Brand in the Making by ThinkTank Thought Leadership

John Vandervest, co-founder of Decimal Code, shares how an internal research project at Michigan Medicine turned into a startup revolutionizing medical billing with AI. From discovering massive revenue leaks to navigating long healthcare sales cycles and joining Techstars, John reveals the scrappy journey of bringing AI-powered accuracy to one of the most complex industries.

Chapters:
(00:00) Welcome & Decimal Code’s Origin Story
(03:30) Becoming an Accidental Entrepreneur
(07:40) Early Wins and University Support
(12:05) Learning Curves and Sales Agility
(18:20) Breaking Biases Against AI
(24:15) Inside Techstars and Startup Growth
(29:50) Challenges of Innovating in Healthcare
(34:10) Where to Learn More About Decimal Code

Creators and Guests

Host
Zach Ramirez
Zach Ramirez is a seasoned sales professional with 16 years of experience helping companies grow by focusing on people and performance. A proud father of three, he recharges through music and family time.

What is Brand in the Making by ThinkTank Thought Leadership?

Behind every brand is a person.
We share their unheard stories as their journeys unfold.

Brand in the Making is a raw, unscripted podcast featuring founders, creators, and thought leaders who are building something meaningful. These are the voices you haven’t heard yet—captured in real time, before the headlines.

Each episode takes you inside the process: the sparks, the setbacks, and the strategies that shape personal brands and breakout businesses.

If you're curious about what it takes to build a brand that matters, this is your front-row seat.

Presented by ThinkTank Thought Leadership — the content engine for ambitious leaders.