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Entrepreneur Shares Updates About Her CT-Based Corset Business

April 16 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Startups 0 comments Tags: Carol Stella, Champagne Corsets & Designs, Connecticut, Connecticut entrepreneur, CT, entrepreneurship, woman entrepreneur, women-owned business

Where Are They Now? Follow Up with Champagne Corsets & Designs Carol Stella

Champagne Corsets & Designs, LLC Founder Carol Stella at one of the photoshoots where she collaborated with Aria's Wedding & Banquet Facility. (Photo courtesy Alyssa Michel, photo enhancement courtesy Intimatology)

In October 2016, Innovation Destination Hartford spoke with Champagne Corsets & Designs, LLC Founder Carol Stella. The Connecticut-based company specialize in creating unique, expertly tailored couture corsets. IDH caught up with Stella to find out how the startup has evolved.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: Give us an update.

CAROL STELLA: My design studio has moved! We are now located in Prospect, CT, where we meet with our clients by appointment only. You can book an appointment with us through our website or call us at 917.524.9908.

I am now the face of both my designs and brand by expanding my title to Designer, Creative Director, Corsetiere, Model, Blogger, and Style Influencer at Champagne Corsets & Designs.

About eight months ago I launched a new blog called “How to Wear Corsets in Real Life.” I feel it’s important for me to practice what I preach and to gain the trust and loyalty of my clients. I’m really trying to stop the assumptions that corsets are restrictive, difficult to breathe in, and can only be worn for special events.

Not only do I educate people about how and why to incorporate corsets into their everyday routine, but I am also able to tweak anything I may find that needs changing, whether it be in my patterns, my fabric choices, or my sewing techniques. This idea has made my brand authentic and sets me apart from other brands and businesses.

I also love to collaborate with and support other Connecticut businesses. I have been receiving a lot of positive feedback from my blog posts and I just collaborated with Aria’s Wedding & Banquet Facility in Prospect, CT, where I did a couple of beautiful photo shoots. This is also where my bridal collection will be unveiling soon.

IDH: Have you experienced any major pivots since we featured your story?

STELLA: In August 2017, I traveled to Oxford, England and attended the Oxford Conference of Corsetry. It’s a weekend residential conference where corset makers from around the world gather, share industry secrets, brainstorm ideas, inspire each other, and talk non-stop about corsets! I had the privilege to be a part of this experience and, for anyone interested. (Read my recap blog posts “Champagne Goes to Oxford” Part 1 and Part 2.)

IDH: Have you been involved with any startup resources in the region?

STELLA: I recently recorded a podcast with the CTStartup Podcast team. A special thank you to Chris DeMorro, Dave Menard, Andrea Stalf, and Jacqueline Rowe for this opportunity.

IDH: How are you building a customer base?

STELLA: Word of mouth and by educating the public about corsetry through my blog posts on social media and on my website.

IDH: Tell us about the importance of encouraging entrepreneurship in Connecticut.

STELLA: I think it’s essential that the private and governmental sectors promote and facilitate young entrepreneurs, like me, to follow their dreams.

IDH: Aside from funding, what do you need most to move your company forward?

STELLA: I would like more of an opportunity to educate the public about the beneficial effects of wearing corsets daily. Over time, I’ve already been feeling stronger and healthier and I’ve experienced additional benefits I never expected.

IDH: What’s next for Champagne Corsets?

STELLA: I’m expanding my collaborations with the fine arts and theaters. I have studied both historical and modern-day corsetry, which helps my designs to crossover into costume design.

Learn more about Champagne Corsets & Designs, LLC

READ: Connecticut Startup Creates Custom Corsets
VISIT: www.champagnecorsets.com
FOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter

 

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InsurTech Startup Creates Innovative Chatbot-Based Solution

April 04 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Startups 0 comments Tags: accelerator, chatbot, chatbots, Connecticut, CT, entrepreneur, Hartford, innovation, InsurTech, InsurTech Hartford, reSET, startup, technology

Innovation Destination Hartford spoke with Friendly Agent Bot Founder Avdhesh Saxena about why his startup is participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator and his outlook on the future of InsurTech.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: Give us a little background. Have you always known you wanted to start a company?

AVDHESH SAXENA: I have a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Engineering degree. I was employed by some large information technology firms where I worked with a lot of insurance companies using technology-based solutions to solve their business problems.

But starting a business was always in the back of my mind. Last year, I started blogging and I became interested in new technology—chatbots and artificial intelligence. I began to realize this is the next thing. The insurance industry has started adopting chatbots and they are gaining more usage.

IDH: When did you launch the startup and how did you come up with the business concept?

AVDHESH: I launched Friendly Agent Bot in September 2017.

I started learning how to create chatbots. It’s difficult to buy a chatbot and a lot of people don’t have the capabilities to build it themselves. So, now I’m at the right position—I know chatbots, I know technology, I know insurance. Combining all these things I’m able to provide insurance agencies a chatbot at a very reasonable price.

IDH: Who else is involved in the startup?

AVDHESH: We have a small team including three advisors with industry experience. For other things, like technical capabilities, I generally hire contractors.

IDH: What makes your services innovative?

AVDHESH: Think of it this way, 15 or 20 years ago, very few people were on websites. Today everyone has a website. Then, around eight or 10 years ago, mobile apps started and developed a large following.

Chatbots are the new apps. By 2020, 80% of businesses will be using them. They are software that enables messaging between your business and customer 24/7 hence you’re always connected. Once you connect with a chatbot, you can connect with a lot of different backend systems.

