Name: Jacob Jolis
What do Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs and Jacob Jolis have in common? They’re all college dropouts! Finishing his last semester at Stanford this past spring, Jolis has pursued his startup Verbling, an online means of practicing speaking a language with a native speaker, which has been met with incredible success.
What is Verbling exactly?
Verbling is a website where language learners practice verbal skills with native speakers of the language that they’re learning. So, if you’re learning Spanish we connect you instantly in the browser with a native Spanish speaker. It could be in Colombia, Spain, Argentina, Chile, wherever in the world and you’ll practice Spanish for 5 minutes with that native speaker and that Spanish speaker is in turn learning English so you’ll speak English for five minutes so that they learn too. Everybody wins.
How did you get the idea?
It was not my own idea. I have two amazing cofounders: Michael Bernstein and Fred Woolf. Michael pitched it to me and I thought it was amazing.
Do you have other staff?
We’re very happy to have just hired our first full-time employee. We’re hiring very heavily right now. That’s our number one focus at the moment. We’re looking everywhere we can, meeting programmers and designers and when we find exceptional ones, we shoot them an offer.
Where do you work from?
Currently, we work out of our apartment in Sunnyvale. The 3 co-founders live together and work in our living room which is basically an office, but we are in transition mode and are about to get real office space in Palo Alto downtown.
Are you backed by venture capitalists?
We were part of Y Combinator over the summer, a startup program that provides seed funding for very early stage startups. From that we were also backed by SV Angel, a venture capitalist firm and Start Fund. We did that program over the summer, and then we went out and fundraised. We were then backed by more venture capitalists and “angel investors.” We recently completed that round of funding. It went very well, and we’re very happy with the way things went. So we’re all set on the funding side.
Where do you see Verbling going in the future? What is your primary goal?
We are very, very much heads down in product development. We are not currently focusing on marketing or even sales for that matter. We are just trying to connect with our users, understand what they want, their true desires and iterate based on that. We’re never satisfied with where the product currently stands. That is really our primary goal to understand our users and make something that they want. Taking several steps to make Verbling a more social experience to give our users the information that they’re seeking about the other people they’re meeting on the site.
When did you drop out? What was that decision like?
I finished sophomore year at Stanford this past spring quarter. The decision came in April or may to focus all 100% of my time and energy on the company. I’m very, very glad I made that decision. I really do love Stanford, but this opportunity is something that a little Swedish boy from a family who lives in a countryside in the south where there are only farms and cows can only dream about.
Were you a CS major? What’s your academic background?
I’m more of the language geek/business guy side than the computer side. I was born in Paris, grew up in Sweden and took Spanish here at Stanford, so I’ve always been extremely interested in languages for my own sake. We actually built Verbling a lot for ourselves because we all felt this pain point learning languages but not being able to speak with native speakers of the languages that we were learning and we were not getting enough out of the classroom experience. So we use Verbling ourselves because we feel like we need it.
What’s the transaction like for users?
Currently we are only launched for Spanish and English, but we plan to launch more languages in the future. On Verbling.com you are only asked to provide your name, email, password, what language you’re a native speaker and what language you’re learning. The next button is a button that says, “start talking.” You have timers on the right side of the screen that start at 5 minutes and tick down. The first 5 will be in Spanish and the banner blinks after 5 minutes for the next language. We also provide users with conversation topics that they can click if they need stuff to talk about. It’s a super simple product that solves a very real problem.
What’s your biggest challenge or what has been your biggest challenge?
Some of the things that are extremely difficult we’ve solved -like finding good people to build a company with, which is by far the most important –more than money and everything else combined. But we’ve found truly amazing people to pull this off with a unique set of skills. We’ve been extremely lucky in getting together. As far as challenges currently, our product requires you to match in real time lots of people on completely different sides of the world. It’s called the classic chicken and egg problem for a startup –which means your service is only valuable if a lot of people are using it so at the beginning you need to get a lot of people really quickly and we used some nifty ways.
How did you solve that problem?
We literally wrote handwritten letters to bloggers who write about the language learning stuff in Spain and begged them to write about Verbling. When they actually saw it and tried the product, they started writing about it. And when you get one big blog, ten other blogs follow. We’ve been in other big news too like “Tech Crunch,” the Spanish newspaper “El Pais,” which is the equivalent of the New York Times, and recently in Ink Magazine. That was only the very first week. The only sustainable growth for a startup that I believe in is building a product that’s good enough that your users tell their friends about. We spend zero dollars on marketing. The cheapest way and the only sustainable way is through recommendations. Another way is teachers recommending it for them. I might only tell two or three of my friends, but a teacher will tell like 100.
