Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Arjaree Keeratiprapa Talks about the TYE Group in Austin

Arjaree Keeratiprapa Talks about the TYE Group in Austin

Where are you from originally?

I’m originally from Thailand, but have spent my life living between Bangkok and the US.

What university did you go to?

I went to college in Thailand, and just completed my MBA at Penn State.

What brought you to Austin?

My fiancé and the warm weather brought me here to Austin.

What is your passion and strength?

My passion is learning about what drives behavior in end users, whether it is the consumer or the business user of a product. My strength is being able to understand that end user insight and apply it to product development and marketing efforts.

What need does it fulfill?

In order for any product or company to connect and engage with their end user, they first need to understand their needs.

What exactly do you bring to startups?

I bring my curiosity and end user insight to the table. Whether a startup is trying to develop a new product or launch their product into the market, it is critical that they have a deep understanding of what their end users want and expect from the product in order to succeed. I can help startups bring value to their end users.

What type of startup would benefit from your strengths?

Startups in their early stages that are still trying to define who they are and what value they offer. It is critical that startups have a clearly defined identity of themselves from the start in order for their end users to believe in them.
What was the most challenging aspect of starting up a business?
The planning process is probably the most challenging aspect because often times it is overlooked. Startups that spend time in the planning process thinking through their business model will tend to have fewer problems or will be better able to handle them when they arise.

What advice do you have for entrepreneurs?

Don’t wait for the perfect time to start something because there will never be one.

What Austin-based resource have you found to be the most helpful and why?

TiE Austin has been instrumental in connecting me with many accomplished entrepreneurs in town, who in turn have been able to provide me with sound advice, as well as inspiration, for my endeavors. Through TiE Austin, I am now involved in launching their new initiative, TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE), which enables me to give back to the organization and help students who are interested in the entrepreneurial field.