We have a lead generation workflow for insurance, which has become smart after interacting with hundreds of insurance customers. This helps insurers (including agencies) generate leads via organic traffic on their websites and via Facebook ads.

IDH: Let’s talk about the reSET accelerator. What are you hoping to gain from the experience?

AVDHESH: Two major things: First, we hope to connect with some of the insurance agents and carriers in the Hartford area. The problem is, those big insurance companies don’t want to talk directly to a startup. It’s better to be introduced through the accelerator. A lot of industry leaders are involved with the accelerator, so it can help us make connections.

The second thing is getting funding. Larger companies can get a lot of funding from Silicon Valley firms, but it’s more challenging for companies like ours that are just starting off. We’re hoping to connect with funding resources through the accelerator.

IDH: How are you building clientele? Has the accelerator helped you make connections?

AVDHESH: Yes. Initially we made connections that helped us talk to a lot of insurance agencies, so we now have a good amount of insurance agencies as clients. Then we started focusing on inbound marketing—publishing articles and using search engine optimization and social media.

As the understanding around chatbot increases, more insurance agencies are directly coming to us. Our clients pay a small amount of monthly fees and they can use the chatbot to get more customers and more leads.

IDH: In addition to participating in the accelerator, have you tapped into any other startup resources here in Connecticut?

AVDHESH: Last summer, I started to become interested in the InsurTech ventures happening in Greater Hartford. I attended one event organized by Insurtech Hartford on idea generation and connected with some really good people. I also participated in #HartfordHack17, a three-day Hackathon organized by Insurtech Hartford. We didn’t win, but we received a lot of good feedback and were able to refine our idea.

Through those events we came to know about reSET and applied to the accelerator. It was convenient for us and they also have a good track record. And we know some of their mentors. At one of the Hackathon events I connected with reSET Entrepreneur-in-Residence Eric Knight.

We also applied to the Startupbootcamp InsurTech Accelerator and were among some of the top companies. We didn’t make it into the top 20 but we’re hoping to reapply. So, we have been involved and we are getting to know a lot of people in the Greater Hartford InsurTech space.

IDH: Aside from funding, what would you say is your biggest challenge as a startup?

AVDHESH: What’s challenging is that, to completely automate quoting process we need insurance carriers to expose their application programming interfaces (APIs) to enable us to connect with their systems. A lot of companies are not open to doing that, but it’s a challenge we can address over time.

The wait is a challenge and part of the reason why we’re trying to help insurance agencies and incumbent insurance carriers. Because first, they don’t have the time or technology to create chatbots themselves and second, some InsurTech startups are directly becoming insurance companies and leveraging chatbots. They’re directly going to customers and kind of bypassing the insurance agencies and carriers. We are trying to level the playing fields by allowing insurance agencies and incumbent carriers to provide the best user experience to their customers.

IDH: Tell us something we don’t know about what it’s like to be an entrepreneur or launch a startup.

AVDHESH: That’s an interesting question. Sometimes it’s a very lonely business, because not many people understand what you’re trying to do. But otherwise I think it’s very interesting and it keeps you motivated.

IDH: Anything you wish you had known? Anything you would change?

AVDHESH: You have to keep backtracking. We did a lot of research and talked to a lot of insurance agencies.

Initially we thought the chatbot would be used in multiple ways: It can be used for leads, servicing clients, processing claims. But when we started talking to insurance agencies, it became clear that they want more leads. So, we started focusing on that.

Right now, our chatbot is available as a demo version. A lot of people find it on Facebook Messenger. They message us looking for insurance thinking we are an insurance company. But we’re not, we’re a software company.

Slowly, along with chatbots, we will also generate leads for these insurance agencies by doing digital marketing for them. That’s where we’re trying to pivot now.

IDH: Where would you like the company to be one year from now?

AVDHESH: Right now, our customers are mainly in Connecticut. One year from now we’d like to be serving insurance agencies across the United States.

We also want to crack into larger insurance companies. That’s the main goal.

IDH: Any advice for others who are launching startups?

AVDHESH: Come up with your minimal viable product. Work very closely with your customers to develop something they want.

Learn more about Friendly Agent Bot

VISIT: www.friendlyagentbot.com
FOLLOW: Facebook | Twitter

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CT-Based Virtual CFO Startup TAAG

March 28 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Startups 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, Connecticut startup, CT, CT startups, entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, MetroHartford Alliance, startup

George Thomson is Founder of virtual CFO startup TAAG, LLC.

A career in public accounting helped prepare George Thomson to launch his startup TAAG, LLC (Thomson Advisory and Analytics Group) in July 2017. He spoke to Innovation Destination Hartford about his startup experience.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: Have you always wanted to start your own business?

GEORGE THOMSON: Yes. I was a partner at a certified public accountant (CPA) firm for the last 20 years and had a great run in that role but was ready for a change and a new challenge.

As a partner, you own part of the firm, so you’re technically a business owner. I thought that would fully satisfy my desire to own my own business—and it did to some level, but not completely. I got to the point where I wanted to find out what I could do on my own.

IDH: How did you develop the business concept for your startup?

GEORGE: I explored different opportunities based on my skillset and the work I enjoy doing. I knew I wanted to break out of the mold of a traditional CPA firm and I didn’t want to re-create my old job in my new venture.

When I came across the virtual CFO concept I knew it was right for me. It gives me a great opportunity to achieve my personal and professional goals. It would allow me to act as a company’s chief financial officer providing financial advice and strategies to small and medium businesses.