What has been the most rewarding?
There is no question in my mind that the most rewarding thing is making users happy. There is a lot of stuff around the core that comes with building a company like incorporating, hiring, getting funding and talking to investors. All that’s fine but at the very core is the product and user experience. By far the most rewarding thing is when a user tells you that your product has changed their lives. When you get an email like that or you log onto Verbling and tell them you’re a cofounder and they say “This got me a job because now I know English and can put this on my resume, and I have a better economic outlook” -that beats everything else. For example, there is major financial crisis in Spain right now where unemployment is through the roof, and our biggest user base is in Spain. And when we ask why they use Verbling, they said they need to learn English to get a job. Being a part of that is cool.
What has the startup community been like? Do you have other friends doing similar stuff?
Through Y Combinator we met a lot of great people with truly amazing products and companies that ranged from the next security system for huge companies to protect their servers to a lyrics website for rap songs. Those people have been great, but at the end of the day I think startup people are better off spending more time working with their startups and products than just meeting each other. But it’s also really great there is this community and that there is the climate in Silicon Valley where all the capital, all the talent and all the risk mentality is in the same place.
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Name: Justin Beebe
For Hunger Games week, we decided to find a huge fan of the series, who also does plenty on campus, to be our celebrity. Find out more about senior public relations major Justin Beebe, and how he would be in the Games!
When did you read The Hunger Games?
I read the Hunger Games over this past winter break. I had just bought the first book for my boyfriend and decided to read them as well. I finished the series in a week.
How did you hear about them?
I had heard some talk about it, not much. I was walking through Barnes and Noble looking for Christmas presents and one of my friends, Nick Parco, told me that the series was supposed to be pretty good. So, I picked up the first book.
What do you like most about them?
I love the action throughout the series, and the creativity the author put behind the core idea. I love stories about post-apocolyptic worlds and how we as humans handle it. I like the uncertainty, the stakes, and the danger. I’m always watching zombie and end-of-the world shows. Plus I love paranormal stuff. I’m a huge geek at heart haha!
Which book in the series is your favorite?
My favorite book throughout the series is definitely the second one, Catching Fire. This would be spoiling the plot, so feel free to not add it, but I love when the author thinks of meticulous ways to trap and confuse characters. The fact that the arena was so much more than just landscape blew my mind. It was so well thought out and gave the characters the ability to plan and use their surroundings to their advantage. (It was a clock! ;] )
What would your special skill be if you were in the arena?
I have been told numerous times that my skill would be similar to that of Foxface. I tend to be very quick and elusive. I’d rely on keeping on the outskirts and making my move when it is beneficial to me. I guess you could say my skill would be speed.
What activities do you do on campus, and what life skills have they given you that would make you a stronger person than others in the arena?
I am part of Alpha Phi Omega, the campus service fraternity, and Habitat for Humanity and have learned to work in teams. I know how to work along side a confidant throughout the games. However, I understand how to do things on my own as well. I also play intramural sports. I’ve played soccer my whole life, dodgeball, and flag football. I know how to be aggressive if I need to be.
What character do you identify with most?
I would have to say I identify with Peeta the most. I think he is vey emotionally driven, as am I. I know Katniss is in it for her sister, but I think Peeta’s emotions outdo hers at times. He is also extremely loyal to Katniss, to the extent that he does many things that endanger himself in order to keep her alive. His loyalty always comes first.
When are you seeing the movie?
I am seeing the movie Friday night at 10:30. I bought my tickets in advance!
What are your hopes for it, and do you like what you’ve seen so far in trailers and photos?
I have decent expectations for the film. I never like to have high hopes, just in case it isn’t completely true to the book- so I can still enjoy the film for what it is. However, the photos and trailers have made me extremely happy. Only a few characters look different than I pictured, and I am happy to say they are not the main characters.
What district were you placed in on Capitol.PN?
What do you think your job would be? I have been placed into District 3, Technology, as an Engineer. I think this actually fits me pretty well. I tend to be technologically savvy and love gadgets. I grew up watching my dad build and fix computers so I ended up loving all technology.
If the games were real today, which SHU professor would you want as your mentor, and why?
If the games were real, I would want my mentor to be Professor Angelella. I know him pretty well and I know he’d be resourceful and know how to act in the arena. I’m also confident he would survive if in the games, solidifying that he would live to actually BE a mentor. He would make sure I was well trained and I know he would use sponsors well.
We have to ask – Team Peeta or Team Gale?
Haha- I tend to hate the whole “team” thing ever since it was introduced with Twilight, which I also highly dislike. However, since I identify highly with Peeta I suppose it would be fitting to choose him.
