Santa Monica native Danny Wax started Forelinx after returning from a three year stint on the PGA Nationwide Tour. Forelinx, a social platform for connecting golfers, connects users based on network and interests and allows them to book tee times at 1,500 courses nationwide. Erik Huberman, CEO of Hawke Media, talks to Danny about growing up in Santa Monica, what inspired him to be an entrepreneur and Forelinx.
Erik Huberman: What made you want to become an entrepreneur?
Danny Wax: I always saw myself working on my own and not only creating my own hours, but really striving to make a difference in myself and people around me. Growing up playing golf, which is a very individual sport, I've always been one to take responsibility and manage my time and efforts. I think those traits I possess are also the characteristics of an entrepreneur, so it seems like a no brainer.
EH: Tell me about Forelinx.
DW: Forelink is a platform for people to connect and use golf as a business aspect. Networking in golf already exists, and we just built out the tools to make it happen naturally and more broadly.
EH: How are you changing the world?
DW: Nowadays, all these social communities consolidate large groups of people. I think we'll see the shift of that turning into smaller niche communities – whether that's golf or people who have kids, or like a certain restaurant, you name it. There are niche communities for everything. I want to change the world by bringing online communities offline.
EH: Why Santa Monica?
DW: That's an easy question. I was born and raised in Santa Monica, went to Santa Monica High and would do anything to support my local community.
EH: What do you think of the Silicon Beach scene?
DW: The name is true to the boom we've seen – all the development in Santa Monica, all the new startups. I think it's great. I'm happy to be apart of it and I definitely want to make my stamp in the community.
EH: Do you have one piece of advice for an entrepreneur starting their own business?
DW: Dive in 100%. Don't look back. Just stick to your gut and go for it.
EH: Is there anything you'd like to share with the Santa Monica community?
DW: Stay true to yourself. I've seen so much change in Santa Monica while growing up here. From a little mom and pop community now it's turning into a metropolitan hub. Stay true to yourself and your community.