When Becky Cruze and Pius Uzamere told me they met online, the first thing that came to mind was, “I should have guessed”.
From their first online meeting in 2010 to establishing their online business in 2011, it would be hard to think of a better, more appropriate way for this Creative Couple to have met.
After meeting in Washington, DC, the young couple (both in age and time spent together) came up with an idea of an app that facilitates, supports and enhances couples dating experiences.
Wasting little time, Becky and Pius took their idea and transformed it into coding. That coding has now turned into an app. It’s called, BeCouply; an app and business that strives to “help every couple in the world have an epic social life.”
Serious about their work, relationship and their working relationship, Becky and Pius moved to the Silicon Valley, California where they believe online businesses receive the most support.
BeCouply, currently testing in Beta for iPhones, is designed to be social and extremely user friendly. As casual and (ahem) light hearted as the app may be, its founders are to be taken seriously.
Pius a graduate from MIT is regularly highlighted on CNN’s Money and is one of eight African-American entrepreneurs who participated in the NewME Accelerator in Silicon Valley. Becky, a graduate in Political Communications from George Washington University represents the “non-technical” half of their business relationship, responsible for their media coverage, business development and beta requests.
In addition to the app’s growing popularity, BeCouply was recently featured on CNN’s Black in America documentary with Soledad O’Brien.
Their business is serious, as are their qualifications; however the hour I spent with Becky and Pius, it is evident they are in this relationship and business for love – and that is the true measure of success.
Did you both leave your jobs at the same time to start BeCouply?
Pius: I’d say we left our jobs within two weeks of each other. We wanted to get serious and make it a real business and with web start ups, people don’t take you really seriously until you become full time. A lot of people don’t differentiate between a website that is a business and a website that is a hobby.
Becky: Because Pius graduated from MIT, a lot of his friends are in the industry and understand what we’re doing, where as for me, that’s not the case. There is a general lack of understanding of what we are doing; it’s not a personal blog I decided to start one night.
You started your business in the same year you met one another; how has this been on your relationship?
Pius: We’re together 24-7, we work and play well together and we weren’t sure if that would be the case, but we feel very fortunate that we do.
Becky: Not only are we a couple working together but our business is for couples. For us it couldn’t make sense any other way. (Laughing) It’s not something you really can hire in for.
On days when being an entrepreneur can feel trying, what keeps you motivated?
Pius: For me, it’s the vision, the big dream is huge. But the way I look at it is the worse case isn’t that bad. We’re out here in the Silicon Valley working on our first big start up and no matter how things turn out we’ll be better off for it. I’m not too concerned, I believe it’s a product that people really want and I think that’s really gratifying.
Becky: Pius is what keeps me going on the hard days. At the end of the day I know we’re doing this together. I think of years down the road when we can tell our kids and grand kids that we did this. Regardless of the outcome, we had a dream and took a chance and that’s what you should do in life.
Once the app is launched, what will the BeCouply app cost?
Pius: It’s totally free. We think it’s really important to get BeCouply into the hands of as many couples as possible.
Couples in the United States spend over 9 billion dollars a month going on dates. If we can make going out easier, fun and engaging for couples – thats why we’re excited about what we have to offer.
What is your favourite part about working two-gether?
Pius: We always make sure we get to see each other. Becky is my best friend and I get to spend all day with her. It’s not a creative answer but it’s the truth.
Becky: I appreciate that working together allows us to spend so much time together. It sounds really cheesy, but on the days when one of us is out at a meeting and we don’t see each other, I miss him and I’m just so happy when he’s back.
Click the following links to sign up for BeCouply Beta testing, Get in Touch, Like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter
Megan
(@MeganDubs) Megan is the Managing Director & Editor at Creative Couples. She works as quickly as she runs.
FlyDuo (1 year ago)
Hey Guys, great to see you both on CreativeCouples.net, congrats on all of your successes.
We really love seein’ people who are in love workin’ together and lovin’ it.
We also recently got a chance to see you both on the documentary about technology start-ups. Congrats on being featured, looks like all of your hard work was well worth it and is beginning to bare fruit. We hope to hear more about your ventures in the future.
…anyway, best of luck to you both.
Reuben & Sherri aka FlyDuo