This content was created by Pete Alexander. This content was uploaded by Pete Alexander. This is a podcast episode titled "Episode 179: Winning at Business and Life with Priya Amin" (PODCAST) published 2020-11-12. It features an interview-style conversation between host Professor Pete Alexander and guest Priya Amin, co-founder and CEO of Flexible. The discussion covers Flexible's virtual childcare service, how COVID-19 highlighted childcare as an economic issue, authenticity in leadership while working from home, entrepreneurship during the pandemic, and Priya's early job and contact information (flexiblecare.com).
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This is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast, where business leaders share their insights. It is 6 questions in 7 minutes because successful business leaders are busy and rarely have more time to spare. So let's get to it. Question number 1: In a few sentences, please tell me who you are and what you do.
Hi, my name is Priya Amin. I am co-founder and CEO of a startup called Flexible. Flexible has been on a mission since we launched in 2016 to create innovative childcare solutions to help life and work fit together. And since COVID that's been even more important because we're all working remotely and our kids are learning remotely. And so what we do is we partner with organizations to bring virtual childcare to working parent employees so they can stay productive and they can stay happy and their kids can be engaged and entertained in 30 to 60 minute blocks by vetted, background-checked caregivers. And what this does again is it allows working parents to get valuable time back so they can get more work done, get dinner on the table, or just be the best person they can be right now in this very, very difficult time we're in.
Priya, it's so great to have you on the show, and I absolutely love what you do as a, as a parent of kids that were very small, and I wish we had your service back when, when I needed it. Question number 2: What's the best thing about working in your industry?
You know, it's interesting. As a mom myself, I have a 10 and a 6-year-old, you know, I think what's important is the evolution that we've been seeing in the childcare industry in general. Obviously COVID just unearthed the, the fact that childcare is actually an economic foundational issue, if you will. It's not an individual parent issue. And it's interesting to see that evolution, but to more importantly, see the fact that both the public and the private sector are trying to come together to figure out a way forward and to try and understand how to better support working families, because that in turn helps drive economic growth. So it's interesting that for the first time in like 60 years, childcare is a part of the national conversation. And to be in a startup where we can also be a part of that conversation is really empowering. But solutions need to be made. And that's where we're hoping to continue partnering with, with companies.
That's great, and I can feel the energy and passion in your voice. It's so wonderful. Question number 3: I have a fictitious book with all the answers for business. What chapter would you think most companies should read?
Uh, they can read whatever chapter they want because it's got all the answers, right? Right. I mean, I think, uh, there's no one answer to, to running a business or being a successful business person.
I agree with you. So I would say just read the chapters that you need most, right?
Right, exactly. That's right.
Question number 4: Other than the generic work harder, have a great attitude, and care for customers, what advice or insight would you give to other business leaders?
You know, I think authenticity is one of the most important things. You know, you're on a journey yourself as well, but you're trying to lead a team in the same direction with the same vision. But leading with authenticity, I think, is such an important thing. We are seeing more and more of that now because we're all working from home and you get to see each other's homes and you get to kind of see and peek behind the curtain. And I think that allows for people to be more authentic and lead more authentically. So that's my biggest piece of advice.
I agree. And it's interesting that you say, yeah, with the working from home, how many times— I'm sure you've been as well as I have— where you're on a Zoom call and all of a sudden the child walks in or the dog walks in or a pet walks in or the doorbell rings or whatever it happens to be.
Exactly.
It's, it's what we're all dealing with. So it's, uh, you know, and I think that, that in my opinion, it breaks down some, uh, barriers. Would you agree?
Absolutely, I agree. I mean, it just reinforces the fact that we're all human, right? And that we all are dealing with this in a different way, but in our own unique way.
Absolutely. Question number 5: What other business leader like yourself would you like to acknowledge and invite to be on my podcast?
Wow, I mean, I don't know if there's anyone. I would just really like to again acknowledge all the business leaders that pivoted during COVID and are continuing to move forward. I mean, kudos to you. This is a really, really hard time to be an entrepreneur. But I would also say that there's folks that are thinking about entrepreneurship. This is a great time to do it because there's solutions and innovations that are needed to kind of deal with the rapidly changing new normal. But I'll get back to you on other guests, though. I'll think on that.
All right, perfect. And our final question, question number 6, please tell me about your first job.
My first job was I was an office admin at a dentist's office. I was 14 years old. It was a very part-time voluntary thing. And I hated it because I was really bad at answering phones and being organized. But it taught me that, you know, I had a lot to learn, but I also really liked being around people. And so I just kept cultivating that and thinking about what I wanted to do as I continued to grow in my professional career.
Great story. And I love the fact that you realized that you like being around people. And with what you're doing now with Flexibel, I mean, it's just you're helping people get there, get, you know, be able to manage their lives and hopefully reduce some of their stress. So, you know, kudos to you for starting off in the dentist's office and where you are right now.
Thank you, I appreciate it.
And Priya, thank you so much for being on the show. How can people find you?
Yeah, they can reach us at flexiblecare.com. That's flexiblecare.com. On Twitter, on Facebook, on LinkedIn, and on Republic as well. Um, and they can of course email us or tweet at us. We'd love to hear from you.
Perfect. This is Professor Pete Alexander with the Winning at Business and Life podcast. Thanks for listening.
