In our third Startup Spotlight, we had the opportunity to speak with Cassy Aite, Co-founder and CEO of Hoppier! A recent graduate of the Telfer School of Management, Cassy provides us with some interesting insight into his company and his personal life. Make sure to check out Hoppier at the links provided below!
1. Can you elaborate on the background of Hoppier and what you offer?
Hoppier was started to help make work happier. In 2016, brothers Cassy and Emil Aite realized the way companies were managing their employee benefits was old fashioned and that modern companies need better ways to keep employees motivated. Hoppier helps hundreds of companies to create, distribute, and manage employee stipends for things like health and wellness stipends, food allowances, learning budgets, and more.
2. What are some long term aspirations for both Hoppier and your personal life?
We want to help 100M employees across North America and 1M companies!
3. What was the thought behind expanding your company formerly known as Desk Nibbles to Hoppier?
It was a learning process that took time and an incredible amount of time learning from customers. We have a very compelling offering as a result that gets better every day.
4. What is your ideal working environment?
Focused. 6am. No one else awake yet. With a good coffee.
5. What are 3 characteristics of a leader you value and try to embody when running a business and working with your team?
Curious, empathetic, and hardworking.
6. What opportunities and/or challenges came forth during the global pandemic and how did you pivot?
Our business mostly catered to in-office fringe benefits and we pivoted hard to support remote employees. As a result we have been able to grow!
7. What does your typical morning routine look like?
I'm usually up at 5:30am, meditate for 10 mins, check emails on my phone quickly, make coffee, exercise, breakfast, then at my desk by 9.
8. What is a resource (book, podcast, etc.) that inspires you?
I am biased but, https://www.hoppier.com/culture-builders-podcast ;)
9. What is something you wish you knew during your years at uOttawa prior to starting your business?
Learn about proper customer development. Wish I discovered Cindy Alvarez sooner!
10. If you had one piece of advice to someone starting out what would it be?
Start selling! Don't be afraid to knock on doors. The most important thing at the beginning is to prove there is a market for the thing you do. The only way you can learn from there is to charge real $ for your product/service.
11. What is one marketing tool/tactic you have found to be the largest contributor to Hoppier's growth?
Listening to customers.