We spoke to Lester Phua, co-founder of Fleet Inc – a mobile app which aims to streamline the appointment making process with friends and peers. The team took part in the April Discover program and shared what they have learned in the 21 days, by Cui-lyn Huang
1. Tell us about your startup and team
Fleet Inc is looking to create a time-sharing function where users only have to go through a 5-step process to set appointments with friends and peers. This function would be within a mobile application which is slated to be launched in August.
Our larger than normal team consists of 4 NUS and 1 NTU student. We are all full-time undergrads pursuing degrees in Business and Computer Science. Whilst the number of founders is unorthodox, we believe that sharing of workload and expertise would greatly increase the success rate of our startup.
2. Why did you start this business?
Three of us were constantly lamenting our project teammates being not showing up to meetings, and the annoyance of having to constantly scroll through WhatsApp conversations to find up to date meeting information. And thus, the idea for Fleet was born.
3. How did you find out about JFDI Discover?
Two of us (Marcus and Lester) work as baristas at JFDI. Having heard glowing reviews about JFDI Discover from the managers (Kai and Joyce), we decided to enroll in the April batch.
4. What were some of the challenges you faced before joining Discover?
We are aware of our inexperience in the world of entrepreneurship and definitely appreciated any form of mentorship.
As we enrolled in the JFDI Discover programme during our examination period, completing some tasks within the stipulated time frame was definitely a challenge that we faced.
5. Was JFDI Discover helpful for your startup? How and why?
Yes definitely. Kai pointed us in the direction that we should be heading towards and posed us some questions which made us think more deeply about our startup and what we want to accomplish with it. JFDI Discover also provided us with a working template to track our progress and to crystallize the theories encapsulated within the program. Such knowledge cannot be found in books and is best learnt through an experienced teacher.
6. What is the one thing you learned or did at JFDI Discover that you think other founders should know too?
One common lesson learned amongst the JFDI Discover participants was to consider if the problem identified was really worth the solution. Fleet had previously conducted problem interviews to validate our problem, therefore we conducted solution interviews – which were new to us. Based on our experience, we believe that solution interviews are vital to the success of a startup.
7. Who would you recommend to JFDI Discover?
We would recommend JFDI Discover to new, inexperienced entrepreneurs who have a vague sense of direction and have validated their problems to figure out their next step forward. Prospective startups must have a strong core team that are greatly motivated and equally committed to go through the program together.
Thinking of starting your own business? JFDI Discover will help you find out if you really want to be an entrepreneur. It will reveal if your team is aligned to deliver results. And it will show you how to solve a real problem for customers who are willing to pay thus moving closer to a “problem-solution fit”.
Cui-Lyn Huang is on the Editorial team for JFDI Asia. Currently pursuing a combined major in Computer Science & Journalism at Northeastern University in Boston, and after growing up on the little red dot. She loves to write, she loves to eat, and loves to write about eating.