2017 40 Under 40 Honoree: Dr. Brian Vesely, 33

Doctor is in his title, but Brian Vesely is equally a negotiator, entrepreneur and team builder. His Alpaca Audiology startup purchases medical equipment for some 250 clinics and hospitals nationwide. At Sound Advice Hearing, he’s built teams of clinical doctors of audiology to run 12 hearing-aid outlets, including the first showroom-style store in Springfield. “That is a brand new approach to hearing health care,” Vesely says. “It’s our belief that empowering the patient through education is what’s truly best for the patient. We will be expanding our model very soon.” More recently, he negotiated with one of the largest hearing aid manufacturers in the world for better pricing at his clinics. As an equity owner in six companies and CEO of three, Vesely gives new respect to multitasking.

What was your first job? School janitor

What do you miss most about the 1990s? The show “Boy Meets World”

What about your job would shock clients? How corrupt the industry is and is becoming.

What did you learn the hard way? What it really takes to run a business.

How many unread messages are in your inbox right now? 35,354

What is your best productivity hack? Prioritizing what’s the most important thing I should be working on.

What’s your most treasured possession? Family Bible