Jordan Arogeti, co-founder and CEO of SupportNow
SupportNow is a platform that offers a central location for organizing donations, volunteer efforts, meal trains, and support services. Think of it as a one-stop-shop for people going through tough times.
Arogeti’s Advice: “Actions speak louder than words. Early stage B2C companies should be focused on testing key assumptions. Build an initial product and get it in potential users hands as quickly as possible.
While listening and doing market research is helpful, the true indicator of buyer behavior is not what they’ll say they do, but what they actually do.”
Mitch Alterman, CEO & Co-founder at Hatched® Dating App
Hatched is the personality-driven dating app that leaves the swiping behind. After launching in Atlanta, the app has expanded across the Southeast.
Alterman’s Advice: “Building in B2C is as competitive as it’s ever been and contrary to other industries. The best products don’t always win. While having a great product experience with a unique differentiator that delivers value fast is obviously important, having a sound distribution strategy is equally as vital to a B2C tech company’s success. After all, it doesn’t matter how good your product is if no one knows about it. Thus, my advice to people looking to build in consumer tech is to focus on marketing as much as, if not more than, your product’s development. It’s easy to get caught up in the “next big feature” or product intricacies, but ultimately, great marketing will move the needle a lot more than mostly any product update can.”
Kimberly Jolasun, founder and CEO of Villie
Villie connects expecting and new parents with their loved ones – their Village – to get the support they need and want.
Jolasun’s Advice: “You need a village. Whether as a mom or a founder, you have to seek out your village and actively nourish it. That’s what we’re trying to teach the moms on the platform. It’s equally true when you are building your company. My investors, other consumer-focused founders, and strategic partners are part of my village. I’m very intentional about asking for help while also nurturing those relationships.”
Christian Ross, Founder of Happy Talks
Happy Talks is designed to tackle loneliness. Families and caregivers that need help providing consistent emotional support to older loved ones are connected with “Buddies” for phone conversations.
Ross’ Advice: “Your ears are your best friend. Talk to your audience and potential partners as much as possible and incorporate customer-centric processes. Understand where their words align with opened wallets. Listening is a gift when you are building.”
Christy Brown, CEO at Dr. Noze Best
Dr. Noze Best is a modern home health care that helps your child (and you) breathe easy. Its first product, NozeBot®, offers three levels of pediatrician-approved nasal suction, to give babies instant relief from snotty noses.
Brown’s Advice: “First and foremost, engage in direct conversations with your customers. As a young company, embracing direct-to-consumer experiences helps you forge strong connections with your audience, gather invaluable feedback, and quickly adapt to their needs. Launching products effectively means engaging your testing audience and backing this with robust marketing efforts.
Second, focus on reaching key milestones and fully understanding your cash flow and cash conversion. “Cash is king” in an environment that requires investment ahead of revenue. At Dr. Noze Best, we are dedicated to solving real problems for parents with our medical-grade products. By perfecting one product before moving on to others, we can refine its quality, streamline operations, and build a scalable business model. This strategy not only supports cash flow but also creates a solid foundation for long-term success.
Lastly, understanding your competitive market landscape and pinpointing your key differentiators is vital. In a crowded market, it’s essential to stand out. At Dr. Noze Best, we support parents with medical-grade products that are not just one of many being mass-manufactured in overseas manufacturing plants. Recognizing what makes you unique helps in developing a compelling value proposition that resonates with consumers and fosters brand loyalty.”
Tia Robinson – CEO & Founder of Vertical Activewear
Vertical Activewear provides sustainable fashion on-demand, bringing eco-friendly activewear to all sizes.
