Founder Story:
 

Joshua Anderson
CEO & Co-Founder, Cantaloupe AI

Transforming the Service Industry: An Interview with Cantaloupe Co-founder Joshua Anderson

In the service industry, hiring and finding employment have mostly stayed the same, from paper applications to on-the-spot hiring, which can often lead to poor matches for the job seeker and employer. Innovative new technologies may be the key to matching the right employees with the right employers, eliminating costly turnover for restaurant employers, and improving employee job satisfaction. Cantaloupe, a startup aiming to transform the industry's employment landscape, is a prime example of such innovation.

Recently, Cantaloupe was awarded $10,000 and the third-place prize in the Tulane Innovation Institute $50K Demo Day, part of New Orleans Entrepreneur Week’s Third Coast Venture Summit.

One of Cantaloupe's co-founders, Joshua Anderson, shared insights into the company's journey and the industry its reshaping.

Q: What makes Cantaloupe different from other resources in the service industry employment sector?

A: "If you are looking for a job, we make it super easy because instead of having to go through the hassle of creating a resume, you simply make a profile, and then you can view details of other jobs very easily, just like you would on a dating app. You can view everything that you need on the app. Instead of having to go through hundreds of different processes or do arcane sorts of procedures and fill out a bunch of forms, you just swipe right on the ones you like, chat with the owners, or chat with the hiring manager."

Q: How has the Tulane Innovation Institute helped Cantaloupe with its startup?

A: "So we enjoyed the process of getting ready for Demo Day. We got a lot of value out of having to make a pitch deck, and that pushed us up to a new level. From meeting the other competitors and forming some relationships with them, what set the experience apart was the relationship with the mentor that Tulane assigned us. The advice that we've gotten from him and just the relationships we formed over the course of this competition will permanently change the trajectory of our business."

Q: What was your "ah-ha" moment that Cantaloupe was needed?

A: Rich was a barista, and I spent a lot of time in coffee shops and around with friends in the service industry. You just see businesses repeatedly struggling to find the right staff."

Q: What advice would you offer a university student on starting their entrepreneurial venture?

A: "Do it. Be ready to make a lot of mistakes. Some of them are going to hurt. Try to learn from other people's mistakes as much as possible, or you'll make them yourself. I think if I had to give one high-level piece of advice for trying to avoid as many of those as possible, it is to reiterate quickly. And you want to know as soon as possible when you're wrong. You want to test small concepts rather than trying to take a year to build something perfect. Take a week, launch something to solve so many problems, and then figure out the details from there."

Q: What advice would you give a university student considering employment in the service industry?

A: "So many people end up having turnover within service [and] hospitality, which is why we're doing this. And what that means for someone looking for a good job is that it's easy to end up in a position where you're not necessarily a good fit with the business for whatever reason. So, take your time. Please get to know the people running the business and ensure it's a good fit for your personality and skill set. And download Cantaloupe when it's launching in late spring, and we'll help you along that journey."

Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in New Orleans?

A: "Oh, that's a hard one. Lately, I've really loved Mint, a great Vietnamese spot. Nomiya is a delicious ramen shop. It's an amazing hospitality city, and that's part of why we're proud to be headquartered in New Orleans."

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Focusing on user experience and industry needs, Cantaloupe is poised to reshape how businesses and employees connect in the service industry. Download the app when they launch in late Spring to try it.