Today we speak with Vincent Cassar the founder of Keeping, a start-up focused on helping businesses reduce the time spent answering customer’s questions.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your company – what is Keeping all about?
Keeping™ is a Gmail extension that adds helpdesk functionalities to any Gmail or Google App email accounts. It allows you and your team to manage customers support more efficiently directly from your current mailbox without having to use an external helpdesk.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company?
I have been an entrepreneur ever since I can remember. About two years ago, I was running an ebook publishing company and was frustrated by the way we managed customer support. All ticketing system and helpdesks solution out there forced us to move away from email, which is the channel we received the majority of our customer support requests. I decided, after having interviewed to over 4000 companies to create a tool that would help companies better manage customer support directly from within their current mailbox.
Q: What are some of the projects you are working on right now?
I work full time on Kepeing.com
Q: What are your plans for the future, how do you plan to grow this company?
We expect to launch in November as a private beta and slowly open the doors to the public. We have over 1000 beta users on our lists. The idea is to polish Keeping.com before releasing and market our solution more broadly. You can register as a beta user at www.keeping.com
Q: How do you bring ideas to life?
I spend a lot of time in nature. Nature inspires me to create. Once I have the vision of what I want to create, I bring it to live by waking up early and I don’t procrastinate. I am lucky to work with a small team I trust and we have complimentary skills.
Q: What’s one trend that really excites you?
Bitcoins. I think it will become the currency of the Internet.
Q: How do you go about marketing your business, and what has been the most successful form of marketing for you?
GrowthHacking. I am sharing with anyone what we are doing to market Keeping.com at http://www.keeping.com/growth-hacking/
Q: What are the top 3 online tools and resources you’re currently using to grow your company?
Q: Please share some tips or advice for new start-ups on how to attract the press and get media attention.
Cold email targeted journalists that have written about your competitors and follow-up with them.
Q: What are three books you recommend entrepreneurs to read?
I actually recommend to read as many abstracts as possible. I love getabstract.com
Q: What is your favorite entrepreneurship quote?
“It always seems impossible until its done” – Nelson Mandela
Q: How can our community get in touch with you?
Feel free to email me Vincent@keeping,.com and connect with me on Twitter @vincentcassar
