Ep 016: How Mentors Can Help Save Your Business w/ Jenny Amaraneni

Jenny Amaraneni is an MBA graduate from San Diego State
University, who is on a mission to restore vision around the
globe. She is doing this through a company she had co-founded,
SOLO Eyewear. With each SOLO sunglasses purchased, the team funds
eye care for people in need.


 
STRATEGIES USED TO FUND BUSINESS

I initially started with a family loan, and then we turned to
crowd funding and launched a Kickstarter campaign to really get
the company going. Right now we are looking at taking on
investment.
FOUNDERS

Dana Holiday is my co-founder. She has a background in graphic
design and is also our Creative Director. She and I met on SDSU
while working on campus in the entrepreneurship center. My advice
for people who are seeking cofounders is making sure you find
someone who has a specific skillset who delivers a different
value than yourself to the company. And someone who has a strong
work ethic that is equal or greater to yours.
DESCRIBE A MOMENT WHEN YOU FELT LIKE GIVING UP

We have had those times when the thought has crossed my mind and
I’ve reflected on it greatly. The conclusion that I’ve come to
is, NO, now is not the time, I am not giving up this easily. I
typically find my stamina to persevere by listening to
inspirational talks, reading books about companies who’ve had
experienced failures and gotten past them, and also turning to
mentors.
HUGE SUCCESS

We were hurting for money in the beginning of the year. I was
wondering how we were going to get through this time. I had
started a spring board program that would prepare us to raise
money for the company. We had been approached for offers in
investment, but Dana and I didn’t feel quite right about
entertaining these offers. It was just that gut feeling that
prevented us from taking on investors at that time. After
foregoing those opportunities, a crazy opportunity came about,
and we were featured in Good Morning America. In 24 hours we had
made enough sales to relieve all of our headaches.
SUPERPOWER

My entrepreneurial superpower would be the ability to keep
multiple projects going at the same time and maintain that
calmness.
KRYPTONITE

My personal kryptonite is mail. Mail is just something I can’t
stand.
IF YOU CAN HAVE ANY SUPERPOWER…

I would have to say, flying. I have a pretty healthy fear of
heights, but I am fascinated by climbers and rock climbing. I am
just amazed by the limits people can push.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE OR APP

Trello: Trello is the free, flexible, and visual way to organize
anything with anyone.


Turboscan


 
RECOMMENDED BOOKS