Lessons from an early-20s entrepreneur: A Q&A with Stiiicker founder Jared Washington

A chance encounter at a freshman-year networking event gave recent Howard University alumnus Jared Washington the idea for an app. 

Inspired by the simplicity of a handshake and the phrase “let’s stay in touch,” Jared set out to create a better solution than the outdated and unreliable methods of exchanging contact information on which we otherwise rely. The result was Stiicker, a cloud-based platform that streamlines this informational transaction. 

Stiiicker’s first version is scheduled to launch on iOS and Android platforms at some point in late summer-to-early fall of 2023. Starting April 17, interested individuals can visit Stiiicker.com to become a part of the “User-0” group — its initial user group. At first, Stiiicker will focus on everyday people with six or more points of contact; but Washington, now 23, sees potential for expansion to include commerce connection, event networking, commercial licensing and more. He’s pursuing all of this while participating in the latest cohort of Innovators of Progress (IOP), the pre-accelerator for college students and young adults founded by entrepreneur and University of Maryland, Baltimore County alum Markus Proctor. 

In an email interview with Technical.ly, Washington shared his inspiration for creating Stiiicker, advice for college-aged students who aspire to be entrepreneurs, thoughts on diversity in business and what a typical day looks like for a founder in his early twenties.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. 

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Walk us through a typical day in your shoes. What kinds of problems are you solving? With whom do you meet?

I have a dynamic role that varies from day to day. Sometimes I’ll be delving into the technical aspects of a framework or analyzing social media platform usage on different campuses. Other times, casual conversations can spark great insights. Although it’s a social project, my interactions are viewed through a double lens: as an individual and as a creator aiming to make an impactful solution.

What did you study at Howard University and how did that experience influence your path?

In college, I switched my major almost five times before graduating with a degree in finance, but it was the perceived limitations of those categories that drove me to explore my passions and build outside my discipline. Even when burnt out from tests or assignments, the excitement of building out ideas kept me going. That discovery of passion continues to drive my work with Stiiicker.

How does it feel to be in the Innovators of Progress 2023 cohort, as well as its only HBCU alum? 

As a founder, I believe everyone has unique motivations beyond the problem they are trying to solve. For me, being an HBCU alumnus is a crucial part of my identity, and representation in this year’s Innovators of Progress Cohort is a source of immense pride. Howard University exposed me to some of the most creative, driven and passionate individuals, and I am excited to bring this unique culture to an amazing program. Additionally, as underrepresentation in the startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem remains an issue, I am motivated to represent not just myself and Stiiicker but also the rich history, spirit and culture of HBCUs.

Can you speak more about the importance of diversity and representation in the tech industry, and how it impacted your journey?

Diverse representation is crucial for two reasons, with one being more significant than the other. Firstly, it’s simply the right thing to do, as a society that allows all voices to be heard and everyone to have an impact is necessary for modernization, civilization and justice.

Secondly, it’s better for businesses as multiple perspectives are necessary for strong performance and competitiveness — especially in the startup and tech space, where innovation and new ideas are vital. Although progress has been made, underrepresentation in the startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem remains an issue. As a first-generation college student, I am grateful for the opportunities provided by those before me. Not everyone has access to such opportunities, especially those from underrepresented groups. Representing not only myself and Stiiicker but also those who lack a voice or face obstacles motivates me to move forward.

What are you looking forward to working on with Stiiicker during your time in IOP?

Innovators of Progress offers a unique opportunity to learn from experts like Markus and connect with potential users through customer discovery. I’m excited to join forces with other like-minded founders and partners who are making a positive impact.

Humble yourself and reach out. Nobody knows it all but someone knows something.Jared Washington Stiiicker

What has been your biggest challenge in developing Stiiicker, and how are you growing through those challenges?

As someone who loves to create, I tend to focus on having a solid game plan and minimizing risk through revising and reworking. While this approach has benefits in academia or later-stage corporate roles, it can be a hindrance when building something from scratch, as you need to constantly test and adjust. However, building Stiiicker has helped me grow in areas where I used to be more hesitant. I am constantly improving and becoming bold, which has led to significant personal and professional growth.

When will Stiiicker be available to the public?

Stiiicker’s first version is set to launch on both iOS and Android platforms in late summer to early fall of 2023. To join the Stiiicker community, interested individuals can visit Stiiicker.com starting April 17 and potentially become a part of the “User-0” group, the initial user group for Stiiicker. Initially, Stiiicker will focus on everyday people with six or more points of contact. However, as the journey progresses, Stiiicker has the potential to expand its user base to include commerce connection, event networking, commercial licensing, and many more possibilities.

What five pieces of advice would you give to aspiring tech startup founders? 

Get intimate with your idea. While there is an importance of getting feedback on your idea or solution, make sure that you take time and really flush it out for yourself. This will give you a solid basis prior to receiving feedback and furthermore help you clearly define what you are trying to solve. Don’t be afraid to keep your idea as a little secret for a few days or weeks while you work it out.

Build out something. Whether it is a full wireframe or as simple as a drawing with some notes, creating a physical representation of your idea is important as it not only gives you something to share but also brings your idea to life.

Share your solution when comfortable. This is one I struggle with but I can honestly say once you get out of your head about the risk associated with this, you can learn a great deal about all the different directions you can explore with your solution and the improvements you can make.

Humble yourself and reach out. Nobody knows it all but someone knows something. If you are getting stuck or want some insights, that means you’re making progress. Now take more and reach out to someone you trust to learn and get more perspective.

Take action and remain calm. It can be tempting to justify revisiting, rebuilding, and branding; but work toward putting your product, software or solution out to the market.