Brennan Barber
Theralinq – MICRO Spring 2024
Published July 10, 2024
As part of our ‘Meet Our Founders’ series today, we introduce Brennan Barber, CEO of Theralinq based in Raleigh, NC. Theralinq is reimagining the pediatric therapy experience and improving care plan management for children with developmental delays and chronic disabilities.
Q: What problem are you trying to solve and what influenced you to start your company?
A: Like many of the challenges that exist in our healthcare system, pediatric therapy can be frustrating to navigate. There are difficulties getting in to see providers, headaches with insurance, out-of-pocket expenses that add up, and often times there’s a disconnect in coordinated care. It can be overwhelming for families and therapists.
Our platform helps families to optimize their clinical appointments and at-home care plan, saving time, money, and providing parents with the education and accountability needed for successful outcomes.
My motivation to start Theralinq stemmed from the challenges my wife and I encountered following our son’s Cerebral Palsy diagnosis. We felt somewhat helpless as we began seeking out resources and providers. We didn’t know much about pediatric therapy, but quickly realized that for him to be successful, we needed to be active participants in his therapy sessions. As we balanced our busy work schedules and just day-to-day activities, it became apparent that coordinated care between us as parents and with his therapists was breaking down. There needed to be a solution.
Q: When did you know you wanted to take an entrepreneurial path?
A: I think I’ve always had a bit of a passion for starting something of my own. I don’t know that I truly felt comfortable pursuing entrepreneurship until I went to business school which helped me strengthen my quantitative skills in accounting and finance. As I was finishing my MBA I joined CED (Council for Entrepreneurial Development) which gave me exposure to an incredible network of founders and their passion was infectious. I loved the idea of building something that could make a difference for someone and I truly believe that we’re doing that at Theralinq.
Q: What have you enjoyed most about starting your own company?
A: It’s energized me and pushed me outside of my comfort zone in a number of ways. I believe that it’s made me more intentional and focused with my time. I’ve also enjoyed meeting other founders. There’s a camaraderie that exists that I never fully appreciated until I joined the club.
While visiting Raleigh, Brennan recommends:
- I feel like the Triangle has something to offer everyone. I’d recommend checking out a concert at Red Hat Amphitheater, going to the North Carolina Museum of Art, checking out a pro soccer or hockey game, visiting the Universities, and spending some time in nature – hiking, getting out on the lakes, and visiting Duke Gardens.There are so many great restaurants, but since I live in Raleigh, I’d suggest dinner Death and Taxes.
Support Theralinq and Brennan by:
- Introductions. We’re looking to speak with potential users and individuals who are passionate about pediatric healthcare. My co-founder Bethany is a licensed occupational therapist, so we each bring a unique perspective to the business. We believe in not only building a great product, but building a network of resources that can help families as their children begin therapy.
