We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Zarik Megerdichian. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Zarik below.

Zarik, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

When I started a print manufacturing business, 4over.com, I realized how outdated the printing industry was. In the early 2000s, customers had to copy their artwork onto a CD or disk drive, drop it off at a local printer, make another trip to see the proof and approve it and a third trip to pick up the final job. I thought, why not let customers email their artwork or upload their files? This would save them the trip for delivery. We also started emailing PDF proofs or JPEG files for approval, saving the second trip. To save customers from making a third trip, we offered free local delivery.

What began as a small company in Glendale, CA, quickly gained national interest. By allowing customers to upload and preview their artwork, we saw unexpected results. What started as a local printing service suddenly started gaining customers from NY, FL, and all over the U.S.. This growth led us to open offices closer to our customers, ultimately making 4over.com one of the largest wholesale printing companies in North America.

Zarik, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have always been worried about personal privacy and security online. As a business owner, I’m also concerned about protecting my company from competitors and attackers. In December 2019, my 14-year-old daughter hacked into my computer, and I realized that usernames and passwords are a big problem. If someone can steal your logins, they can cause serious issues for both individuals and companies.

When COVID hit in 2020, I started thinking about ways to eliminate passwords. I came up with an idea, filed a patent, and began a mission to get rid of passwords. And Loop8 was born.

What sets us apart is our totally different approach to managing data while eliminating passwords. Large organizations store all your data on their servers, which is a big issue today as more companies get hacked and more user data is exposed daily. Our first step was to collect as little information as possible—just an email and phone number. This allows us to manage the system without knowing much about our customers. Step two: we let our customers’ information stay on their phones and in encrypted files on their own iCloud (for Apple users) or Google Drive (for Android users). We built a digital safe (MySafe) that only opens with customer biometrics.

I’m proud that a project dubbed “Project Impossible” in 2021 has become a reality in 2024, focusing on simplicity so it can be used by any age group.

What I want people to know is that 90% of today’s hacks are the result of phishing attacks. When an attacker steals your credentials, they can log in as you and cause all kinds of problems. Eliminating that one crucial piece is a small step toward having a more secure digital footprint in our always-connected world.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

At an early age, I was fortunate to work in an iron shop with a boss who taught me that “impossible” is just a mindset. He encouraged me to believe in the impossible. When I started my first business, I printed my mindset on the conference room wall: “Nothing is impossible. Impossible only takes a few days longer!” This belief helped me build the largest trade printer in the US and Canada because I didn’t see anything stopping me.

In my spare time, I also coach and mentor startups. The first lesson I teach them is this: “You work harder when you don’t see any barriers. You think differently when you approach problems with a mindset that anything is possible. This is the recipe for success and how impossible becomes ‘I’m Possible!'”

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

When I was working on eliminating passwords and bringing my vision to reality, I met countless security professionals in Silicon Valley. Most of them couldn’t understand the journey I wanted to embark on, and none wanted to join me. I often heard, very politely, “This is impossible.” Desperate and determined to continue, I decided to go to a recruiter to find a co-founder. That effort failed, but the recruiter introduced me to some people who could help develop the idea.

I wasn’t looking for mercenaries—I was looking for missionaries. I believed that if you have faith in the project you’re building, you’ll make it the best it can be. When I met these developers, I saw a spark in their eyes—they believed in this journey. That’s when I pitched them to join me as co-founders in the mission to eliminate passwords. Their enthusiasm and belief in the project were exactly what I needed to move forward. Together, we embarked on this journey to make the impossible possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://l8p8.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loop8security/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loop8app
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zarik-megerdichian-4b915313/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Loop8security
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Loop8-app
• Other: Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/l8p8/