“Anticipating problems before they happen is the ideal; it’s the foundation of proactive leadership and resilience.”
Dr. Brandy Zachary is a 5th-gen entrepreneur, award-winning practice owner, and founder of Functional Medicine Academy. With a $0 to $1.8M launch, she transforms health entrepreneurs’ strategies. Dr. Z is also the creator of LabDX software, which revolutionizes lab analysis globally.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Dr. Brandy Zachary: It’s a pleasure to be here! I’m Dr. Brandy Zachary, and I’ve been fortunate enough to carve out a unique path in Functional Medicine. As a fifth-generation entrepreneur, you could say business is in my blood. My latest venture, the Functional Medicine Academy, has been an incredible journey – we went from zero to $7 million in a single year, faster than I ever imagined possible.
You know, I’m passionate about teaching what I call the “Business of Health.” It’s not just about treating patients; it’s about building sustainable practices that can help more people. I’ve had the privilege of sharing this knowledge with a diverse array of healthcare professionals, from MDs to PharmDs.
One of my proudest achievements is creating LabDX software. It’s revolutionizing how we analyze labs in Functional Medicine, and it’s being used globally. It’s humbling to see something I created make such a widespread impact.
I’ll let you in on a little secret – I’m not naturally inclined towards sales. But somehow, I’ve managed to pull off some pretty remarkable feats, like outselling Disney at an event. It just goes to show that with the right approach and a genuine belief in what you’re offering, anything is possible.
Can you share a time when your business faced a significant challenge? How did you navigate through it?
Dr. Brandy Zachary: Oh, we’ve had our fair share of challenges, that’s for sure. One that really stands out was when another company used our content without doing it justice. It was a tough situation, but we knew we had to make it right. We took back control, relaunched everything ourselves, and even offered our program for free to the affected students. It wasn’t easy, but it was the right thing to do.
More recently, we faced some internal challenges with staff and marketing issues. It was a bit of a wake-up call, honestly. We had to take a hard look at our team and make some tough decisions. And just to add to the fun, I got hit with COVID for the first time in January – talk about terrible timing! I was out of commission for 18 days, right when we were aiming to hit our first million in new sales for the month.
But you know what? We pulled together as a team. I rested when I needed to, showed up for crucial moments, and our amazing team stepped up big time. Against all odds, we hit that million-dollar goal. It was a real testament to the resilience we’ve built in our organization.
How has a failure or apparent failure set you up for later success?
Dr. Brandy Zachary: You know, I’ve come to embrace this mantra: “winning or learning, not winning or losing.” It’s not just a catchy phrase; it’s been a game-changer in how I approach setbacks. Every time something hasn’t worked out as planned, it’s been an opportunity to dig deep and figure out why. Was it a system issue? A people problem? Once we identify the root cause, we can fix it and come back stronger.
This approach has been the foundation of our biggest successes. It’s not always easy to look at your failures head-on, but it’s incredibly valuable. Each stumble has taught us something crucial about our business, our team, or our market. And those lessons? They’re pure gold when it comes to refining our strategies and delivering better results for our clients.
How do you build a resilient team? What qualities do you look for in your team members?
Dr. Brandy Zachary: Building a resilient team is all about finding the right people – and let me tell you, it’s both an art and a science. I’m always on the lookout for true go-getters, you know? People who are all in, who bring honesty and integrity to everything they do. It’s not just about skills; it’s about alignment with our mission.
I love team members who take ownership of their roles. They don’t wait to be told what to do; they see what needs to be done and they do it. And here’s something crucial – they need to be coachable. No one’s perfect (myself included!), so I look for people who are always working to improve themselves.
It’s this combination – drive, integrity, responsibility, and a growth mindset – that creates a team that can weather any storm. We’ve faced some tough challenges, and it’s these qualities that have allowed us to not just survive, but thrive.
How do you maintain your personal resilience during tough times?
Dr. Brandy Zachary: This is something I’ve had to work hard at, especially living with a primary immunodeficiency. Tough times are par for the course for me, but that doesn’t make them any easier. The key for me has been having a purpose and mission that’s bigger than whatever challenge I’m facing at the moment.
I’ve learned – sometimes the hard way – that self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential. I prioritize sleep, use supplements, and make sure I’m eating right. Sometimes that means getting help with meal prep when things get hectic. I’ve built a strong support network too, both professionally and personally. Having mentors and advisors I can turn to has been invaluable.
You know, as CEOs, we often feel like we need to be invincible. But I’ve found that taking care of myself isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity if I want to lead effectively and maintain my resilience in the long run. It’s a constant balancing act, but it’s worth the effort.
What strategies do you use to manage stress and maintain focus during a crisis?
