Katherine Olives
With Demo Day coming soon, wed like to introduce you to some of our startups competing for seed funding totaling $150,000. Like many of our startups, CakeWLK is using modern technology to solve a societal issue. Theyre creating a digital version of the buddy system–an app that connects college students who feel unsafe during their commute to school, or their walk from class to the dorms.
I sat down with two members of the team to talk about how they came up with this idea, and what drives their passion for advocating for safety. CakeWLK is made up of Ashia Nagi, a junior studying applied mathematics at CCNY, Saad Ahmed, a sophomore computer science major at CCNY; and CUNY students EstefanÃa Barrón, computer science; and Frances Shnaidman, computer science and journalism. This is how they got started:
Ashia Nagi: The funny story is that we met at Technica (an all women hackathon). Most people go to it with a team, but I ended up going alone. I was really close to not going, but something told me to try it anyway. I met EstefanÃa and Francis, and they proposed CakeWLK. I thought the problem behind it was so cool–we all feel unsafe sometimes, and to help think about a way to solve feeling unsafe as a college student. We met, and now were here. Even though we didnt win the hackathon, I told them about the Zahn Centers competition. We stayed up for two days, but it was all because we realized this is something that I want to pursue.
EstefanÃa Barrón: That hackathon was my first experience with computer science. It was super intimidating. But I had the idea for the app for awhile. I thought, what if you could find a walking buddy for your commute home? I pitched it to Francis, and then we met Ashia and it was cool to meet people that were just as passionate about it.
Katherine Olives: I mean its definitely a huge problem–I hardly ever feel safe when I walk alone. Its incredible that youre trying to tackle this issue.
AN: Theres this constant trend of people getting harassed alone and not being able to report it to school–often theres no evidence. With CakeWLK, theres proof they were walking a certain route, theres a certain record of what happened. It could be potentially helpful in situations like this. We dont want anyone to live in fear while theyre getting an education. You wouldnt believe what we found in our research–in some cases, there are more instances of crime within a campus than in the community that surrounds it. Data like that puts everything we do into perspective.
EB: I grew up in the most dangerous city in Mexico–its a place where women disappear all the time. I was not allowed to walk home from school alone (even though I only lived about two blocks away). I usually had to wait for my male cousins to pick me up and walk me home. I remember that when I was younger there was a seven year old girl who went missing and was found brutally murdered. It turns out she walked the three blocks home from school at 4pm–in broad daylight–and was never seen alive ever again. When I came here, I thought things would be different. But I often dont feel any safer in the US, a first world country. I thought to myself, if I dont do anything about this, no one else will.
KO: Wow. I don't even know what to say. You're helping so many people. Are the customers you interviewed excited?
AN: The craziest thing is that students are excited for this app. Were getting so much support. At our tabling events, students will stick around and talk about the experiences theyve had. Its inspiring.
KO: Does that keep you going?
AN: Absolutely. We get really stressed, but its the feedback from students and colleges that keeps us going. Its almost like were not in this alone. Its been so amazing. I cant describe how good that feels.
EB: I love when I get validation from people who arent students, or students who dont go to CCNY. People want to help, theyre always like let me find people for you. Its so empowering. People want it, and theyre helping us to make CakeWLK a reality.
AN: We had one meeting with a Chancellor and he connected us to someone from Duke University–everyone has been very helpful so far.
KO: It sounds like youre getting so many positive reactions! Thats so great. But there must be some challenges. Tell me about that.
AN: Its been challenging working with friends. Its hard to let people down, to give harsh criticism, because it always seems a bit personal. Plus, while a lot of the interactions weve had are positive, some of them are not. Weve had experiences working with individuals who arent as passionate as we are. I feel like when a person isnt passionate, it drags down the whole team. It creates negative energy–it makes everything harder to accomplish. Thats a hard lesson I had to learn. You might work with really talented people, but if they dont care about the problem, chances are they wont apply creativity to their work.
EB: Theres a lot of technical issues that were going through right now. My desire and ideas are bigger than my skills, so its really frustrating. I often think, I want to add this feature, but can I actually make it happen? When that happens I just say yes I want to make this happen and I will, but Im going to need a little bit of time. I cant always deliver immediately, but Ill figure it out. Fake it till you make it, right. Ive been living that motto!
AN: Hahaha exactly! Were learning as we go. Youtube is our best friend. But honestly, it shows the passion for this problem. I honestly think that we think intelligently, we figure out ways to get around obstacles, and we work with the skills we have now. And honestly, a practical education is the best way to learn coding.
KO: Thats really great advice. Many students or other young people dont think that they have the skills to become an entrepreneur. But a lot of it is a learning experience. Do you have any other advice for students?
AN: Yes! Im always giving people advice haha. Im doing things on my own, no one is guiding me, so I like to share what I learn.
KO: Give us your advice, Ashia!
AN: Okay so there are two things. In the tech realm Ive received so much backlash from my community and teachers. So many people think that your current skill set is a determining factor. Skills can be acquired. If someone is saying, Oh Im bad at Math, I shouldnt do this, thats ridiculous. Why are you in college? TO LEARN. Are you passionate about Math? That passion will see you through.
EB: My biggest piece of advice: there is a place for you. I feel like in computer science or engineering, its easy to think that you have to look a certain way or be a certain way to have a place in the classroom. There is a space for you and you deserve it as much as anyone else. More advice: remember that youre growing. Dont be someone that youre not. Skills without passion are meaningless. You cant teach someone how to feel something, its there or its not. Whatever skill you have, its going to be meaningless. Do it with your heart, do it because you feel it.
AN: I know a lot of people wont listen to us–I dont really listen to advice either because often its so abstract. You just have to experience it. We all cried a little, we drank 25 coffees in one day, we did whatever we had to do to not give up. Im not gonna give up, and neither should any of you.
KO: You here that, City College? Will you be sharing more advice at Demo Day, or just your MVP?
AN: I want people to sign up for our web app at Demo Day! If youre a college student whos excited about this idea, take part in the beta test. You can be part of the creation of CakeWLK. Besides that, were open to all feedback. Let us know what you think!
Share your thoughts with CakeWLK & sign up on their website. Youll see them at Demo Day!