Stéphan Toupin, a standout in the medical sales industry, unveils his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, offering listeners an insider perspective on navigating career shifts with purpose and passion. Join us as Stéphan, who traded in his lab coat for a sales portfolio, shares his early realization that pursuing a PhD wasn't his calling. He takes us through his rapid rise from a pharmaceutical sales rep to a management position and, ultimately, to establishing his own medical device distributorship. This episode is packed with insights for anyone considering a career shift within medical sales or exploring entrepreneurial ventures. Discover the nuanced transition from pharma to the dynamic world of medical device sales, where understanding complex stakeholder landscapes is crucial. Stéphan sheds light on the challenges and rewards of this sector and how his passion for medical science and innovation fueled his leap into entrepreneurship. He shares strategies for success, including the critical importance of knowing your product and audience and the unique facets of medical device sales compared to pharmaceuticals. Listeners will gain a clearer picture of the financial and personal risks involved in this path and why freedom and self-direction can outweigh monetary gain. Finally, Stéphan offers a masterclass on entering the U.S. market with foreign medical devices, detailing the essential steps companies often overlook. He discusses the importance of reimbursement strategies, understanding CPT codes, and the choice between different types of distributors. With a focus on education and long-term partnerships, Stéphan's approach is both strategic and collaborative. Ending on a note of personal growth and ambition, he shares his vision of empowering his team to ensure the success of his business while pursuing new opportunities, providing a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs in the medical sales industry. Meet the guest: Experienced President with a demonstrated history of working in the medical device and pharmaceutical industry. Born and raised in the east part of Canada, French is my first language.  Bachelor's degree in medical biology and Master's in Experimental Medicine. Seventeen years in the pharmaceutical industry as a sales representative, sales manager, government affairs, market access, and training.  Started a medical device distribution in 2012, covering all of Canada. Moved down to the USA in 2015. Partner in 2 other medical device distributions. As he says, "Enjoying life under the sun!" This Podcast offers a pathway to continuing education via this CMEfy link: https://earnc.me/7qfpzd