Episode 22

022 Art Shaikh | Message To The Future: How Art Shaikh is Building Technology That Will Truly Change the World for the Better

Art Shaikh is the Founder and CEO of CircleIt, a generational platform that gives you the ability to send cards, media and gifts to your loved ones - for any future date - even long after you’re gone. Art is using twenty years of experience building teams and maintaining strategic relationships to impact the world. He’s created an amazing business over the last few years and has shown no signs of slowing down.

Today, Art speaks to how the technology behind CircleIt works, the impact mentors have had on his career, and why he believes his latest project, DigitalWill is going to be instrumental.

Episode Sponsor

Small Fish, Big Pond – https://smallfishbigpond.com/ Use the promo code ‘SaaSFuel’

Champion Leadership Group – https://championleadership.com/

Key Takeaways

01:11 – Jeff introduces today’s guest, Art Shaikh, who joins the show to share the unique origin story of CircleIt and his journey as an ‘accidental entrepreneur’

09:48 – A truly mission-driven company and how the technology behind CircleIt works

18:31 – The impact that travel has had on Art’s life

24:01 – Jeff takes a moment to thank one of today’s sponsors, Champion Leadership Group

24:32 – Art speaks to what the future holds for CircleIt and how he is ensuring CircleIt will remain relevant

28:37 – Art’s latest project, DigitalWill

33:00 – The role that mentors played in Art’s success and one piece of advice Art would give to fellow founders

36:32 – Jeff thanks Art for joining the show and lets listeners know where to learn more about CircleIt and DigitalWill

38:38 – Why Art believes DigitalWill.com will be so instrumental

43:17 – Jeff thanks Art once again for sharing his story

Tweetable Quotes

“What if I can solve this problem that everyone will have? Because when somebody who is terminally ill or passes, they have to rely on other people to do things on their behalf. And, I looked at it and I said, ‘Technology can do that better, and securely, and privately, and in a much smarter manner than traditionally passing out CD Roms and stuff like that.” (07:09) (Art)

“Our company’s core business is anything you want to be able to be delivered to your loved one now or in the future, this is the technology that you’re gonna trust.” (12:07) (Art)

“We have seen countries and islands that I had never heard of that have our technology. So, it’s kinda cool in that sense that just out of Chicago a company that started with a true passion to make a difference is gaining acceptance globally.” (17:38) (Art)

“Smart cards eliminate knowing the future date. You don’t have that concern. You give [your message] to us and it’s our promise to deliver. That evolution is so important because so many people want to do things in the future and the future is uncertain. So, you’ve got to be there for the wedding day in order to be there to deliver your message. We don’t ask for that. You tell us who’s getting married and that’s pretty much it. The responsibility is ours. The idea is peace of mind that a company will look after that and deliver.” (26:45) (Art)

“So we created a technology where you can do all your digital assets, your wishes, your important documents that you want to pass down - this is your birth certificate - all that type of stuff in one place.” (31:38) (Art)

“Advice I would tell [other SaaS founders] is trust your instinct, number one. It’s very important because people will give you a lot of ideas. Listen to the ideas, but do what your instinct tells you. In the end if that fails you, it’s ok. Failing is just the first attempt in learning.” (34:23) (Art)

“For whatever reason, psychologically we postpone as much as we can. And we’re trying to make this thing so easy that we say take the step now and continue to build on it. Don’t wait because most people are not lucky that they’ll get a text message saying ‘Hey, you’re gonna die now so prepare yourself.’” (40:55) (Art)