Coconut Software a Saskatoon Success Story

By Kelly Wilson - Oct 25, 2016

Katherine Regnier, Founder and CEO of Coconut Software, sits down with Lisa Dutton from Saskatoon Global News to explain what the local tech company does, and offers up some advice for other tech start-ups just beginning their journey.

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Video Transcript:

Lisa Dutton:
Joined now by a real Saskatchewan success story, this is Katherine Regnier, CEO of Coconut Calendar. Thanks for coming in this morning.

Katherine Regnier:
Thanks for having me.

Lisa Dutton:
Tell us a bit about Coconut Calendar and the journey you’ve been on so far.

Katherine Regnier:
I would love to. So Coconut Calendar is a very sophisticated software company, and the best way I can explain that is you and all the viewers have had the experience of trying to book an appointment online with a corporation. Super frustrating. So what our software does is allow these corporations to be more approachable online, and give you the ability to make an appointment online. And then it’s really a win-win, because the business can optimize their salesforce to be better prepared when you come in the door.

Lisa Dutton:
And this really is a necessity nowadays. Right from — you know — the busy stay-at-home mom to the CEO of a company.

Katherine Regnier:
Absolutely, and what we’re realizing in the market is that a lot of people have focused on the in-person experience, but what about that experience all the way prior to that? And that’s really where we fit. And a lot of times that first connection is making that appointment and if it’s frustrating there’s already that emotion tied to the business. So why not just make it as easy as possible.

Lisa Dutton:
Now you’ve been travelling a lot and we last spoke to you via Skype I believe it was. You were in Silicon Valley for an elite mentorship program. What was that experience like for you?

Katherine Regnier:
It has been nothing less than adventure everyday — pedal-to-the-metal. It was very inspirational to see companies that have started like mine grow all the way to being a publicly traded company, to gentleman who told us about ringing the bell at NASDAQ. And so when you see that those things are possible and started by people just like you, I think it’s very inspirational. So we’ve really just been focusing on what’s the next step for the company, and how do we get there, and how do we get the right people on board, the right investors on board, to go ahead and get to that next step.

Lisa Dutton:
And your story I’m sure will resonate with a lot of our viewers. When you hear about tech startups they’re often from people from big cities you’re an example of success born and raised right here and grew up in Prudhoe how has your experience been different maybe more challenging

Katherine Regnier:
It’s interesting that you say that. I think, first off, there’s a lot of successful tech companies in Saskatchewan. We have companies like Zu, 7shifts, TinyEYE — you know, Vendasta. So we’re starting to get this successful tech culture here in Saskatchewan. But with that being said, technology has really given us the ability to expand into other places so we have some employees that work in Toronto, but overall — what are those different challenges? — Definitely we probably need a bigger travel budget to get to those different places. We’re just a smaller city, but we’re doing big things.

Lisa Dutton:
Before we go, I want to hear your advice for other tech entrepreneurs, and also, what’s next for Coconut?

Katherine Regnier:
Okay, so depending on where a tech entrepreneur would be, I consider this — my new thing is comparing it to an athlete. So you start going to the gym and you’re trying to figure things out… Get a coach! Get some coaches. I have such amazing coaches. They know exactly when to push me and they know exactly when to say ‘You know what? Good job Katherine. Don’t be too hard on yourself.’ Get a coach who’s been there and done that, and you’re going to exceed your expectations.

As for us, right now we’re currently we’re doing a whole repositioning in the market. We are meeting with Angel Investors right now. We are being very strategic of the people we want to bring on board. So that’s been a really good experience for us.

Lisa Dutton:
Anything else you’d like to add today before we go?

Katherine Regnier:
Well, thank you for having me, and also you don’t feel free to reach out to me if you’re looking at starting a company and you have some questions about the tech world. I’m on Twitter at @katRegnier.

Lisa Dutton:
And you can be one of those leaders that — you know — you can give advice to those people, and you give back after people have helped you, that’s awesome. Again it’s coconutcalendar.com — for more, definitely check it out.

Katherine Regnier, best of luck to you.

Katherine Regnier:
Thank you so much, Lisa.

Source: Global News

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