Making A Difference With AI

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Isabelle Andrieu, CEO of Pi School of AI, located in Rome, Italy.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Pi School is a leading international school promoting innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship, providing continued and accessible learning and training to the talents that will shape our future. Our flagship program is the Pi School of AI. It matches future-forward organizations in need of technological solutions beyond their competencies with scientists and engineers from all over the world who wish to become AI specialists.

Since 2016, we have hosted over 90 challenges sponsored by some of the most innovative organizations in the world:

Optimizing their businesses
Designing products and services
Envisioning impactful solutions for current societal and environmental problems

I firmly believe that leaders, especially those of us working in technology, have a fundamental responsibility to people and the planet, promoting sustainability and regenerative business models. At Pi School, we support initiatives tackling some of the most relevant challenges we face today. We do this by sponsoring pro-bono challenges that leverage artificial intelligence to solve humanitarian and environmental problems. At the same time, we seek that our fellows gain awareness and sensitivity toward good and ethical applications of AI. We want to empower them to design a better future by developing their technical and human skills to create a positive impact. We need to help people transition smoothly to the future. It is our goal and what significantly shapes Pi School's mission.

Tell us about yourself

I am a French whose heart brought her to Italy in 1999. I am also a serial entrepreneur, a mom of 3, and passionate about helping people express their full potential. The love story of my husband and me had a great impact on embarking on this business journey we've been on for more than 20 years. Me being a linguist, and Marco is passionate about computers, and technology brought us to where we are now. We wanted people to be understood. We were led by wanting to break down barriers between people, and to us, language was a way to do so. I will be honest you constantly need to find ways to keep yourself motivated. Some days are more challenging than others, and that's also okay. There is no straight line in running a business, but wanting to impact people's lives has kept the fire burning within me. The more we are in contact with WHY we do something, the more inspiration and motivation we get to overcome challenges that undeniably happen. The value you want to bring to the world keeps you going, and your action makes things happen.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

There were so many things we accomplished together as a company that made me feel proud of the mission we are on. Having the right people around you is something that every business owner struggles with at some point in their journey. I would say the greatest accomplishment is having these wonderful humans on the team and watching them grow and do fantastic things together. Being a business owner comes with a big responsibility because, at the end of the day, it's not about you. It's about the customers, clients, and people who want to make things better than they were yesterday. Being consistent with that makes me super proud of how we do things at Translated.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

One of the obstacles has been finding an equilibrium between making a profit and creating an impact for the people who work for you and the world itself. Ultimately, the company is an organization, a big family, and together we create big things and have the opportunity to leave the world a better place.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Follow people that have done what you are aiming to do. They have established a road map on how to get from A to B. Surrounding yourself with successful, inspirational people can be a great start to an amazing entrepreneurial journey.
Get informed about your niche. Really dig deep into which problem you want to solve for them and do it in a unique way that will reduce friction for your target audience. Get specific about your values and live those values within your business. May they be a reflection of your purpose and an internal motivator for your team.
Find a mentor, and don't be afraid to ask questions. This will help you immensely and take you and your business to the next level.
Be courageous to test and try things out. Don't fall in love with your idea too quickly; let it be fluid and allow its evolution.
Work on becoming more resilient; the journey ahead of you is long, and you'll need all the mental and physical strength you can get. All the challenges will make you stronger and more determined.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://picampus-school.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iandrieu/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-andrieu-68b2323/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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