Tope Awotona

Tope Awotona, Founder and CEO of Calendly, shares his inspiring journey from Nigeria to tech entrepreneurship. He recounts his many failed ventures before landing on the idea of simplifying scheduling through software. The discussion delves into personal tragedies and the resilience required to overcome them, alongside navigating the challenges of securing a technical co-founder. Tope reflects on the delicate balance of luck and hard work in business, ultimately showcasing Calendly's remarkable growth and the emotional facets of his entrepreneurial spirit.

Tope Awotona, founder of Calendly, shares his inspiring journey from Nigeria to entrepreneurial success in the tech world. After early setbacks with e-commerce ventures, he found his passion in creating a scheduling tool that caters to the needs of busy professionals. He discusses the financial risks he took, including cashing in his 401k, and the challenges of developing a user-friendly product. Tope reflects on resilience through personal loss and how the pandemic accelerated Calendly's growth, marking it as a pivotal moment for the company.