I’ve known Manuel Cassola for many years, and throughout our friendship, the idea of building something significant together was always a topic of conversation. However, it wasn’t until 2018 that we found the perfect opportunity to bring our shared vision to life. That opportunity was CedrusMed, and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

🌟 The Birth of CedrusMed

The idea for CedrusMed came to life during a Christmas celebration in 2018. At the time, someone pointed out that a segment of the mental health industry still relied heavily on manual paperwork. This struck a chord with me, and I immediately saw the potential to develop a software solution to automate and streamline the daily administrative tasks of mental health organizations.

By mid-2019, the first line of code for CedrusMed was written after extensive market research confirmed that this was an opportunity waiting to be seized. However, in those early days, the project remained largely under wraps, known only to a few family members. This changed when I shared the idea with a long-time friend and fellow entrepreneur with a deep background in Information Technology.

🤝 A Partner Like No Other

From the moment I approached Manuel with the idea of CedrusMed, I knew I had found the perfect partner. Seeing the same potential in the market, he decided to join me on this ambitious journey without hesitation. Together, we officially registered CedrusMed in Florida on August 1st, 2020.

More than just a business partner, he is a close and trusted friend. I admire his commitment to honesty and deep love for his family—especially his wife, two daughters, and two grandchildren. He exemplifies integrity in every aspect of his life, which has become the cornerstone of CedrusMed’s operations and culture.

💪 The Early Days: Hard Work and Dedication

The journey to build CedrusMed was anything but easy. We worked long days and sleepless nights, tirelessly transforming our vision into reality. By August 2020, after a year of intense development, we launched CedrusMed’s Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform. The first version of our software was tested by a mental health agency owned by three doctors who generously agreed to try CedrusMed.

What followed was a whirlwind of activity: establishing a pricing model, developing a marketing strategy, selling the product, training clients, and continuously adding code to enhance the platform’s capabilities. My partner was instrumental during this phase, leveraging his extensive knowledge of technology and his sharp business acumen to help propel CedrusMed into a disruptive force in the South Florida mental health market.

🔑 The Keys to Success: Simplicity and Innovation

CedrusMed quickly gained the support of mental health workers, including therapists, case managers, supervisors, and agency owners. One key factor in our early success was the simple and user-friendly interface we developed, which made it easy for health specialists to interact with our platform. The unique tools offered by CedrusMed to simplify documentation work earned us the loyalty of the mental health specialists who used our software.

CedrusMed’s time-saving features were invaluable for these professionals. This early support played a crucial role in our growth, especially when we lacked the resources to widely broadcast our existence. My partner’s expertise was critical in this phase, as he helped craft a referral plan that allowed our satisfied users to spread the word about CedrusMed, fueling our initial expansion.

⚙️ Tackling Industry Challenges: Standardization and Beyond

One of our biggest challenges in the mental health industry was the lack of standardized documentation. The documentation landscape was like the Wild West. Instead of seeing this as a hurdle, we saw it as an opportunity. We created the CedrusMed Standard Documentation package, adhering to the guidelines set forth by The Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Today, CedrusMed is used by more than 9,000 mental health specialists across Florida. We are committed to providing the best possible service to our customers and improving the lives of those who need mental health care. This success is a testament to my partner’s hard work and dedication to this venture.

💼 The Personal Journey: Values and Work Ethic

What makes him such an exceptional partner isn’t just his professional skills but also his deep-rooted values. His love for his family is evident in everything he does. Despite the demands of building a startup, he has always made time for his loved ones, ensuring they remain his top priority.

His honesty is another trait that sets him apart. In a world where business can often be cutthroat, he operates with a level of transparency and integrity that is truly refreshing. He believes in doing things right, even when it’s not easy. This commitment to ethical business practices has earned him my trust and the respect of everyone who works with him.

Throughout the years, I’ve seen him work tirelessly. His work ethic is unparalleled, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit that is both inspiring and contagious. His ability to navigate complex challenges and turn them into opportunities is a testament to his entrepreneurial skill and determination to succeed.

👥 A Strong Partnership and Friendship

Beyond business, he is a close friend and confidant. Working together on CedrusMed has strengthened our relationship, and I value the bond we have built over the years. His insights and perspectives have helped shape not only the direction of our company but also my approach to business and life.

Working with him at CedrusMed has been more than just a professional partnership. It has been a journey shared with someone I deeply respect and trust. His influence has shaped not only the direction of our company but also my personal growth.

🚀 Looking Ahead: The Future of CedrusMed

As we look to the future, I am excited about the possibilities for CedrusMed. We are confident that we will continue to innovate in the mental health industry. Our mission remains clear: to provide modern, user-friendly solutions that empower mental health specialists to deliver the best possible care to their clients.

I am grateful for my partner’s integrity, relentless work ethic, and, most of all, his friendship. Here’s to many more years of building, growing, and succeeding together. Thank you for being a business partner and a true and valued friend.