NEW: We're now partnered with Catapult x UPenn as a content partner! Learn more about our partnership here.
Aug. 21, 2024

915: Building real-world connections through AI (and changing social behavior with a tech startup!) w/ Eubin Kim

Ever felt disconnected in an increasingly connected world? Eubin Kim, founder and CEO of Aidoo, joins us to share his remarkable journey from a first-generation Korean immigrant to a tech entrepreneur. Eubin's story is one of overcoming personal and professional challenges, as he introduces his groundbreaking anti-loneliness app, Aidoo. Designed to foster real-world connections using AI, Aidoo is more than just another social app; it’s a lifeline for those feeling isolated, particularly in a post-pandemic world. Hear how his varied experiences in tech sales, consulting, and even living in a van have uniquely positioned him to tackle modern loneliness. 

Technology has changed the way we interact, but not always for the better. We tackle the issue of social media addiction and how platforms like Facebook have evolved into divisive spaces rather than unifying ones. Eubin introduces us to the potential of AI to mend these divides by bringing people closer together. Inspired by his own journey from San Francisco to Texas, he discusses his new app that simplifies planning meetups and emphasizes healthier, more memorable interactions, a concept born during the lockdowns. Eubin's vision is one in which technology doesn't replace jobs but enriches human connections.

Building a community in a remote world is no small feat, but Eubin is up to the challenge. We explore how Aidoo is leveraging their user base as ambassadors to foster engagement and bridge the social gaps created by remote work and the pandemic. The entrepreneurial path is fraught with loneliness and hurdles, but Eubin’s clear mission and iterative process of developing features and validating ideas shine through. From the significance of learning new skills to the joy of turning ideas into tangible products, this episode is a testament to the power of a clear vision in creating meaningful relationships through technology.

ABOUT EUBIN 

Eubin Kim is a Korean immigrant who moved to the United States at the age of six. Growing up as an introvert and an immigrant, he cherished the question "when can Youbben come play outside?" as it led to countless adventures and deepened friendships. However, with the rise of technology and smartphone addiction, he noticed a shift in the way people interacted. This sparked his interest in addressing the growing problem of technology addiction and finding ways to encourage meaningful connections and outdoor play. Eubin's experiences as an immigrant and his passion for promoting real-world interactions have shaped his journey and mission to combat the negative effects of technology on society.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Chapters

00:00 - AI in Real-World Social Connections

08:29 - Creating Human Connections Through Technology

17:52 - Building Community Through User Engagement

23:31 - Entrepreneurial Mindset and Vision

35:47 - Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Guest Support

Transcript

WEBVTT

00:00:00.179 --> 00:00:01.183
Hey, what is up?

00:00:01.183 --> 00:00:04.471
Welcome to this episode of the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur podcast.

00:00:04.471 --> 00:00:23.844
As always, I'm your host, brian Lofermento, and I also, as always, am so excited about today's guest, because this is someone who, I think, not only epitomizes what it means to be an entrepreneur, but I think that he is combining all of the coolest things about business into one incredible business and products that he's bringing to the market.

00:00:23.844 --> 00:00:36.893
He's combining AI with technology while, at the same time, showing the power of good business and good entrepreneurship to actually solve real life problems, societal problems, cultural problems.

00:00:36.893 --> 00:00:39.909
There's so much that we're going to unpack with today's entrepreneur.

00:00:40.020 --> 00:00:41.405
His name is Yubin Kim.

00:00:41.405 --> 00:00:44.319
Yubin is the founder and CEO of iDo.

00:00:44.319 --> 00:00:47.509
He is also I love so many aspects of his story.

00:00:47.509 --> 00:00:52.570
I can so closely relate to it because he's a first-generation Korean immigrant.

00:00:52.570 --> 00:01:02.787
He's the founder that has launched multiple six-figure businesses, and he has valuable experience in tech sales and startups, which inevitably led him to founding a tech company of his own.

00:01:02.787 --> 00:01:13.325
He's currently building out iDo, which is an anti-loneliness app that makes it easier to get out of your room to enjoy the real world, especially in a post-pandemic world.

00:01:13.325 --> 00:01:18.084
There's so much good that Yubin is doing with his business and the way that he's connecting people.

00:01:18.385 --> 00:01:32.787
I'm really excited because we all hear about the impact of AI on work and productivity, but what you've been is doing with I do really sheds a light on how AI can actually enhance our real lives in the real world, not behind computer screens.

00:01:32.787 --> 00:01:35.900
I'm excited about this one, so I'm not going to say anything else.

00:01:35.900 --> 00:01:38.024
Let's dive straight into my interview with.

00:01:38.024 --> 00:01:43.414
You've been, kim, all right, you've been.

00:01:43.414 --> 00:01:45.868
I am so very excited that you're here with us today.

00:01:45.868 --> 00:01:46.884
First things first.

00:01:46.884 --> 00:01:47.888
Welcome to the show.

00:01:48.960 --> 00:01:49.843
Thank you so much.

00:01:49.843 --> 00:01:52.691
It's a total honor to be on your podcast.

00:01:53.721 --> 00:01:59.506
Euben, I'll tell you what our entire team, as soon as we came across your work and the incredible stuff that you're up to with iDo.

00:01:59.506 --> 00:02:06.968
We all hear about AI, but I was like we need to have him on and talk about how he's actually using it to change the world for the better.

00:02:06.968 --> 00:02:09.326
So take us beyond the bio first.

00:02:09.326 --> 00:02:10.370
Who the heck is you, ben?

00:02:10.370 --> 00:02:12.566
How did you start doing all these amazing things?

00:02:13.789 --> 00:02:15.042
Absolutely so.

00:02:15.042 --> 00:02:29.527
I'm actually a Korean immigrant, like you said, so I moved here when I was six years old years old and the question that I loved the most was when can you come play outside?

00:02:29.527 --> 00:02:30.110
Or can you come play outside?

00:02:30.110 --> 00:02:35.686
Because it's such a great question, because it leads to so many adventures and deepening friendships, and also for me.

00:02:35.686 --> 00:02:43.850
I'm also an introvert as well as an immigrant, and you know, if you think about that question, you don't have to do any of the work right.

00:02:43.850 --> 00:03:06.108
Your friends are already outside, you're outside playing and then just just growing up with that, I really enjoyed that question but over time, and especially with the rise of technology, it felt like it was a lot harder to do and especially with smartphones and people getting addicted to technology and stuff like that it, it really seemed like that was going to be a growing problem.

00:03:06.429 --> 00:03:19.681
And then I, like you said, launched multiple six-figure businesses in my 20s, mostly for other people, either on consulting or marketing, and eventually I'm a bit of a hippie at heart.

00:03:19.860 --> 00:03:22.784
So I did van life for about six months.

00:03:22.865 --> 00:03:38.099
I renovated a Chevrolet G30 van 1995, and traveled so many national parks, got to experience nature, and then eventually I landed in San Francisco or the Bay Area, to be exact.

00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:47.180
And then the thing that I realized was and this was during the lockdowns I realized that the world had shifted permanently.

00:03:47.180 --> 00:04:02.024
We went from meeting up face to face primarily to living through our screens, and I experienced firsthand what it would be like to live in a digital first world and how hard it would be to create real world connections.

00:04:02.024 --> 00:04:14.344
And I really wish there was an app that would help me make new friends with similar interests and also, kind of going back to the previous portion, that would help me do the work of planning the activity.

00:04:14.344 --> 00:04:40.646
And just thought about that idea for a lot of years and I thought, man, maybe there's really something here, and especially now, seeing all the trends of, you know, screen addiction and people addicted to social media and their smartphones and things like that, I think I recognize that, hey, this is an idea that not only that I need just to get outside and make it easier to connect with friends, but something that the world could benefit from as well.

00:04:41.307 --> 00:04:42.670
Yeah, I love that overview.

00:04:42.670 --> 00:04:50.435
I will say, as a first generation American who is extroverted I'm always looking to make plans and I don't know who to make them with you, ben.

00:04:50.435 --> 00:04:57.242
So I love the fact that your app is not only utilizing technology but it really is being that bridge and connecting so many different people.

00:04:57.242 --> 00:05:02.324
We're going to go there, but I didn't anticipate starting here, but you brought it up, so we have no agenda today.

00:05:02.324 --> 00:05:05.112
We might as well go where the conversation takes us, and you've been.

00:05:05.112 --> 00:05:07.036
You talk about you being a hippie at heart.

00:05:07.036 --> 00:05:09.302
Obviously, I know about your van life background.

00:05:09.302 --> 00:05:16.286
I'm curious, because you have been an entrepreneur at heart for quite some time, being involved in in so many different businesses.

00:05:16.286 --> 00:05:21.286
How has that hippie van life shaped your views of business?

00:05:21.286 --> 00:05:25.641
Cause I'm sure you think about it differently than most views of business, because I'm sure you think about it differently than most.

00:05:25.661 --> 00:05:26.202
Yeah, no, I think.

00:05:26.202 --> 00:05:31.468
In terms of that, I think the creativity was a big aspect of it.

00:05:31.468 --> 00:05:36.095
Like, if I'm being honest, I would just travel to different national parks.

00:05:36.095 --> 00:05:52.815
I visited Yellowstone Glacier there's some beautiful parks in Colorado as well and I would just play up or post up and essentially play my guitar and just try to think of new things to write about and new experiences to see.

00:05:52.997 --> 00:05:55.144
Like every day was literally an adventure.

00:05:55.144 --> 00:06:04.132
I didn't know where I was going to sleep that night, I didn't know what I was going to cook for dinner, but it really gets you to think on your feet.

00:06:04.132 --> 00:06:10.593
Like if you don't have a spot to stay at at night, you better look up a place and figure out all the details.

00:06:10.593 --> 00:06:18.613
So it kind of brought spontaneity and creativity to my work because, honestly, it was super relaxing.

00:06:19.581 --> 00:06:26.685
And also during the pandemic as well, I feel like everyone was freaking out and I'm just out here in the woods playing guitar by myself.

00:06:26.685 --> 00:06:45.694
But it brought an element of peace and also just kind of a yearning for an easier way to connect, because during that van life trip, everyone was quarantining and kept to themselves and I feel like an element of just human connection was somewhat missing.

00:06:45.694 --> 00:07:19.093
I did travel with my friends for a large portion of it, but it kind of combined into when I landed in San Francisco and thinking like man, like there's so many things that I'm interested in and people that I would love to do them with, but it seems like there's a lot of barriers to friendships, relationships, busy schedules, distractions in our lives and I think honestly what everyone needs to do nowadays is just get outside Right, and I think part of that entrepreneurship journey is figuring out a way to do that.

00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:29.175
Yeah, I love hearing about how all these pieces that in the moment may or may not have felt like they were connected, but they all, all these roads, led to what we're all doing today.

00:07:29.175 --> 00:07:35.641
So I love hearing that backstory and I also think it's the culmination of not only what you were doing, but where you were.

00:07:35.641 --> 00:07:41.144
You were in the Bay Area at a really pivotal time in the way that the tech startup world was working.

00:07:41.144 --> 00:07:45.821
I mean, emerging technologies are popping up at a faster rate now than probably ever before.

00:07:45.821 --> 00:07:50.512
Obviously, ai came into the mainstream game at least within the past few years.

00:07:50.512 --> 00:07:53.826
Chatgpt has only accelerated that, but you've been.

00:07:53.826 --> 00:08:00.290
I want to know, because a lot of people are looking at AI, as I can create more content quicker, I can have the social media calendar.

00:08:00.290 --> 00:08:04.305
You were like no, I want it to be a social life assistant for me.

00:08:04.305 --> 00:08:27.384
Where, when you saw the landscape of AI, were you just like, no, this is the way that I want to use it social media networks and things like that.

00:08:27.403 --> 00:08:28.968
It is great for putting out content, right?

00:08:28.968 --> 00:08:29.528
Don't get me wrong.

00:08:29.528 --> 00:08:34.846
I still have the addiction of scrolling through reels for like probably 30 minutes to an hour at a time and I'm like this is funny.

00:08:34.846 --> 00:08:53.631
But you know, I think in some ways it's not adding any value to my life and I think primarily the value of our life comes through relationships, right, it's the relationships that we build with our family, our friends, our loved ones, and really those are the memories that we will cherish at the end of our life.

00:08:53.631 --> 00:09:05.913
No one's really going to remember the meme that you saw and that you were cracking up at, but in terms of really the core human experience, it's those fond memories that you share with other people.

00:09:06.400 --> 00:09:23.739
And just seeing the trend of younger people and even older people that are consuming this content, and I feel like it's gotten to a point where it's so addicting and so how would I say it?

00:09:23.739 --> 00:09:31.916
It's addicting and it's programmed to be addicting that I thought, man, I think technology is being used in the wrong way, right?

00:09:31.916 --> 00:09:34.562
And then just to flip that on its head.

00:09:34.562 --> 00:09:36.735
It's kind of keeping us separate as well, right?

00:09:36.735 --> 00:09:42.307
If you're looking at a meme, then you're not really engaging with anyone, you're just consuming the content.

00:09:42.307 --> 00:09:49.106
So I thought, you know what, if there was a way that we could use technology in order to create human connections?

00:09:49.106 --> 00:10:12.552
Thinking about like Facebook before right, facebook was designed as an easier way to make new friends and meet new people, but now it's full of, you know angry posts and statuses and lots of you know reels and you know short form content that, honestly, like just just seeing, like how it's been used in politics and you know social media.

00:10:12.572 --> 00:10:24.148
Just overall, it seems like it's kind of dividing us as a country and I think I think it's easy to forget that we, we all share the same same color on the inside.

00:10:24.148 --> 00:10:25.409
We all bleed red Right.

00:10:25.409 --> 00:10:32.465
So and it's those differences that make us special it's not supposed to be used as a weapon to divide us.

00:10:32.465 --> 00:10:39.269
So I think, with the rise of AI as well, I think people are scared.

00:10:39.269 --> 00:10:43.687
I think people are wondering, like man, like am I going to be out of a job soon?

00:10:43.687 --> 00:10:50.489
Am I going to be, you know, talking to an AI person for the rest of my life, which is honestly a scary thought?

00:10:50.489 --> 00:10:59.857
But if we could actually use AI to bring people closer together, to have better experiences, to create better, more memorable connections.

00:10:59.857 --> 00:11:01.664
I think that's a worthwhile goal.

00:11:02.248 --> 00:11:08.802
Yeah, I really love that overview, especially because there's there are so many different pieces and considerations in this landscape.

00:11:08.802 --> 00:11:10.735
You point out how social media has changed.

00:11:10.735 --> 00:11:15.296
I love when I get those Facebook memories where it says you know, 15 years ago, this is what you posted.

00:11:15.296 --> 00:11:21.018
And I was sitting in my dorm room 15 years ago and my posts were like does anyone want to play FIFA right now?

00:11:21.018 --> 00:11:23.004
And so that was back then.

00:11:23.004 --> 00:11:25.110
That was the way we all connected.

00:11:25.110 --> 00:11:30.928
It was the means of us finding people in our real life geographic spaces to do things with together.

00:11:31.431 --> 00:11:36.505
I can't tell you you've been the last time that I used it that way, or you're right, I've seen anyone else use it.

00:11:36.505 --> 00:11:38.076
Now it's you called it out perfectly.

00:11:38.076 --> 00:11:41.400
It's all the rants, it's all the politics and it's not what we need.

00:11:41.400 --> 00:11:43.964
So walk us down the path of what you're doing with.

00:11:43.964 --> 00:11:45.846
I do because I think it's incredible.

00:11:45.846 --> 00:11:47.307
I obviously can see it.

00:11:47.307 --> 00:11:49.190
I've done the research ahead of today's episode.

00:11:49.190 --> 00:12:01.162
I'm looking at it on my computer screen, but podcast listeners are probably sitting here saying you've been, we're talking about AI potentially replacing humans, but here we are in today's episode talking about it bringing humans together in real life.

00:12:01.162 --> 00:12:03.227
How does it actually do that?

00:12:08.154 --> 00:12:08.716
How does I do function?

00:12:08.716 --> 00:12:10.359
Yeah, absolutely, and I just thought about it.

00:12:10.359 --> 00:12:23.644
Well, to kind of take you back, I moved back from San Francisco about a year ago and then in that year I thought, you know, I've been making money for other people, right, and then also had all these ideas.

00:12:23.644 --> 00:12:39.179
And typically when you're in a business, they typically want you to focus on a business, but I've always been a guy with ideas about thinking how to make things better and just having that entrepreneur spirit, like the title of this podcast is.

00:12:39.179 --> 00:12:49.720
But then, yeah, I thought now it's the time to move back to Texas, that idea that I had initially in San Francisco during the lockdown.

00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:53.243
I thought, you know, now it's the time to move back to Texas, that idea that I had initially in San Francisco during the lockdown.

00:12:53.243 --> 00:12:54.423
I thought, you know, there's something there.

00:12:54.443 --> 00:13:11.546
And in terms of planning a meetup, if you think about all the details, right, there's a lot of things that have to go right when you're planning a meetup and I'm sure that you use a bunch of different group chats or even things like Eventbrite and Facebook events in order to plan a meetup.

00:13:11.546 --> 00:13:18.775
But there's all these apps and options out there, but I don't think people are happy with them for one reason or the other.

00:13:18.775 --> 00:13:24.606
I think with texting and Google Maps, it still requires a lot of work.

00:13:24.606 --> 00:13:33.182
It requires you to send out a message, have an idea, have a suggestion and then, in terms of scheduling it, you know you have to make sure everyone's on the same page.

00:13:33.182 --> 00:13:40.123
You don't know what the real headcount is going to be and a lot of the times that things can end up just falling through right.

00:13:40.123 --> 00:13:57.075
And then also in San Francisco, during the lockdown, I use the dating apps right, Because that really was the primary way to connect with other people during the lockdown, and part of that, too, links with my journey to sobriety.

00:13:57.416 --> 00:14:06.195
I didn't want to say like, hey, I don't want to get drinks, I just want to go outside and go to a park or go on a bike ride.

00:14:06.195 --> 00:14:17.825
And I realized that, wow, like I think this is a much healthier, more memorable encounter than going to a bar, inviting a person over and just having a drink.

00:14:17.825 --> 00:14:43.284
So that kind of coalesced into like how do I make it easier for people to connect outside, and it just led down that path of like, okay, there's certain details that you have to get right in order to plan a perfect meetup that's getting the right location, getting the scheduling down, confirming and then just enjoying the event and also sharing the photos.

00:14:43.284 --> 00:14:53.888
Enjoying the event and also sharing the photos and I thought why not put that into a all in one comprehensive application that takes care of that entire social experience for you.

00:14:54.875 --> 00:15:09.711
Yeah, it's so cool hearing you talk about this in real time here on the air, because I can see how your thought process has manifested into the various features that are available within what you're doing with iDo, and it's one of the headlines on your website.

00:15:09.711 --> 00:15:18.581
I love it because, hearing you talk about it, it's clear why you have arrived at this important functionality of activities included, no work required.

00:15:18.581 --> 00:15:25.823
And then there's this really nice slider of you know, if you want to get pizza together, if you want to go on a bike ride together, if you want to go camping together.

00:15:25.823 --> 00:15:30.500
There's so many different things that we as humans can do, but so many people fall into.

00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:35.160
For me again, as someone who doesn't drink just like you, I don't want to go to a bar.

00:15:35.160 --> 00:15:39.756
I'd much rather play chess in a coffee shop, Like there's 500 other things I'd rather do.

00:15:39.756 --> 00:15:44.884
So talk to us about that, because people might be thinking, oh, it's just another app that is connecting people.

00:15:44.884 --> 00:15:48.548
But you're also talking about what are we going to do?

00:15:48.548 --> 00:15:50.191
Walk us through that functionality.

00:15:51.595 --> 00:15:52.678
Yeah, absolutely.

00:15:52.678 --> 00:15:55.149
I think, just like you hit it on the head.

00:15:55.149 --> 00:16:05.357
I feel like people get trapped into what everyone else is doing, right, it's like, oh, I want to go do this, or I saw this on social media, so I want to do that.

00:16:05.357 --> 00:16:26.730
But really, everyone is so interesting in their interests, their hobbies, the things that they love enjoy doing outside, but it's harder to connect on those things because it takes a lot to get to know a person, right, it takes a lot of time to eventually become friends.

00:16:26.751 --> 00:16:34.395
Eventually, like meet up and plan things and, just like you said, like you play chess, I play chess as well like that's.

00:16:34.395 --> 00:16:36.625
That's an incredible bonding opportunity.

00:16:36.625 --> 00:16:59.895
That might not be relevant right off the bat, but if you're able to show that you're interested in, let's's say, biking or chess or going to a Korean restaurant, or one of the things that is included in the app as well is fitness, right, I feel like so many people love going to the gym, but when I go to the gym, I see mostly people working out by themselves, right?

00:16:59.895 --> 00:17:10.403
So if you're able to kind of create that community around activities, then you can contribute to a healthier, happier society, I think, as a whole.

00:17:11.224 --> 00:17:12.086
Yeah, you've been.

00:17:12.086 --> 00:17:13.637
It's so much fun hearing you talk about this.

00:17:13.637 --> 00:17:20.755
I already know one day, when you and I are in the same geographic location, we're going to bike to a Korean barbecue place and we're going to play chess while we're there.

00:17:20.755 --> 00:17:21.537
So let's do it.

00:17:21.537 --> 00:17:28.760
But hearing you talk about these things, I also know that as much as you love what you're doing, you also love the business aspect of it.

00:17:28.821 --> 00:17:31.307
You have been an entrepreneur at heart.

00:17:31.307 --> 00:17:34.885
You said entrepreneur, but I'm going to elevate you straight into the entrepreneurship category.

00:17:34.885 --> 00:17:47.637
But I know that a part of what you're doing is it's tough to build a user base on any new thing, especially when it is a new idea, and for someone like you who's an idea factory, you've no shortage of those.

00:17:47.637 --> 00:17:52.721
But then the business problem to solve then becomes how do I get as many people on there?

00:17:52.721 --> 00:17:57.560
And the network effect is something that we've all heard about inside of business classrooms.

00:17:57.560 --> 00:18:04.042
We've heard different ways of going about it, like Uber, for example, launched in a specific city and then they slowly expanded into others.

00:18:04.042 --> 00:18:11.958
Talk to us about your growth plans and navigating the network effect, because for so many businesses, it's hard to get that right.

00:18:11.978 --> 00:18:17.729
Yeah, absolutely, and I think really there's so many different communities that you can tap into.

00:18:17.729 --> 00:18:30.269
I think with the concept of the app and you know, the cool thing is we do have customers pre-MVP, meaning that there are people that just love the idea and they're willing to pay money with it.

00:18:30.269 --> 00:18:39.528
And the cool thing is the MVP is being built right now and by the time that this episode airs, people will be able to download it and experience ID for themselves.

00:18:39.528 --> 00:18:43.806
But really I think organizations can benefit from this.

00:18:43.806 --> 00:18:48.116
I think organizations can benefit from this.

00:18:48.136 --> 00:18:53.607
You know there's there's a lot of organizations and businesses and they're kind of lacking that sense of community that comes with.

00:18:53.647 --> 00:18:55.559
That used to exist before COVID.

00:18:55.559 --> 00:19:11.805
You know, whenever, whenever companies existed before, you know that you would have, like the water cooler talks and your co workers sitting right next to you and you know there's a lot of camaraderie and community that just comes by being in the shared space together.

00:19:11.805 --> 00:19:34.737
But we've missed that from work from home, and part of my pitch is now it takes work to get away from home, right, I think, with all our screens and just the endless amount of content that's available with all our screens and just the endless amount of content that's available, it's we feel tired, we're, we're, we're distracted, and and, and and.

00:19:34.737 --> 00:19:41.615
I think businesses, I think organizations they need a more, an easier way to build community within that organization.

00:19:41.615 --> 00:20:01.659
And right now I'm partnering with some businesses in the Austin area, as well as some prospective churches and sobriety groups and things like that, so that we can really just create that sense of community, make it easier for people to connect both in that community and outside of that community as well.

00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:04.124
Yeah, which leads me right into.

00:20:04.124 --> 00:20:08.199
I love this growth strategy that it's so clear that you're really embracing is.

00:20:08.199 --> 00:20:21.665
You call them, I do ambassadors, which is, your users in and of themselves are also marketers for your solution, for your product, because we win when other people also start using it I mean I already.

00:20:21.665 --> 00:20:29.400
So I relocated here to Tampa, florida, a few years ago from Los Angeles, and I had to start from scratch from a social perspective, all the things I like to do.

00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:31.563
I don't know anyone who plays tennis here.

00:20:31.563 --> 00:20:35.125
I don't know anyone who just wants to post up in a coffee shop and play chess.

00:20:35.125 --> 00:20:40.747
I didn't know these people, and so the more people in my local area that are using it, the more I win.

00:20:40.747 --> 00:20:52.292
Talk to us about that approach, because it's clear to me that people are at the root of so much of your growth plans and the way that you view this working, which is fun to talk about in the context of a tech company.

00:20:54.615 --> 00:20:59.807
Yeah, absolutely, and I think really it depends on a lot of different things.

00:20:59.807 --> 00:21:06.048
But I thought you know, the best way to create an app and market it is to show how people actually use it.

00:21:06.048 --> 00:21:13.002
It's just like you said whenever you move into a new city, you don't know too many people and you want to explore.

00:21:13.002 --> 00:21:28.300
There's all these new restaurants, there's all these new sites that you want to see, there's all these activities you want to do, but then, honestly, still, it's kind of hard to go to a fancy restaurant all by yourself and just enjoy it like that, right?

00:21:28.300 --> 00:21:37.424
So I think people have this inherent desire to explore the outside world, because we now we live in an inside world, but not a lot.

00:21:37.424 --> 00:21:47.199
It's hard to get coordinated and, especially when you're fresh, it's it's hard to say like, oh, like, hey, we just met, do you want to go do this thing together, right?

00:21:47.199 --> 00:21:49.965
So there's some vulnerability that comes with that.

00:21:49.965 --> 00:21:52.200
There's all that work that I mentioned before.

00:21:52.801 --> 00:21:58.560
So by using the I do ambassadors and the cool thing is, anyone can become an I do ambassador.

00:21:58.560 --> 00:22:00.848
You just have to fill out the survey on our website.

00:22:00.848 --> 00:22:05.059
But it allows people to showcase their diverse interests, right?

00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:09.868
So if you're a fitness fanatic, or I say on the website, it's like a pizza amigo.

00:22:09.868 --> 00:22:14.226
It's people that share those passions with each other.

00:22:14.226 --> 00:22:22.205
Then it'll be incredibly easy for you to find people and also to schedule those activities on your app.

00:22:22.205 --> 00:22:35.357
And by showcasing that with the world activities on your app and by showcasing that with the world, you offer a source of income to these ambassadors, as well as spreading the message about hey, there's an easier way to connect outside.

00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:39.173
Yeah, listeners, I'm going to call this out for all of you right now.

00:22:39.173 --> 00:22:48.759
Hearing the way that you've been talks about this stuff, you hear how much he has thought about the mental side of his customers journeys is.

00:22:48.759 --> 00:23:00.795
When you talk about those vulnerabilities of opening up socially, those are things that the fact that you, as a founder, are already thinking about these means that your product is even stronger, even better, because of that fact.

00:23:00.795 --> 00:23:10.509
Now, of course, listeners, part of the advantage here is that if you're serving a prior version or current version of yourself, you have a unique understanding of your ideal customers.

00:23:10.509 --> 00:23:30.192
So, euban, I love the way that you're building all of this into the app, but I have to ask you, as someone who has worked inside of so many different successful businesses at all different growth phases, what's been the challenging, or maybe something that's been surprising for you as you've been going on here, because this is no small goal and mission that you've taken on board.

00:23:31.576 --> 00:23:42.237
I know, and I think, like to become like from sales and a non-technical founder to say, like I'm building an app.

00:23:42.237 --> 00:23:44.320
You know, it was pretty ambitious.

00:23:44.320 --> 00:24:00.000
But I think the hardest part is you know, as you probably well know entrepreneurship especially when you just have an idea right, it is a lonely journey, right, and you can tell people about the app and it's like, hey, it's a great idea.

00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:11.767
But then no one really knows what you're going to go through, unless you link up with fellow founders or, you know, you find those business contacts that have gone through that process with you.

00:24:11.767 --> 00:24:23.423
But I think the thing that's really driving me at this point is envisioning a world where people are more connected.

00:24:23.423 --> 00:24:31.970
And whenever I meditate every morning, part of my meditation is, you know, imagine the future and imagine everything has gone right.

00:24:31.970 --> 00:24:37.169
And you know what does that look like for you and for me, it wasn't.

00:24:37.169 --> 00:24:38.511
Oh, you're going to start.

00:24:38.511 --> 00:24:41.085
You know, a huge successful company.

00:24:41.085 --> 00:24:46.847
It was people coming up to me and saying like, hey, I made friends through your app, right?

00:24:46.847 --> 00:24:52.566
Or hey, I met my wife through your app, we met biking together and thank you so much.

00:24:52.700 --> 00:25:06.520
So I think, just starting with that small vision of, hey, I'm just bringing people together and making those connections easier for people and also just being motivated by it's kind of interesting.

00:25:06.520 --> 00:25:08.041
And also just being motivated by it's kind of interesting.

00:25:08.041 --> 00:25:11.403
It's like seeing how people, what people, are struggling with online.

00:25:11.403 --> 00:25:21.852
And you know, I scroll through Reddit, I scroll through social media, through threads, through Twitter, and it seems like there's a huge need for this type of solution.

00:25:21.852 --> 00:25:24.834
People are like hey, I'm in Austin, I don't know anyone here.

00:25:25.055 --> 00:25:29.116
Or if you go on Reddit, it's like do people still make friends anymore?

00:25:29.116 --> 00:25:37.614
This is something that I never would have thought that in the future, this is something that we would be dealing with.

00:25:37.614 --> 00:25:50.866
But technology is only growing faster at an exponential rate and I feel like more and more like the apps that we're using they're keeping us on there, right?

00:25:50.866 --> 00:25:58.606
So for me, the overarching mission and what pushes me through those hard times of, like man, I have to learn how to code.

00:25:58.606 --> 00:26:17.693
Now I have to make content, which something is it's kind of foreign to me, but it's like, hey, this is for the overarching mission of fixing modern loneliness and boredom, and if you can get people to connect in a happy, healthy, positive way, then you've done your job.

00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:25.624
Yeah, I love hearing you talk about all these different things to focus on, but they all come back to that core mission and it leads me to ask you.

00:26:25.624 --> 00:26:31.147
I'm so fascinated from just speaking to you, not only through what you do, but also entrepreneur to entrepreneur.

00:26:31.147 --> 00:26:35.211
Let's talk about those, either inflection points or milestones.

00:26:35.211 --> 00:26:42.865
I'm so curious to hear the way that your mind works and how you look forward, because I know that right now, at the time of recording, you've got a lot on your plate.

00:26:42.865 --> 00:26:44.663
You obviously have a closed program.

00:26:44.663 --> 00:26:45.023
Right now.

00:26:45.044 --> 00:26:45.786
You've got a lot on your plate.

00:26:45.786 --> 00:26:46.627
You obviously have a closed program.

00:26:46.627 --> 00:26:49.173
Right now, you've got over a thousand people just last week alone, signed up for your wait list.

00:26:49.173 --> 00:27:01.309
So the need is definitely there and people are gonna be chomping at the bit for this to go public, but not just speaking about the technical side of launching this thing into the world, but even just the growth, the impact side of things.

