The Starter Company Plus program is funded by the government of Ontario and delivered by the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County and Orillia. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs start, grow or buy a business. Participants receive mentorship from experienced business professionals, access to valuable training and networking opportunities, as well as the opportunity to pitch for up to $5,000 in micro-grants.
The Small Business Centre team is excited to share the companies they had the chance to work with this fall.
Meet Melodie Sweet and Behaviour Tech
Through Behaviour Tech, Melodie Sweet offers accessible and educational technology services and products. Specifically, Behaviour Tech is currently in the process of launching their flagship product called “iTalk”, an image-to-speech application for people who struggle with verbal communication. Melodie’s goals are to introduce a simpler user interface than other image-to-speech devices – allowing for communication to become easy, convenient, and customizable – while providing more affordable solutions to the accessible.
Let’s Talk with Behaviour Tech!
- What is your favourite part about being an entrepreneur?
Being an entrepreneur provides me with the freedom to work however I want, whenever I want. I enjoy the benefits of having full agency over my own work life. When you work for others, you have a limited amount of control and choices, but as an entrepreneur, you have more creative freedom. I’ve also realized that as an entrepreneur, the sky truly is the limit. You have the opportunity to scale to a broader clientele and have a broader reach than you would working for someone else.
- What inspired you to start a business?
I felt as though I could have a far greater impact and reach more people by having my own business. I felt as though there were too many limitations in what I could offer.
- What services/ products do you offer?
We offer accessible and educational technology services and products.
We are currently in the process of launching our flagship product called “iTalk”, which is a communication device for people who struggle with verbal communication. It’s in the form of an image-to-speech application for people who struggle with verbal communication.
What sets our product apart from other image-to-speech devices is its simple user interface. It is easy, convenient, and customizable. It also provides users with a more affordable solution to what's currently on the market.
We can help people who are interested in our communication device with a government subsidy that can cover up to 75 - 100% of the cost of our product. If interested, please reach out and we will help you with processing this subsidy.
- Who do you look up to for inspiration when it comes to either being an entrepreneur or your business?
I have several people who inspire me, but usually whenever I’m stuck - I find myself referring to Michael Seibel with Y Combinator.
There are a lot of business experts, especially in tech, but I find Michael Seibel’s videos and advice with Y Combinator provide some of the best advice about finding market fit, investment, and scaling in the industry. They provide very simple solutions to frustrating problems people often encounter in the tech industry.
- How did you come up with your business name?
I came up with Behaviour Tech because it best reflects our overall mission. I’ve experimented with a few different names, but this name stuck because it best represents how our technology is meant to motivate and inspire people to learn new behaviors and skills.
- What is unique about your business?
We’re developing products that are meant to enhance peoples lives through education that enhances people’s behaviours.
- What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through your entrepreneurial journey?
The most surprising thing I’ve learned about myself is how resourceful I can be, especially in tough times. When things have gone sideways, I’ve been able to find the tools and resources I’ve needed to propel myself forward.
- What’s the best piece of advice you would give to another entrepreneur?
The best advice I would give is to never give up. There will be many challenges and obstacles, and it can also be a very lonely journey, but as long as you stay committed, you’ll be assured success.
- What do you hope to achieve through the Starter Company Plus program?
I hope to successfully launch our flagship product iTalk while also making key inroads within the technology sector.
Explore Behaviour Tech Today
To learn more about Melodie Sweet and Behaviour Tech, you can head to their website: www.italky.org.
Learn More About the Starter Company Plus Program
To learn more about the Starter Company Plus program, reach out to the Small Business Centre of Barrie, Simcoe County & Orillia today at smallbusiness@barrie.ca or 705-720-2445.