Name and how long you have been in the industry
Chyrill Sandrini – Director of Client Solutions, Surgical Services, Marketing and Podcast Host of HTM Insider
March 1st 2025 will be 9 years with MMS, 3 years prior with a small Medical Company that focused on Surgical and Endoscopy repair. I now manage a large territory and supportive to the National Growth of MultiMedical Systems (MMS).
Short background bio – How did you get into the industry? Anything that drew you in?
After 17 years in law enforcement an on-duty injury forced me to medically retire from a career I loved. My adult life, college and career was just thrown out the window. I fell into a hole, mentally and physically trying to navigate the workers comp world. Frustrated, lost and for a year and a half I had no idea where my life was going.
At one point I was told I was required to take an IQ test. Something I had never done. I was somewhat nervous as this was supposed to lead me into a new compatible career. I didn’t want to leave law enforcement. It was who I was, who my family was, it was my identity.
The IQ test determined I was average in spelling and math. Duh, I could have told you that without a test! However, I scored high and 100% in problem solving and portions that determined critical thinking and strategies.
What does that all mean? Where did it lead me to? My new career? They determined by a case study that I would have a thriving business as a wedding/event planner. You should have seen my face! But to move forward towards retirement and closing this chapter I didn’t have a choice. They gave me $5,000.00 to start a business. A short outline on what I needed, business license, DBA, website etc. Website – I had no idea. Was there a store you walked into to purchase? I was not sure how I would succeed.
It was time to pull up my boots and figure this out for my family.
Sandrini Concepts was born. I didn’t know my worth, or what I should charge but figured that out quickly! Sandrini Concepts grew to be the largest Event/Wedding Coordination and Design firm in the area. I was published and we won table design competitions against the heavy hitters in Los Angeles and Hollywood. No, I have never taken a design or business class, ever.
Several years into Sandrini Concepts my in laws wanted to start a catering business so we added that to our offerings. “That’s Amore” mobile wood fired catering and pizza was born. We successfully catering all types of events, weddings and fundraisers across California and neighboring states. It was a lot of hard work, but I figured out margins, food costs and we quickly were a highly sought after caterer. We were committed to excellent fresh food and the best service experience!
One day I was at home working on social media for Sandrini Concepts and That’s Amore. The economy had crashed, and everyone had champagne taste on beer budgets. It was another frustrating time in my life. That same day I received a call from a headhunter asking if I would be interested in a Business Development Director for a small medical company in Fresno. Embarrassed to say but I had to ask what that was and what do they do.
As the mom of 3 girls, life was busy. I was a high school head softball coach, middle school color guard head coach. Debate Team Mom, Band Mom, PTA president, country living, animals, a police officer husband, so let’s say there was never a dull moment at the Sandrini House. I did my pro/con lists, prayed, and my heart said this new career was the right choice.
I said yes to the offer! I jumped in while still catering, event planning/designing. I was getting tired of working every weekend and managing multiple events each week, employees, food, brides etc. I was getting burned out. I needed a change. I decided to faze out Sandrini Concepts & That’s Amore over time.
A new learning curve now started. Tears over memorizing every surgical instrument, endoscopes and surgical power instrumentation. I wasn’t sure I could do this, it was foreign and it didn’t come easy. I called my dad said and he said “Sis, you are not a quitter, it time to get tough. Get up, rub some dirt in it. You can do anything you put your mind to”. I was also thankful for the daily reinforcement from my husband; You can do this! Just learn one thing at a time. My kids, using flash cards to quiz me just as I had done with spelling and math for them. It was a family effort!
You see when you have 3 young impressionable daughters, you know you can’t quit, there is no giving up. You must be strong. I am rated 63% disabled. I said NO to a monthly check on Social Security disability. They were no longer in charge of my life or destiny. That was up to me. This was just that, something new to learn and changed my mind set and started celebrating the small things I learned each day!
I knew then and know now I will do ANYTHING in the world to protect, provide and keep my family safe. Every time I look at them, I knew and know they were and are watching me, with intent eyes. Over the years of re-invention, I hope and pray they will look back and realize they too can do anything they set their minds to because Mom did it. She was knocked down and she got up – taller and stronger!
