Today we're launching a new series at Elevation DC, called "60 Seconds With…." We report on startups and companies all over the District, but as of yet, we haven't taken much time to get to know the people behind the companies. We'd like to change that and get to know some of the founders behind the entities that make our scene such a happening place.
Elevation DC: What was your first job?
Paul Singh: Papa John’s Pizza in Great Falls, Va. I could make a mean pizza.
What's the best thing about your business right now?
Helping our customers make smarter decisions and lose less money in the process. :-)
If you could change one thing about your business right now, what would it be?
I’d dump all our code and rebuild the product from scratch now that we have a better idea of what does and doesn’t work. I’m half serious and half joking.
Describe an "a-ha" moment that you've had, in business or in life.
In my personal and professional life, I’ve been terrible at communication. If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to learn better communication skills.
What are you reading? Or, what have you read recently that has had an impact on you?
I’m always reading. I’m currently reading Enrico Moretti’s
The New Geography of Jobs and Charles Montgomery’s
Happy City. Over the past few years, I've been increasingly interested in the intersection between tech companies, venture capital and economic development. We're in the middle of an Information Revolution that will have an impact that's at least as large (but will likely be larger) as the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s. It's important that we think about how the tech-enabled businesses of today and tomorrow will impact cities, jobs and the overall population.
Biggest influence in tech or startup culture today?
Over the past three years, I’d say Dave McClure of 500 Startups. Dave's been a friend and mentor for a few years now. Working alongside him over the past few years has been my "street MBA," particularly when it comes to understanding venture capital and the sheer amount of work required to build a venture firm from the ground up. I'm sure I couldn't buy a better education in that sense.
Company to watch (besides your own)?
At the moment, I’m not closely watching any company other than my own. That being said, I’ve been keenly interested in watching tech companies slowly pushing into the “non-tech” user’s life (a great example of this is Nest).
Beverage of choice?
Coffee. Lots of it.
What's your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate chip cookies. Actually, any kind of dessert.
What do you loathe about D.C.?
The commutes.
What do you love about D.C.?
Three major international airports within a 50-mile radius [means] easy access to the rest of the world.
Nominate someone (or yourself!) for a 60 Seconds With…Q&A by emailing [email protected].