A Humbling Milestone: My Journey from Pain to Purpose, and Qi Health's Feature in Entrepreneur

December 14, 2024

Essential Takeaways

You can read the article about Qi Health in Entrepreneur here

As the founder of Qi Health, I’m still pinching myself after seeing our story published in Entrepreneur magazine. Being recognized for the work we’re doing in women’s health, especially using traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is such a surreal and humbling experience. To be honest, it feels like just yesterday I was struggling with debilitating pain and wondering if I would ever find relief. Now, to have Qi Health featured as part of a movement that’s reshaping how we think about wellness? It’s truly an honor.

My Personal Journey: From Struggle to Transformation

The story of Qi Health didn’t begin in a boardroom or a startup incubator—it started in the most personal way possible: with my own health struggles. For years, I suffered from excruciating period pain. Every month, five days would be consumed by pain so intense that I couldn’t function. I visited doctor after doctor, only to be told the same thing: “There’s nothing wrong.” But I knew something had to change.

Then, a friend introduced me to traditional Chinese medicine. I had no idea what it was, but I was desperate. I tried customized herbal medicine, and to my amazement, within a couple of months, I was pain-free. I felt a shift—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. I couldn’t believe how something so ancient had such a profound impact on my body. That experience changed my life and gave birth to the idea of Qi Health.

The Birth of Qi Health: Bringing TCM to the Digital Age

Founded alongside my incredible co-founder and CTO, Nam Le, Qi Health aims to make traditional Chinese medicine accessible, transparent, and trustworthy—especially for women facing chronic health conditions. The Western healthcare system often lacks treatment options for women’s health issues, leaving so many of us without effective solutions. That’s where Qi Health comes in: we’re bringing an ancient healing system into the modern world, using digital platforms to reach women everywhere.

It’s hard to believe that just two years ago, Qi Health was a vision in my mind. Now, with each passing day, we’re helping thousands of women find relief from symptoms that many have struggled with for years. I’m beyond proud of the work we’ve done, and this feature in Entrepreneur is a reminder of how far we’ve come—and how much further we want to go.

The Power of Listening and Learning

One of the things that stood out to me in the Entrepreneur article was the emphasis on customer feedback. From the very beginning, I’ve always believed in the power of listening to our users. Whether it’s been helping with period pain, insomnia, or digestive issues, every woman who reaches out to us is telling us exactly what they need. The results speak for themselves: women who’ve tried everything else and feel like they’ve run out of options come to us and see incredible, fast results. Patients writing “You saved my life.” is what keeps us going. These personal stories and testimonials fuel my passion for what we’re doing. It’s not just about building a successful business—it’s about changing lives. And to be honest, I couldn’t have asked for a better team to help bring that vision to life.

The Road Ahead: Growing Qi Health

Looking forward, we’re incredibly excited about the future. The complementary and alternative medicine market is booming, and as the Entrepreneur article mentions, it’s expected to reach $229 billion by 2033. With more women looking for effective, natural alternatives, we see a massive opportunity to grow Qi Health and make TCM a mainstream part of health and wellness in the U.S. But it’s not just about growth—it’s about staying true to our mission. We are committed to continuing to listen to our customers, refine our offerings, and build partnerships that will allow us to reach tens of thousands more women who need relief.

And it’s important to staying true to the oldest medicine in the world. We’re not changing it, we’re not stripping things away or adding to it, we give expert practitioners a platform to do what has been done for millenia: prescribe a custom, high-dose, herbal formulation made for the root cause of each symptom.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

As I reflect on my journey, I’m reminded of the advice I’d give to any aspiring entrepreneur: don’t be afraid to start small and listen closely. Qi Health started because I saw a need and followed my own experience. When you’re building a business, especially one in a niche market like women’s health, finding your first group of loyal customers is crucial. They’ll help shape your vision and guide you to success.

And when it comes to funding, don’t think you need a ton of capital to get started. The tools available today make it possible to start with minimal investment. Once you’ve built your product and know your audience, that’s when you can seek the right partners and investors to help you scale.

Grateful and Excited for What’s Next

Seeing Qi Health featured in Entrepreneur has been a huge milestone for us, but it’s just the beginning. I’m grateful for the recognition, and I’m even more excited about the journey ahead. Our mission remains the same: to empower women by providing them with natural, effective solutions that help them feel their best. We’ve seen the power of TCM firsthand, and we’re committed to helping even more women experience that transformation.

Thank you to the Entrepreneur team for sharing our story, and thank you to everyone who has supported Qi Health along the way. We couldn’t have done it without you.

If you haven’t already, I invite you to explore Qi Health and see for yourself how we’re bringing ancient wisdom to modern wellness. Together, we’re changing the future of women’s health—one consultation at a time.

If you have a story to share we would love to hear it, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at hello@qihealth.io. We’re here for you!

— Camilla Sievers, Founder and CEO of Qi Health