Naomi McGregor #FollowMoveTru
To get us started - how would you describe yourself in 6 words or less?
Innovative, resilient, dedicated, STEM leader
Describe your business and what prompted you to start it?
At 14 years old, I injured myself during ballet. It took over three years and eight different specialists to finally diagnose the injury. At this time, I was told I would never be able to dance again. Unfortunately, my story is not unique, and athletes across the world suffer from life-altering injuries that could be dealt with in a more efficient manner or prevented entirely. For my engineering dissertation, I had the opportunity to put forward my own idea and I jumped at the chance! I combined my passion for dance, frustration of injury, and knowledge of engineering. When I submitted my dissertation, I couldn’t walk away from Movetru. I pursued competitions, registered my company in July 2020, and declined my graduate role in September. And so, Movetru was born!
Fill us in on your female founder journey.
A young solo female founder in engineering, I faced various challenges and embraced the opportunities of building a business from the ground up. Through determination and resilience, I grew my team and saw my product come to life, shaping not only my own future but also inspiring the next generation of female founders to pursue their passions in start-ups and engineering.
How has being part of the AwakenHub community helped your business?
As a CEO, being a part of a AwakenHub has been an invaluable asset to my journey. The support and camaraderie within the community has helped me to develop both personally and professionally. The community has provided me with formal and informal advisors, who have offered guidance and wisdom. Additionally, being a part of this community has allowed me to make valuable connections with press and investors, which has been instrumental in growing my business. One of the most powerful aspects of this membership has been the creation of a sisterhood. Being a part of this community has allowed me to tap into the collective knowledge and experience of a group of highly successful and accomplished female founders, who have been an incredible support system throughout my journey.
As a founder - what are your non-negotiables?
As a founder, my non-negotiables are to prioritise the team, ensure that everyone is passionate about the mission and to uphold the core business values. These values guide my decision making and leadership style to ensure a successful long-term outcome for the company.
What are your top three tips for other women founders?
1. Calendar block your time - this is your most valuable asset! 2. If you are embarrassed to ask the question - you most definitely should ask 3. Work on the business bottlenecks first - prove that the most difficult task is attainable
What are you hoping to get out of your New York experience?*
I am ecstatic to join the AwakenHub in New York and expand my network globally! I am eager to connect with new investors and learn from fellow founders' successes and challenges. This trip is a fantastic opportunity to take my business to the next stage as we are preparing for our next raise and product launch.
Where do you see yourself in 12 months and 5 years time?
In 12 months, I envision Movetru to have launched successfully, working with key athletes, coaches, surgeons, and physiotherapists. My team will have expanded, and their passion for the mission will continue to drive the success of the business. In 5 years, I see my business as a global success across multiple sports, establishing itself as the go-to solution for preventing injuries and reducing the impact of musculoskeletal disorders. The company will have a solid reputation and be recognised as a leader in the industry. The team will continue to grow and the company will continue to innovate as a leader in the field of sports medicine and injury prevention.
To finish up with what are six words to live by?
Be the change you want to see
#FollowMoveTru
