The Dream Big America radio show kicked off last week with Kansas City startup myEDmatch winning out over two other competitors. Looky Loo Light kept KC’s momentum going with an apperance on today’s show and its own momentum going after a 1 Million Cups presentation during 1Week KC.
As the show continues to add competitors and crown monthly winners, there will be a consistent opportunity to support Silicon Prairie entrepreneurs, so listen every Tuesday at 8:10 a.m. CST on the Dream Big website and vote for who you deem most worthy. Des Moines-based The ReWall Company also participated in today’s program.
We asked Looky Loo Light’s founder Allison Carenza and Ian Cahill, who works in business development, to give us some insight into their company and their time on the Dream Big America radio show.
Silicon Prairie News: How would you describe Looky Loo Light?
Ian Cahill: It provides a solution to one of the most common problems: getting your children or young clients to look at the camera during a photo shoot. Based off four individual LED panels, the Looky Loo provides random colorful light patterns that not only capture the attention of your subject, but leaves your hands free to actually use your camera.
SPN: You recently presented at 1MC. Was that the first exposure to the startup community? What has changed, if anything, in these past few weeks?
Allison Carenza: I have been attending Inventor’s Club of KC meetings for a while and my colleague, Ian Cahill, suggested I present at 1 Million Cups. It is a wonderful program and we not only met a ton of amazing people, but have found a lot of support locally in Kansas City. It really helps validate the Looky Loo Light as a real business venture.
SPN: What was the experience like being on the radio show?
Carenza: It was a little nerve-racking, but any time I can share my passion for photography and the Looky Loo Light with others, it puts me in a good mood. It was fun and I hope to do more promotion for our business down the line. Plus, it is nice to not have to get dressed up to be on the radio.
SPN: What can you win if you come out on top after the Finals Show at the end of the month?
Cahill: At the end of the month, Dream Big America will select a winner based off further pitches from the previous three weeks of winners. This makes voting essential in the 28 hours after our first pitch. While they are still finalizing the winner’s prize package, it will involve some mentoring and hopefully some seed money to continue to make our business grow. So get out there and vote at dreambigamerica.us.