00:27:01.309 --> 00:27:09.313
What are those milestones or inflection points that your mind goes to and you say you know what, let's just get here and then we'll focus on getting there?

00:27:09.313 --> 00:27:12.986
I'd love to tap into your entrepreneurial mind and how you think about that stuff.

00:27:14.188 --> 00:27:29.022
Yeah, absolutely, and I think I think I think part of being an entrepreneur is having ADD but using it in a constructive way, right Like I was diagnosed ADD and I didn't even know what it was until I was diagnosed with it.

00:27:29.022 --> 00:27:32.531
But you have to be interested in a lot of different things.

00:27:32.531 --> 00:27:43.801
And kind of looking back at my own journey, you know I first started in sales, then I went into marketing and then, you know, eventually landed in tech sales and learned like the corporate structure.

00:27:43.801 --> 00:27:51.866
My first job as an SDR, my tech sales job in San Francisco, was for a financial company.

00:27:51.866 --> 00:28:00.845
So that's when I got to learn all the different aspects of the finances of a business and figuring out what was important, metrics and things like that.

00:28:01.181 --> 00:28:06.082
And looking back, you don't really see the roadmap.

00:28:06.082 --> 00:28:13.226
Looking forward, you're like, well, I'm a fintech SDR and then eventually a healthcare account executive.

00:28:13.226 --> 00:28:18.848
But then, looking back, the dots connect.

00:28:18.848 --> 00:28:24.653
That's the only way you can connect the thick of it.

00:28:24.653 --> 00:28:30.036
You don't really know the next step but you realize like, oh, I've built a website before.

00:28:30.036 --> 00:28:42.998
I know how to talk to people, I know how to build interest and then, using those lessons, those pieces of knowledge and those tools that you learn and how to use them effectively and then just taking it piece by piece.

00:28:43.118 --> 00:28:47.510
Right, you don't need to start with building an app right away.

00:28:47.510 --> 00:28:56.349
First you need to gauge the interest, see if there's people that are interested in your idea, and then, once you have that validation, then you can move on to the next phase.

00:28:56.349 --> 00:29:10.567
And then that's when I started developing the screens and figuring out what features that people would like and how to reduce the friction of going outside and what really matters to people when they have a great experience outside.

00:29:10.567 --> 00:29:22.540
And then the more validation you get, the more users that you get on your side, then you can actually release the product, which is, yeah, it's really cool.

00:29:22.682 --> 00:29:29.077
I feel like you know, a lot of people have that, that desire of like man.

00:29:29.077 --> 00:29:30.864
I really want to build out that idea.

00:29:30.864 --> 00:29:36.805
But then this is the first time that I've thought of an app and then now it's actually coming to life.

00:29:36.805 --> 00:29:42.421
I think Now it's going to be at that stage and then, of course, it's.

00:29:42.421 --> 00:29:45.263
It all depends on the user, right, it depends on the customer.

00:29:45.263 --> 00:29:54.090
So after this point, once the MVP is released, just taking their feedback and thinking, hey, okay, you had this idea right off the beginning Now.

00:29:54.090 --> 00:30:01.636
It's just listening to your customer, listening to what the feedback is about and then really gearing it for them.

00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:07.303
Yeah, I love the way that you transparently shared that.

00:30:07.303 --> 00:30:15.791
I feel, like too many people, we get caught up in that cliched business school advice I remember professors used to always tell us got to have that three, five, 10 year plan and the truth is none of it's going to happen.

00:30:15.791 --> 00:30:18.567
According to that plan, you can set a guideline.

00:30:18.567 --> 00:30:20.490
I love how you've shared with us today.

00:30:20.490 --> 00:30:32.836
Really, I think that your guideline, your North star, is really the impact that you want to make and the mission that you're on, and I think that there's going inevitably going to be twists and turns along the way and you'll figure it out when you get there.

00:30:32.900 --> 00:30:43.984
And I think that that's some real life entrepreneurial insights that listeners, no matter where you are in your growth journey, this is the stuff that really guides us along and it's a mindset that goes along with that growth journey.

00:30:43.984 --> 00:30:52.567
So I love hearing you share that with us in such a transparent way, because this is the real stuff, which is why we enjoy having this show and having incredible guests on, like you.

00:30:52.567 --> 00:31:07.443
But I also love asking this question at the end of episodes because I have no idea how you're going to answer that, and that is boiling it down to one actionable takeaway or one piece of advice that you wanna have, knowing that our listeners are at all different growth stages in their own businesses.

00:31:07.443 --> 00:31:08.626
You've been in it.

00:31:08.626 --> 00:31:10.511
You're taking on a big mission yourself.

00:31:10.511 --> 00:31:11.401
What's that?

00:31:11.401 --> 00:31:13.768
One thing that you hope everyone walks away from?

00:31:13.807 --> 00:31:17.566
today's episode with Do you mind if I share two?

00:31:17.566 --> 00:31:18.188
Is that okay?

00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:21.048
Oh, we will always take a bonus one, lay it on us.

00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:23.280
Awesome, awesome.

00:31:23.280 --> 00:31:24.181
I appreciate that.

00:31:24.181 --> 00:31:44.615
So I would say the first one is think about problems, right, I think people think of a solution and then they think like, oh, this is the perfect solution, but then really you can have a great feature or great product, but then you really have to fix a core problem that users are having.

00:31:44.615 --> 00:31:51.462
And then, and then, honestly, for me I think it was a personal problem, right, it's.

