Insider Insight: Somer Baburek, co-founder and CEO of Hera Biotech

This week we meet Somer Baburek, co-founder and CEO of the women’s health start-up Hera Biotech. Based in San Antonio, Texas, Somer is on a mission to develop and commercialise the world’s first non-surgical test for definitive diagnosis and staging of endometriosis.

 

What is your morning routine? 

My current morning routine is not what I would consider my “normal” routine as I have an infant who now somewhat dictates when my morning begins. That said, I am usually up between 4-5am and a cup of coffee is my first priority (after feeding the baby, of course).

If the little one sleeps later, I usually try to catch a little bit of national news and respond to emails that came in overnight while I sip coffee. If she’s up, I have the news on in the background while I play with her.

At 6am, I wake up my other two daughters and get them ready for school. We try to always do morning drop off as a family and then we’re back home to start the day. Childcare arrives at 8:30am and then I begin my “official” workday.

Which technology could you not live without? 

Unfortunately, I must say my cell phone. It allows me to work from anywhere, which affords me the luxury of attending school events, having lunch with my kiddos, or answering emails/taking calls in the pickup line or at one of the many sports practices. I feel very fortunate to be able to be involved with my children and not bound to an office or computer for work.

How do you relax?

Admittedly, I am not great about this. I am notorious for sitting down only to immediately think of something I “need” to do before I relax. I try to find little moments for mental calm. Often this is when I’m putting the baby down to sleep or going for a run, these quiet little moments allow me to intentionally clear my mind, be present and let my mind relax.

To be fair, I also relish a glass of wine on the couch with my husband when all the littles are asleep, those conversations are some of my favourite and work wonders for decompressing.

Which quote resonates with you? 

My favourite quote is by the French poet, Ovid. The quote is, “Fortune and love, favour the brave.” Sometimes I have insecurities about my role as a CEO, wife, or mother, when I do, this quote seems to bring me comfort.

I feel like each of these roles requires me to be brave in different ways, this quote makes me realise that being brave enough to expand past my comfort zone in each of these roles is what will allow me to be, what I define, as successful in each of them.

What is the best thing about your job? 

The people! Endometriosis patients, my sister and niece included, are some of the strongest, fiercest, and intentionally vulnerable people I have ever had the pleasure of working for, I love them!

My colleagues at Hera are also some of my favourite people. I love how dedicated everyone is to improving the diagnostic process for the patients and being thoughtful about each and every stakeholder in the process.

I also routinely marvel and the diversity on our team; everything from education to professional, to cultural. It would be an understatement to say that we all come from VERY different backgrounds but somehow it blends beautifully.

What keeps you motivated?

There are two things that keep me extremely motivated. The first is patients; hearing the stories of what they’ve gone through to get a diagnosis never cease to motivate me. I love hearing from them and knowing that the work we are doing has the potential to completely shift the paradigm of care and the process of diagnosis is what pushes me through some of the tough spots.

The other thing that motivates me is my children. I have three daughters, who will all be subjected to the standards of care in women’s health at some point in the relatively near future. I do not want them to experience the same standards, societal/medical gaslighting, and/or societal/cultural reluctance to openly talk about women’s health that I experienced.

The idea that I may be able to improve their experience, or at least equip them with knowledge of the gaps and enable them to advocate for themselves is highly motivating.

What is the most important lesson you have learned on your start-up journey?

People are full of advice and opinions about every aspect of your business. There is something to be learned from everyone, but without data, advice and opinions should be taken at face value.

Additionally, there are people in the investor world who just feel the need to treat founders terribly. In my experience, the people who try the hardest to make you feel like you don’t know what you’re talking about, are often the ones with the least relevant knowledge in your field!

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Lighten up! You don’t have to have all the answers.

What is something you wish you could experience again for the first time?

Getting my first check from an investor that I hadn’t known for years. It was such a euphoric feeling of accomplishment. I felt like I had done a good job at explaining not only our business model and strategy, which is my background, but also the science behind the test. I felt so proud that I was able to represent the work of my co-founders well enough to garner investment, it was really lovely.

What is your greatest achievement since establishing Hera Biotech?

In my mind there are two highlights here, one personal and one professional. Professionally, I think our biggest accomplishment has been taking the test into the clinic. This is a real turning point, seeing your product being used by real people on real people; truly moving.

Personally, I think the highlight has been bringing conversations about women’s health, female founders and investing into the forefront of our family conversations.

As an example, my oldest daughter recently had a very serious conversation with me and my husband about wanting to use the money she had saved up to invest in a business. We talked about due diligence, equity, and the difference between investing and giving.

Those were not conversations that I heard or had at 11 and I love that these concepts are things she is already comfortable talking and asking questions about.