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After completing her Executive MBA at IÉSEG, Ioana founded LookAroun, an innovative app that revolutionizes the way people meet at events. Her story illustrates how an academic program can inspire and catalyze the creation of innovative solutions in the world of entrepreneurship.

You started creating LookAroun shortly after your Executive MBA at IÉSEG. Can you tell us more about that?

Everything began with my Executive MBA thesis, where I explored integrating artificial intelligence for businesses interested in implementing it into their operations. This research inspired me, and I decided to launch LookAroun, an innovative app that allows users to see people’s profiles around us in real-time during an event. The goal is to facilitate initial contact. Each person attending the event creates their profile in the app, enabling other participants nearby to identify and connect with them. The idea stemmed from my desire to create a tool that would make professional and social networking easier.

We officially launched LookAroun in 2023 and conducted our first test with participants at IÉSEG’s Summer University that year. It was incredibly rewarding to see my idea come to life.

How did the MBA help you in your entrepreneurial journey?

The MBA changed me. I gained self-confidence. From day one, one of the key words we learned was “flexibility.” It was a quality I didn’t really possess before. The MBA taught me to adapt, to be like a foam ball… flexible and resilient at the same time. In entrepreneurship, this resilience is crucial. As Xavier Niel, the creator of Free, said, “A leader’s life is a series of bad news. If you dwell on all your failures, you won’t make it.” This perspective helped me not to get discouraged by minor setbacks. It’s essential for surviving and thriving in entrepreneurship.

What were the main challenges you encountered?

One of the biggest challenges was getting approval to launch the app on the Apple Store. The process was extremely long and complicated, to the point where I doubted we’d succeed. Each step was a real challenge, and it required unwavering determination to persevere. On the other hand, the launch on Google Play went smoothly, which was a relief.

How has LookAroun evolved since its inception?

LookAroun has evolved tremendously since its creation. The product started quite rudimentary and has been constantly improved based on user feedback. Initially, I thought I knew my users’ needs without consulting them, but fortunately, I took the time to interview them. This helped me realize that my initial idea simply wouldn’t have worked. I learned from my mistakes and adapted the app accordingly. I know of other apps that failed because their creators never understood their users’ needs. Thanks to this feedback, we also adapted the app for coworking spaces, not just professional events.

How did you manage the technical development of the app?

I developed 80% of the app myself, using both coding and no-code methods, and then hired freelancers to help with certain technical aspects. Without the help of technologies like ChatGPT, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish as much on my own. These tools helped me overcome technical obstacles and stay focused on what’s essential: creating a useful and intuitive app.