‘The biggest challenge is convincing people that women’s health issues are real’ – Virginia Franco, Yoni Solutions [interview]

“The biggest challenge is convincing people that women’s health issues are real, even if many men are unaware of them. My claims aren't just because I’m a woman, but because I’m a healthcare professional who truly understands these problems.”

“They are different experiences. In medicine, you go through medical school, residency, further specialisations, and years of hard work before becoming a specialist. You have more sense of what to expect, even with the significant responsibility, because it’s been part of your routine for years, supported by professors by your side and colleagues.

“As an entrepreneur – especially as a CEO – no matter your background, you’re expected to understand everything across various sectors without the same kind of preparation. Both careers are challenging and rewarding, but in entirely different ways.”

“The biggest challenge was transitioning from a medical doctor to a CEO, rather than the actual move between countries. While countries have their differences, the adaptation process is something that naturally follows. The real challenge lies in changing my daily work routine.

“[It’s] difficult to say how my professional experience varied from place to place because I never had the same role in both countries. What I can say is that Switzerland is highly organised and full of innovators; it’s a place where you can learn a lot from other entrepreneurs, and the country has a strong business focus.

“Brazil, on the other hand, offers a fantastic medical education with a diverse population and a wide variety of cases, allowing you to practise medicine intensively every single day.” 

“One of the most underserved areas is endometriosis and the vaginal microbiome – this last one, particularly in how it relates to female genital problems. Many women suffer due to a lack of research and understanding in this area.

“To close the gap, we need more healthcare solutions that are specifically tailored to women’s unique needs. Additionally, there should be more open discussions about women’s health issues to break down the stigma and encourage better care.”

“I do think some men do not like to discuss business with women or feel uncomfortable [about] that.” 

“I think that if you have a problem in front of you that you want to solve, a technology (or other tools that could support you), and people willing to jump as a team to help you and come on board to face the challenges, you will probably not have this opportunity again. Face the opportunity and go for it.

“It is becoming rarer to know people really willing to do something and take risks – nobody wants to be the founder any more, due to the amount of responsibility and fingers pointed at you. Yes, the responsibility is immense, and you’ll often be held accountable for almost everything. But at the end of the day, you’ll know why you embarked on this journey, and that’s what makes it worthwhile.”