I believe that plays to my strengths as a professional. What I really enjoy doing is working with entrepreneurs, advising them, and helping them grow their businesses.

My target market is small- and medium-sized businesses, as they typically can’t afford a full-time CFO, but they need CFO-level expertise. I want to help them grow their business by making sure they have accurate information and advice in real time.

IDH: Tell us a little more about the advantages of having a virtual CFO.

GEORGE: I’ve worked with many entrepreneurs who were frustrated by doing the financial and accounting functions for their business. Often, they would try to do it themselves or have a relative or friend—someone without formal training in accounting or bookkeeping—help them out. It wouldn’t be done correctly and, as their outside CPA, I would end up fixing everything. By the time that was untangled, I would be providing information six months or a year after the fact. It was all reactive and less impactful.

If the entrepreneur is working with accurate up-to-date information, they will have proactive information and advice in real time. One of the mechanisms to do that is by co-creating with them a financial dashboard tailored to their company. The dashboard provides the metrics we need to monitor and allows us to see, in real time, where they are hitting their goals and where they having issues we need to address.

The company and I have access to the dashboard 24/7. So, as soon as we see something going off the rails we can have a conversation about fixing it, as opposed to looking back months later and asking: What happened?

IDH: What do you enjoy most about working with other entrepreneurs?

GEORGE: It’s fun. I admire the passion and vision entrepreneurs have for innovation and building their businesses. It’s also critical for Connecticut’s economy. Some of the bigger corporations have been migrating their headquarters to Boston and New York and having less of a presence here in Connecticut. They will still have offices here, but the decision-makers are no longer in this market, so there’s a vacuum to fill.

I believe the entrepreneurial community can fill that vacuum and allow the Hartford area and Connecticut to continue our legacy of being innovators. When you look back at the history of the state—all the manufacturing and innovation—it is amazing. I believe we have an ingrained entrepreneurial and visionary spirit here.

Small business has always been and will always be the driver of innovation and job growth. I believe in the power of small business. It makes me feel good knowing the larger business community and political leaders believe the same. I enjoy being in the entrepreneurial space and I want to contribute to its continued growth and success here in CT.

IDH: What challenges are you facing right now as a startup?

GEORGE: I’ve been telling people: I’m excited and scared to death all at the same time. I’m having a lot of fun with moments of frustration and/or being overwhelmed. There’s a lot to do and it’s important to step back and break it down.

Some of the things I thought would be difficult weren’t as hard as I thought. Some things I thought would be a no-brainer were more difficult, time consuming, and complicated than I anticipated.

It was also challenging to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the federal government. I helped clients do this for years. But, when I applied online I was rejected because I was already associated with other EINs. So, it became a process. It took almost two weeks to get my EIN. Most people can usually get one online in a matter of minutes. It was eye-opening, and it gave me a real sense of the frustrations every entrepreneur goes through.

IDH: You’re a strategic partner at the MetroHartford Alliance, how has that relationship added value to your business?

GEORGE: My experience with the MetroHartford Alliance gave me a broader view point of what was going on in Connecticut and the region. I see how everything is interconnected—and important. It’s not: My sector thrives while yours fail. It’s: If we collectively do well together, the whole region becomes stronger.

The connection with the MetroHartford Alliance also helped me see that there are many opportunities out there. While I was thinking of branching out on my own, I got some great input and advice from former Metro Hartford Alliance former President and CEO Oz Griebel; Nancy Wheeler, who is Senior Vice President, Executive Director Investor Relations; Julie Daly-Meehan, Vice President of Investor Engagement and Retention, and Rich Brown, Vice President of Investor Relations.

IDH: You said your focus is small- to medium-sized businesses. Do you plan to work with any specific industry?

GEORGE: I’m looking to build a niche. I work well with professional service providers, technology companies, and manufacturers. I enjoy working in those spaces. I know the mindset.

You can best help a business if you are deep into their world, you know what’s going on, and you’re aware of the industry trends.

IDH: How you are building your client base?

GEORGE: A couple of my clients from my former firm wanted me to be their Virtual CFO, so I started with a modest base and I’ve been building organically from there.

IDH: What advice can you offer to other businesses?

GEORGE: Listen, make mistakes, learn from them, adjust, and move on. Don’t get paralyzed and don’t quit.

IDH: What does the future look like for TAAG?

GEORGE: My priority is to get this thing up and running and make it viable. I think in two years’ time I will know whether I want to scale or just keep it as a small boutique firm.

If I have great systems, procedures, and processes in place and I can see an ability to scale it up where I can bring in other professionals to help me and oversee it, I’d love to do that. But will I have the appetite in two years? Or will I really love the flexibility of being in the virtual environment without being encumbered with a bigger organization?

I am open to either scenario. One of the things I’ve always said to entrepreneurs: When you start and build a business you need to look at the end game and keep in mind your exit strategy. Whether you sell the business to internal buyers, transfer it to the next generation, sell it to a private equity group or outside buyers, or take it public, at the outset you have to devise a strategy and refine it along the way that will allow you to achieve your ultimate goal upon exit. So, there is an appeal to me to building something that’s bigger than me that can be transferred.

Either way, looking to the future, it’s important to me professionally and personally to remain a strategic partner with the MetroHartford Alliance. I believe in the work they’re doing. I’ve made a lot of great connections and I want to maintain those and continue to build my network.

