We were lucky to catch up with Ioanna Mantzouridou Onasi recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ioanna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
At Dextego, our mission is deeply personal and profoundly meaningful. It’s a mission that fuels every aspect of our work and drives us forward with unwavering dedication. Our mission is to democratize learning and skill development, making it accessible, engaging, and actionable for everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances.
This mission is the result of a journey that has taken me from the sunlit landscapes of Greece to the bustling heart of New York City. As a young, curious girl, I always dreamt of expanding my horizons and making a global impact. My journey has been marked by a relentless thirst for knowledge, a fascination with the intricate tapestry of the business world, and a deep-rooted passion for sustainability and human development.
Throughout my experiences, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of education and skill development. I’ve seen how access to personalized, engaging, and effective learning experiences can change lives and open doors of opportunity. But I’ve also recognized the inequalities and limitations in the traditional learning landscape.
This realization led to the birth of Dextego—an AI coaching platform designed to revolutionize skill development. Our mission is to empower individuals with the tools they need to tap into their full potential. We want to break down the barriers that stand between people and their dreams, whether those barriers are related to skill gaps, lack of access, or unequal opportunities.
But our mission goes beyond just skill development. It’s about equity, inclusion, and creating a world where everyone has an equal shot at success. It’s about making learning enjoyable, accessible, and actionable. It’s about transforming the modern workplace and ensuring that individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances, can thrive and excel.
So, when you ask why our mission is meaningful to us, it’s because it’s a reflection of our core values, our experiences, and our unwavering belief in the potential of every individual. It’s because we’ve seen the impact that learning and skill development can have on people’s lives, and we’re committed to making that impact accessible to all. Our mission is our driving force, and it’s what keeps us inspired and motivated every day
Ioanna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Ioanna Mantzouridou, and I’m the Co-founder & CEO of Dextego, an AI coaching platform that’s redefining the way individuals learn, grow, and succeed in the modern workplace. Here’s a bit more about me and our brand:
My Journey: My story is one of curiosity, determination, and a relentless pursuit of making a positive impact in the world. It began in the sunny landscapes of Greece, where I nurtured a fascination with the vast business world and a deep-rooted passion for sustainability. This early curiosity led me to the United States at the age of 15, where I embarked on an extraordinary educational journey at a liberal arts college.
Throughout my academic career, I delved into diverse fields, from psychology and communications to sustainability and business. I interned at renowned organizations like Marc Jacobs in New York City, where I witnessed firsthand the unsustainable practices in the fashion industry. This experience ignited my drive to promote sustainable fashion and support Greek women affected by economic crises through the global platform Fashion Revolution.
But my journey took an unexpected turn when I pursued a Master’s program in Strategic Management at Pace University. Here, I discovered the world of talent development, which ultimately led me to the startup scene.
Dextego: Pioneering HR Transformation: My entry into the startup arena, particularly with B2B SaaS startup Aptivio, marked a transformative phase. Within this environment, I evolved from being an employee to becoming part of the founding team. During this time, I recognized a significant challenge: developing soft skills among young professionals in a post-COVID, remote world. Existing tools fell short in terms of customization and engagement for the Gen Z workforce.
This challenge sparked an idea—an idea that would become Dextego, an AI coaching platform. Dextego is not just about skill development; it embodies equity, inclusion, and the democratization of opportunities for success. Our vision is to make learning accessible, enjoyable, and actionable, enabling individuals to tap into their untapped potential.
As the founder of Dextego, I’ve become a champion of change, especially for those navigating the complexities of the modern workplace. What sets us apart is our commitment to personalized, engaging, and effective skill development. We leverage AI to provide tailored coaching experiences, analyzing everything from facial expressions to tone to content to offer targeted feedback.
In just two months since its launch, Dextego has already garnered 660 users, formed partnerships, and experienced rapid growth. But our journey is just beginning. We are proud of what we’ve achieved so far, but we’re even more excited about the road ahead. We’re prepared to face challenges head-on, driven by our unwavering determination and belief in the power of Dextego to revolutionize skill development and nurture a generation of A-players.
What We Want You to Know: We want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that Dextego is not just a product; it’s a mission-driven movement. Our mission is deeply personal, rooted in a passion for learning, equity, and inclusion. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the lives of individuals, empowering them with the tools they need to succeed in the modern workforce.
We invite you to join us on this journey of transformation. Whether you’re an individual looking to enhance your skills, a company seeking innovative talent development solutions, or simply someone who believes in the power of education and equality, Dextego is here to make a difference.
We’re proud of our achievements, but we’re even more excited about the future. Together, we can redefine the way we learn, grow, and succeed. We invite you to be a part of the Dextego revolution.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
For us at Dextego, building a social media audience was not just about promoting our product; it was about putting a face behind the brand, sharing our mission, and connecting with a community that resonated with our values. Here are the key steps we took:
Define Your Why: We began by defining our mission and why it matters. We wanted our audience to understand not just what we do but why we do it. We shared our passion for equity, inclusion, and personalized learning, which served as the foundation for our content.
Know Your Audience: Understanding your target audience is crucial. We identified the key demographics, interests, and pain points of our potential users. This knowledge helped us tailor our content to resonate with them.
Consistent Branding: We maintained a consistent brand identity across all social media platforms. From our profile pictures and cover photos to our color schemes and messaging, everything was aligned with our brand.
Content Strategy: We created a content strategy that reflected our mission and values. Our content ranged from educational posts about skill development to behind-the-scenes glimpses of our team and our journey. We aimed to provide value and engage our audience.
Engagement and Interaction: Social media is a two-way street. We actively engaged with our audience by responding to comments, answering questions, and fostering discussions. We wanted to create a sense of community and build relationships.
Use of Visuals: Visual content, including images and videos, played a significant role. We used eye-catching visuals to convey our message and make our posts stand out.
Hashtags and Trends: We utilized relevant hashtags and followed industry trends to increase our visibility and reach a broader audience. However, we ensured that our use of hashtags was always contextually relevant.
Collaborations and Partnerships: Collaborations with influencers and complementary brands can help you tap into their existing audiences. We strategically partnered with organizations and individuals who shared our values.
Consistency: Consistency is key in building a social media presence. We posted regularly and maintained a steady flow of content to keep our audience engaged.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Certainly, one book that has significantly impacted my management and entrepreneurial thinking is “Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business” by Gino Wickman. This book provides a practical framework for businesses looking to gain traction and achieve their long-term goals.
“Traction” introduces the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a systematic approach to running a business. It emphasizes the importance of clarity, focus, and discipline in achieving business success. The book offers actionable tools and concepts that can help entrepreneurs and business leaders streamline their operations, set clear objectives, and build a strong foundation for growth.
Some of the key takeaways from “Traction” that have influenced my thinking and philosophy include:
Vision Traction Organizer (V/TO): This tool helps businesses clarify their vision, set specific goals, and ensure that everyone in the organization is aligned with the company’s objectives. It’s a valuable tool for setting and communicating a clear direction.
Rocks: The concept of setting quarterly priorities or “rocks” is an effective way to ensure that the team focuses on the most critical tasks that drive the business forward. It promotes accountability and results-oriented thinking.
Meeting Cadence: “Traction” emphasizes the importance of regular, structured meetings to keep the team aligned and accountable. The book provides guidance on how to conduct effective leadership, departmental, and daily huddle meetings.
Scorecards: Scorecards are a powerful tool for tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and ensuring that the business is making progress toward its goals. This data-driven approach helps in making informed decisions.
People Analyzer: The book introduces a framework for assessing whether team members are the right fit for their roles. It underscores the importance of having the right people in the right seats.
Overall, “Traction” has had a profound impact on my approach to management and entrepreneurship. It has reinforced the significance of setting a clear vision, establishing a disciplined operating system, and fostering a culture of accountability within an organization.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://dextego.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dextegoapp/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dextego/about/?viewAsMember=true
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCad1QLJf8s4j6iVvRqelQ_Q