Christina Hawatmeh saw a problem with how social media portrayed ‘real life’ and wanted to bring back the realness and humanness to the online platforms we use everyday. So she started www.scop.io where she connects content creators with social media users. Read our interview with the lovely Christina below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
When I was in my Masters at Columbia University around 2012-2013, focusing on technology, during the Arab Spring, I realized that social searching was limiting and really messy, and permissions were needed to use people’s content on social media, which is why the press couldn’t keep up or find what they were looking for. It started from a pretty painful place of how can I help tell this story. After that there has been many stories I feel responsible to turn around and give access too. That is my ultimate goal with Scopio.
Tell us about your business.
I really want to solve the problem of visual information in our daily lives. I feel like we split two lives between what information we are being fed, and what the 3-4 billion photos and videos posted on social media are. The business is the solution to this problem that I am passionate about. I believe it is important to solve real problems, it is your northern star, the business all forms to solve this one problem.
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
If you’re a business looking for interesting images sign up for a demo.
For photographers:
Do you take interesting stories that tell real stories? For example, do you have a real photo of a woman in the workplace (over a stock photo of a cheesy secretary) or did you witness something beautiful or unique or funny? Submit your images here www.scop.io/submit. You will share your view with the world and have a chance to be featured in a major publication. We are playing matchmaker between content creators and social media users.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
500 startups (currently), Seeds of Peace Fellow, Techboss Winner, Amazon Web Services Grantee, CodeLikeaGirl, Mozilla Firefox Fellow, ArchGrants, ColumbiaVentureCommunity, Columbia Startup Lab, Mogul Influencer- check out my page.
Where is your business based?
We are now in Silicon Valley for 500 Startups, the rest of our company is in New York and Saint Louis.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
- To be real, I AirBnb’d my apartment way too many times at the mercy of my loved ones. The first time was to pay my first legal retainer for my company. I was in my Masters at Columbia in Columbia’s Incubator program so it was easier to pull off as a student and I wanted to achieve milestones.
- I found the right partners Manoj (CTO) and Nour (Designer and Badass).
- I moved home when the tech costs got too crazy, and we needed time to build, and going home I could use the remainder of my money on finishing our core product – after 10 years of living away. I got a 50k Arch Grant, which saved our business, and gave us more time. I recommend this when you’re still building your product. All roads lead to Rome. You get fed, and you can keep going emotionally, during hard times.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Our primary method is ReplyApp, which is an email automation platform. We email all the time. My fingers are about to fall off at the end of each day. You also can’t be stuck to your computer. Go to events, and talk to people. Word of mouth and relationships are really the most important thing, when are early on. It takes time to say, I’m here, I’m not going anywhere, and this is my company, and what we have to offer is real time engaging imagery. Also every conversation teaches you something about your customers, your industry and your challenges. We are now improving our SEO and online presence with ads.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Lol, everything? Every step presents challenges, right now its sales and marketing, and getting the word out as strong and fast as possible. Come find us, we can help you have a more relatable method through humanizing imagery.
How did you overcome these challenges?
Lots of tests, and team efforts.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
You don’t realize this but you spend more time than you will ever imagine with your co-founders and team. Make sure you like who you work with, and that their ecosystem is supportive, or life will be miserable. I also need to remind myself to laugh. No matter what, you have to see humor in life. The founder of Mogul once gave good advice on a panel I was on with her at Code Like a Girl. She said, the way to keep motivated is to have fun throughout the day. You’re not going to be able to go out, and release the way others do on weekends, so during the days have little breaks and have fun.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
We are a mission based platform. We believe in humanizing storytelling through the lens of real people. Your audience have become your communication partners.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
I received amazing advice from Charbel Samaan, 500 startups mentor. Go back to your heart. If Scopio didn’t exist, what would the world be missing? It’s good to remember that when you’re running the business, and letting people know why we are doing this, and why it will benefit their business.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Cut the bullshit. Just work at it.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
First, startup friends and mentors. Second, Saastr. Third, 500 startups youtube videos. Fourth, Replyapp.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @scopioimages
Twitter @scopioimages
Facebook @christina.hawatmeh
Facebook Group @Scopioimages
Website www.scopio.io
Email christina@scopio.io
Hashtags #scopio_lifestyle #scopio_travel
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
On ambition: www.paulgraham.com/cities.html
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
How we can reach as many people to use user generated images, and our solution.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
We are looking for partners, I am also hiring a sales/account executive. Hit me up at christina@scopio.io.