Learn more about TAAG 

VISIT: www.taag-llc.com

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CT Startup Focus Telecom Expense Management

March 19 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Startups 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, Greater Hartford, startup, startups

Focus Telecom Expense Management co-owners (left to right): Michael Ciaburri, Joseph Picone, and Gianni Castaldo.

Focus Telecom Expense Management co-owners Gianni Castaldo, Michael Ciaburri, and Joseph Picone told Innovation Destination Hartford about why they launched their startup and their future goals.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: When and why did you  start the company?

FOCUS TELECOM EXPENSE MANAGEMENT: We started in the second half of 2017. The three partners of Focus Telecom managed a wireless retail franchise in Connecticut, specializing in small and medium business support.

IDH: How did you develop the business concept?

FOCUS: While working in the industry and talking to our clients, we saw their need for a more personalized support system for our clients’ wireless needs. Some businesses don’t have a dedicated employee or enough resources to monitor and manage their accounts. This causes companies to incur unnecessary additional fees and pay higher rates.

That’s where we come in—Focus Telecom is essentially an extension of your business, constantly working with you to save money.

IDH: Did each of you always want to own your own business?

FOCUS: Yes, we have always loved the idea of being our own bosses and have finally taken the steps toward our goal.

IDH: What differentiates you from other companies?

FOCUS: Believing in the principles instilled in us by our former employer to “put the customer first,” our mission is to create the most value for any client. This is accomplished by our continued work on refining our process to become as efficient as possible, making our clients the main beneficiaries of our efforts.

IDH: What makes your services innovative?

FOCUS: Our goal is to reduce your company’s overall telecom expenses. We have more than 25 years of combined wireless experience, with specific knowledge regarding business offerings and billings. We work to optimize a client’s wireless plan to best fit their needs, pairing with them with a plan that is the most cost effective and provides the best value.

Additionally, we provide monthly bill audits to discover any anomalies and erroneous charges, and work with the carriers directly to resolve them. That means no more time wasted on the phone or in store for any your company’s employees, eliminating unnecessary and costly downtime.

IDH: Why did you become a MetroHartford Alliance investor?

FOCUS: We saw all the great partners MetroHartford Alliance already had as well as all the Hartford initiatives that the Alliance offers and thought: This is the group we want to grow our company with!

IDH: What has been your biggest challenge as a startup?

FOCUS: Educating our clients about the value of the services we provide. In an ever-changing industry like wireless, it’s impossible for most companies to stay on top of all the new and most cost-effective offerings, meaning they are paying more than they need to. Working with us reduces the wireless expense line item, leading to a bigger bottom line for your company.

IDH: Aside from funding, what resources do you need most to move your company forward?

FOCUS: Our company is simple with minimal overhead. Our biggest need, like all companies, is more clients.

IDH: What is your ideal vision for the company one year from now?

FOCUS: We plan on growing our company to include a sales force and expand outside of the state.

IDH: What is the best advice you have received?

FOCUS: “Don’t be afraid to take a risk in life.”

Learn more about Focus Telecom Expense Management

VISIT: focustem.com

WATCH A VIDEO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0dAZWOFXXg

 

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CT Entrepreneur Develops Web-Based Platform

March 13 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Startups 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, Greater Hartford, startup, startups

George Constance is CEO of Kronicity.

George Constance is CEO of Kronicity, a web-based platform for simplified data collection, organization, validation, and value enhancement from any source. George told Innovation Destination Hartford about how he developed his business, shared startup challenges he faced, and provided advice for other entrepreneurs.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: When and why you launch the startup?

GEORGE CONSTANCE: I began building Kronicity in 2013 to continue my love of history and paleontology. As a 25-year veteran micropaleontologist in the oil industry, I developed correlation tools that facilitated analysis of my work and allowed me to communicate this technical information with other professionals and non-technical oriented stakeholders.

The oil crash of 1999 coupled with the Exxon-Mobil merger brought that career to an end. Hurricane Katrina then found me in New England. Determined to return to the field of paleontology, I obtained a Master’s in Technology Commercialization from Northeastern University and began to build Kronicity.

IDH: How did you develop the business concept?

GEORGE: I took note of the successes and failures I experienced as a paleontologist and applied them to data analysis in general. I decided the internet needed a better way to collect, arrange, and display data—one that allowed for enhanced understanding and added value through perspective and data validation. It was pretty much what I did for geologists, but on a much larger scale with a much broader market.

IDH: Did you rely on any Connecticut resources as you were starting out?

GEORGE: I set up shop at Axis901 in Manchester for critical business building assets. The co-working space provided a place to work, like-minded entrepreneurs, and access to a much broader network of talent.

IDH: How are you marketing and building a customer base?

GEORGE: Technology directors in schools, which is my launch market, are well networked and easily reached through trade shows and conventions. Likewise, my collaborators are in publishing and complementary markets. It’s important to work with networks that will benefit from your success.

IDH: What’s the biggest challenge your startup has faced?

GEORGE: Like all others, lack of cash and lack of talent. But, also, as a new concept, my real challenge was finding collaborators and investors who understood the concept.

Consider how many investors took a pass on early Microsoft and Apple prototypes. It’s easy to be discouraged by having so many doors slammed in your face. Persistence, so often, is the difference between success and failure.

IDH: Tell us about your best day as an entrepreneur.

GEORGE: After failing with four developers, an executive at a major development firm took notice of what we were doing and introduced me to my current developer and partner. Like the previous four, he promised the world and on delivery date for the alpha, I expected the usual—delivery of what they could develop rather than what I wanted developed. That early prototype was much more than I asked for. He was developing version 5.0 with features I didn’t think were possible. Persistence had paid off.

