Do you have a cell phone? Have you ever used an app that could high-five a friend a thousand miles away? Throw ninja stars, blow bubbles and even breathe fire...Sound Interesting?
Ever wonder how these ideas get started? Our students had the opportunity to learn a little about what it takes. At a recent TRETC Technology conference, where she was presenting, Mrs. Rachelle Poth met John Feghali, owner of the Pittsburgh start-up company, Walking Thumbs and the social messaging app Blabcake. They arranged for him to come to Riverview and speak to a group of approximately 60 students from Mrs. Poth's Spanish classes, Ms. Gardy’s Raidervision, Mr. Mizener’s graphics class, and Mrs. Huselton’s Publishing class.
John spoke to the students about his various experiences traveling, learning to speak 7 languages and his range of employment experience including many years working for IBM, which led to his creation of this company. During his presentation he showed the students how his company comes up with an idea, creates the animations and gave an overview of how a start-up works. The students had the opportunity to test out his new app while he explained to them how it worked. He also conveyed important messages to the students about the time involved in creating something, that quite often failure happens, and that it takes hard work to achieve things in life. John did a great job engaging the students and even stayed after to work individually with some students, share information, answer questions and came loaded with stickers and really cool pens for everyone. He even spoke with students about possible internship opportunities with his company.
John has done presentations at Pitt on other topics related to his start-up company including the graphics, animation, advertising, financial aspects and marketing. Mrs. Poth connected him with Mrs. Patsy Kvortek and Mrs. Dena Huselton to return next week to speak to students in entrepreneurship, graphics, computer design, science, and sports and entertainment.
He was very appreciative of the opportunity, was very complimentary of our students, and looks forward to returning soon! Visit his website at http://www.walkingthumbs.com/home.