Percy Addo is an Information Technologies major and is scheduled to graduate in 2014. He is a member of a team who recently launched InSource at UMBC. Since launch it's been steadily growing a user base and has been helping students find connections to continue their business dreams.
I recently sat down with PErcy to find out a little more about him and about InSource.
1. Tell us a little about your company, and what makes your business
unique?
InSource is a revolutionary new tool that will organize the ideas and pre-startup chaos in the academic community. We provide a social web-based space for idea creators and idea seekers to come together. Our space is entirely focused on the academic community and can be used by students, faculty, and others within the academic community. Users will be able to search for individuals that possess specific skills required to advance their projects, they will also be able to be found by other users simply by the title of their projects and their specified skill sets. InSource is not only a place for students to connect but also where innovative ideas become reality. We at InSource strive to make collaboration between our users a click and a step away.
2. Are there classes on campus that have helped you the most?
There are quite a number of courses I would say helped me the most. But for the sake of time I will only list two that I believe really helped transition me into becoming the young entrepreneur I am today.The first being MGMT 210 – The Practice of Management, a class taught by one of the most committed professors here on campus, Prof. Vivian Armor. This course taught me the dynamics of leading organizations ranging from small entrepreneurial ventures to large corporate environments in terms of setting the right corporate culture and goals, as well as measuring performance.The second course on my list, ENTR 201 – The Entrepreneurial Mindset, is a class taught by the most inspiring entrepreneur I know, Gilbert Mason. Not only did this course help in developing my public speaking skills; it also had many contributions in the development of the InSource.
3. What are some resources that have helped you the most?
(Magazines, Books, Websites…)
First let me point out that the Internet is the most useful resource that any individual can tap into. Aside from the internet, A Whole New Mind, by Daniel H. Pink is a book I believe every motivated student should read. This book not only changed how I view the politics of education but also how I experience the world as a whole. I will also like to point out that this particular book inspired the current InSource logo.
4. What is the toughest decision you have had to make in the last 6
months?
The toughest decision I had to make in the past 6 months would honestly be deciding on the appropriate compensation (equity) to distribute between all participating members of InSource. It is especially difficult in determining a fair amount that would satisfy and at the same time show how valuable each member is to the company without stirring up bad feelings within the group.
5. What advice would you give other student entrepreneurs?
- Get OUT of your comfort zone
- Don’t be afraid to fail, and when it comes to entrepreneurial ventures, “fail fast”.
- Be open to hearing other peoples inputs
- Try to be the best overall person you can be, because one thing that people will always remember is how you made them feel.
Reach out to Percy & Visit the InSource Website to learn more.