IDH: Any advice to others who are thinking of launching a startup in Connecticut?

GEORGE: You’re in it for the long haul. Do your homework. The best product doesn’t always succeed. Sometimes the adequate one that’s best aligned with the market is the one that makes it.

Work with a vetted business strategist who is unbiased. You’re going to have to build a plan that is good enough to attract the right people and slay your fears allowing you to risk it all—home, retirement, savings, time. And your spouse has to buy in too. It’s going to be really hard.

When seeking investors, don’t take the first one that rolls into your lap. Look for an investor in your industry or one that will benefit from your success. A lot of so-called investors are clueless. You want one that will not only provide working capital but also advice.

Talk to everyone for advice. Most entrepreneurs, including me, are happy to meet for coffee and share their experience and help others avoid the mines they’ve discovered.

Learn more about Kronicity

WEB: kronicity.com
EMAIL: George.constance@kronicity.com

 

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Entrepreneur Founds Social Media Startup with a Social Impact

March 05 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Startups 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, entrepreneur, Greater Hartford, launching a startup in Connecticut, launching a startup in CT, startup, woman entrepreneur, woman-owned business

Innovation Destination Hartford Website Curator Nan Price spoke to Jabberhead, LLC Founder Janice Gucciardi about her startup experience.

NAN PRICE: Did you always want to own your own business?

“There’s innovation in taking your idea and building it out into a business,” says Jabberhead Founder Janice Gucciardi.

JANICE GUCCIARDI: I did. I spent about 17 years in the marketing industry working at various high-profile businesses. In the back of my mind, I always had a yearning to start my own business. But, if you asked me 10 years ago, I didn’t know if I would physically be able to do it.

NAN: What changed?

JANICE: I was in a severe car accident, and it took a long time for me to recover. After that, I realized if I can get through that, I can start a business. Sometimes you just need to jump. For me, it was just time. I think that’s where I got the motivation to finally launch the startup. I opened in May 2016.

NAN: How did you develop the business concept?

JANICE: I decided to launch a social media business when I realized many businesses and firms weren’t marketing social media effectively. I knew I could make a difference using social media for acquisition, retention, and to help brands share their stories.

NAN: You come from a marketing background, was it challenging to write a business plan? Did you have any of that background?

JANICE: Yes, I had the experience developing business plans for several companies, as well as teaching various sales force teams how to use and market themselves with social media.

NAN: So, you felt fairly confident going in?

JANICE: Absolutely.

NAN: Tell us about the social impact mission at Jabberhead.

JANICE: Our mission is just as important as our work. Every time we get a new client we deliver four bags of groceries to a shelter in the community.

NAN: That’s fantastic. As a startup, what does being innovative mean to you?

JANICE: Being innovative as a company right now isn’t just about being a female-owned company or employing people with diverse cultures and backgrounds. To me it’s about taking it one step further to grow the business with these assets—it’s how you lead, it’s the unique qualities the people you hire bring to the table, and it’s about evolving (giving back to) your community. As simple as it sounds, giving hope is very innovative now.

NAN: What types of challenges did you encounter as you were launching the startup? Anything you weren’t expecting?

JANICE: Accounting—I can’t stand it. Seriously, hire people who can do the things you’re not strong at, so you can focus on your strengths.

NAN: Let’s talk about marketing. How are you building your clientele?

JANICE: Strictly hustle. Using digital methods, promotion, and networking. We are now at a great point of getting business recommendations as well. The hustle is never-ending when you’re a business owner, but you love every minute.

NAN: What types of companies and industries do you work with?

JANICE: Jabberhead works with businesses of all size—and different industries. We like this approach and think it makes our work more interesting. We work with many beauty businesses, such as our new client Grace Williams Hair Boutique in Avon. They want to increase traffic and came to us for our digital expertise. We are also the agency for Moms Time Out, a local television show that is becoming increasingly popular with social and publicity.

NAN: Are the businesses you work with local?

JANICE: Jabberhead has more Connecticut-based clients because this is our home base. I’d like to expand across the East Coast next.

NAN: Any other future goals?

JANICE: If you’re a business owner, you want to maintain your existing base, and continue to grow your client base. We would like to make Jabberhead a household name—by growing it nationally.

NAN: Earlier you mentioned the importance of focusing on your strengths. Any other advice for other entrepreneurs who are starting out?

JANICE: Keep it simple. Reevaluate yourself every three to five months. Hire people you know you can trust—and who trust you—and be good to them.

Also, if another entrepreneur is contemplating starting a company. I’d say go for it. There’s innovation in taking your idea and building it out into a business. You can do anything you put your mind to.

Learn more about Jabberhead

VISIT: www.jabberhead.net
FOLLOW: Facebook, Instagram jabberhead and Twitter @JABBERHEADLLC

 

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Startup Provides Risk Management Software for Businesses

February 21 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Startups 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, Hartford, Hartford accelerator, innovation, reSET, reSET accelerator, social impact, startup, startups

Mark L. Barry recently co-founded FieldOwler LLC. The Connecticut startup is participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator, a program is designed for entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.

Mark L. Barry is Co-Founder of Connecticut startup FieldOwler LLC.

Mark told Innovation Destination Hartford about what he hopes to gain from the Impact Accelerator and his plans to become more involved with the Connecticut entrepreneurial ecosystem

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: How has your background shaped you to launch your startup?

MARK BARRY: My background as a business advisor, management consultant, and executive has given me unique perspectives on worker classification and matters involving compliance with labor standards.

Businesses that classify employees as independent contractors—knowingly or unknowingly—are not only out of compliance with labor law but are engaged in a high-stakes game of financial and operational roulette. In the event independent contractors are determined to be employees by a government agency or in the courtroom, businesses can face significant expenses due to back pay that may be owed to employees, associated back taxes, interest, and any imposed penalties.

IDH: When and why did you start your company?

MARK: FieldOwler was formed in June 2017. We created our software to specifically solve this problem, so owners and executives can proactively make more informed and holistic worker classification decisions that promote long-term success of their unique businesses.

IDH: How did you develop the business concept?

MARK: The idea grew out of my collective experiences and began to take shape following a series of client-related worker classification experiences while performing in a business advisor capacity.

I spoke about my business concept with a cross-section of business owners, attorneys, CPAs, and advisory professionals and conducted research about the market. It soon became evident that the combination of my varied business background, first-hand experience with multiple worker-related audits, and deep interest in labor compliance matters could bring significant value to businesses that are currently utilizing or thinking about utilizing independent contractors.

I brought the concept and requirements to my friend, Kam Heydari, a former CTO. That day, Kam became my co-founder and we agreed to collaborate on developing a software solution.

IDH: Tell us a little about the products and services you offer.

MARK: FieldOwler currently provides two software products and an array of high-value professional services. Our offerings enable businesses, organizations, and agencies of all sizes and industries with heightened risk management capabilities that foster enhanced worker classification compliance.

The FieldOwler ARM (Audit and Risk Management) platform provides a secure, hosted environment, a rules-based engine, multi-factor assessments, unique risk scores, and estimates of misclassification exposure.

FieldOwler ARM Light is a risk assessment tool that provides a high-level cross-section of a select number of risk categories that is helpful to owners and professionals in human resources, finance, and compliance disciplines.

IDH: Why did you become involved in the reSET Accelerator program?

MARK: I was referred to reSET by the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC). The next day I found myself at a meeting with reSET’s Jeremy Szechenyi and Hibba Meraay to get an overview of their offerings for startups like FieldOwler. I was excited to learn about the Impact Accelerator opportunity, in part because of the high-quality programming and support network provided, but also because being a part of the Connecticut entrepreneurial ecosystem is very important to me.

I was raised in Manchester and attended schools in Connecticut and realize that now is the time to step up and help create new jobs. We are also in the process of developing an intern program at FieldOwler, which is a rewarding way to give back and provide opportunities to students at my two alma maters—University of Connecticut and Trinity College.

IDH: In what ways is your company making a social impact?

MARK: By enabling businesses across the United States to make more informed and holistic worker classification decisions, FieldOwler helps heighten labor compliance efforts. This is important because, for every business we serve, we contribute directly to helping create a more level playing field among the business community.

IDH: What has been your biggest challenge as a startup?

MARK: Preparing ourselves sufficiently to approach and pitch effectively to potential investors has been our biggest challenge to date. We are excited about our acceptance in the Impact Accelerator because the four-month program will help us accelerate our readiness to take this important step on our business journey.

IDH: What resources do you need most to move your company forward?

MARK: Referrals and investment capital are critical to moving our company forward.

First, FieldOwler is working to build partnerships with law firms, CPA firms, and members of the advisory community. It’s imperative for us to become a trusted, independent resource for these firms, which can refer their clients our way. It’s also important for us to reciprocate and refer our clients to our partners.

Second, finding the right investment partner to join our team and help us execute our growth plan is a big and essential step for us. Being a part of reSET’s Impact Accelerator and rich entrepreneurial ecosystem of potential clients, investors, advisors, and mentors is a significant part of our efforts to accelerate in both areas.

IDH: What is the best advice you have given/received?

MARK: Given: Developing those around you to become comfortable with being uncomfortable will help them better embrace change and increase performance during challenging times.

Received: “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” – R. Buckminster Fuller

Learn more about FieldOwler

VISIT: fieldowler.com
FOLLOW: LinkedIn and Twitter @FieldOwler

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Silicon Valley Mental Health Startup Creates a Presence in Hartford

February 13 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Startups 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, Greater Hartford, Hartford, Hartford startups, how to start a business in Connecticut, reSET, reSET accelerator, social impact, startup

LARKR CEO and Co-Founder Shawn Kernes has established a presence in Hartford for his Silicon Valley-based startup.

Silicon Valley-based LARKR is one of many innovative startups in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator. The program is designed for entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.

LARKR CEO and Co-Founder Shawn Kernes talked about the importance of establishing a presence in Hartford and what it really takes to launch a startup.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: When did you launch the startup?

SHAWN KERNES: We officially launched LARKR in November 2017. The app is now available on the Apple App Store and will be coming soon to Android.

IDH: How did you develop the business concept?

SHAWN: For more than 20 years, I’ve had the pleasure of leading burgeoning companies like StubHub, eBay, and Beyond The Rack, which all disrupted their respective industries for the better, utilizing the best of new technologies. Although the work was enjoyable and I was successful, after a while I began to feel as though something was missing.

Meanwhile, I saw my wife Chris Kernes, a licensed marriage and family therapist, gaining personal satisfaction and joy by helping hundreds of people overcome their personal challenges through therapy.

I knew I wanted to do something that had a social good component. Then, I learned that an estimated 30 to 50 million Americans aren’t getting the mental health care they need. Closing this service gap using modern technology became my passion project, and the idea for LARKR was born.

IDH: Tell us more about LARKR and what makes it innovative.

SHAWN: LARKR is an on-demand mental health app seeking to close the massive service gap that currently exists in mental health care. Through an easy-to-use-platform, the app connects patients across the country with certified mental health care professionals in real time from the convenience of their smartphones. In addition to therapy sessions, the app provides free tools for everyday mental wellness, including a daily mood tracker “My Story,” a daily good deed suggesting feature “Be the Change,” and guided meditations.

IDH: How does the app work?

The LARKR app connects patients across the country with certified mental health care professionals in real time from the convenience of their smartphones.

SHAWN: LARKR provides a convenient alternative for people who may not have access to or may not be comfortable with traditional therapy. Once users create a free profile with LARKR, they can be connected within minutes to licensed clinicians via live streaming video for 50-minute sessions. The platform also allows for multi-user sessions from different locations, which means couples can schedule a therapy session together while on their lunch breaks or parents can join their child’s session during the discussion of a particular topic.

In short, the app ensures that mental health care is readily available for anyone in need, anywhere and anytime.

IDH: Why did you become involved in reSET Accelerator program?

SHAWN: Typically, reSET’s Impact Accelerator works exclusively with local businesses, but its leadership team was so excited by LARKR’s mission that they invited us to participate.

The program’s thought-provoking workshops and powerful network, combined with its passion for changing the world through innovation and entrepreneurship, fit right in with LARKR’s company values.

Also, since Hartford is known as “the insurance capital of the world,” it is a valuable location for healthcare companies like us to establish a presence.

We are excited about the opportunity to utilize the Impact Accelerator’s tools and insights to help us reach more people in need of LARKR’s on-demand therapy services.

IDH: In what ways is your company making a social impact?

SHAWN: As many as 50 million Americans who suffer from mental illness currently go without needed healthcare due to cost, lack of access to qualified local practitioners, or because of the outdated stigma that exists around seeking mental health care.

By minimizing the barriers that keep people from receiving care and making it easier for people to get the help they need, LARKR will not only improve the quality of life for millions of Americans, but ultimately save countless lives.

IDH: What has been your biggest challenge as a startup?

SHAWN: All startups are hard. They are lonely, scary, and psychologically stressful. Great startups aim to change the world in some way, and resistance to that change can be daunting.

Our biggest challenges are related to awareness and stigma. People can’t use something they don’t know about, and won’t use something they are afraid will cause them embarrassment or even humiliation.

IDH: What resources do you need most to move your company forward?

SHAWN: Top of mind right now are: capital to accelerate growth, help navigating the insurance and medical establishment, and, of course, media support to raise awareness.

IDH: Any advice for other startups?

SHAWN: There are many important don’ts:

  1. Don’t get discouraged.
  2. Don’t fear competition.
  3. Don’t lose track of what's important.
  4. Don’t get married to your own ideas.
  5. Don’t forget to breathe.
  6. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can do it all yourself.
  7. Don’t expect others to do the things you don’t want to do (take out the trash, clean the kitchen, drive people home) and don’t be late for meetings—be the first person in and the last person out.
  8. Don’t pay yourself more than you really need. If you are a founder and are able to squirrel away money for a rainy day, you're doing it wrong. Your equity is your savings plan.

I would also add that no one will ever care more about your business, your customers, your success, or you, than you do, so roll up your sleeves and make it happen.

When asked what it was like to be an overnight success, I think it was Reid Hoffman who said, “It’s nice to be in the daylight after years of darkness.” Remember, startups don’t just happen, they take years of hard work, sleepless nights, fights, failure, and tears. But succeed or fail, they will be some of the best years of your life.

LARKR Co-Founder Jon Dabach also noted that the best advice he ever received was actually from me: Just do it. There are a million reasons not to create a startup and there are a million people who will tell you you’re crazy for even trying. But if you have an idea you really care about, something you can live and breathe day-in and day-out for years and not get bored, then just figure out a way. Beg, borrow, and steal and just start. There’s no template, no business plan, no mentor who knows everything—you just have to start.

Learn more about LARKR

VISIT: larkr.com
FOLLOW: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter @LARKRCOM

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Startup Provides an Innovative Carpooling Experience

February 05 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Startups 0 comments Tags: Connecticut, CT, entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurship, Hartford, Hartford accelerator, innovation, reSET, reSET accelerator, social impact, startup, startups

tripBuddy Founder Tawheed Abdul-Raheem (left) and Alex Fero (right), Head of Marketing and Business Development.

tripBuddy Inc. is one of many innovative startups in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator, a program geared toward entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.

Founder Tawheed Abdul-Raheem told Innovation Destination Hartford about what makes his startup innovative and discussed what he hopes to gain from participating in the accelerator.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: Describe your company. What makes it innovative?

TAWHEED ABDUL-RAHEEM: tripBuddy Inc. is a carpooling startup with the sole mission of reducing the number of cars on the road during peak commute times. We have developed a custom algorithm that optimally matches users who live or commute on the same route lines and pair them together. Our ride matching platform helps users save on commute costs and reduces their carbon footprint on the planet.

IDH: When and why did you start your company?

TAWHEED: The story behind tripBuddy dates back to 2008 when I arrived in the United States to study for my undergraduate degree. There were multiple occasions when I needed to leave my undergraduate campus to go to the store, but realized that transportation such as the college shuttle was unreliable.

