Interested in combining her passions for technology, social sciences and product development, Monica decided to start her own software company. She and her business partners started brainstorming the concept of a digital companion for the elderly, leading to the official launch of CloudMind Software in May 2022.

CloudMind addresses the issue of loneliness with the elderly. It’s designed to assist individuals during moments of confusion or distress, particularly those dealing with memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease. It will also provide a friendly presence for those navigating the challenges of caregiving. Monica is currently gearing up for fundraising that will help her assemble a team to continue development as the project moves through the proof-of-concept phase.

Motivated by her love for continuous learning and the need for a roadmap to becoming an entrepreneur, Monica discovered WeBC online. The Mentoring Program stood out to Monica as it offered both a place to learn and to receive feedback from fellow business owners. WeBC’s mentorship programs are supported by the Government of Canada’s Women Entrepreneurship Strategy and delivered as part of our C3 project that supports the deliberate and sustained growth of women business owners.

Monica highlighted the program’s focus on open dialogue, vulnerability, and mentorship within an inspiring network of women. Stressing the importance of diverse perspectives, the program also supported Monica’s personal and professional development. Her key takeaways were the importance of connections and the impact of ongoing support. 

In the coming year, Monica is focusing her efforts on expanding her network, particularly within the elderly care community as they gear up for the product launch. Monica acknowledges the support she received from WeBC, the instructor, and the women in her cohort, offering many ideas and perspectives that will support her business success.

Client Q&A

Q: What were you doing before starting CloudMind Software?

A: I graduated with a psychology degree, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. People who knew me suggested I try HR because I loved building relationships, so I earned a certificate from BCIT and was lucky enough to start my career at an engineering consulting company. 

From there, I wanted to work in HR at a gaming company because I’m a gamer myself. I had the opportunity to work for Disney Interactive Studio, which started my journey in the tech industry. I enjoyed the environment, the flexibility and how quickly things move. As I gained more experience working with a number of tech companies,  I had the idea to start my own consulting company, providing HR and recruitment support for companies while having the flexibility of finishing my doctoral degree. 

Q: How did you get the idea for CloudMind Software?

A: My business partner had personal experience witnessing people close to him take care of people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. When he shared the story with me, we thought about the people who are experiencing memory loss, and how it may benefit them from having a companion around them. 

We talked to a lot of people casually about the idea, and it really resonated with them. It further validated this idea for us. 

The product is designed to provide companionship for elderly people. However, it can also be a companion to their caregivers who may feel lonely while taking care of them. Caregiving can be a challenging task that requires patience, and one may have to repeat the same story multiple times to an individual who may not recall it.

Q: What was your experience like taking the Mentoring program? 

A: A key learning I took away from the program was being able to not just listen to other people’s challenges but to provide my unique perspective. 

Even if I’m not at the center stage in terms of sharing, just listening and providing my perspective on other people’s challenges gave me even more insights into how I should be thinking about things and other perspectives that I can consider.

Q: What advice would you give to someone starting their own business?

A: I would say be clear on why you’re doing this and constantly remind yourself about your why. It sounds cliche, but remembering that has gotten me through days where I wonder what I’m doing.

There are days when I think ‘this is not fun,’ but I go back to my values and remember why it’s important for me. I think the business wouldn’t exist if there wasn’t a clear why to motivate me.

Where to find CloudMind Software

Website

LinkedIn

The post Monica Tsai, CloudMind Software, Burnaby appeared first on WeBC.

Karolina Wudniak Book Design specializes in book cover and layout design, bringing stories to life with minimalistic art. Karolina assists her clients not only with their book design needs but also works with small businesses, turning their long documents into visually pleasant reading experiences. 

Karolina was dedicated to establishing her business when she moved to Canada; however, challenges began when the pandemic hit. Lockdown made it difficult for Karolina to meet people and build her network in a new country. Despite these challenges, Karolina was determined to make her business a success and was motivated by the need for flexibility while raising a young child. Through her research, she discovered WeBC and participated in a WeBC Peer Mentoring Group. Then, as she was growing her business and updating her website, she joined Discovery Foundation’s Strategic Mindset Program.

Within the program, Karolina found a safe and supportive environment to share challenges and connect on a deeper level with fellow entrepreneurs. The experiences and feedback from the group helped her and she implemented advice on strategies to grow her business.

The ability to join a supportive community was an irreplaceable experience for Karolina. It allowed her to bounce ideas off like-minded women and grow a network in her new home. Her journey reflects resilience, determination, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities despite the challenges of business ownership in a new country.

Mentee Q&A

Q: Did you always see yourself being an entrepreneur?

A: I’ve never been an employee type. I think the longest I’ve worked for a company was about a year because I get bored quickly and need new challenges almost all the time. That’s why I love wearing all the hats I get to wear when working for myself. I also had my own business back in Poland, so I had some experience in the area before coming to Canada.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced owning your own business?

A: I think one of the biggest challenges I had was meeting new people. It was hard for me to get out there and be bold about what I do and what I can offer. Starting in the pandemic and without any connections in Canada didn’t make it any easier. I wanted to find not only clients but a community of like-minded people who are going through the same things. The WeBC programs I took were important milestones in building a stronger network and growing my support.

Q: What did the Discovery Foundation’s Mentoring program help with?

A: I had some marketing ideas that I was implementing in my business and while in the program I was redoing my whole website and adding some new offerings. I wanted to get feedback on the website, and new offerings from the group and I got a lot of great insights that I hadn’t thought of. It’s great to get a fresh perspective from other entrepreneurs, so getting a lot of eyes on my ideas from people with different backgrounds was very helpful.

The other WeBC Peer Mentoring Program I took happened to be a safe space to be vulnerable. I went deep into my internal blocks and imposter syndrome. All the support that I got from the other women helped me to start working on my internal blocks which resulted in more confidence that led to finding the clients I wanted. 

These programs are amazing and worth the time. You can get a ton of support and new connections.

Q: If you had one piece of advice for someone starting a business, what would it be?

A: I would say it’s really important to have a community behind you. I was hesitant about networking because I’m an introvert. I thought I could work my way in the online space only. That’s why it took me much longer to come to the place where I am now with the business. I know now that if I had started networking from the beginning, I would have been here sooner.

Another piece of advice is to listen to your intuition. If your intuition tells you that this is something that will help you grow the business, it probably will. Trust yourself!

Where to find Karolina Wudniak Graphic Design

Website

LinkedIn

Instagram

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