Episode 21 - Emotions in Focus: How a DevOps Engineer is Creating a Game-Changing App

The Boost

Introduction:

In this episode of The Boost, Leon sits down with Marco, a participant in the "Pitch It to Win It" competition at San Antonio Startup Week. Marco shares his concept for a mindset-tracking app, aimed at helping users improve emotional awareness and decision-making. Inspired by his journey as a parent and his professional background in IT, Marco's app idea offers real-time emotional check-ins that help users connect their emotional state with their actions, reflecting on how feelings impact daily choices.
Hosts:

Pablo Calvo: Linkedin

Leon Hitchens: Linkedin & X

Guest:

Marco Antonio Cervantes

Find Us:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBoostChannel

Website: https://theboost.fm
Episode Highlights:

1. Introduction to Marco’s Concept:
   • Marco shares his idea for an app designed to track, analyze, and reflect on users' emotions to help them make better decisions and improve mental well-being. By simulating daily scenarios and linking emotions to decisions, the app provides insight into behavioral patterns without giving specific advice—allowing users to self-reflect.
2. Origins of the Idea:
   • Marco discusses the inspiration behind the app, including his experiences in parenting, psychology, and managing work relationships. His goal is to create a tool that could be beneficial not only for individuals but also for therapists, coaches, and even businesses.
3. Navigating Emotional Complexity:
   • Emphasizing that people experience more than one emotion at a time, Marco explains how the app could allow users to select and analyze multiple emotions for a comprehensive view of their mental state. The idea draws on principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and emotional intelligence frameworks.
4. Potential for Broader Impact:
   • Leon and Marco discuss potential applications, from individual self-reflection to a B2B model where companies could integrate the tool for employee mental health tracking. The conversation touches on challenges and ideas for monetization, such as a freemium model and potential HIPAA considerations.
5. Building the Foundation:
   • Marco is just getting started, but he's excited about the learning process. Leon offers insights on using San Antonio’s tech community resources to build a prototype, collect feedback, and potentially scale the concept.
6. San Antonio Startup Week Experience:
   • Marco reflects on his experiences at Startup Week, attending insightful sessions, networking, and being inspired by other Latino entrepreneurs.

Key Takeaways:

1. Emotional awareness and tracking can be as essential as physical health tracking.
2. The mental health app concept offers a powerful tool for self-reflection, family dynamics, workplace morale, and professional therapy support.
3. San Antonio’s startup scene is a thriving community where innovative ideas can take root and grow.

Summary:

In this episode, Marco dives deep into his vision of an app that captures and analyzes emotions to improve decision-making, both at work and in personal life. Inspired by his journey as a parent and his studies in psychology, Marco aims to build a tool that enhances emotional awareness