# 17 - Peaking with Terry James! Connecting Through Pets: The Offleashed Journey

In this episode of the Peaking Podcast, Bryan Mikolaitis interviews Terry James, CEO of Offleashed, a social app designed to connect pet lovers. Terry shares his journey from finance to the pet industry, emphasizing the importance of pets in building community and connection. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to technology, the role of AI in enhancing user experience, and the growth of the Offleashed community. The conversation highlights the significance of real-life interactions and the future roadmap for Offleashed, inviting listeners to join the mission.

Takeaways

Terry James is the CEO and co-founder of Offleashed.Offleashed connects pet lovers through a social app.Pets play a crucial role in community building.Terry's background includes finance and real estate.The pandemic highlighted the need for connection through pets.Building a trustworthy team is essential for success.Technology and AI are vital for enhancing user experience.Community events foster real-life connections among pet owners.Offleashed is expanding to more cities across the U.S.The app aims to support all types of pet parents.

Sound Bites

"Technology helps us impact more lives.""AI is essential for better matchmaking.""Community events are our special sauce."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Offleashed and Terry James
01:30 Terry's Journey to the Pet Industry
04:29 The Impact of Pets on Community and Connection
07:06 Building a Strong Team for Offleashed
10:34 Lessons Learned in the Tech Space
13:50 Leveraging AI for Better Connections
18:37 Community Growth and User Engagement
23:46 Event Coordination and Community Building
26:35 Future Roadmap and Capital Raising
31:21 How to Join the Offleashed Community