David Weaver

David Weaver, CEO of Aphex BioCleanse Systems, holds over 40 years of experience in engineering and design and worked as an optical engineer for Eastman Kodak for more than 20 years. For Aphex, he has invented the first non-alcohol, non-toxic and hydrogen-based hand sanitizer. His hand sanitizer, DermAphex, uses a technology called Hy-IQ to kill pathogens using a process called Lysis. His proprietary solution is a non-alcohol, water-based sanitizer that is non-toxic and kills germs instantaneously and keeps killing them for hours.

Where did the idea for Aphex Biocleanse Solutions come from?

Aphex was created to provide the world with a non-toxic way to kill germs that is both effective and safe for humans. Our name, Aphex, goes back to about a decade ago. We wanted to start with an “A” to be at the top of the directory back in those days, add the “ph” for water and ended it with “ex” to literally put excellence into our name. With all of those combined, we came up with Aphex.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Typically, I wake up before the sun, around 5:30 or 6 a.m., and start the day by reviewing the emails I received overnight as we have many contacts in different countries and time zones. Then, I take a look at my meeting calendar and review how our operations are doing, from finances to the technical pieces before diving into the rest of my day. I leave the more challenging topics for the early afternoon when my brain is operating at its peak. Having a routine allows me to know what to expect each morning and helps increase my productivity.

How do you bring ideas to life?

First thing’s first, if you want your ideas to come to life then you have to act on them. Connect with the appropriate experts in your company or field to decide if it’s practical and if so, build an action plan to get you where you want to be.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I get excited when I see our sales increasing because, to me, that means that more people are seeing how our product can benefit them in a safe, effective way, which is the entire reason our company was founded.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

People often joke that “CEOs don’t get vacations,” but when you’re running an early to mid-stage company that is expanding, it’s true. To keep all the parts moving smoothly, I work seven days a week with little time for vacations. I know that it will help push us towards bigger and better milestones.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Assess the timeline of your product and see how quickly you will be able to bring it to the market. If possible, choose one that will only take a few years to leave more time for activities that bring you joy as you get older.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

For about 10 years, nobody agreed with me on how to attach a hydrogen ion to water droplets. After much patience and a lot of convincing, my chemists gave it a try and the result was Hy-IQ® Water, the base of all of our products now.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Over the years, I’ve learned that you need to make your decision and stick to it. If you go back and forth, you’re going to drive yourself crazy. Make your decision, hold to it with a positive attitude, and make it happen.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

From the very beginning, I refused to give up on the idea of Aphex and our competition from the current alcohol-based sanitization products. I knew the power behind Hy-IQ® Water and if we could bring my ideas to fruition. When I remember how many people Aphex’s products can help around the world, it keeps a fire under my toes and refuels my passion. Staying true to the founding ideals keeps me engaged, which, in turn, pushes me to keep growing the business. Additionally, it is important to be able to demonstrate product efficacy to interested parties.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

In the past, I stuck to one business model and, even when it wasn’t successful, I wouldn’t make necessary changes. There are many past projects that should have been abandoned much sooner than they were. With Aphex, I have learned to constantly adjust the business model based on failures and successes, always fine-tuning our strategies.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

In these times, as people are trying to stay as sanitized as possible, we could really use a hand sanitizer holder for the cup holder of your car. Preferably, water-based hand sanitizer, of course. Similar to the cup holder gum containers that were popular a few years back, it would sit there for convenience as you get in and out of the car.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

The best purchase I had recently actually is not related to Aphex. I was with a swimming unit for the last 6 years but, as Aphex scales, I no longer had the same amount of time to dedicate to them. So, as I said my goodbyes, I bought diving scoring cards for the entire unit.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

Implementing ERP software has helped us tremendously. The software is able to keep track of almost every part of the business, from sales leads, business operations, production, supply, as well as an increase in internal communication that will allow us to scale successfully. I would highly suggest any scaling business do the same.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Mentor to Millions is a fascinating read that I would recommend to anyone that has the opportunity to read it. The authors are both highly skilled businessmen and their book offers many great lessons.

What is your favorite quote?

As a Marine veteran, the saying Semper Fidelis, meaning “always faithful” or “always loyal” has stuck with me over the years.

Key Learnings:

• Stay true to your ideas. Don’t let the nay-sayers tell you that your idea doesn’t work. If you believe it does, then give everything you have to make your dream into a reality.
• Be flexible in your business model. To be successful, you need to know how to adjust your business for growth. This may mean adjusting the products, adding new software, bringing on team members that will challenge you, etc.
• Be confident. As an entrepreneur, it is easy to second guess yourself. Stand firm in your decisions and bring confidence to the table.