Blogs
October 17, 2011
Amanda Cavazos - Minute List It - KAYWEB Angels Portfolio People
KAYWEB Angels Portfolio People
Amanda Cavazos, Minute List It
KAYWEB Angels Portfolio People is a section in our Blog that features profile interviews with the people behind our companies! In this interview, we feature Amanda Cavazos, CEO of Minute List It.
Tell us your name and where are you from?
Amanda Cavazos. From Sterling, Illinois
What you had for breakfast this morning?
Yogurt, an apple and a cup of joe.
What are your favorite television shows and movies?
Television: Boardwalk Empire, Modern Family, Suits and Louie.
Movies: Toy Story, Good Will Hunting, You’ve Got Mail, Avatar.
Any favorite books?
Lovemarks, Small Giants, Setting the Table, The Year of Magical Thinking.
Facebook or Google+ or Twitter or what?
I want my answer to be Google+, but I’d be lying. Facebook with a splash of Twitter.
Who are the hottest startups outside the KAYWEB Angels group right now and why?
AirBnB: It changes the way we travel and experience the world around us. Ultimately it proves people are becoming more social and inviting.
RelayRides: Because sometimes taking a subway or taxi does not make sense, yet nor does owning a car.
What areas / opportunities are ripe for startups to tackle?
Education. The impact technology will have on the future of learning will be incredible. I’m always amazed to see my two year old niece navigate her way through her mom’s iPhone. I can’t help but think of the learning tools that are yet to come for children and adults.
What what was the best lesson you took away from previous startups you have been involved with?
Be prepared to work hard. A lot. Develop a trusted network of people who can advise you on situations you may not be familiar with. Know your audience and your competition. Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid try something no one else is doing. If you have enough passion, the courage to succeed becomes indefinite.
Outside of your startup what are you passionate about?
In no particular order and more so some than others: technology, sustainability, culture, art, design, music, politics and our other growing business and hobby - vintage jewelry.
Who has been or currently is an inspiration to you?
Children. Every single time I’m around a child I’m inspired to think more freely without consequences. They have an incredibly open-mind about EVERYTHING.
And of course the usual suspects Richard Branson and Steve Jobs, who are relentlessly committed to innovation. Danny Meyer whose restaurants I love, but most importantly whose passion to consistently and genuinely make people happy is admirable. Last, but not least, Quincy Jones because he makes magic.
YOUR STARTUP
You are currently in stealth so don't tell us what you are doing but give us a hint of the problem you are addressing?
Saving time for the ecommerce community.
What led you to this right now instead of anything else?
We had a problem and needed a solution. It’s the best way to cultivate an idea. See a problem and develop a solution.
What is your current biggest challenge?
Recruiting users out of the starting gates.
How can our readers help you get to your next step?
Spread the word. Especially to anyone you know who sells on eBay or other ecommerce sites. Also, sign up for an invite on www.minutelistit.com (coming soon) and give us feedback.
Let's play a prediction game. Let's say we are 12 months from now, and you are about to present to your board. How would you describe your progress?
We’re reaching close to a million subscribers and continuing to expand including multiple ecommerce sites.
Now let’s play the reflection game. Think about who you were five years ago. What advice would you give the former you (any topic)?
Amanda Cavazos, Minute List It
KAYWEB Angels Portfolio People is a section in our Blog that features profile interviews with the people behind our companies! In this interview, we feature Amanda Cavazos, CEO of Minute List It.
Tell us your name and where are you from?
Amanda Cavazos. From Sterling, Illinois
What you had for breakfast this morning?
Yogurt, an apple and a cup of joe.
What are your favorite television shows and movies?
Television: Boardwalk Empire, Modern Family, Suits and Louie.
Movies: Toy Story, Good Will Hunting, You’ve Got Mail, Avatar.
Any favorite books?
Lovemarks, Small Giants, Setting the Table, The Year of Magical Thinking.
iPhone or Android or what?
Android, Samsung Google, but I see an iPhone in my future.
Facebook or Google+ or Twitter or what?
I want my answer to be Google+, but I’d be lying. Facebook with a splash of Twitter.
Who are the hottest startups outside the KAYWEB Angels group right now and why?
BankSimple: For all obvious reasons a reinvention of personal banking is necessary.
AirBnB: It changes the way we travel and experience the world around us. Ultimately it proves people are becoming more social and inviting.
RelayRides: Because sometimes taking a subway or taxi does not make sense, yet nor does owning a car.
What areas / opportunities are ripe for startups to tackle?
Education. The impact technology will have on the future of learning will be incredible. I’m always amazed to see my two year old niece navigate her way through her mom’s iPhone. I can’t help but think of the learning tools that are yet to come for children and adults.
What what was the best lesson you took away from previous startups you have been involved with?
Be prepared to work hard. A lot. Develop a trusted network of people who can advise you on situations you may not be familiar with. Know your audience and your competition. Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid try something no one else is doing. If you have enough passion, the courage to succeed becomes indefinite.
Outside of your startup what are you passionate about?
In no particular order and more so some than others: technology, sustainability, culture, art, design, music, politics and our other growing business and hobby - vintage jewelry.
Who has been or currently is an inspiration to you?
Children. Every single time I’m around a child I’m inspired to think more freely without consequences. They have an incredibly open-mind about EVERYTHING.
And of course the usual suspects Richard Branson and Steve Jobs, who are relentlessly committed to innovation. Danny Meyer whose restaurants I love, but most importantly whose passion to consistently and genuinely make people happy is admirable. Last, but not least, Quincy Jones because he makes magic.
YOUR STARTUP
You are currently in stealth so don't tell us what you are doing but give us a hint of the problem you are addressing?
Saving time for the ecommerce community.
What led you to this right now instead of anything else?
We had a problem and needed a solution. It’s the best way to cultivate an idea. See a problem and develop a solution.
What is your current biggest challenge?
Recruiting users out of the starting gates.
How can our readers help you get to your next step?
Spread the word. Especially to anyone you know who sells on eBay or other ecommerce sites. Also, sign up for an invite on www.minutelistit.com (coming soon) and give us feedback.
Let's play a prediction game. Let's say we are 12 months from now, and you are about to present to your board. How would you describe your progress?
We’re reaching close to a million subscribers and continuing to expand including multiple ecommerce sites.
Now let’s play the reflection game. Think about who you were five years ago. What advice would you give the former you (any topic)?
Keep things simple.
