Ali Ahmadi, Navy Vet, is a good friend of our host, Josh Carter. A Queens, New York native was celebrating his Mom’s 50th birthday on September 9th, 2001 in the Top of the World restaurant on top of Tower Two. Of course, two days later was the attack and two days after that, Ali and his father joined the volunteer rescue teams to hunt for survivors. Two months later, Ali walked into the Navy recruiter’s office and signed up. His first memories from boot camp were the youth of all the other recruits, the diverse geographical backgrounds and above all else – the smell! He served with some great people and scored highest in his class, giving him 42 choices of assignments. He ended up in Maryland flying autonomous drones. It put him close to home, where he could visit his mother who had been recently diagnosed with a serious condition. He received his aerospace engineering degree while in the Navy and was offered an internship with NavAir in Orlando where he could stay close to his girlfriend. That move must have worked, because the former girlfriend is now the current spouse! Feeling he had hit a ceiling in his corporate growth, he was intrigued with entrepreneurship but had to get past the security of the corporate paycheck. Once past that, Ali flourished, becoming the president of the Entrepreneur’s Club at Washington University. He mentored and did some angel investing, including investing in a company that created a fitbit for dogs. After the acquisition of that company, he and a partner started another company and subsequently entered Patriot Bootcamp where our own Josh Carter became a mentor. Ali and his wife were caring or her mother in stage four cancer at their home. The stress was great and fellow boot camp attendee told Ali of research that was going on to develop IP to help caregivers cope with the stress of their job. That IP became the platform for TCare, a system to help family members care for their loved ones. TCare’s software helps the family member avoid burnout and helps keep the infirmed out of nursing homes. So they help prevent or delay the elderly going into nursing homes and help keep the family together. Ali Ahmadi’s current mission has certainly become his biggest. And for those trying to break the corporate leash, Ali asks you to consider that the cost of NOT seeking to do something greater with your life is much greater than that paycheck.
Veteran Founder Podcast with your hosts Josh Carter and Cynthia Kao
We record the Veteran Founder Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.
Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil
Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main
Website was designed by Cameron Grimes
Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster
Theme music: Artist: Tipsy Track: Kadonka Album: Buzzz Courtesy of Ipecac Records
10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes