BizSpark Startup of the Day - AisleFinder.com

The BizSpark startup of the day is AisleFinder.com, based in the US. Below you will find an interview with Curtiss Pope, CEO of AisleFinder.com. All the best to them and congratulations for being the startup of the day!

Website: www.AisleFinder.com

Tell us who you are and your role in the company:

CEO/Senior Product Engineer.

What did you do before creating your company?

I worked as a Software Engineer, for many years. More or less as a hybrid between a Developer and a Designer.

How do you feel being the most promising ‘Startup of the Day’ per Microsoft BizSpark?

I feel as though we have the focus and determination to be recognized in such a special way. We were more than excited to be a part of the BizSpark Program, to have access to the latest and greatest tools is a huge plus.

What is your company’s mission?

I believe our main goal is to help people. I think that you can go anywhere and do anything, as long as you help others get what they want. In regards to our product, our goal is to make the experience as easy to use , and save our customers time.

How did you get the idea for your company?

Well, my very first job in 1995 or so, was in the grocery industry. I worked as a stock clerk at Food 4 Less, in that job you have to be well versed on location of items in a store. I always wondered why they didn't give customers what they want: An Aisle by Aisle snapshot of the store and the location of all items they want.

So I thought about it and stuffed the idea away. It was almost just an idea that would be cool, but I never really tried to make it haven because I was only 15, and hadn't thought of what I would do with my life yet.

Fast forward to 2008, Me and my wife were at our local grocery store, I think we were having people over that night so we were shopping, and it was almost as if it was a flashback.

That same day I thought of the name, secured the domain and started to work on a prototype, and started asking people what they thought.

Tell us about your funding history. Are you currently looking for funding? If so, how much?

We are not actively looking for funding yet, the company is completely bootstrapped by me. I think that around March of 2011, we will be looking to expand, so we plan on seeking a Series A round then.

How many employees do you have? How many developers?

We have 6 Employees, 2 Developers, and the 3 are product and what we call Archivists, 1 Marketing.

Are you hiring?If yes, what are you hiring for and where?

We are currently hiring for a COO, more developers 1 Designer.

Which platform are you building on?Why?

The Website and Mobile web app are both built on .NET both Asp.net. We chose .NET because of the data flexibility and presentation with LINQ, and the good experiences that we have had with the platform. We made that decision early on, and since then it has paid off.

Where do you see opportunities today in the Software/Internet area?

I see opportunities for companies to provide a concierge experience for their customers, replicating real world scenarios and interactions, but on the internet.

What do you think about the BizSpark Program?

I love it. We were more than excited to be a part of the BizSpark Program, to have access to the latest and greatest tools is a huge plus and also be associated with startups that are getting out their ideas.

Do you have any advice for young Software entrepreneurs?

Be persistent and learn that the word no, is something that you are going to hear, keep going until you hear a yes.

Who’s your role model?

Lately I have been a big fan of Jason Fried,and Seth Godin, I guess that's 2 but it's ok (laughs).

What’s the ONE THING you would like readers to take away from this interview?

I want people to know that ideas don't amount to much, without execution. Lots of folks have ideas, but the process of getting them made, produced, DONE is what matters. To everyone, in everything.