PNºB Episode 36
Summary
This podcast episode features an interview with Adam L. Hos, COO and co-owner of Access Medical Labs. Adam discusses the company's growth, its family origins, and his personal leadership philosophy. He highlights Access Medical Labs' specialization in diagnostics using blood, saliva, and urine, emphasizing their efficiency with 50% less blood usage and 24-hour result delivery. The company, based in Jupiter, Florida, services nearly the entire US and has experienced significant growth, including a 10x increase under Adam's leadership. Key themes include the challenges and rewards of a family business, the importance of adaptability, employee empowerment, and the pursuit of innovation, particularly in AI integration and holistic medicine.
Key Topics
Access Medical Labs Overview:
One of the largest specialty diagnostic labs in the country.
Specializes in testing via blood, saliva, and urine.
Uses 50% less blood and delivers results in 24 hours (compared to 5-7 days for many competitors).
Employs approximately 175 people.
Headquartered in Jupiter, Florida, servicing nationwide (excluding New York, but licensing is in progress).
All testing is performed in their Jupiter facility; samples are received nationwide via UPS.
Adam L. Hos's Background & Early Life:
Known Noel Martinez for 15 years.
20+ years of experience in diagnostics.
Instrumental in 10x growth of Access Medical Labs.
Childhood interest in "the deal," trading Pokemon cards without spending money, selling fake Jacob watches, and CDs.
Parents, originally from Egypt (late 1970s/80s), were a biochemist (father) and microbiologist (mother).
Parents excelled in New York hospitals, then moved to Florida, working at the VA.
Identified a market gap in South Florida for nimble, customer-focused labs with quick turnaround.
Founded Access Medical Labs in 2003 in a 3500 sq ft facility in Jupiter with Adam's oldest brother, Sharif.
Youngest of three brothers.
Childhood dinners often at the lab, with long working nights (until 11 pm/12 am).
Parents made significant sacrifices (no weekends, no vacations) to build the business.
Family members (brothers and father) served as significant role models.
Father emphasized math and work ethic (e.g., PlayStation restriction during the week).
Career & Leadership Philosophy:
Joined Access Medical Labs directly after high school (Palm Beach Gardens High), chose business over college scholarships.
Saw more value in contributing to the family business (2008, 5 years into the business).
Would potentially pursue entertainment or high-end jewelry if not in diagnostics.
Enjoys leading and setting up systems for others' success, viewing true leadership as eating last and empowering the team.
Challenges of working with family: Emotional involvement, lack of filter, mixing business and personal life.
Overcoming challenges: Separating business from family, setting aside ego, operating as a true organization with trust and good intent.
Advice to younger self (15 years ago): Doesn't have to do everything himself, listen more.
Work-life balance/Hobbies: Never truly "not working," enjoys nice dinners (Miami), gym, basketball, active outdoors, travel (Italy - Amalfi, Positano, Capri, Ischia, Milan).
Company Evolution & Growth:
Joined Access in 2004 at 14 years old (part-time).
Core values (customer promise, 24-hour turnaround, high service level) have remained constant.
Operations, communication, and internal processes have evolved significantly (technology, improved processes, more personnel, innovation).
Adaptability is a point of pride (e.g., handling the COVID-19 pandemic, with family members literally sleeping in the office).
10x growth under Adam's leadership.
Biggest career risks: More related to company direction and branding, fewer "bad plays."
Key leadership qualities for growth:
Rolling up sleeves with the team.
Empathy (understanding varied capacities and mindsets).
Support (providing tools, systems, processes, technology, and personnel).
Challenges of scaling: Ensuring operational backend can handle exponential growth, finding and retaining the right people (good managers, leaders who own their work).
Fostering innovation:
"Operational Excellence" initiative to strengthen managers in process improvement, inter-departmental communication, and employee recognition.
"Access Rewards Plus" (launching next year) to reward high-performing employees.
Feedback mechanisms: Managers meet weekly with upper management, constant solicitations for suggestions and solutions (with bonuses for good solutions).
Strategic Partnership:
Partnered with Groupo Diagnostico Areas (second-largest lab in Mexico), a subsidiary of Essus Aras (holding company in real estate, healthcare, banking, education).
Access Medical Labs maintains positions, has onboarded more people, and grown tremendously due to the fruitful partnership.
Industry Trends & Future:
Exciting trends:
AI adoption in healthcare: Especially for sales, lead generation, and efficiency in getting the brand out and increasing doctor adoption.
Openness to holistic/preventative medicine: Growing demand due to perceived shortcomings of traditional medicine. This industry segment is growing at ~8.6% CAGR, validating Access's specialization in related testing.
Staying ahead of competition: Focus on "customer obsession" and internal improvement (Simon Sinek's Apple vs. Microsoft analogy). Innovating based on customer needs and anticipating unstated needs.
Biggest future innovation (5-15 years): The ability to perform comprehensive testing from a single drop of blood (referencing Theranos/Elizabeth Holmes's failed vision, but as a hypothetical ultimate goal).
Personal Growth & Legacy:
Biggest lesson learned: Don't take things personally, always listen, work extremely hard, and be likable.
Evolution as a leader:
Improved listening skills.
More calm, less hasty in decision-making, digesting information before acting.
Shift in "why": Initially driven by personal advancement (rank, money, material possessions), now driven by the success of people and the company, seeing potential actualized, and expanding impact.
Desired Legacy: To be remembered as extremely hardworking, extremely generous, and someone who cared about people and never tried to hurt a soul.
Contact Information:
Website: accessmedlab.com
Social Media: @accessmedlab