CEO Inspires with Her Insights on “How to Succeed at Building Successful Companies”

Ilana Odess, CEO of Woven Orthopedic Technologies, LLC, was guest speaker for a Viscogliosi Entrepreneurship Center (VEC)-sponsored event at MCC Tuesday, March 24, in the Fireside Commons lounge within the college library. The event was one of a series hosted by the VEC that focuses on areas of interest to students and other members of the entrepreneurial community. A schedule of upcoming speakers can be found on the VEC website.

Odess’s presentation, “How to Succeed at Building Successful Companies,” was addressed to a gathering of aspiring entrepreneurs and she spoke about the keys to building a successful start-up company.

Odess’s resume includes senior executive roles for Johnson & Johnson, Prescient Medical, and Advanced Stent Technologies. She is an expert in leading companies from concept to clinical application and has created many businesses that have been acquired by multi-billion dollar medical device companies. In addition, she has negotiated more than 30 worldwide partnerships.

In her talk at MCC, which was part of a VEC Lunch and Learn series, she outlined a blueprint for what it takes to be a success at starting a business. She cited several key questions for major consideration before starting a business, including will your idea fill an unmet need? Is your business plan well developed? Do you know where you stand regarding finances and other resources? Perhaps most important: Do you have lots of grit? She also emphasized the importance of never giving up, embracing change and to communicating well as key ingredients of success. Persistence always wins, she said.

The VEC provides entrepreneurs and small business owners with opportunities to explore and develop their passion and vision, and to create responsible leadership and viable businesses through innovative and informative educational and networking programs.