After 2 years at Fenix Medical I had done a lot of networking and met Daren Kneeland at a CMIA meeting. One day, Daren and I were leaving a client meeting as I was cross selling for MMS, and I asked Daren: “Why don’t you buy MMS”. It was a quick acquisition starting Dec and closing March 1st.
Side note: Learn what you don’t know: Attend your local HTM Association meetings! The education at these meetings is invaluable!
What milestones or contributing factors helped elevate you to where you are today?
I didn’t attend any formal sales training, so my first milestone was my first commission check! There were needs for CE accredited courses for BMETs – so I jumped in and created several classes over the years and started to instruct and then keynote speaking. I thank all the incredible mentors in my life that have always pushed me farther! There are so many incredible people I credit along my HTM career that I learned so much from and I will always be in your debt. Each one of you, and some as customers I consider milestones as our friendships and business relationship pushed me forward. You all mean the world to me.
It was that encouragement that gave me the courage to create along with MMS “HTM Insider Podcast”! The first episode aired; people listened. Milestone! Then it went to episode two, three, and it goes on and on. Every episode I consider a milestone in my life.
Currently a MAJOR milestone I am incredibly proud of just happened! So thankful, honored and blessed to be nominated as one of the top 5 influencers of the year in HTM for 2025 with Tech Nation! The other nominees are such incredible people and leaders, truly humbled to be recognized along side of them!
What roadblocks did you have to overcome?
Not knowing what I didn’t know. Sales can be competitive and I, as a competitive person when there was a challenge, I wanted to be the best! I didn’t know how exactly so I had to learn. Funny story, I was on a conference call with our sales team two or three months in at MMS and our VP of Sales was offering what I heard was a “skiff”. I was so confused. In my mind “skiff” was a small boat. I couldn’t understand why they would want to give us a small boat. But I was afraid to ask on the call what it was, so I kept silent.
I thought about it and went home later that night and googled it. Thankful Google knew what I didn’t know, and the word is “SPIFF” a sales incentive not a small boat! Understanding the assignment, I got busy, and I was awarded the SPIFF!
I was very glad it wasn’t a small boat!
What do you feel makes a great leader in this industry?
Do as you say and say as you do! -Dr. Suess I live by this and lead with relationships and honesty. I have a servant’s heart. When I learned this pattern about myself through all my careers, I love to be of service. To be a solution, solve a problem and connector when needed. Leaders don’t lead from a job title they lead with their heart, through their actions, words, and kindness to others when no one is looking.
What advice do you have for the other women in HTM?
Network! Ask questions to find out what you don’t know. Find a mentor and a group of those who lift you up and smile when you walk in the room. It has been studied the 5 people you spend the most time with is who you become. Find those who inspire you and realize that growth and this industry can be uncomfortable. Believe uncomfortable inspires your growth so embrace being comfortable with the uncomfortable.
Trust me, HTM Insider made me very uncomfortable. The quiver you couldn’t see but I know was there in my lower lip was not easy. It was rather terrifying. I had in the back of my mind those people thinking it was a crazy idea. It wouldn’t work, no one would listen. It was the words of news professionals (mentors) that stuck in my head. Look straight into the camera, smile, nod, ask tough questions and follow up questions after that.
Now almost 40 episodes in, only one new episode a month I am more comfortable, but I still get nervous! I have had the opportunity to sit down with the most amazing Women and Men in HTM. I have learned so much by just asking questions about things I don’t know or understand. It has been an amazing journey!
Shout out to my MultiMedical Systems Family and especially Daren Kneeland who support my crazy ideas and stand behind me! I am proud call the MMS Team my extended family!
Try to find the moments that fill your cup!
My cup overflows knowing HTM Insider inspired other industry leaders such as Bryant Hawkins, Chace Torres and others to start their podcasts. You never know where your idea might go or lead. You might fail, but you also might succeed. Be passionate and embrace the “what if” in your life and career.
I will leave you with a quote from someone who inspires me personally even though we have never met.
“We cannot adjust the wind, but we can adjust the sails” -Dolly Parton.
Adjust the sails…. you are capable!