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Name: Mike DiGregorio
So, if you girls haven’t realized this yet, sometimes the best guys to hang out with are the ones with the geek-y sense of what’s cool. So maybe it’s time you ditched the Call of Duty player and figured out how to play Halo. Time you dusted off your inner sci-fi geek (we all loved that Star Trek remake) and embraced that secret hatred for Ke$ha you’ve been harboring since you found glitter in unspeakable places last spring. And if you agree that’s what you need to do, it’s time to find a guy like this week’s Campus Cutie — Mike DiGregorio.
Hometown: Saint James, NY
Year: Senior
Hobbies: Drumming, Biking, Hiking, Comics, Vidya Games, Reading (If that counts), Salt n’ Vinegar Chips
Superpower: Probably all of Spiderman’s powers, especially the one where he gets to date Emma Stone
Favorite thing to do on weekends:
Hang with friends, see a movie, watch Doctor Who, go to Subway® Eat Fresh
Perfect Date:
Having a nice walk in the park then going to a carnival or cool fair of sorts. Or seeing a hot Lil’ Kim/Ke$ha concert (I’m just kidding I’d never want to do that).
Fashion Trend I don’t understand:
I’m not sure, thinking about it though I guess I’d say spikes. Like wearing anything that involves spikes, I’ve never understood that. Is that a trend? Spikey Trend?
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Name: Steven Strauss
Year: 2013
School: Columbia College
Major: English (don’t judge)
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Relationship status: Still haven’t found what I’m looking for
On-campus activities: Excessive procrastination within the walls of Delta Sig
Off-campus activities: Prepare for the geek-a-thon: I’m a Knicks season ticket holder (and yes, I go to every home game. How masochistic of me), weekly attendee of Pacha, regular Broadway/Off-Broadway theatergoer, and I see approximately three movies per week in theaters. I promise I actually have a life…
Spring Break plans: Accompanying my dad to Vegas to watch the first week of March Madness with a bunch of his college buddies. It’s like Cancun for the middle-aged.
Pet-peeves: People who have pet-peeves.
Dream job: Being David Mamet, aka screenwriter/playwright/telewriter.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, you would need:
My iPhone…actually, a sailboat would be pretty convenient.
Every guys needs these 3 things in his closet: Amar’e Jersey, Melo Jersey, Tyson Jersey
Your perfect date in 7 words or less: Orgasm scene in “When Harry Met Sally”
Favorite off-campus location: As Frank-Sinatra-shmaltzy as this sounds, I love every area of NYC equally. Even Times Square (what a tourist).
Favorite thing about NYC: Every day provides an excess amount of potential script material. Can’t beat that.
Favorite meal in NYC: Soup Dumplings at Joe’s Shanghai in Chinatown.
Favorite class and professor at Columbia: I’m actually a big fan of the Core (nerd alert!), but I’d probably have to go with Austin Quigley’s Henrik Ibsen/Harold Pinter Seminar.
Dream wife: Kate Winslet
One thing you want to do before graduating: Having a girlfriend would be nice (awwwwwwwww)
Top three albums/songs of all time:
Albums:
1) Tunnel of Love by Bruce Springsteen, 2) Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen, 3) Bruce Springsteen Live 1975-1985 by Bruce Springsteen.
Songs:
1) Backstreets by Bruce Springsteen, 2) Badlands by Bruce Springsteen, 3) House Music (you know, cause they all sound like the same,albeit amazing song anyways).
If you could have a super power what would it be and why: The ability to answer every question with the perfect response, both in conversations and on exams.
If you could invite anyone to dinner, you would ask: Bruce Springsteen (shocker!)
HamDel decides to name a sandwich after you (what’s it called and what’s in it): The Deadstrau55! – roast beef, Milano’s Herb mayo, melted pepper jack cheese, and some nice green seasoning…
Photos by Michael Discenza.
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Name: Kyle McGrath
Meet Kyle. He’s in his first year of Pharmacy school and new to the Pitt family. He’s a fun guy and definitly a great addition to the campus cuties. (The turtle pictured is named Gilbert, sadly he wasn’t present for the interview).
What made you choose PITT for Pharmacy school?
I chose pitt to get further and further west from Jersey, plus it has a kick ass pharmacy school and when I came for the interview the city was interesting and I didn’t feel like I was gonna die like when I interviewed in Philly.
What do you like about your program?
The people in my program are awesome and hilarious. My classmates have some of the funniest, sarcastic one liners ever. It’s made the transition to a new city be real smooth… like buttah
What are your plans for the future after Pharm school?
