Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Peralta.
Hi Ana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As a trained UX designer, I understand and empathize with user frustrations. Over time, I found myself in a repeating frustration and confusion cycle where I’d be out and about in one of many of the city of Austin’s local markets. I would find myself speaking with very interesting vendors, have a friendly chats and make a few purchases and then it would be months before I stumble upon them again. I later started adding as many vendors as I could to Instagram as a way to stay informed or keep tabs on them, however, the outcome was the same. If I was lucky to see them on my feed at all, the post was usually delayed or late and I continued missing information. Subscribing to newsletters and websites to add to my personal calendar became a daunting task and being engaged in social media 24/7 was taxing. It piqued my interest enough to start researching and exploring as to what tools were available help me and perhaps other small business supporters like me and I was not convinced by the existing options.
So I built FLIT, an online platform that allows Austinites the ability to discover, keep up and support local pop up vendors and organizations to support local consumerism and and boost the community economy.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It was not a smooth 2 year journey. I spent a lot of time learning and educating myself on the full spectrum of business skills as well as conducting on-the-field research. I had many insightful, honest and deep conversations with small business supporters and vendors to understand the gaps, needs and the relationship better and figure out what a solution needed to actually be effective and beneficial. The learnings and intel allowed me to revise the business plan twice, adjust the pricing and rates model, find viable technology to get started with (this is bootstrapped venture so I was self-funded my ideas) and it made me more attached to what I was building and executing. Wearing all the hats, is not recommended but I had to grow my vision to the point where I (and others that I tested with) saw it’s potential. Patience and trusting the process was key.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Principal UX Designer in FinTech by day. I specialize in applying Design Thinking to develop websites, web applications, mobile applications and product roadmaps to set them up for customer engagement and usability success. I’ve been in the industry for almost 10 years and I have dabbled in a few industries along the way and I think rotating and relearning something new every so often keeps an individual creative, passionate and sharp. I felt that every step, setback and learning from my journey prepared me to pursue my own venture.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Admittedly, I do measure and calculate the risks and challenges I take on, however, I believe in challenging yourself and I also believe in the power of stepping outside of your comfort zone as long as it’s a personal choice and not one made to prove anything to anyone. Risky behavior does not have to be as scary as it’s made out to be and the fear behind it shouldn’t feel as a deterrent, if anything, it may serve as a compass that can prove where you feel you have outgrown or what areas you wish to explore more. Becoming a business owner of a public and community based concept, as a first time entrepreneurship venture was a high risk, and a public one at that. I am typically the behind-the-scenes person, creating experiences and now I am growing and developing every day to become the person that steps into her power, takes up space and owns up to her makings. I feel folks are relating and resonating with the business idea. I don’t feel yet like it’s not working in my favor to have taken the risk on banking on myself and my capabilities.
Pricing:
- $5 per event
- $10/monthly (promote up to 4 events)
- $15/monthly (promote unlimited events)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://foundonflit.com/page/marketing
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/foundonflit
Image Credits
Social Media content arranged by: RunWithSocial LLC
