48: The Power of Voice with HearMeOut Founders, Moran Chamsi and Issy Livian

In this episode, we have a special treat for you. Dave is excited to welcome, Moran Chamsi and Issy Livian, the founders of HearMeOut. HearMeOut is fast growing social network and IOS/Android/Web platform that enables users to upload and share short 42 second audio posts to the app's native feed and to various social platforms. The platform has been described as “Audio Twitter.”

HearMeOut’s unique interface enables users to listen to customized feeds based on specific topics and interests. The unique platform brings the consumers a focused, sharp and time efficient content consumption experience. If you listen to the short Misfit Morning Minute that Dave puts out each morning on all Misfit’s social networks, you’ve experienced HearMeOut.

HearMeOut also allows people to interact while driving – Most recently, the company has signed a deal with Ford, integrating with their technology and allowing a hands-free social network for connected cars. Dave, Moran, and Issy explore a lot in this episode, from what it takes to create a social network to taking their company public on the Australian stock exchange.

www.HearMeOutApp.com

Moran and Issy have watched social media grow and change for a number of years and they saw the evolution from just posting updates to media to marketing to how it has become a way of life, but the one thing they were not seeing it a platform specifically for the voice. And with everything being automated these days, the one thing you cannot fake is the voice. People want to hear what others have to say and want to be able to feel the humanness of it from their tone, inflection, emotion, etc. They need a quick way to share their thoughts, jokes, ideas, etc. with the world in a more intimate way. That is why HearMeOut was born.

At the 8 min mark, Issy talks about how they were able to take the company public on the Australian stock exchange, pre-revenue, and some lessons learned.

At the 14 Min mark, Issy and Moran talk about how their original goal was to make things safer and easier when driving, but still allow people to connect with all their social networks and share their thoughts and opinions. This is how they connected with Ford and have created “Social Radio.”

What is it like to pursue your dream and follow through to make it a reality?

• It’s not complicated – you keep doing and keep moving
• Don’t succumb to your fears
• Have a deep purpose – Issy and Moran’s mission is to help people re-connect with their voice and their lives with the natural communication – their voice

Biggest challenge in building the business?

• Remembering to enjoy the process in spite of all the daily challenges you run into every day
• Staying flexible to make sure they are adjusting to the needs of their customers and the business itself as things change and they need to adapt.

What have you learned about yourselves as entrepreneurs going through your journey?

Moran:

• You learn that you have more to give than what you thought. B
• eing open – the power of listening to others and taking their opinions into account.

Issy:

• How to become an extrovert and the joy of meeting people
• Sharing your passion with the world is a gift

Best advice for entrepreneurs starting out today?

Moran:

• Act. Keep moving and be flexible and be willing to adjust as you go, but you must be a “do’er.”
• Be yourself – don’t lose sight of who you are

Issy:

• Take the hill one step at a time – don’t look at everything as one big huge thing you have to do, break it up into steps and just move to the next one and so on.

Biggest lessons you have learned about success?

• Beginning a startup is not an easy task – it’s always harder than you think
• You have to have a lot of mental strength
• You must be patient and keep going
• It is very hard to succeed if you don’t believe in yourself
• Don’t’ be afraid to do it, even if you’ve done nothing like it before

What’s next?

• Voice filtering
• In app communication for private messaging and groups
• Continued improvement of the user experience
• Adding more partnerships with car manufacturers

 

Best Quote: "You have more to give than what you think..."

 

Misfit 3:

1. Be a do’er. Don’t be afraid. It is better to try 10 times and succeed once, than trying once and succeeding as you grow a lot more after trying things multiple ways.
2. Eat the elephant one bite at a time. Break things down into small steps – don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. Focus on the task right in front of you.
3. Be dynamic and flexible and always be ready for opportunity as it presents itself.