Five Questions with a Startup CEO: Alex Winkler of Kolu

Alex Winkler, CEO and Founder, Kolu

Describe your company:
Kolu™ is a platform that helps travelers match with local guides based on their shared interests, budget, and availability. In effect, the app provides travelers with a truly customizable experience when immersing themselves into all that a new destination has to offer. Our web and mobile technology allow for human interaction and global mobility that positions Kolu as the digital destination for all things travel related.

1. What does your company do best?

Kolu makes seeing a new city easy, personalized and safe. What we do best is connect people that are passionate about their city with travelers that are eager to explore.

2. If you could change one thing about your product/service or industry-what would it be and why?
One thing that I am changing about the industry is enabling people to actually enjoy their trip to its’ full potential. When people are travelling they usually miss out on some of the best experiences that the city has to offer. We want to get rid of the boring tours, language barriers, tourist traps, and standardization that is seen through the tourism industry.

3. Startups sometimes experience growing pains, what helps you get through these startup cycles?
A few things help me get through the through times: leaning on the team, travel to relight the passion, and regret. Everyone handles things differently, so I highly recommend you become self-aware to know when you are experiencing the growing pains and how to get out. It’s easier said than done, as the art of self-awareness can always be improved upon.

4. What has surprised you during your time with this startup?
Building a company/startup from the ground up is very difficult. Finding a team that fits your company culture and that is willing to go the distance is a tough process. So you have to put in a lot of work initially to prove to the team that they can trust you. There is so much benefit in creating your own company, as you learn so much along the way. So another surprise is how long the process takes to launching a product due to learning the ins and outs of the industry as well as best practices.

5. What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?
1) Know the why before you get started and surround yourself with the tools you need to succeed. For example, I love travel and wanted to create something to inspire others to travel and to allow me to travel as much as I could. From that why Kolu was started. I surround myself by everything travel related: I got my degree in International Business, befriended people around the world, started learning Japanese & Italian, studied abroad, traveled to over 25 countries, followed travel blogs, etc. It creates a funnel that keeps you motivated.
2) Build a personal brand. I have been building my social media presence and have built a personal blog on the side to show legitimacy. I
3) Foster your EQ and practice mindfulness. The mental aspect of entrepreneurship can be very difficult at times so you need to make sure you are in a peak mental state. On a daily basis I mediate, chat with my mentor, read, journal, and do some form of exercise.