In this edition of the alumni spotlight, we are highlighting Surface Medical Solutions LLC, a minority owned business specializing in the surfacing of surgical implants and instruments with metal finishing, buffing, and glass beading. The vision behind the business came to founder, Kevin Briggs, twelve years ago. After having worked for over 29 years as a medical device technician, Kevin saw that medical manufacturers struggled to meet customer deadlines. Kimberly Briggs, Kevin’s wife and business partner, observed medical products as well from her 16 years of experience as a surgical technician. As a result, Kevin and Kimberly began devising a plan to save money, purchase equipment, and to open for business. After a few attempts in getting their business up and running, the business leveraged Start Co. Programs in 2020 and signed their first customer late last year. We reached out to the founders recently to get some insights.
What would you recommend to entrepreneurs beginning their journey?
“You must have a plan. Write everything down that you need to begin your business. Surround yourself with knowledgeable people and ask a lot of questions. I wish we would have met Ryan [Ramkhelawan] years ago and to have been a part of the Start Co. program. We could have skipped some of the hardships. There were many things that we didn’t know, including creating business plans and sales pitches or applying for grants or loans.”
How do you go about finding talent that fulfills your business’s needs?
“First, you should see how the candidate’s abilities match your needs. For example, a metal finisher works with their hands, so I look for a person that pays attention to details, has hand-eye coordination, and that understands basic math and the reading of prints.”
What advice do you have for overcoming difficulties in the startup process?
“Do not give up. Stay with it. Most of the time, your first ‘tries’ will be a fail, but one day that 100th ‘try’ will be a success. Also if you have a dream, you may not need to tell everyone because some people will not understand your dream. Tell someone that you can trust. Get a strong team of people that will dream with you.”
What Guidance from Start Co. has been the most beneficial?
“Start Co. has guided us in learning how to build a business portfolio that grasps the attention of potential customers. We learned how to do sales pitches through multiple sessions. In doing so with other entrepreneurs, we were able to receive feedback and tips from multiple outlets. Start Co. also gave us the opportunity to present our business to investors at the end of the program.”
Favorite Food Dish in Memphis?
“It’s a unanimous decision at Surface Medical that BBQ remains king in Memphis — especially Rendezvous.”
Learn more about Surface Medical Solutions here: