The Orlando startup Friendish gets exposure on the Apple Music Show.
When Chandra Arthur appeared to break down during an appearance on an Apple Music show that aired last month, as she was pitching her Friendish app, she says the magic of editing helped ramp up the drama a bit.
“My adviser had delivered some disappointing news that caused the emotional response,” said Arthur, who would not elaborate on the news. “That bit didn’t make the episode, so I get that the tears seemed a little bit out of context.”
Still, Arthur said her appearance on “Planet of the Apps,” which gives entrepreneurs a chance to pitch their business to celebrity advisers, has taught her some skills she uses as she builds her application-based company Friendish.
Unfortunately, these skills do not come with money.
A panel of investors chose not to invest in Friendish, despite several months of work with Gary Vaynerchuk, one of the creators of the show.
Shooting for the episode, which was the sixth in the series, took Arthur to Los Angeles, where she spent the bulk of her filming time.
Some filming took place in New York City.
Ever since the show aired in mid-July, right about the time Friendish launched, Arthur says the company has raised a small round of money from friends and family and has been developing the company’s online presence.
Arthur was featured at a downtown Orlando meetup called Tech and Beers.
“Planet of the Apps” resembles the popular show “Shark Tank,” which has helped some Central Florida businesses increase their exposure.
Dennis Pape, a business adviser who heads Catalyst Coworking Space in Orlando, said regardless of the outcome of the show, Arthur’s appearance should give her a jolt.
“It’s always good for a startup to get publicity,” he said. “TV viewers are a broad cross-section of the public. Exposure can always lead to new business, new investors or new employees.”
Friendish will create a place for people to meet other like-minded people, setting up introductions based upon a person’s interests.
The app is similar to Meetup.com and dating websites, but caters more to people who seek like-minded individuals for outings without the pressures of dating.
Planet of the Apps puts entrepreneurs in front of celebrity investors, giving them one minute to sell the panelists on their company.
Arthur found herself pitching to Vaynerchuk, actress and entrepreneur Jessica Alba, musician will.i.am and actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
Initially, all but will.i.am were interested in the concept. But Alba and Paltrow quickly bowed out, leaving Vaynerchuk as Arthur’s final hope. He chose to advise her. “Being on the show was an incredible experience,” Arthur said. “Aside from having an opportunity to meet the celebrity advisers, I actually got to work with some of the best people in the business. I learned a ton about my business.”