Pediatric Med Device Goes Global

Christy Brown is CEO of Dr. Noze Best, an innovative pediatric healthcare company committed to bringing hospital-grade respiratory devices into the home. After only two years with the company, Christy already has a plan to launch their direct-to-consumer medical device in 10 countries. She’s a mover and shaker! 

The company’s mission is to make sure that every child can breathe – and for parents to feel “confident and supported” when caring for their child’s health. Current offerings include nasal aspirators and accessories, and a full product line designed to help children breathe better is also in development. 

To launch globally with purpose and intention, the Dr. Noze Best team developed a proprietary tool – the “Complexity Calculator.” The Calculator measures various elements that could affect a product launch in a new country – population and birth rates, economics, legal frameworks, regulatory requirements, and logistics, for example – so the team could prioritize the countries by opportunity and ease of doing business. 

At the outset, Christy describes feeling “isolated” by her lack of connections in global trade – she didn’t know who to turn to for advice and guidance, or how to find partners. A fortuitous post on an Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) WhatsApp chat group connected us – my brother Scott suggested Christy reach out to me. 

Thereafter, the company worked with the US Commercial Service (USCS) in Atlanta to make connections in their initial target countries. Christy raves about the services they received from both USCS Atlanta and the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). With assistance from both agencies, Christy connected with consulates within initial target countries to acquire valuable information about how to enter local markets. 

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There will be challenges along the way, Christy says. Her team struggled to meet projections when faced with unanticipated and uncontrollable issues and with setting up direct-to-market shipping from their Asian manufacturer, finding capable distributors, and steering the medical device through the various regulatory bodies. 

Regardless, her first and best advice for others starting the export journey is simple: “Do it!”

Once you do: 

• Have patience: it can take time for success. 
• Build a good team: you are only as good as your team. 
• Stay tenacious. 
• Find your resources: agencies like the USCS, GDEcD, District Export Councils, and Chambers of Commerce can direct you to meaningful services, support, and in-country connections. 

Christy’s favorite foreign word is “bonjour”! It’s a welcome “hello” in France and other French-speaking countries, she says, and to share the joy in Atlanta she’s localized the phrase to “bonjour y’all”! 

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