CEO Elyse Dickerson and the women at Eosera speak about how they practice Conscious Capitalism and live up to their mission of healing humans.
Elyse Dickerson is the CEO and co-founder of EOSERA® Inc., a Fort Worth-based biotechnology company specializing in ear care products for adults, kids, and pets. Coming from a background in big pharma, Elyse found that big corporations were less focused on the consumer and more focused on the revenues. When she started her company with cofounder Joe Griffin, Ph.D., in 2015, she was determined to do it differently. Eosera® Inc. is one of the few companies pioneering in a concept called Conscious Capitalism— a philosophy that values people over profits and puts humans as one of the main foci of the corporation. “Conscious Capitalism is having a higher purpose over profits. Our higher purpose, we decided, was people,” Elyse says. She continues: “We’re unapologetically capitalists, but we see it as a bigger word,” says Elyse. Antonia, the associate manager of supply chain and logistics at Eosera® notes that Conscious Capitalism “means not neglecting the shareholders and consumers in the pursuit of being profitable. Without customers and without a support system, the business dies. The two have to work together in order to generate great results that everyone can benefit from.”
Because of their intense emphasis on the people part of the business, Eosera® has grown tremendously since its conception in 2015. With the first product, EARWAX MD®, hitting CVS shelves in early 2017, the startup has taken off and not looked back. They now have seven ear care products with two more in the pipeline (coming late fall 2019), including products that tackle impacted earwax, ear pain, and ear itch. But that’s not all. Eosera® hired four new employees in three different capacities in the last few months—all of which are women. The new ladies joining Eosera® are Evan, Margarita, Katie, and Antonia. Katie, in marketing, says that “the people are what drew me to this position. I was definitely interested in the work, but after meeting the team, I was sold. I felt from the beginning that they truly put people first. After my short time here, I can say that thought has only been reinforced.” Gabby, the manufacturing team lead, says “I’ve never had supervisors or bosses like [Elyse and Joe]; they’re very nice people and it’s fun to come to work. I never thought I’d work in a place like this; it’s exciting.” People before profits is a mantra that echoes through the halls at Eosera®; it’s something they live by as a company. “I love working here because the people are good,” says Margarita in manufacturing.
Along with the philosophy of Conscious Capitalism, the mission at Eosera is clear: healing humans. This distinct and simple statement holds the belief that putting people first is the right way to do business. Elyse, Joe, and the employees at Eosera® couldn’t agree more. “To me, healing humans plays out in many ways here at Eosera®, most obviously in our innovative products that actually work to heal ear pain, itch, and earwax impaction, but also in the way business is run; people are at the center of everything here, from customers, to employees, to investors,” says Evan, who works in marketing. Antonia, the associate manager of supply chain and logistics, says healing humans “means being able to create and bring lasting contributions to society that make people’s lives easier.” Elyse and Joe believe that businesses are meant to do more for the economy, investors, consumers, and employees than make money. “People matter, society matters and as a conscious business, we should strive to solve problems that actually matter to people and society by providing products and service that they actually need. We prioritize people over profit, always,” says Marketing Associate, Evan. Katie, also in marketing, says that “Conscious Capitalism to me is the idea that there’s more to business than the revenues. There’s a higher purpose, a commitment that the company has to something other than money. At Eosera®, that commitment is to people.” The focus and thoughtfulness that Eosera has on creating a healing environment, not only for their employees and themselves, but for everyone they come in contact with, distinguishes them from other companies, setting them apart from the competition as a corporation that not only sells premium products for your ears, but one that also gives back to the consumer and the community in creative and impactful ways. For instance, Elyse mentors other female entrepreneurs hoping to succeed in business. She mentions that she feels like “part of my purpose in this company and in this world is to empower other people to take risks and go beyond where they thought they could go, especially women,” Elyse continues, “I want to be an example of someone that does that.” Elyse’s journey as an entrepreneur is proof of her tenacious personality and fighting spirit. Through the ups and downs, Elyse has time and time again confirmed her resilience as an empire-building female business owner who takes the time to lift others up as she rises herself.
Due to their growth and business management, Eosera® has won numerous industry awards, including the Fort Worth Business Press 2018 Top Business Award, 2018 Rising Star Award by CVS Health, the 2017 Tech FW (Fort Worth) Impact Award, and was named a finalist in D CEO for 2017 Excellence in Healthcare Award. The Dallas Business Journal awarded Elyse the 2018 Women in Business Award and 2016 Women in Technology Award. Most recently, in 2019, Fort Worth Magazine named Elyse Fort Worthian to Watch. FW Inc named her Top 400 Most Influential People, and D CEO named her Most Admired CEO.
It’s obvious that Eosera® lives up to their mission of healing humans. Between practicing Conscious Capitalism to their growth as evidence from the way they do business, Eosera® continues to serve the community and prove that they are putting people first.
About the Author:
Katie Marler works for Eosera® Inc. as a marketing communications associate in Fort Worth, Texas. She graduated from Texas Christian University with a master’s in rhetoric and composition.