Umm not really sure. I originally wanted to do nuclear pharmacy but now working for the government looks pretty awesome. Oh also I would love to move to Boston or move to florida and be a pharmacist by day and work at disney at night. Best place on earth.
What are your favorite things about Oakland/Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is real chill. People smile, there is yards, and I don’t feel like I am gonna die from pollution or too many people. I also love that I don’t get hated on relentlessly for being a Giants fan or being from Jersey. Oh also the fact that so many movies have been filmed here! I got to be in the new batman movie and I am in a scene with Tom Cruise in his movie One Shot. I was on a bus sitting like two rows behind him and the scene is gonna be the last scene of the movie. Made 100 dollars too. Best day so far.
Describe your dream girl:
A dream girl? hmm… I don’t know. Someone goofy and real. She’d have to like dancing since its a personal favorite, likes reading, going to concerts, and is cool just staying in for movie night too. Sarcasm would be a necessity. Eats wings or ribs in front of me. Knows tons of pop culture references since I love to quote things. I guess someone to be a best friend with.
What would be your ideal date?
My ideal date would be to go to a science center (I’m a total geek), zoo, aquarium or concert, grab some dinner, head out to either dance or karaoke, then stay at home reading or watching a movie with a fire.
What are some of your hobbies?
I’m a pretty eclectic person. Reading is great. I love going to concerts especially bands I’ve never heard of, as long as it isn’t country. Acting is something I’ve dabbled in and enjoy immensely, doing it or watching theater. I grew up outside of NYC so Broadway is always fun to go to. I love watching football and going to the games. Board games are the best. Love a good game of parchesi, trouble, monopoly or yahtzee.
If you were stranded on a desert island, what would be three things you’d bring?
Tough question. I would say Ipod because I can’t live without music. I would also want Arabian Nights since it’s a great book and is really friggin long. Lastly, a monkey cuz lets be honest… who wouldn’t want a monkey?
What is your most memorable moment at PITT to-date?
The best moment I had at Pitt to date was FINALLY getting on the big screen at the second to last game of the season. That and being in 2 movies.
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Name: Jeff Plotkin
I often run into Jeff Plotkin ’12, a member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity and ballroom dancer, in the SCC, where I see him greet people with a big smile and an enormous hug. Jeff Plotkin ’12 is truly a sweetheart because he knows the way to win over the ladies with his charm and gentlemanly swagger, which comes from his Russian roots. He took a few moments to answer a couple of my questions to tell me exactly why he is this week’s Cutie!
Year: 2012
Major: Psych and Business
Hometown: Brookline, MA
Languages spoken: English, Russian, and Spanish
What clubs/organizations are you a part of at Brandeis?
Ballroom Team. I thought about running for student government, but unfortunately didn’t have the time.
What kind of music do you like?
Depends on my mood. If I’m trying to get work done, I like classical music. Otherwise, there’s a lot of hip hop, techno and trance on my ipod.
What is your favorite song?
So hard to choose from! It’s something different everyday.
What do you like to do for fun?
I’m a geek, I like to read. I also dance.
What is your ideal date?
I’m very old school – so something along the lines of dinner and a movie. If the weather is nice, then something alone the lines of walking through a park would work too.
Which male actor do you most identify with?
None, I try to be myself.
Where have you traveled?
I’ve been to Russia, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Bahamas and Canada. Also been all over the United States.
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Name: Sean Cochran
But people know me as: “The Coch”
Year: Junior
Hometown: New Palestine, Indiana
Age: 21
Relationship status: Single
What is your major and what are your career goals?
Biology BS, applying to Medical school this summer
What are you involved in on campus?
I’m involved in my fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi, and the Indiana University Dance Marathon.
Favorite thing about IU: I love everything (who doesn’t?), but I’d have to say the Dance Marathon. Nothing else has had a bigger impact on my life.
I like a girl who knows how to: Cliche, but hold a conversation and make me laugh.
But I can’t stand when they: Are too drunk. Nothing more annoying.
One thing most people don’t know about me is: I’m a pretty big geek.
Accomplishment I’m most proud of: Surviving 3 years of college with relative success.
Beer or Whiskey: Beer!… Then Whiskey later.
KOK or Sports: Roy’s for sure
Pizza X or Mother Bears: Mother Bears
Most romantic thing I’ve done for a girl: Oh man… Probably either walk a girl home that lived two hours away or get a girl the same number of roses that it had been since we last saw each other.
My idea of a perfect date is: A nice dinner where we could talk, some drinks, and go out on the town.
What I miss most about the 4th grade is: No chemistry!
One thing I want to do before I graduate is: Open to Close at Roy’s