The HME180 Podcast
The HME180 Podcast provides HME dealers and pharmacies retail strategies, solutions and support to be successful and sustainable HME Retailers. HME Retail needs to THRIVE because Americans deserve support and guidance as their mobility, independence and home care needs evolves over time. In each 30-minute episode, your host Sue Chen will interview the best of the best HME Retailers, who are fearless, innovative and committed to their work. Each HME Retailer will share their story, challenges, retail tips and strategies, as well as the passion that empowers their business today, tomorrow and beyond.
Episodes
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Tina Chen, Renowned Physical Therapist and Sue's Sister
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Sue Chen interviews her sister Tina Chen, a renowned physical therapist with experience at Cedar's Sinai and running her own private practice. Both Tina and Sue reflect on how their father's dedication as a rehabilitation doctor deeply influenced their mission statements and life's work. Tina emphasizes the importance of the "magic triad" - the physical therapist, the medical equipment dealer, and the patient's family - working together to provide the right supportive products and environment to facilitate the patient's dynamic recovery process. Sue and Tina open up with personal insights, sharing their epiphanies and hopes for the future. Tina even offers Sue a few interview questions. Tune in!
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
This episode of The HME180 Podcast features a deep dive into the emotional complexities of aging, resilience, and the caregiving relationship between adult children and their aging parents. Sue Chen and Dr. Ken Druck discuss the importance of empathy and self-compassion in navigating the challenges of caring for aging parents. Druck, recognized for his work by CNN, the Wall Street Journal, and Oprah, shares insights from his books, including "Courageous Aging" and "Raising an Aging Parent," emphasizing the transformative power of patience, kindness, and effective communication. The conversation spotlights the role of home medical equipment MVPs in supporting aging individuals and their families, emphasizing the potential to break through denial and foster empathy. Druck and Chen advocate for life change literacy, daily gratitude practices, and the cultivation of courage and kindness in both personal growth and caregiving roles.
Thursday Jun 20, 2024
Violeta Arnobit from ACE Medical
Thursday Jun 20, 2024
Thursday Jun 20, 2024
In this episode, Sue welcomes Violeta Arnobit, CEO of ACE Medical in Hawaii, renowned for her pioneering efforts and educational initiatives within the HME sector. Violeta shares her inspirational journey from humble beginnings in the Philippines to becoming a leading advocate and educator in the field. Emphasizing the critical role of education in bridging gaps within healthcare, Violeta discusses her innovative approach to integrating comprehensive home health care solutions. Her commitment to quality care and community empowerment underscores her profound impact on both the industry and the lives of all people across Hawaii, earning her numerous honors and awards including the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Wednesday May 22, 2024
Jay Broadbent from Caddis Capital Management and Alpine Home Medical
Wednesday May 22, 2024
Wednesday May 22, 2024
In this episode of The HME 180 Podcast, Sue Chen interviews Jay Broadbent, Founder of Caddis Capital Management and Alpine Home Medical. Jay shares his journey in the HME industry, starting in 1997, and discusses the challenges and strategies involved in balancing retail and reimbursement models. He highlights the importance of providing excellent customer service and while constantly adapting to the roller coaster of reimbursement cuts and changes. He also shares the necessity to prioritize profitability in tandem with improving the customer experience. Jay emphasizes the value of detailed measurement and monitoring in business operations, particularly in managing customer reviews and ensuring quality service. He talks about the establishment of Caddis Capital Management to offer centralized services like HR and marketing to their stores, enhancing efficiency and growth. The conversation also touches on leadership development within the company, underscoring the significance of nurturing young talent through initiatives like their Leadership University.
Monday Apr 15, 2024
Karter McKinlay from The Bone Store
Monday Apr 15, 2024
Monday Apr 15, 2024
Karter McKinlay, CEO of The Bone Store, and Sue Chen meet face to face in the NOVA lounge as they delve into several topics, including performance pay programs, unveiling the game-changing impact of substantial incentives on employee performance. McKinlay's insights, likening the effect to the legendary Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile barrier, underscore the power of leadership in unlocking human potential. Their discourse extends to the pivotal role of exceptional customer service and the strategic curation of high-quality products, challenging the notion of price supremacy in favor of quality, durability, and memorable experiences. Furthermore, McKinlay's innovative approach of utilizing other businesses' websites to enhance the in-store sales experience highlights his commitment to leveraging industry resources without viewing them as competitors, ensuring he never loses a sale that is right in front of him.
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Lane Hamm from AZ MediQuip
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
Wednesday Mar 20, 2024
In this episode of The HME180 Podcast, Sue Chen and Lane Hamm, CEO of AZ MediQuip, delve into the pivotal role of independent retailers in the healthcare industry. Lane, previously an outsider to HME products but an expert in retail, emphasizes the empowerment and immediate solutions that HME retailers can implement, contrasting them with larger chains like CVS or Walmart. He describes running a business as solving a puzzle, applying retail strategies such as community engagement, differentiation, and staff training on the different HME products. Despite challenges in insurance reimbursement, Lane remains optimistic about the industry's growth. He expresses fulfillment with his role as CEO, citing a sense of mission and excitement for future growth, while emphasizing the importance of empathy as a competitive edge.
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Carole Martin from Davy Crockett Drug
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Monday Mar 11, 2024
In this episode, Sue Chen interviews Carole Martin, pharmacist/co-owner from Davy Crocket Drug, an independent pharmacy established in 1961 in Crockett, East Texas. Carole is an amazing example of stepping outside of your comfort zone to try different marketing strategies to sell HME, including Facebook videos and radio advertisements, and discusses the profit margins of HME in comparison to other typical pharmacy products. Year after year, they crush their competition across town (none other than Walmart) by developing relationships with their pharmacy customers. In a small town of 6,400, but with a much broader reach, Davy Crockett Drug has seen success selling HME by sharing with customers that these products are for EVERYONE.
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Alex Anderson from Oswald’s Pharmacy
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
In this episode, Sue Chen interviews Alex Anderson from Oswald's Pharmacy, a 6th generation independent pharmacy in Naperville, Illinois with a very successful, prominent and thriving HME. Throughout their 149-year history, they have embraced big changes and executed their front end store strategy to support the business and reflect their customer’s unique store experience. They discussed the “DIR Armageddon” and how independent pharmacies need to focus on the front-end store to take control of their revenue. Alex shared his marketing strategies, importance of staff education and engagement, the value of having the right vendor partners, winning against Amazon - as well as the steps to starting and growing HME in your store.
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Coming Soon - The HME180 Podcast
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Coming Soon - The HME180 Podcast!
Our first episode will air in February, with our guest Alex Anderson from Oswald's Pharmacy.
Listen and be EMPOWERED!
About
Because of powerful forces in America, including the growing aging population, seismic healthcare changes, and cultural lifestyle shifts, EVERYONE needs HME (Home Medical Equipment) Retail to make their lives healthier, better and more joyful. This podcast provides HME dealers and pharmacies retail strategies, solutions and support to be successful and sustainable HME Retailers. HME Retail needs to THRIVE because Americans deserve support and guidance as their mobility, independence and home care needs evolves over time.
Listen and be EMPOWERED!