Serial entrepreneur Justin Harris started ChallengeMeClub, a global contest platform. Erik Huberman, CEO of Hawke Media, talks to Justin about ChallengeMeClub, Santa Monica and being an entrepreneur.
Erik Huberman: What made you want to become an entrepreneur?
Justin Harris: It was something that I think was influenced from my past. My mom ran her own business and I always associated being an entrepreneur with controlling your own destiny. I've just always admired and thought it'd be fun to be part of that world. So, I just went for it.
EH: Tell me about ChallengeMeClub.
JH: ChallengeMe is an interactive entertainment and chat platform for people to go in and create challenges. You can use the app to issue a challenge to private or public friends, strangers. It can be a one-day challenge, 12-hour challenge, 30-day challenge. We're trying to build a global challenge and contest platform that connects people and allows our users to have fun.
EH: How are you changing the world?
JH: I think we're changing the world to build off something like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. We want to do a similar process of having fun but also giving back. We're looking to partner with some nonprofits and create a platform that challenges people to become better and have fun.
EH: Why Santa Monica?
JH: I grew up in Orange County and when I was deciding where to move, I thought about the tech scene in L.A. and how it centers around Santa Monica. I think it's just a great city to live in. It's the hub.
EH: Do you have one piece of advice for an entrepreneur starting their own business?
JH: I think the biggest thing is simplicity of your product. Focus on your product being as simple as possible. So you can explain it to your user. Stay consistent in whatever you're trying to do. It will pay off.
EH: Is there anything you'd like to share with the Santa Monica community?
JH: I'll challenge the city of Santa Monica to get the app and set up challenges of things we can achieve as a city: improving health, improving the environment. Think of the city as a whole what we want to achieve as a whole. Let's continue to be the city everyone wants to live in.
