The journey to success is rarely a smooth ride; it’s often a challenging and relentless pursuit. Aspiring entrepreneurs know this better than anyone else, as they navigate through sleepless nights and unforeseen obstacles in their quest to turn dreams into reality. Elizabeth Cooper, the dynamic CEO of ShiftPosts, stands as a shining example of this entrepreneurial journey. With her unwavering determination, versatile industry knowledge, and a wealth of entrepreneurial experiences, she has carved a path that inspires not only women but entrepreneurs across the board. Today, Elizabeth is celebrated as the driving force behind ShiftPosts’ ascendancy in the pharmacy industry, setting new benchmarks in relief and staffing services.
Elizabeth Cooper’s entrepreneurial story begins with a humble goat cheese creamery, an endeavor sparked by her unwavering ‘I can do’ attitude. While working as a winemaker in Napa Valley, Elizabeth stumbled upon a remarkable goat cheese that left an indelible mark on her palate. Intrigued and encouraged by a fellow wine enthusiast, she ventured into crafting her own premium-quality cheese. This initial foray into the world of entrepreneurship became a stepping stone for Elizabeth’s future ventures.
Throughout her career, Elizabeth’s choices were underpinned by her relentless attitude and an insatiable curiosity about diverse fields. From entrepreneur to “intrapreneur,” and back to entrepreneur, her journey equipped her with the acumen to identify promising opportunities. Elizabeth’s influence has been felt in over 50 emerging companies, working alongside renowned venture firms like Accel, NEA, and Draper Esquin.
A defining aspect of Elizabeth’s career is her affinity for startups. She thrives on the intellectual challenges they offer and relishes the opportunity to evaluate innovative ideas for their potential success. Once committed to a project, her innate determination, honed by a childhood lesson to complete what she starts, kicks in. Her tenure at IDG saw her pivotal role in establishing Sun Microsystems as a prominent player, a testament to her prowess in navigating the tech landscape. Her entrepreneurial spirit was evident when she identified a market gap during her time at IDG and secured an impressive 8 million-dollar investment to launch a new division. Her strategies facilitated the birth of a sales-focused publication and consulting services group, redefining the trajectory of numerous technology firms.
In 2019, Elizabeth embarked on her journey with ShiftPosts, a Minneapolis-based company that has redefined staffing in the pharmacy sector. ShiftPosts operates as a disruptive Software as a Service (SaaS) platform connecting pre-verified pharmacy professionals with operators seeking various levels of shift coverage. This innovative approach enhances staffing efficiency while ensuring the highest quality of personnel.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed an unforeseen challenge for ShiftPosts. Originally set to expand into the US in 2020, the pandemic’s disruption forced the company to reconsider its plans. Undeterred, Elizabeth and her team recognized the pressing need in healthcare staffing, particularly during the mass vaccination efforts. ShiftPosts successfully secured a contract with a county in Ontario, demonstrating their agility and commitment to the cause. They swiftly qualified over 600 healthcare workers, staffing thousands of shifts across numerous locations within 72 hours, outperforming established competitors. This feat solidified ShiftPosts’ reputation as a reliable staffing solution and ushered in a new era of healthcare staffing.
Elizabeth’s journey has not been without challenges. In the realm of startups, challenges are the norm, and the ability to discern real issues and address them head-on is paramount. Flexibility in decision-making and a willingness to embrace change are equally vital. Elizabeth emphasizes the significance of addressing concerns within the team and fostering an environment of open communication. Such principles have helped her build a strong and cohesive team that thrives amidst the uncertainties of the startup landscape.
Drawing from her venture capital experiences, Elizabeth underscores the importance of proactive communication with investors. Staying ahead of their needs and anticipating potential challenges goes a long way in building a successful investor-founder relationship. For aspiring women entrepreneurs, she highlights their innate multitasking abilities and advises securing verbal commitments from investors before client interactions. Keeping a vigilant eye on competitors and understanding their own growth potential are also crucial factors in building a thriving business.
Elizabeth’s advice to budding womenpreneurs is pragmatic and insightful. She urges them to seek feedback from those who genuinely understand the problem their business aims to solve. As women founders, they might not always receive the desired attention from venture capitalists, making securing commitments from friends and family networks a prudent starting point. Building a robust team is equally important, as entrepreneurship is too vast a terrain to navigate alone.
Looking ahead, ShiftPosts’ vision extends beyond healthcare. Elizabeth envisions the platform’s expansion into industries that require rigorous credential verification and skill assessment. This calculated expansion is set to bring the same efficiency and reliability to new sectors, further solidifying ShiftPosts’ position as a game-changer in staffing solutions.
Elizabeth Cooper’s journey embodies the essence of entrepreneurship – the ability to transform challenges into opportunities, to persist when others may falter, and to create a lasting impact on industries and lives. Her ‘I can do’ attitude, coupled with her diverse expertise and unwavering determination, cements her place as a true trailblazer in the entrepreneurial world. Through ShiftPosts, she continues to redefine the future of staffing while inspiring others to embark on their own entrepreneurial odysseys.
