You’ve “got to be cool with failure” if you want to make it as an entrepreneur, says Phil DiMuro, co-founder and CEO of Loople.
DiMuro spoke on entrepreneurship and his new app Loople at the second chat of the fall 2016 Fireside Chat Entrepreneur series hosted by the College of Business and Economics and the TU Student Launch Pad on Friday.
In 2015, DiMuro released Loople, an app specifically designed for individuals looking for a place to grab some grub or drinks with friends. It provides current and dependable information about specials and deals being offered at bars and restaurants around the city of Baltimore. The name Loople comes from a play on words; the words ‘loop’ and ‘Google.’
DiMuro came up with idea while working as a senior account manager for Boston Beer Company (maker of Samuel Adams). He would visit a lot of local restaurants and pubs, see their food and drink specials, but would forget the deals as soon as he got home. He thought it would be great if there was an app to find all those local deals.
DiMuro hopes to launch new changes to the app and expand to Washington D.C. soon.
Like almost all new business ventures, Dimuro’s app has had some setbacks.
“The only people who don’t accomplish their dreams are the ones who quit or think they’re too stupid to accomplish it.”
DiMuro described how Loople had to cut one of his favorite features. The app’s first version included a chat room which required a lot of work to create, but after a year of user testing and feedback, he came to realize it was an unused function.
During his talk, DiMuro constantly took questions from his audience, passionately and energetically answering questions with a true desire to help students in their own entrepreneurial endeavors.
“I want to … understand what is you guys’ dreams,” he said, encouraging the students that “the only way you get to a goal is [through] small, incremental steps.”
DiMuro even asked students what “actionable steps” needed to be made to further their personal endeavors, encouraging them not to give up.
“The only people who don’t accomplish their dreams are the ones who quit or think they’re too stupid to accomplish it,” he said.
Entrepreneur Fireside Chats are open to the community and are held on Fridays through Oct. 28. The next chat is Sept. 16. Michael Anthony Bustillos will be speaking about revolutionizing fitness with his new app, Fitrec. Learn more.