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Business Networks | February, 2008 | Volume 6, Issue 2
Alumnus: Juan Carlos Ruiz (BBA ’85)
Background: Ruiz has quite a diverse background, having worked in several different industries during his career. Like many of the College of Business Administration’s alums, he worked full time while attending school. He began his career in pharmaceutical sales, working for Flint Labs and Boots Pharmaceuticals. He then moved to the biotech industry and worked for Amgen Inc, J&J Inc., and Serono Labs. He entered the medical surgical field when he assumed a position with B.Braun/McGaw Inc., where he sold medical surgical tubing and installed a needle-free system at Jackson Memorial Hospital that is still used today. While regional manager of a firm the owner wanted to sell, Ruiz saw the future potential in hearing aids and made the decision to transition from an employee to an employer. He has been leading and growing the company since he acquired it in 2004. Company: Micro-Sharp Hearing Center provides hearing aid sales and services to residents of the Greater Miami and Florida Keys areas. The centers offer hearing exams and fittings, hearing aid evaluation, repairs, cleanings, and service for the lifetime of the hearing aid. Currently, Ruiz oversees eight locations with four more to be built in 2008. Growth of the Company: Since Ruiz purchased Micro Sharp Hearing, he has grown the “mom and pop” operation to a new level by partnering with Navarro Pharmacies and with BJ’s. The company uses a NETVG Network database that can manage 4,000 patients. The schedules and data can be seen in cyberspace. All files are set up for rapid expansion and have the flexibility to service anyone with a hearing device in any part of the world. Ruiz foresees the company expanding to between 50 and 100 locations, and he plans to grow the business through many different avenues. Sustainability: No surgery can replace hearing loss. There are 40 million baby boomers today, and a large majority of those individuals will need hearing devices. With the rise of cell phones and i-pods, there has been a significant increase in hearing loss among younger individuals as well. Niche: There is a tremendous need to educate the Hispanic population about hearing loss and to talk to them in their own language. Ruiz saw an unmet need and acted upon it by advertising in Spanish. Advice: “Make sure you are cautious with every step you take; align yourself with people that are experts in the areas in which you are not, and associate yourself with the right people to attain a great network.” Core Belief: “Change is inevitable, so be ready to turn on a dime.” Ruiz definitely is not afraid of change. He believed so much in his ability to build and grow the business that he put everything on the line. He does not regret it; he keeps his eye on the map in his office that tracks the expansion he envisions for his firm. Top of Page | Home | Blog this. |
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