In our latest Kickstart a Kickstarter feature, we highlight Chicago-based Lystr. The startup wants to make grocery shopping a breeze with their smart IoT kitchen device and connected app. As a list-maker who has a million lists on my iPhone and pieces of paper strewn in my handbag, this device and app makes the compulsive organizer in me so happy. With Lystr, keeping track of what you need at the store is easy as a swipe.
Lystr was founded by Kara Scanlin. The goal behind the company is to take the hassle out of grocery shopping. Kara explains, “When you’re low on olive oil, swipe the barcode past Lystr or say, ‘Hey Lystr, add olive oil’ and it’s automatically added to a grocery list on your Lystr smartphone app. Use your list to shop at the store, share it with a household member, or email it off for help with your shopping.” The sleek device lives discreetly in your kitchen and is connected to a feature-rich smartphone app.
When you look at the apps and devices available on the market, Scanlin mentions the need and opportunity for an independent (retailer-agnostic) platform for a household to manage their groceries and home consumables. “Consumers shop at an average of 5.4 different types of stores for groceries, and when you look at Millennials that number jumps to 5.9 - they want to get what they want, when they want it, where they want it.” Lystr has a goal to be that independent, retailer-agnostic platform for consumers to manage their groceries and other home consumables. They recently launched their Kickstarter and you can take a look at how you can support Lystr here or pre-order the device: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/13695058/824056556?ref=328696&token=e28436f6
We wanted learn more about Lystr, Kara and her journey into entrepreneurship so she took some time to answer some questions for us. Keep reading for the full interview.
1. Can you please tell us a bit about yourself, your background and what led you to pursue launching your company?
Before committing to Lystr full time in March 2016, I had been working in the financial services and insurance industries for seven years. I got started with Lystr while pursing my MBA from University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. I was working full time and getting my MBA at night. I was busy. I never intended to become an entrepreneur. In fact, my concentrations at University of Chicago were Economics, Finance, and Econometrics. I didn’t get into entrepreneurship until the very end of my MBA.
2. Can you tell us more about how the idea for the Lystr App came about? Was there just a spark of inspiration or did you experience something that led you to pursue building on this idea?
Lystr was born out of a need I had myself. As I mentioned above, I was busy. I also like to be organized and couldn’t find a solution for managing my groceries that worked for me. I had pieces of scrap paper with notes written down of items I needed, or I would text or email myself a reminder of what I needed. I tried to use a grocery list app but nothing really stuck. I was looking for a quick easy solution. One day I was getting ready for work and ran out the door in a rush. I had left a box of oatmeal on the counter as a reminder that I needed to get more at the store. I was in such a rush though so I didn’t write it down. Later that night, I got home from a long day of work and school with my groceries. Everything was in that grocery bag besides the darn oatmeal that I needed. I saw the box sitting on the counter staring back at me and felt frustrated. Then I saw a cabinet behind it and thought to myself, what if there was just something stuck here on the side of my cabinet or on my wall that could scan these things for me and add them to a list so I could throw it away and know that it was on a grocery list for me.
3. Can you share more about your launch and development and what the process was like going from concept to the final app.
Building a hardware product is very hard, let alone the back-end server and connected app. After getting a taste of entrepreneurship in 2015 while in business school, I knew I wanted to eventually pursue Lystr full time. I had some obligations to my employer at the time though, so it wasn’t until March of 2016 that I committed to Lystr full time. I fumbled for a few months trying to figure out as much as I could on my own. I had a strong technical advisor that helped out, and I picked up Electronics 101 and took coding classes on Coursera. I got to the point where I had a fully-functional prototype in a shoebox on my own. At that point though, I knew I needed a community of more talented engineers to help go from proof of concept prototype to something we could begin testing in customers’ homes. I was fortunate to come across a community of other entrepreneurs building physical products in the technology space at mHUB Chicago. For the first few months, I felt like the blond chick who came in with a prototype in a shoebox, but it didn’t take me too long to gain respect from the community and start to build relationships with engineers who would ultimately supply the expertise needed to get Lystr to a go-to-market prototype. It has been such an iterative process. Our first prototype was done late in 2016 and we’ve iterated on that a few times now, based off design changes and consumer feedback. We’ve gotten to a point where we’re confident in the technology though, and that feels great
4. What are your goals for your app in the next 2-5 years? How do you hope to be making an impact or what kind of growth are you looking forward to? Do you plan on releasing additional apps?
In the next 2-5 years, I’d love for Lystr to be every consumer’s primary tool to manage their home inventory. Consumers shop at an average of 5.4 different types of stores for groceries, and when you look at Millennials that number is 5.9 – they want what they want, when they want it, where they want it. There’s definitely need for an independent platform to help consumers manage what they need. It’s the technological solution to that outdated pen and paper grocery list. When we researched why so many people still use pen and paper we found that it’s because that’s just easier then getting out your phone and writing it down. So, people either try to remember what they need or resort back to pen and paper. Lystr remembers for you, so you can focus on more important things. It’s also a great way for parents to get kids involved with helping to manage the groceries. And for families that split the household responsibilities, Lystr is a great way to keep track of and communicate among household members what’s needed.
5. Are there people, mentors or figures that have made an impact in your life and career? If so, how?
I can’t say enough about the communities we have here in Chicago to support entrepreneurs. We’ve gotten mentorship and support from the Polsky Center down in Hyde Park, 1871 out of the Merchandise Mart, and last but not lease mHUB Chicago in River West.
6. Can you share some insight to the realities of running a tech company and launching a start up?
Twillio was a startup back in 2007 – now they’re a public company worth almost $3B. But in the early days they had a saying, “Draw the Owl”. It goes something like this. Jim says to John, “Hey John, how do you draw an owl?” John responds, “You draw two circles and then draw the rest of the owl.” In other words, “you figure it out”. That’s what startup life is like, in my opinion. You figure s#*^ out. I always say every day I wake up and have to solve a new puzzle, and every puzzle is in a new language, and I don’t know the language. First I have to learn the language (the framework for solving the problem), and then I need to solve the puzzle
7. Can you share more about how you are looking to innovate when it comes to this industry?
It’s no secret that the groceries and home consumables market is being revolutionized by online shopping and delivery. From ecommerce platforms like Instacart’s growing customer base to Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods. Retailers need to innovate to keep up with the changing demands from their customers – for customer retention and engagement. Lystr aims to play a pivotal role in that relationship between retailers and their customers. We’re operating at the intersection of technology, ecommerce, and grocery – which is very exciting right now.
8. Did you face any obstacles on this journey, if so – what and how did you overcome?
Every day I face a new obstacle. I just keep moving. I work harder. I can’t let it get to me, I don’t have time to. I ask for help if needed, and I figure out how to overcome it quickly.
9. What has been your greatest success or proudest moment to date?
I’ve achieved a lot with Lystr. But when I reflect back on my life I have to say my greatest personal successes so far have been in athletics – I was awarded the MVP award for UVa’s Track team in 2007 and I earned Division I All-American honors in Cross Country in 2006. I had been pouring my heart into running competitively for 12 years at that point. I am proud of my achievements with Lystr but 2 years seems like a drop in the bucket still.
10. What kind of advice would you give to someone looking to launch and develop their own app?
If you’re going to develop a physical product, I’d suggest making sure you have the right team in place and surround yourself with mentors and a strong support network that can help.
11. Finally, where can we learn more about your brand online?
@heylystr on Twitter and IG
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