#132: This Tech Visionary’s Interactive Video Platform Brings Dreams – and Memories – to Life with Heather Smith

Big, wild dreams are the stuff of entrepreneurial home runs but – as our guest on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur explains – dreams alone are not enough. Heather Smith, an interactive storytelling pioneer, could never have gotten her transformational video platform off the ground without a clear focus on exactly the need she was filling and the tenacity to make her idea a reality. Based on her experience curating immersive storytelling exhibits, Heather deeply understood the power of multidimensional interviews to capture the historic experience of Holocaust survivors. Convinced that in fact everyone has a worthwhile story to tell and share, she got to work on StoryFile, a cutting-edge technology that enables us to record our personal histories via custom formats in a cloud-based environment that makes memories accessible to friends, family and colleagues now and in perpetuity.

Heather walks Host Dori Stewart through her evolution into the role of tech entrepreneur, a journey she is not sugar-coating. Purpose, passion, financial resources and lots of emotional support were essential when it came to taking this long, iterative odyssey. Says Heather: Innovation take times, patience, stamina – and a team to keep you motivated and moving forward even on the toughest days. StoryFile’s technology wasn’t an obvious slam-dunk out of the gate, but Heather never lost sight of the mission. As a result, we now have a platform that removes the boundaries of time and space, leveraging video as a gateway to all kinds of conversations with all kinds of individuals, whenever and wherever we want. Heather has literally brought a vision to life!

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Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

·       From “wild idea” to thriving business: People sometimes need time to catch up with your creative vision. Build that expectation into your timeline!

·       It’s okay to iterate! You don’t have to wait for perfection to launch your platform.

·       Never underestimate the importance of having a supportive team in it with you for the long haul!

·       Excitement and a “wow” idea will take you only so far. Does what you have to offer fill an actual need?

·       Launching a big thing: It’s stressful and tiring – but so exhilarating! Prepare yourself for a crazy, but deeply gratifying, ride!

Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?

It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!

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