CNN was continuing
their “Black in America” series. This particular episode was titled “The
Promised Land: Silicon Valley.” This report was about the NewME Accelerator
program by Google, an incubator program for website start ups. This episode
followed several African Americans who lived together and worked on their
internet startups. At the end of 9 weeks each start up got to pitch their
business to venture capitalists and potentially receive funding to further
develop and market their product.
At the end of
9 weeks, two businesses were selected, one of whom I interviewed. The
owners, Pius Uzamere and Becky Cruze. The business, BeCouply, a website and app
that allows couples to share great date ideas and capture relationship
milestones.
The same night the
show aired I googled the site. I learned a little more about BeCouply and I
sent an email asking for an interview. Two days later…I got a yes!
Here’s what I
phound out about the San Francisco based duo and BeCouply.
Phreedum: Tell me a little about the idea behind
BeCouply. How did it go from conception to a “.com”?
BeCouply: We are a real-life couple. As our
relationship became more serious, we found ourselves searching for new and
exciting date ideas. We also wanted an easy way to capture and share our
relationship memories, from everyday moments to special occasions. We knew that
if the BeCouply app worked
for us, other couples would love it too.
Phreedum: After viewing a part of your journey
on CNN’s “Black in America” series, you were selected by investors to
further develop your product. What can you share about the 9 week process?
BeCouply: Overall the NewME accelerator was
an amazing experience. For 9 weeks we were surrounded by a great group of individuals
who were all dedicated to getting their product into the market. We are
extremely proud of everyone in the program and of what we accomplished
Phreedum: What has been the biggest lesson learned
on your entrepreneurial journey?
BeCouply: Move
as quickly as possible. Design a mockup or prototype and show it to potential
users to get feedback before you invest the time and resources to build the
full product.
Phreedum: What has been a defining moment for you on
your entrepreneurial journey?
BeCouply: There have been so many amazing moments
throughout our journey with BeCouply. But one of the true highlights was when
we received our first investment from Mitch Kapor. The
creator of Lotus 1-2-3, Mitch is a real legend in the tech industry
and we could not be more thrilled to count him as part of the BeCouply team!
Phreedum: How does BeCouply change the lives of
others?
BeCouply: BeCouply helps couples have epic social
lives. We make it fun and easy to discover new date ideas and date spots,
capture and share special moments, and connect with couple friends.
Phreedum: What have been some of the successes of
BeCouply?
BeCouply: We’ve received amazing press coverage,
including features on CNN, TechCrunch and in the Washington Post. Also, even
though we’re still pre-launch, thousands of couples have already joined our
waiting list for the BeCouply app. It’s exciting to see so much interest and
support!
Phreedum: The sacrifices?
BeCouply: SLEEP!
Phreedum: Often times I have talked with
entrepreneurs, particularly newer ones (in business about 3 years or less) who
express maintaining relationships are difficult. Many forego personal/romantic
relationships and consider it a sacrifice or a part of the cost of being a
start up entrepreneur. Your business is about couples and you are a couple. Any
tips for balancing business/ambition and a fulfilling personal/romantic
relationship?
BeCouply: We feel really lucky to be in business
together. Instead of spending 8+ hours apart at separate jobs every day, we get
to spend most of our time with each other. Plus, we’re fortunate that a lot of
our work is focused on coming up with great experiences for couples. It helps
us keep date night from getting boring!
Phreedum: What has been the best advice you have
received as an entrepreneur?
BeCouply: Listen to feedback but also trust your
instincts.
Phreedum: How would you describe each other in one
word?
Pius on Becky: Caring
Becky on Pius: Driven
Phreedum: Who has been the most influential in
helping you pursue your entrepreneurial endeavors?
BeCouply: Our families have had the biggest
influence on us. We couldn’t do what we do without their love and support.
Phreedum: What are your greatest resources?
BeCouply: Our greatest resources are our
investors and board of advisors. They have all become wonderful mentors and
always keep us on track.
Phreedum: Where would you like to see BeCouply in 5
years?
BeCouply: Our goal is for BeCouply to be as
ubiquitous among couples as Facebook is among college students. Ultimately we
hope to help every couple in the world have an epic social life.
For more
information about BeCouply visit http://www.becouply.com/
What some of you
may not know is that my dad has probably been my biggest cheerleader when it
comes to Phreedum. Edit that, he is my biggest cheerleader. When I pitched the
idea he was excited and his excitement has extended itself to
constantly keeping me abreast of all things entrepreneurial. That
means, articles, books, websites, workshops, and television programs like the
one he suggested I watch a few weeks ago on a Sunday night on CNN at
8pm.
