Dating and diabetes deliver the goods

You’re out on a date and suddenly you’re watching someone whipping out a packet of needles in front of you. What’s going on here?

As if the needles, fluctuating energy levels, scrupulous monitoring of diet and exercise, and constant visits to the pharmacy weren’t enough, this is just one more challenge people with type 1 diabetes face – the reaction of others to the realities of their condition.

But (non-diabetic) UQ graduate Ashley Hanger (Bachelor of Communication / Bachelor of Journalism ’15) – one of those ‘others’ – channelled her reaction to make life simpler for people with diabetes.

She founded Stripped Supply.

Australia’s first diabetes subscription box, this online healthcare service ensures that people living with diabetes never run out of medical supplies – by automatically delivering custom-order boxes directly to their door.

“Although my partner, Tristan, told me he had diabetes on our first date, it wasn’t until we moved in together that I saw how frustrating, overwhelming and exhausting diabetes is and the endless to-do list that comes with it,” Ms Hanger said.

“Diabetes is a condition that dictates all aspects of your life – from eating, drinking and sleeping to working, playing and medicating.”

Ms Hanger noticed that from time to time, Tristan would forget to order his medical supplies – blood test strips and insulin pump infusion sets – and, through chatting to other people with diabetes, found this was a common problem.

“Between managing their diabetes and simply trying to enjoy their life, they are at risk of running out of these life-saving supplies completely,” she said.

“I believe the responsibility of improving diabetes management shouldn’t rest solely on the shoulders of those living with the chronic illness but should be shared with those of us who want to see everyone live their best life.”

With a fear of needles and limited knowledge of diabetes, Ms Hanger initially felt helpless to take the pressure off Tristan.

“So, I started by joining the diabetes community on various social channels, and learning from others living with it,” she said.

“Then I began fundraising and, through movie nights, Bunnings barbecues, charity bootcamps and selling funky socks, raised $10,000 for type 1 diabetes research.”

She even went on national television to raise awareness of the condition, but nothing was preventing those midnight drives to ‘every 24/7 pharmacy in the neighbourhood, looking for a box of Quick-sets’.

“It doesn’t help that the whole purchasing process is totally archaic,” Ms Hanger said.

“I thought things could be better.

“Sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes to see an opportunity to do something in a different, and arguably better, way, and that’s what I wanted to achieve.”

But how to start a new enterprise in a field where she had no experience, in an industry not keen on change – the diabetes and pharmaceutical space?

Enter UQ Ventures.

“Stripped Supply simply would not have been possible without the support and generosity of the UQ Ventures team and the iLab program,” Ms Hanger said.

“I doubt I would have learned the same breadth of skills – from the fundamentals of entrepreneurship to building a startup. Ventures is a hub of knowledge with a far-reaching network: they just know everybody!

“And it’s a great way to change your mindset and thinking to make your problem-solving better.”

Through the 3-month iLab accelerator program, Ms Hanger learnt how to found a company, get finance, find suppliers, and make contacts in the industry. She was even encouraged to approach co-founder Tamer, a pharmacist who currently manages the packing and distribution side of the business, through the scheme’s networking service.

“You don’t know what you don’t know, and back in the beginning I didn’t know A LOT!

“I’m so grateful for their ongoing support.”

Having now established her business, Ms Hanger ‘adds value’ on an ongoing basis through her Instagram feeds and blog, which provide useful advice about managing the condition, as well as inspirational stories from type 1 diabetics.

Looking ahead, she hopes to extend the service to New Zealand, the UK and US, and perhaps even expand the business model to help people with other chronic health conditions.

But has her enterprise actually helped the one person she designed it all for, and has the effort been worth it?

“And yes, Tristan loves it – he hasn’t run out of supplies since signing up.”