30 Apr From Childhood to entrepreneurship – TOm Noam Garber
Posted at 17:00h
in Inside the incubator
As our current cohort nears the end of the program, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on the brilliant minds behind our startups. Meet the founders who are driving innovation and shaping the future!
Every Thursday this month, we take a journey with them as they reflect on their childhood, share insights into their entrepreneurial journey, and reveal how they began dreaming big to make a difference in the world. Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram to read it first.
This week, we are thrilled to introduce you to Tom Noam Garber, one of the visionary founders behind Hope for Men.
Never did I imagine that one day I would become the founder of a tech company. My personal experiences as a survivor have heightened my sensitivity to the needs of others and fueled my desire to help them.
Tom shares the personal and professional experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial path. Discover how his passion for positive change led him to co-found Hope for Men, an organization dedicated to supporting male survivors of sexual trauma worldwide.
Looking back from where you are now to where you started, what advice would you give to your younger self?
I would remind myself that progress takes time. While there’s often pressure to move quickly and get instant answers, the reality is different. It’s essential to invest energy into making things happen, but the results may take longer to materialize. Flexibility is also key; maintaining your north star helps guide your product’s direction, but there are multiple paths to reach your goal. It’s crucial to find the approach that suits you best and to remain open to learning along the way. Moreover, feedback holds significant value, especially when you lack the experience needed to launch a new product. However, not all feedback is equally relevant. It’s essential to discern what aligns with your vision. Keeping your north star in sight allows you to filter feedback effectively. Yet, engaging in conversations with seasoned professionals can offer invaluable insights, helping you avoid repeating their mistakes. In essence, trust your instincts, but remain receptive to input from others, all while keeping your north star guiding your journey.
One piece of advice I can offer newcomers to the incubator is to actively collaborate with other teams. You never know what insights they may offer, or what you can contribute in return.
What’s one lesson from your time in the incubator that you wish you knew when you started?
I don’t have any specific lessons I wish I had known before starting. The goal of the incubator is to nurture your idea and seize the opportunity to absorb as much knowledge as possible.
One piece of advice I can offer newcomers to the incubator is to actively collaborate with other teams. You never know what insights they may offer, or what you can contribute in return.
Additionally, I would recommend utilizing the coaches and mentors provided. You have access to them for the next nine months, so it’s essential to make the most of it. This not only accelerates your development but also fosters lasting relationships with professionals. Keep in mind that the startup ecosystem is relatively small, and networking is vital as people within the industry tend to know one another. Lastly, remember to stay true to yourself.
There’s no one quite like you, and it’s essential not to lose sight of that.
How has your journey from childhood to the Vision Health Pioneers Incubator shaped you as an entrepreneur?
My journey from childhood to the Vision Health Pioneers Incubator has profoundly shaped me as an entrepreneur. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I always felt like I lost the person I was before it happened. Never did I imagine that one day I would become the founder of a tech company. My personal experiences as a survivor have heightened my sensitivity to the needs of others and fueled my desire to help them.
My mother’s encouragement to address injustice and provide support has deeply influenced my values, fostering a strong sense of empathy and a commitment to making a positive impact.
Before venturing into the tech industry, I pursued a career in filmmaking, primarily as a screenwriter but also as a director and producer. This professional background has equipped me with valuable skills that have proven instrumental in my entrepreneurial journey. Producing low-budget films taught me to be adaptable and resourceful, skills that are essential for navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.Furthermore, my experience as a screenwriter has taught me the art of storytelling.
I understand the importance of crafting compelling narratives to convey ideas and inspire others to join my mission. Effective storytelling allows me to communicate my vision in a way that resonates with people’s imaginations, fostering support for my endeavors.
Overall, my journey has uniquely prepared me for the demands of entrepreneurship, providing me with a blend of empathy, creativity, and strategic thinking that drives my success in the field.
Where is Hope for men now and what are the next steps?
We launched our MVP a month ago to gain traction, showcase to investors, and start helping men in need. Additionally, it serves as a platform for us to learn and develop a better platform for them. Therapists and survivors share their feedback with us, which helps us to improve our product offering.We already have therapists working with us, offering resources to male survivors and their loved ones.
Additionally, we’ve initiated monthly webinars for therapists currently working with or interested in working with male survivors. These webinars serve as a platform for therapists to enhance their skills and grow professionally.
Currently, we only provide a means to connect with a therapist, but our next step at Hope for Men is to offer therapy sessions directly on our platform so we could also start generating revenue.
By the end of August, we plan to launch these online sessions. When we launch our online sessions, we will also introduce paid packages for therapists to gain access to extra features on our platform, including group supervisions, training programs, and community access to a large therapist community.
Thus far, we’ve been operating solely with volunteers, but our aim is to secure funding to start compensating professionals, accelerating our growth. Stay tuned for inspiring stories that showcase the power of perseverance, creativity, and passion. Let’s celebrate entrepreneurship and the incredible individuals driving positive change!
Follow Tom’s journey on LinkedIn and on hopeformen.org