Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Wooley

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

I grew up immersed in my family business of skilled nursing facilities, where I spent summers on various jobs. After college, I became a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and later the Director of Business Development for 24 facilities. That experience ignited my interest in making a greater impact in senior care.
Driven to explore new paths, I pursued an MPH at the Yale School of Public Health. It was there I first considered entrepreneurship, competing in case competitions and discovering a passion for pitching strategic solutions. Wanting to build my own business, I went on to Cornell for an MBA, where I not only gained invaluable mentorship but also launched my first company, StaffOnTap. While simultaneously studying and building my company, I became a Teaching Fellow for two MBA courses and raised $60,000 in non-dilutive funding from pitch competitions. Ten months after launching StaffOnTap, I raised a $250,000 pre-seed round. Today, 2.5 years later, StaffOnTap generates an annual total income of $4 million.
In addition to StaffOnTap, I now own Swallowing Diagnostics, a bedside swallowing test provider for 450 skilled nursing facilities across five states, and co-founded a third company, launching soon after recently wrapping up a pre-seed fundraise.
I stay connected to my roots at Yale and Cornell, returning as a guest speaker nine times in the past few years. And in April, I embarked on my newest journey: motherhood, welcoming my first child, Mae!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Every entrepreneur knows that the road is rarely smooth. The highs are exhilarating, but the lows can be intense. My journey has had its share of both. I’ve experimented with countless ideas, discarding many before and after StaffOnTap for various reasons. Some important relationships have faced strains and setbacks, though rebuilding them has been just as significant to my growth. And, of course, I’ve heard more “no’s” than “yeses.”
Entrepreneurship has toughened my skin and pushed my resilience to new limits. I remember working at my computer on my wedding day, stressed about making payroll—moments like these are part of the reality. But the journey also has incredible highs. Each day, I get to build, grow, and try something new with an amazing team, applying creativity and resilience to achieve our goals.
Over time, I’ve learned not to dwell on the “no’s” and to appreciate both the small and big wins. It’s about letting go of the small stuff, learning from rejections, and celebrating every step forward.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about StaffOnTap, Swallowing Diagnostics?

I currently operate three companies that are transforming healthcare services in skilled nursing facilities: StaffOnTap, Swallowing Diagnostics (SDX), and a new company launching in Q1 2025.
I founded StaffOnTap to bridge a critical gap in healthcare staffing for skilled nursing facilities. With our on-demand model, powered by custom-built technology, we provide licensed, high-quality nurses exactly when they’re needed. This flexibility is crucial in today’s healthcare landscape, and we specialize in efficiency, reliability, and a commitment to the best outcomes for patients and facilities.
My second company, Swallowing Diagnostics (SDX), focuses on providing bedside swallowing assessments across five states, with a rapid 48-hour turnaround on FEES procedures (Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing). This quick response time is essential for skilled nursing facilities and is a major competitive advantage in our field. We’re enabling more immediate and effective care, which ultimately improves patient safety and well-being.
I’ve also co-founded a third company, set to launch in February, with backing from strategic investors.
What sets all of my companies apart is a unique, in-depth knowledge of the senior care industry. I’ve been immersed in this field from a young age, understanding its regulatory, reimbursement, and cultural complexities firsthand. This industry perspective, combined with my education from Yale (MPH) and Cornell (MBA), informs every decision and innovation in our companies. We’re not just about filling a staffing need or providing a service; we’re dedicated to improving the quality of care and efficiency in senior healthcare.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?

The COVID-19 crisis taught me the value of staying agile, listening closely to market shifts, and being ready to adapt quickly. Our healthcare system, especially senior care, was deeply impacted during the pandemic, and it’s clear that we won’t fully return to the pre-pandemic norm. For StaffOnTap, this meant dealing with a supply and demand landscape that flipped multiple times, as well as shifting needs and a saturated market. I had to realign my original growth strategy and exit plan in response to these changes.
Attending conferences, maintaining strong relationships with customers, and relying on mentors have been essential in staying ahead of industry shifts. These strategies help me see changes on the horizon and pivot appropriately. However, I’ve also learned that it’s important to balance this with patience and avoid reacting too quickly to the next “shiny thing,” a lesson I’ve had to remind myself of along the way!

Pricing:

• StaffOnTap pricing: hourly fee billed to facility
• SDX pricing: flat procedure charge to facility
• New company pricing: insurance billed per patient seen

Contact Info:

• Website: www.staffontap.org, sdx-fees.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-foley-219409168/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/77018637/

Image Credits

Future Founders