CNN was continuing
their “Black in America” series. This particular episode was titled “The
Promised Land: Silicon Valley.” This report was about the NewME Accelerator
program by Google, an incubator program for website start ups. This episode
followed several African Americans who lived together and worked on their
internet startups. At the end of 9 weeks each start up got to pitch their
business to venture capitalists and potentially receive funding to further
develop and market their product.
At the end of
9 weeks, two businesses were selected, one of whom I interviewed. The
owners, Pius Uzamere and Becky Cruze. The business, BeCouply, a website and app
that allows couples to share great date ideas and capture relationship
milestones.
The same night the
show aired I googled the site. I learned a little more about BeCouply and I
sent an email asking for an interview. Two days later…I got a yes!
Here’s what I
phound out about the San Francisco based duo and BeCouply.
Phreedum: Tell me a little about the idea behind
BeCouply. How did it go from conception to a “.com”?
BeCouply: We are a real-life couple. As our
relationship became more serious, we found ourselves searching for new and
exciting date ideas. We also wanted an easy way to capture and share our
relationship memories, from everyday moments to special occasions. We knew that
if the BeCouply app worked
for us, other couples would love it too.
Phreedum: After viewing a part of your journey
on CNN’s “Black in America” series, you were selected by investors to
further develop your product. What can you share about the 9 week process?
BeCouply: Overall the NewME accelerator was
an amazing experience. For 9 weeks we were surrounded by a great group of individuals
who were all dedicated to getting their product into the market. We are
extremely proud of everyone in the program and of what we accomplished
Phreedum: What has been the biggest lesson learned
on your entrepreneurial journey?
BeCouply: Move
as quickly as possible. Design a mockup or prototype and show it to potential
users to get feedback before you invest the time and resources to build the
full product.
Phreedum: What has been a defining moment for you on
your entrepreneurial journey?
BeCouply: There have been so many amazing moments
throughout our journey with BeCouply. But one of the true highlights was when
we received our first investment from Mitch Kapor. The
creator of Lotus 1-2-3, Mitch is a real legend in the tech industry
and we could not be more thrilled to count him as part of the BeCouply team!
Phreedum: How does BeCouply change the lives of
others?
BeCouply: BeCouply helps couples have epic social
lives. We make it fun and easy to discover new date ideas and date spots,
capture and share special moments, and connect with couple friends.
Phreedum: What have been some of the successes of
BeCouply?
BeCouply: We’ve received amazing press coverage,
including features on CNN, TechCrunch and in the Washington Post. Also, even
though we’re still pre-launch, thousands of couples have already joined our
waiting list for the BeCouply app. It’s exciting to see so much interest and
support!
Phreedum: The sacrifices?
BeCouply: SLEEP!
Phreedum: Often times I have talked with
entrepreneurs, particularly newer ones (in business about 3 years or less) who
express maintaining relationships are difficult. Many forego personal/romantic
relationships and consider it a sacrifice or a part of the cost of being a
start up entrepreneur. Your business is about couples and you are a couple. Any
tips for balancing business/ambition and a fulfilling personal/romantic
relationship?
BeCouply: We feel really lucky to be in business
together. Instead of spending 8+ hours apart at separate jobs every day, we get
to spend most of our time with each other. Plus, we’re fortunate that a lot of
our work is focused on coming up with great experiences for couples. It helps
us keep date night from getting boring!
Phreedum: What has been the best advice you have
received as an entrepreneur?
BeCouply: Listen to feedback but also trust your
instincts.
Phreedum: How would you describe each other in one
word?
Pius on Becky: Caring
Becky on Pius: Driven
Phreedum: Who has been the most influential in
helping you pursue your entrepreneurial endeavors?
BeCouply: Our families have had the biggest
influence on us. We couldn’t do what we do without their love and support.
Phreedum: What are your greatest resources?
BeCouply: Our greatest resources are our
investors and board of advisors. They have all become wonderful mentors and
always keep us on track.
Phreedum: Where would you like to see BeCouply in 5
years?
BeCouply: Our goal is for BeCouply to be as
ubiquitous among couples as Facebook is among college students. Ultimately we
hope to help every couple in the world have an epic social life.
For more
information about BeCouply visit http://www.becouply.com/
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