From 1981 to 1985, Schmieding worked for Med Tech International in Westport, Connecticut.
In 1981, Schmieding started a medical device company called Arthroscopy Excision Instruments Inc., which focused on an emerging procedure known as arthroscopy. The initial investment was $60,000 from Schmieding's personal savings. After starting the company, Schmieding did not make a profit for the first two years. He ran his company from his apartment in the Olympic Village.
