors or partner who don’t understand your field. This is a tough one, especially when founders are new, and the market is tight, and you are looking for capital at any cost. Specialized areas such as healthcare require experience, expertise, mentorship, and persistence from the right kind of shareholders. If you have a choice, select partners who understand your field.

Startup founders often work extremely long hours and it’s easy to burn the candle at both ends. What would you recommend to founders about how to best take care of their physical and mental wellness when starting a company?

As a physician and entrepreneur myself, I understand all too well the demands of launching a startup. It’s so easy to become consumed by your vision and pour every waking minute into making it a reality. However, failing to take care of yourself physically and mentally is a recipe for disaster. As doctors, we are trained to tell our patients to make their health the number one priority — and we must follow our own advice! Making time each day to move your body, clear your mind, eating nourishing foods, and getting adequate rest is crucial. The company will flounder if its leader is running on fumes. I have had to force myself to put real boundaries around my work hours and set aside time for self-care.

Eat a balanced diet with plenty of protein to maintain your energy. And don’t discount good old-fashioned sleep! Founders often sacrifice it while bootstrapping, but ample sleep is when recovery and innovation happen. The company can wait an extra hour in the morning for you to wake up refreshed. I’ll say it again because it’s so important — the journey of entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself and prioritize self-care. Your mind, body, and business will thank you!

If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.

A significant priority for me is contributing to a better world for future generations. For example, I know the potential impact of air pollution on the well-being of those who will follow us. The saying “leave it better than you found it” resonates strongly with me, emphasizing the responsibility we bear for the well-being of our planet.

We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.

A plethora of individuals come to mind, from globally renowned physicians to highly successful entrepreneurs. One athlete who has consistently left a lasting impression on me is Michael Phelps. His dedication to hard work and pursuit of success is truly commendable. One of his notable quotes is, “If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.” Phelps exemplifies this philosophy through his exemplary leadership, dominating the realm of swimming and becoming the most decorated Olympian in history, all while managing asthma. I aspire to have a conversation with him, delving into his experiences as an athlete with a respiratory condition. Perhaps, he might find interest in exploring what resB® has to offer! In addition, I do admire Elon Musk for trying newer and better things and pushing boundaries with industry disruptions.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Readers can stay updated on my work by connecting with me through my LinkedIn and ResBiotic’s LinkedIn. For more information about ResBiotic® and our innovative products, you can visit our website at http://www.resbiotic.com. Additionally, you can follow us on social media for the latest updates and insights on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. You may also join our community by subscribing to our email list!

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!