Sabio alumni Emiliano & Memo look to a promising future with their new company
It takes courage to dream of a future, and it takes strength to make your dream a reality, Sabio Alumni Emiliano & Memo have found both and started their own company FutureWork.
Both from humble beginnings in Los Angeles, they were looking for an enticing and lucrative career to get into, leading them to Sabio.
E: When I was about 17 years old, I had this bright idea for an app. I started educating myself on web development, and the more I got into it, the more I realized that there was a lot to learn which lead me to Sabio.
M: I have a background in technology, I used to work in IT when I was younger and always had a passion for it. I always knew that technology was ‘cool,’ but also that the best thing that people are doing is creating using code. So I thought to myself, why not use this passion through coding to start creating something new or make something better that has been created.
When it came time for choosing a bootcamp, both men lacked funding but found tremendous support in their community.
E: Memo and I are members of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), an organization that advocates for fair and just social justice policies for people coming out of incarceration. ARC collaborated with the Youth Policy Institute (YPI) and Sabio to make this educational opportunity possible. Had it not been for these two organizations it would have been very difficult to fund such an amazing experience.
Once they got to Sabio, the skies opened up for both in terms of possibilities
E: Every day at Sabio was a dream come true. It provided a very comforting vibe where people are constantly sharing ideas and insights.
M: Our cohort was intense in a great way. We were working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week, so it was definitely a challenge. But we had good fellow cohort members and we just helped each other out. We built each other up and learned a lot from each other.”
E: We all had similar goals. The hours were pretty tough, and you had to stay focused and keep learning. But we were able to move forward together, understand where we’re at and now take anything personally. That was a great thing, being around people that are understanding and experiencing that we were going through it together.
Both recalled, however, that they couldn’t have done it without the instructors.
M: The instructors were really seasoned and they really cared. That’s the feeling I got from the instructors, that they cared and they wanted to see us learn these skills and succeed.
E: We had one of the best ones, his name is Dan Farino and he was amazing. He could teach anybody on whatever level of technical education. He made everything possible to understand and gave great examples. I was really satisfied with our instructors and with the TA’s that were helping them out.
Now that they’ve graduated from Sabio, Memo and Emiliano have taken what they learned to the next level by starting their company FutureWork, which officially launched this past August 1st in Los Angeles.
E: FutureWork provides web and app development service for anyone desiring a web presence. At the moment we are providing editing services for organizations who already have a web presence, but are excited to develop a site from beginning to end.
M: We wanted to make our own company so we can hire people coming out from places like Sabio that have a passion to work but can’t get the opportunity in other places. That’s our main focus, working with young, inspiring and hungry entrepreneurs like ourselves.
E: Right now we’re in the start-up phase for our business. We have a group of clients and organizations that help people in communities.
M: We’re constantly networking and connecting with potential clients, or working on projects with our team. Like Emiliano mentioned, we are working with multiple organizations, so the work has been plentiful.
As they get going, both entrepreneurs look back on their time at Sabio with fondness and gratitude.
M: Sabio helped prepare us for FutureWork by pushing us through those long hours, getting into the grinding and grinding. Also being innovative and creative. A lot of time during the Sabio cohort, you had to figure things out on your own, which is part of growing and learning as well. I think all that just fueled the fire into us being able to develop our own company.
E: Sabio requires discipline and a good work ethic, and if you don’t have either…you will after Sabio. That work ethic and the skills Sabio provides have proven to be essential in this industry. Also, collaborating with the cohort and developing teamwork skills is important for survival in the tech industry.
And what’s the future for FutureWork? Emiliano and Memo can’t wait to make their goals happen.
M: One of our goals is to provide the best web and mobile development service that fulfills the needs of our clients and their market. Another is of course to grow the company, but also reach a certain demographic in the community that we can help. Right now we’re working with a lot of non-profits and that’s the type of people we want to work with. People who are making a positive social impact. Also, people like ourselves who are just coming out of cohort or trying to get a career in tech. We want to create a path for them to have that opportunity to work on some projects, build their own portfolios and have something to show the world.
For those interested in coding, both men have advice for you.
M: Be prepared to make sacrifices and do was it takes, because it takes a lot.
E: I would say dedicate yourself to code. It is a rewarding skill. The time and effort you put into coding will be what you get from coding. But definitely take the chance and pursue it.
M: I’d also like to add a huge thank you to Sabio. Sabio is definitely an amazing program with amazing people. And FutureWork is looking toward an exciting future.
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Written by Sassy Mohen