Most of those times I would find many other students at the store as well, but I was too shy to ask for a ride. I wished a platform existed to connect me to other students. This encouraged me to devote my senior thesis to the creation of an application that would effectively track his campus shuttle bus.

Fast forward a few years, I was faced with a less than optimal situation once more, having to commute about an hour and a half each way daily to get to my new job in a city a bit too far from home. This transportation experience, along with many others, led to the development of tripBuddy in 2016. The application intends to facilitate commuting and ride sharing for those who do not wish to take a train for two hours.

The tripBuddy family hopes to engage users, drivers, and riders to hopefully one day contribute to the reduction of traffic.

tripBuddy screenshot

IDH: Why did you become involved in reSET Accelerator program?

TAWHEED: We got involved in the reSET Accelerator program because we looking for a launch pad to accelerate our growth and get us in front of decision makers. Additionally, we felt the program would provide us with much needed resources and networking opportunities an early-stage company needs.

IDH: In what ways is your company making a social impact?

TAWHEED: The goal of tripBuddy is to minimize commuter traffic and present a platform for commuters to meet, while riding together. The backbone to tripBuddy is the riders and drivers, so our role is to provide the most efficient medium for these interactions to occur—all while improving commuter/travel time and expenditure. Our company creates more human-to-human interaction, while also reducing costs, like many other companies have done in recent years.

IDH: What has been your biggest challenge as a startup?

TAWHEED: Our biggest challenges thus far have been the fact we are still relatively new and our lack of connections to key decision makers in big firms to help drive our message.

IDH: What resources do you need most to move your company forward?

TAWHEED: They say cash is king in the startup world. We are looking to raise a seed round to boost our reach and create brand awareness.

IDH: Any advice for other startups?

TAWHEED: Sales is a numbers game—to increase your chances of success, make sure you reach out to a ton of potential customers.

Learn more about tripBuddy Inc.

VISIT: www.thetripbuddyapp.com
FOLLOW: Facebook , Instagram tripbuddyapp, LinkedIn, and Twitter @tripbuddyapp

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Startup Provides Messaging Solutions for Nonprofits and Growing Businesses

January 24 2018 Innovation Destination: Hartford Startups 0 comments

SKYWIREme Founder Jeremy Smith is one of 22 startup founders participating in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator.

East Hartford-based SKYWIREme is one of many innovative startups in the 2018 reSET Impact Accelerator. The program is designed for entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.

SKYWIREme Founder Jeremy Smith told Innovation Destination Hartford about what he hopes to gain from participating in the accelerator.

INNOVATION DESTINATION HARTFORD: When and why did you start your company?

JEREMY SMITH: While volunteering for a non-profit organization in Hartford I observed the challenges and inefficiencies of their communication methods. Talented and committed administrators were spending an inordinate amount of time trying to mobilize volunteers, members, and leadership teams through direct phone calls and email communications. The genesis of SKYWIREme was the desire to solve this problem. The company launched in June 2011.

IDH: How did you develop the business concept?

JEREMY: After completing some market research, I realized that existing services for optimized communications charged rates that made them infeasible for non-profit organizations with restrictive budgets. Some providers required software installation on specific computers owned by their customers. This limited the ability for a team of administrators to manage contact information, group configurations, and communication workload. I decided to design and develop services that supported mobility, ease of use, and effective communication mediums at fixed-price points for the customer.

IDH: Tell us about the services offered by SKYWIREme and what makes them innovative.

JEREMY: SKYWIREme provides easy-to-use group text messaging (open rate of 95% to 98%), voice messaging, and email services through our intuitive website. Customers are not restricted to the physical location of their organization since our service is accessible from a smartphone, tablet, PC, or Mac. We offer these services for a fixed monthly rate and provide unlimited usage for our customers. The services help them keep their audience informed and positively impacts organizational operations.

IDH: Why did you become involved in reSET Impact Accelerator?

JEREMY: I was born in Hartford and raised in Windsor, CT. My objective is to impact the Hartford region in a meaningful way through business growth. The reSET Impact Accelerator has a mission, set of objectives, and strategy that exudes excellence. Excellence is my objective.

IDH: In what ways is your company making a social impact?

JEREMY: SKYWIREme caters to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and growing businesses. Our features and roadmap should always align with the communication/messaging needs of these organizations. I believe non-profits focusing on the education, health/wellness, and the development of communities are critical within a regional “nervous system.” In most systems, communication is paramount.

SKYWIREme Founder Jeremy Smith discusses career strategy and entrepreneurship to with class of 2017 graduating seniors at Mount Saint Mary College.

IDH: What has been your biggest challenge as a startup?

JEREMY: Developing a marketing strategy has been the most challenging. Targeting specific digital and social platforms and producing the right content for the platform requires a great deal of testing. We’ve learned a lot over time and continue to improve.

IDH: What resources do you need most to move your company forward?

JEREMY: Networking and connecting with prospective clients and influencers who can refer our services is very high on the list. The disciplined entrepreneurship framework the Impact Accelerator adheres to should harden our strategic plans and operational practices.

IDH: What is the best advice you have given/received?

JEREMY: Given: Commit yourself to learning and, as you strive, maintain perspective.

Received: “Double down on your strengths!” Dr. Fay Cobb Payton, Program Director at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the Division of Computer and Network Systems.

Learn more about SKYWIREme

WEBSITE: www.skywireme.com
FACEBOOK: /SKYWIREme
INSTAGRAM: skywireme
TWITTER: @SKYWIREme

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