on for helping people and the larger society. As a child, my family escaped from Uzbekistan as Jewish refugees. When we ultimately came to the US, I was overwhelmed with the world of possibility and seeing true entrepreneurship for the first time.  At Hims & Hers, we had the idea to create a modern approach to health and wellness through telemedicine and eliminate stigmas around care. That work informed much of what ultimately inspired Dutch. Also, after having a personal issue trying to get vet care for my dog, I realized the gap between suffering pets and access to high-quality, specialized care was far too wide. Dutch was founded to provide pets with modern telemedicine, treatments rooted in science delivered monthly with ongoing support from trusted vets.  IR: What inspired the switch from working in the human telemedicine market to one for animals? JS: I’ve always had a strong fascination for how early-stage companies are built and the societal need they are fulfilling. After recognizing and meeting the clear gap within the healthcare field with Hims & Hers, it didn’t take too long to see that the pet health realm was also ripe for innovation. Especially after I got my pandemic puppy, Eddie, and was connecting more with veterinarians to understand patient practices and industry norms, I saw another strategic opportunity to establish a more cost-effective and accessible healthcare model for pets that not only caters to the needs of their owners but also aims to alleviate the demands on overworked and highly trained professionals in the field. My particular skill set, and passions, happened to be a great fit for this idea, particularly when it comes to the legal battle for virtual healthcare practices. When we started Hims in 2017, telemedicine was not as widely accessible as it is today and that is exactly where veterinary telemedicine is in 2023. We just reached a huge milestone with the approval of California Assembly bill AB 1399 which makes virtual veterinary care legal in the state. I’ve spent the last two years lobbying alongside the Humane Society and ASCPA to get this bill approved to provide much-needed widespread access to vet care. IR: Where are the current white spaces in this field and how is Dutch helping fill them in? JS: In an era where pets are cherished members of the family and remote work/living is more common post-pandemic, you would think there would be more of an emphasis on having access to reliable and affordable veterinary care.  Yet, the United States faces a major issue of inadequate access to veterinary services, with only one vet for every 1,500 pets and a deficiency of veterinary employees in nearly 33 per cent of state counties. Dutch is reinvigorating the industry by bringing easy, affordable access to pet parents while alleviating the burden of in-person vet clinics. Of Dutch’s customers, more than 50 per cent didn’t have access to a regular vet prior, proving that Dutch has made care more accessible nationwide.  We are working hard to transform the veterinary industry from one that’s short-staffed and overworked to one that provides quality care in a timely manner without sacrificing the well-being of licensed professionals.  IR: What have been the biggest highlights and setbacks you’ve experienced in building the business thus far? JS: As 2023 draws to a close and I take stock of what we achieved this year there are several things I’m super proud of: We’re redefining a category and building a leading pet healthcare brand. Figuring out the product market fit is a road filled with setbacks and we have built an amazing team that is continuing to innovate and achieve results – this year we’ll have grown six times over.  Being part of changing the legal landscape to make pet telemedicine more affordable and accessible has been exhilarating. It’s a tough process that could go off the rails for a number of reasons and seeing the California and Arizona bills get across the finish line sets incredible momentum going into 2024. I love seeing the difference we’re making for pets and veterinarians. More pets than ever are being able to see a veterinarian faster and cheaper and veterinarians are able to make more money doing what they love on their own terms. Biggest setback:  It’s been disappointing to see the extent to which there are entrenched interests that are extremely self-serving and protectionist and want to keep the status quo, which would limit telemedicine and keep costs high and veterinary appointment availability low. I still have a hard time understanding how people who purport to love pets cannot put the interest of the pets first. IR: What are your top priorities/areas of focus for the brand over the next 12 months? JS: On January 1, California Assembly Bill 1399 will go into effect, officially greenlighting veterinary telehealth in the state. While the legalities of virtual veterinary care vary from state to state, the strictest regulations still exist in nine out of the 50 states. That said, we are incredibly excited to be available to a new, and influential demographic of users that will hopefully open pathways to other states with conservative regulations.  In preparation for our anticipated user growth from the passing of the bill, we will also prioritize bringing on more vets full-time and invest in enhancing Dutch’s proprietary electronic record management platform to increase customer satisfaction. Through this platform, all pet parents can come to Dutch and speak with a vet, access all of their pet’s electronic information, and order and get medications delivered all in one account page. IR: What do you love most about working in the retail industry? JS: I love the direct impact we have on enhancing the lives of both pets and their owners. Our product has an immediate impact on pets and pet parents and I love seeing that in action. Having a dog of my own, I deeply understand the lifelong bond and affection towards pets, and it makes me proud to lead a company that is making a significant impact on pet affordability and increasing access to basic care. IR: What is a piece of advice you wish you had gotten when you first began on your entrepreneurial journey? JS: My advice: Just do it. In my 20s, I didn’t think it was possible or that I was the kind of person who could start his own company. As I inched closer to putting together a business plan, I had so much fear about starting my own business. What if I fail? Will I be embarrassed? What will failure mean for my future career prospects? Life is too short. In business school, it became clear to me that I was wired to be an entrepreneur and if I was going to be honest and true to myself, I had to pursue that journey. Along the way, I had years and years of failure. But as they say, these were learning opportunities. I learned to iterate and persevere. The biggest lesson I learned is that you can’t learn if you don’t do. Hence my advice to “Just do it.”