CEO of Centric Health Hosts ‘Disruptive’ Workshop for College of Business Students

headshot photo of David Ochoa

The A&M-Commerce College of Business' hub for entrepreneurship, startups and innovation, the Venture College, hosted David Ochoa, CEO of Centric Health, for a seminar discussing the importance of business plans, pitching to investors and how to leverage disruption in a market segment to make business models more appealing to potential stakeholders.

Hosted on March 20 at the Dallas location and streamed live online, Ochoa shared his expertise to explain the real-world experience of drafting effective business plans and investor pitch decks to successfully launch a startup company from the ground up.

A distinguished entrepreneur in the healthcare industry and an advisory board member for Venture College, Ochoa outlined to students the steps required to ensure that their proposed businesses and nonprofits will be able to create value in a market segment, and thus be successful. Speaking to a group of over 50 students from A&M-Commerce as well as Rock Hill High School, Mansfield High School and Dallas College, he expertly explained how disruption and uncertainty—often the downfall of many businesses—can be utilized effectively to adapt to changes that create opportunities for new products and services. Several business leaders and lawyers from the DFW metroplex also attended Ochoa's workshop in person and networked with the students.

As it relates to Venture College's mission to transform the lives of students and their communities, being able to incorporate risk and uncertainty into a business plan enhances the viability of students' projects by positioning them to adapt to change or even to anticipate these market disruptions.

“Starting your own business takes courage. That means, despite your fear and uncertainty, you forge ahead,” Ochoa said. “After planning and realistic validation, it just takes hard work to accomplish something you believe in. Plan with the end in mind, expect challenges along the way, and learn from each one that comes along. “