Business
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