Small Business Interview with co-founders of GrowpoVR and GoVRed – Small Business Show episode 125

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are popular buzzwords we read and hear about a lot these days. Much of it sounds like it “will be” great someday, but what about Small Businesses that are in the VR/AR space and creating businesses TODAY? Joining us for episode 125 of the Small Business Show is Chase Dittmer and TJ Dishaw, co-founders of GrowpoVR Studios and GovRed.

GrowpoVR began as an arcade/studio business, offering up VR experiences for consumers. When Chase and TJ noticed lots of Police officers using the equipment, they quickly realized there was an underserved demographic, so of course, they launched a new business, GoVRed to focus on military and government agency VR use.

During the show, we also got a chance to learn about the Iowa Startup Accelerator and how GoVRed became a part of this 12-month startup program. We discussed how the business incubator provides support for design and engineering as well as legal and marketing areas.

The co-founders discuss how their youth has been a benefit as well as a challenge when developing their business and meeting new customers. One thing is for sure, there’s no lack of enthusiasm from either Chase or TJ. Listen in to this episode of the Small Business Show to learn about their *fast* journey, the problems they have faced and how they are making changes to their “virtual” business plan almost daily as they bring their new business to fruition.

After the show, be sure to join us at the Small Business Support Group on Facebook to share YOUR story!

 

Chapters/Timestamps

• 00:00:00 Small Business Show #125 June 28, 2017
• 00:01:19 Chase Dittmer and TJ Dishaw – GrowpoVR Virtual Reality Studio and Govred
  • Starting with the iPhone… of course
• 00:02:36 Having the right tech means… a partnership was born!
• 00:04:28 VR Arcade…to the military!
• 00:05:44 Attracting the Military with Facebook
• 00:07:08 Beware of being tied to your business plan
• 00:07:26 Iowa Startup Accelerator
  • Accelerator provides Legal, Marketing, Design, Engineering
  • Clerky
• 00:09:45 Don’t make assumptions about your customers
• 00:11:47 Make your mentors be mean… or at least honest
• 00:13:28 Age as a benefit as well as a negative.
• 00:15:01 Use your product to sell yourself
• 00:16:15 Be ready to move!
• 00:18:00 Support your family, even when they’re crazy
• 00:19:56 VR for your ice cream store
• 00:21:07 VR/AR to enhance any business
• 00:22:27 Use Vive for your Meetings
• 00:24:58 HoloLens is Fake AR – more of a 360 viewer
• 00:27:03 Learn about Govred, Chase and TJ
• 00:28:25 GG Outtro

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