What if your background is in life sciences, but your interests lie in the world of business?
Well, you are not alone! More than 350 of our members have a health & life sciences background and joined us to explore the world of Finance.
Including Ellen Pekelharing. With a masters in life sciences, we got in contact with Ellen 2 years ago after which she transitioned into wealth management. While this was n’t the career for her, it helped her to understand how businesses work and inspired her to start her own business. Now, she’s taken the leap into entrepreneurship, using her unique blend of skills to tackle women’s health challenges.
We hope this story can inspire others to just go after the career you desire (and that desire can change ;).
You started your career in Wealth Management, something completely different from your study background. What drew you to wealth management, and what were some key lessons you learned in that field?
I was eager to broaden my understanding beyond healthcare, and wealth management offered a great opportunity to learn how businesses operate across different industries. Working as an analyst with top private fund managers gave me invaluable insight into how strategic financial decisions are made—whether it's financing debt or planning for business growth. It taught me the importance of long-term planning, resource allocation, and understanding what drives business success.
However, despite gaining these critical business skills, I soon realized my true passion lay in healthtech, which led me to where I am today.
The Inspiration Behind Ella: What inspired you to develop Ella, an AI tool to discover the cause of bloating in women? Why did you choose to focus on this specific health issue?
The idea for Ella came from my personal struggle with bloating and the frustration of not knowing what really worked for my body. Many women turn to diets like gluten-free, lactose-free, or low-sugar because food intolerances are more common among women. But figuring out if these changes actually help is a constant challenge. Often, women don’t seek advice from dietitians or GPs, so they navigate this confusion alone. I wanted to create a tool that takes away the guesswork and provides personalized nutrition insights—whether for energy, digestion, or weight—so women can feel confident about their choices without the burden of tracking everything manually.
Combining Science and Business: How did your background in health and life sciences help you in developing Ella, and how has your business / Finance experience shaped the way you run your company?
My background in health and life sciences, especially in biomedical science, taught me to approach nutrition as a complex system where everything is interconnected. Nutrition is highly personal—what works for one person may not work for another. At Ella, our recommendations are grounded in science but tailored to how an individual feels and responds, making the advice personal.
In terms of business, my master’s in entrepreneurship in health and life sciences helped me understand key challenges like navigating regulations and fostering innovation. My wealth management experience added practical insights into how businesses grow and manage resources. Learning from real-world cases gave me a deep understanding of long-term strategic planning, which helps me balance Ella’s scientific rigor with sustainable growth.
Challenges & Learnings as an Entrepreneur. What were some of the biggest personal challenges you faced while developing Ella, especially in the early stages?
Personally my challenge is managing resources—especially time. As a founder, you wear many hats. For instance, I’m not naturally skilled in social media or creating visual content, but these are critical parts of building a brand. Deciding when to learn a new skill versus asking for help is a constant balancing act.
Lastly, knowing when to stay determined in one direction and when to pivot based on feedback has been key. Some challenges require perseverance, while others need flexibility. Navigating this while staying true to Ella’s mission of delivering personalized, science-backed nutrition advice has been a learning curve but an exciting one.
Personal Insights & Advice: A lot of people talk about starting their own business, but eventually don’t do it. What advice would you give to young women who are transitioning from one career path to another, especially into entrepreneurship?
Trust yourself and your instincts—when something feels right, it gives you energy and motivation. Talk to people, explore what excites you, and think about what you love doing in your spare time. If possible, find someone to share the journey with—someone with a different perspective but the same passion. It’s so much more fulfilling when you have someone to bounce ideas off and share the experience with.
Looking back, what would you tell your younger self when you were just starting your career?
I’d tell myself to keep exploring and trying new things. Doing internships and pushing myself into different industries was invaluable because each experience taught me something new. It helped me figure out what I really enjoyed and where I thrived. I’d encourage my younger self to stay curious and not be afraid to dive into unfamiliar areas—each step adds to your overall journey.
What’s your vision for Ella in the next 5–10 years? How do you see the product evolving?
In the next 5–10 years, I see Ella becoming an indispensable tool that every woman relies on for her health and well-being. My vision is for Ella to be so personalized that it knows you better than anyone—incorporating not just your nutrition, but your menstrual cycle, sleep patterns, activity levels, stress, and even subtle changes in your routine. It will be like having a personal health expert in your pocket, providing advice tailored specifically to you.
Ultimately, I envision Ella becoming a global movement—transforming the way women approach their health and empowering them to feel confident, supported, and fully in control. My goal is for Ella to be the first thing women turn to when they need answers, and the tool they trust to help them live their healthiest, happiest lives.
*medical definition bloating: Bloating is a common gastrointestinal symptom characterized by a sensation of fullness, tightness, or distension in the abdomen, often accompanied by visible abdominal distension. It can occur in isolation or as part of various functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional constipation. The Rome III consensus classifies bloating as an independent entity known as functional bloating when it is not associated with other gastrointestinal disorders. This distinction is important as it highlights the prevalence and significance of bloating as a symptom that can affect quality of life and treatment satisfaction.