00:31:51.462 --> 00:32:01.151
I'm an immigrant that grew up and I really like that question of can we go play outside, but it seems like that, that question faded away in the childhood.

00:32:01.893 --> 00:32:05.808
And also I'm just, I just don't like planning meetups.

00:32:05.848 --> 00:32:11.099
I know people do love doing that, but for me, I just love attending and experiencing those events.

00:32:11.240 --> 00:32:44.871
So if you have a problem that you're currently dealing with, or if you recognize a problem in society right now, then marketing becomes a lot easier, right, then you just have to talk about your own experiences and then just kind of fine tune it as you go along and by replicating what your pain points are or recognizing the other pain points and then just figuring out which demographics that you'll lead into, the whole process of finding the right customers, finding the right users becomes a lot easier.

00:32:45.153 --> 00:32:49.786
And then the second point would be to find the reason right.

00:32:49.786 --> 00:32:55.625
So you have the problem, you have the solution, but there's going to be moments when things get hard.

00:32:55.625 --> 00:33:04.642
There's going to be moments when you're like man, like I tried building an app Like that's, that's I never would have thought that I could have done it, like a year ago.

00:33:04.642 --> 00:33:26.952
But just having that vision of what are you actually trying to accomplish, what is the end goal, how does it benefit people, how does it benefit the world right, and if you're able to find that vision, that kind of carries you through those hard times, carries you through the moments of doubt, the moments of self-reflection am I doing this right?

00:33:26.952 --> 00:33:34.933
Then I've realized that through overcoming those hurdles, you become stronger.

00:33:34.933 --> 00:33:41.720
In the process, your thinking becomes more clear and you build a resiliency that's going to serve you for the rest of your life.

00:33:42.421 --> 00:33:58.872
Yes, really well said, and I said at the top of today's episode that you are the epitome of so many aspects of what it means to be an entrepreneur, and you have so delivered here today with the real stuff that I don't think we talk about openly enough, so I really going to be itching to see it in action.

00:33:58.872 --> 00:34:20.391
I love the way you lay it out on your website is so beautiful, showing what the inside looks like, all the different features and functionality, and I know that by the time this episode airs, there's only going to be so much more for people to check out, so drop those links on us.

00:34:20.391 --> 00:34:22.061
Where should listeners go from here?

00:34:23.103 --> 00:34:24.726
yeah, absolutely so.

00:34:24.726 --> 00:34:26.190
We're currently currently MVP.

00:34:26.190 --> 00:34:54.764
Right now, and I think for an entrepreneur that's looking to see what an MVP would look like, as well as enjoy the benefits of an easier way to go outside, all you need to do is sign up for our waitlist that's at wwwidoai, and then, in terms of our socials, I'll be releasing some content about you know, kind of like a founder led video strategy of like hey, here's what I do on a daily basis, currently working on that.

00:34:54.764 --> 00:34:55.387
I do have.

00:34:55.387 --> 00:35:04.913
I do have some clips to process, but if you want to follow that journey of me building this app, then our socials are going to be at a IDO dot AI.

00:35:05.641 --> 00:35:07.507
Yes, listeners, you already know the drill.

00:35:07.507 --> 00:35:13.409
We're making it as easy as possible for you to find those links down below, wherever it is that you're tuning into today's episode.

00:35:13.409 --> 00:35:16.990
You can find I do at aidooai.

00:35:16.990 --> 00:35:18.947
That's I do aidooai.

00:35:18.947 --> 00:35:24.726
You'll find that link down below, so you can just click right on through, no matter where it is that you're tuning in.

00:35:24.726 --> 00:35:28.768
Otherwise, you've been on behalf of myself and all of our listeners worldwide.

00:35:28.768 --> 00:35:30.981
Thanks so much for coming on the show today.

00:35:32.143 --> 00:35:32.965
Absolutely, man.

00:35:32.965 --> 00:35:36.574
This has been so much fun and thank you for the opportunity.

00:35:37.458 --> 00:35:43.001
Hey, it's Brian here, and thanks for tuning in to yet another episode of the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur podcast.

00:35:43.001 --> 00:35:46.972
If you haven't checked us out online, there's so much good stuff there.

00:35:46.972 --> 00:35:56.211
Check out the show's website and all the show notes that we talked about in today's episode at thewantrepreneurshowcom, and I just want to give a shout out to our amazing guests.

00:35:56.211 --> 00:36:05.005
There's a reason why we are ad free and have produced so many incredible episodes five days a week for you, and it's because our guests step up to the plate.

00:36:05.065 --> 00:36:07.047
These are not sponsored episodes.

00:36:07.047 --> 00:36:08.650
These are not infomercials.

00:36:08.650 --> 00:36:12.155
Our guests help us cover the costs of our productions.

00:36:12.155 --> 00:36:23.110
They so deeply believe in the power of getting their message out in front of you, awesome entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs, that they contribute to help us make these productions possible.

00:36:23.110 --> 00:36:31.579
So thank you to not only today's guests, but all of our guests in general, and I just want to invite you check out our website because you can send us a voicemail there.

00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:32.922
We also have live chat.

00:36:32.922 --> 00:36:36.751
If you want to interact directly with me, go to thewantrepreneurshowcom.

00:36:36.751 --> 00:36:38.963
Initiate a live chat.

00:36:38.963 --> 00:36:48.369
It's for real me, and I'm excited because I'll see you, as always every Monday, wednesday, friday, saturday and Sunday here on the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur podcast.