Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kevin Zhang, Founder of TEA Project, located in San Jose, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The TEA Project is a decentralized computing platform that allows decentralized apps to run serverless while maintaining consumer data privacy. We're looking to provide infrastructure for our customers, which includes developers who build a new class of unstoppable applications and end-users interested in keeping their data private.
Tell us about yourself
In 2015, when I was the CTO of Silicon Valley startup iHealth Labs, he discovered a market need that couldn't be met. At that time, iHealth Labs already had a large number of patient's medical data. However, it was barely used due to the strict regulations protecting medical data and the inability of the internet infrastructure at that time to protect it in transit. That became the starting point for my idea of establishing a trusted computing environment to protect patient privacy data.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Beyond creating a business idea that's attracted two rounds of funding, working with a transnational team of developers to build a competitor to existing cloud computing infrastructure. The funding has not only allowed us to expand our team but also given validation that our idea is a long-term solution to the existing problems of data privacy and censurability of current cloud computing.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Work/life balance is always hard, but I have an RV that helps me escape for a bit.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start building immediately. Others might have the same idea, but only by actively working on it will you move it out of the idea stage.
- Know your competitive advantage. Some are able to outwork their competitors, while others are masters of strategy. Know what you're good at and lean into it.
- And get clear on what you're not good at and hire or delegate accordingly. If you're a one-person show, then this is where you can tap your spouse or partner or someone else in your social network who has the skills you're lacking.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.teaproject.org/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/teaprojectorg
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevingzhang/
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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