Dr. Brandy Zachary: Managing stress during a crisis? Now that’s a challenge I’m all too familiar with. One of my key strategies is having a strong, capable team. It’s such a relief knowing that if I need to step back for a moment, there are people who can keep things running smoothly.
I’ve also learned the importance of taking breaks. It might sound counterintuitive, especially when you’re in the thick of a crisis, but stepping away and doing something completely unrelated to work can be incredibly refreshing. Sometimes, I’ll go out and do something fun just to clear my head. It’s amazing how often solutions present themselves when you’re not actively obsessing over the problem.
When we’re facing a real crisis, I try to shift the focus from blame to problem-solving. We ask ourselves: is this a human error, a software glitch, or a gap in our training? Once we identify the issue, we can tackle it head-on. It’s not always easy, but this approach helps us stay productive rather than getting bogged down in finger-pointing.
How do you communicate with your team during a crisis?
Dr. Brandy Zachary: Clear communication is absolutely crucial during a crisis. We rely heavily on digital tools to keep everyone in the loop. Slack is our go-to for day-to-day communication. If something’s really urgent, we use WhatsApp – that way, everyone knows it needs immediate attention. For more complex issues or when we need face-to-face interaction, we jump on Zoom.
The key is making sure everyone knows which channel to use for what purpose. That way, we avoid information overload and ensure that urgent matters don’t get lost in the shuffle. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s worked well for us so far.
What advice would you give to other CEOs on building resilience in their organizations?
Dr. Brandy Zachary: Building resilience in an organization is no small feat, but it’s so important. One piece of advice I’d give to fellow CEOs is to anticipate problems before they happen. It’s about being proactive rather than reactive. Try to develop systems and train your leaders to solve problems independently. Trust me, it’s a game-changer when your team can bring you solutions instead of just problems.
Another crucial aspect is continuous improvement. Your operations are the backbone of your organization’s resilience. Don’t be afraid to regularly assess and refine your processes. It might feel like extra work, but it pays off in the long run.
Also, foster a culture of ownership. Encourage your team – and the company as a whole – to take responsibility for mistakes and actively work on improvements. It’s not about blame; it’s about growth.
Remember, in a growing company, there will always be fires to put out. The goal isn’t to eliminate all problems; it’s to build a team and system that can handle them efficiently. Stay flexible, keep learning, and never stop trying to improve. That’s the key to building a truly resilient organization.
How do you prepare your business for potential future crises?
Dr. Brandy Zachary: Preparing for future crises is something I take seriously. One of the big things I focus on is building financial reserves. Now, I’ll be honest, this isn’t always easy. When you’re playing big and swinging for the fences, you can have massive gains, but you also risk big losses. It’s a balancing act, but having that financial cushion can be a lifesaver when unexpected challenges pop up.
Another key aspect is having enough people on the team. You don’t want to be caught short-handed when someone needs a break. Burnout is real, and having a deep bench can make all the difference during tough times.
Flexibility is also crucial. Markets change, strategies that worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. We always try to stay nimble, ready to pivot if needed. It’s about being prepared to change direction without losing sight of our core mission.
We also invest time in continuous learning and scenario planning. It might sound a bit doomsday-ish, but regularly thinking through ‘what-if’ scenarios helps us stay prepared. And let’s not forget about technology – we’re always looking for tools that can enhance our efficiency and adaptability.
It’s a lot to juggle, but in my experience, this multi-faceted approach helps us stay ready for whatever comes our way.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about leadership in times of crisis?
Dr. Brandy Zachary: You know, coming from a family of entrepreneurs and having been in the game for a while myself, I’ve learned a lot about leadership during crises. But if I had to pick one crucial lesson, it would be the power of adaptability.
The ability to pivot, to reinvent, to make those subtle adjustments – that’s what keeps you relevant in a marketplace that’s constantly changing. It’s not just about surviving a crisis; it’s about positioning yourself to thrive despite it, or even because of it.
I’ve seen businesses crumble because they couldn’t or wouldn’t adapt. On the flip side, I’ve seen others flourish by embracing change and viewing it as an opportunity rather than a threat.
This adaptability isn’t just about big, sweeping changes. Sometimes it’s those small, 10-degree shifts that make all the difference. It’s about staying aware of market trends, being willing to innovate, and making quick, informed decisions when circumstances change.
But here’s the thing – this kind of adaptability isn’t just a top-down approach. It needs to be woven into the fabric of your entire organization. It’s about fostering a team culture that sees challenges as opportunities for growth.
I’ll be the first to admit, it’s not always easy. Change can be uncomfortable. But in my experience, it’s this willingness to adapt, to stay flexible in the face of adversity, that has allowed us to navigate crises successfully and come out stronger on the other side.
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Dr. Brandy Zachary for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Dr. Brandy Zachary or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
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Interview first published on https://valiantceo.com/dr-brandy-zachary/