Today, we have the pleasure of interviewing Amin Hasani, Entrepreneur and Founder of 3 startups in New York: Blue Heart Hero, CURVD, and Hexidome.
Please tell us something about yourself.
I am an immigrant entrepreneur, came to NYC in 2015 from Iran all by myself. I did not know anyone at first, spent 2 weeks homeless in NYC, and found my way up. I became the lead product designer at Parabit, designing products for major banks and airports in the U.S. – Chase, Bofa, La Guardia airport, McCarran airport, Rolls Royce, Boeing, etc.
How did you get into what you do right now? Please tell us more about your journey.
I was 14 when I designed a wheelchair for high-school kids with lower limb issues to benefit from an average school without needing to join schools for special kids. At that age, I knew I want to do product design and development. At 16, I designed a concept for generators. I received college scholarships, which my parents rejected me to go to college at an early age.
I loved learning about engineering, CGI, graphic design, and entrepreneurship. Through college, I got my master’s in engineering and learned about design, rendering, prototyping, etc.
I always educated myself with the newest tech and followed this passion.
What inspires you?
Plants and animals. Anything from the mother nature inspires me as it is where we are from and where we will end our journey.
Please tell us about your company.
I started Blue Heart Hero to collect and share free 3D printable solutions to amputation. Instead of designing another prosthetic arm, I decided to look at the problem differently. I started Prosthetics for Products™, where I design simple attachments that enable amputees. Allows them to have access to everyday objects and activities. This is a new vision, a new way of solving their problem. All 3D files are available to download on the website.
Amputees from around the world download our files, and 3D print it at their local 3D print shop with the cost of a coffee cup.
After Blue Heart Hero, I thought what if we design products in a way that they are accessible to everyone. Modern, accessible, inclusive, and low- cost everyday products. I started CURVD®, Drinkware for Every Hand™. A brand based on Human Friendly Design® vision. I design, patented, prototyped, and produced in local ceramic shops, a coffee mug that is designed for every hand.
Instead of applying the weight to the joints, CURVD ®’s coffee mug is engineered to transfer the weight to the muscles. This design makes the mug accessible to everyone: majority, those with Arthritis, Parkinson, elderly or even people with upper limb difference (amputee).
I always say: “If products are designed right, no one is disabled.”
What’s your most memorable experience?
I was sitting at a local coffee shop which happened to be our client, they sometimes served in CURVD® mugs. A woman with her husband sat next to me, holding her CURVD® coffee mug. I was watching them to see if she holds it the way it was intended in the design. Shortly she tells her husband, “This is a weird design, I’ve never seen a mug like this before, but it is so comfortable, try it!”. Her husband picked it up and loved the no-pressure feeling. He noticed I am interested in their conversation, turns to me and says “Hey, come try this mug, this is so cool”, I said, “Yeah I know, I designed it”. That was, by far, one of the best stories related to my startups.
Which social media channels work best for promoting your work? What exactly do you do on the social media channel that makes it work for you?
I have Instagram accounts, both personal and for my startups. I normally share design-related posts on my personal Instagram. I mostly want to promote myself to get more exposure. People love it when I share my story, all the ups, and downs, they love seeing the hustle. Other than Instagram, Linkedin works for me too.
What’s your greatest fear?
I haven’t seen my family since I left in 2015, due to U.S. sanctions on Iran. My greatest fear is to miss the opportunity of seeing my parents again.
Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you understood better before you ever got started?
I wish I knew I can’t rely on anybody, not even parents for success.
What keeps you going when things get tough?
I look back and think about all the sufferings and being away from family. It fuels me up for more push.
How can people connect with you?
I am mostly active on Instagram handles: @AminHasani, @Thecurvd, @Bluehearthero and Linkedin. You can also check out my website.