How has your formal education/experiences at Georgia State played a role in your becoming an entrepreneur?
Georgia State allowed me to network in an incredible way. When I started my entrepreneurial journey I was new to the technology space and reached out to my computer science friends, who I met on campus. They were able to aid me by bringing me into a network where I could benefit from their knowledge as well as introductions to other resources. Georgia State also gave me an invaluable skill which was learning how my brain works and the steps I can take to learn any subject matter I am not familiar with.

What advice can you offer to entrepreneurs?
Do not wait to start your journey. Figure out what you do not know then research and talk to people familiar with the space to fill in the gaps. As you move in the right direction, doors meant for you will open.

What is your long-term goal(s)? For you? For the company?
My long-term goal for FIND is to one day IPO. FIND becoming a publicly traded company will be a statement more so than anything else. It will show that if someone such as myself, who had no familiarity with technology prior to their journey, can execute an idea to this degree then anyone else is capable of it too. My other long-term goal is as FIND evolves it will become more and more a part of our lives, to the point where we can’t live without it.

What innovative technologies are being leveraged in your business?
As the FIND community grows will be able to accumulate a wealth of data over time, with users’ consent. We will then be able to leverage this data through the use of AI and machine learning technology to provide an experience that will better the platform for not only our users but businesses in our ecosystem. This will allow us to generate algorithms and other tools that will be able to accurately predict the next place or experience you will love as a user, and how to attract and cater to more customers as a business.

What role has Atlanta played in your entrepreneurial journey?
Atlanta has played a pivotal role in my entrepreneurial journey and is one of the reasons I decided to pursue this vision. It is the perfect breeding ground and city for a platform like FIND to have its’ start. Many of us have lived in the city for decades and are still struggling to know where to go or what to do for enjoyment. Atlanta has so many sides to it and hidden gems you would never know about unless someone pointed them out to you. Several of these gems we have driven by dozens of times and had no clue they existed but now everyone can have those same experiences not only in this city but in any given city around the world.

How has Georgia State supported you in your entrepreneurial journey?
Georgia State has been an amazing environment for me to fill the last knowledge gaps in building out the foundations of my business. Since forming my company the knowledge I have acquired thus far has been through great experiences, wonderful conversations with experts, and going to places like Atlanta Tech Village and ATDC. While I learned an incredible amount of information in a short period of time I knew a formal education was a critical tool needed to excel. This led me to come back to Georgia State for a graduate program. Being a part of the MSIS program, the coursework, and my professors have all opened my eyes and shown me ways to leverage the technology my company will have in the future.

Share a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know.
Most people in my family speak at least 3 languages.