Meet the Cohort | A.A.R.O.N. Wearable Tech

Flywheel: Describe your business in 2 sentences or less.

Valda: A Wearable Device system that informs 1st Responders of Mental Health Challenges

Flywheel: What inspired you to start your venture?

Valda: My 2 autistic teenage African American sons that could have poor communication in a 1st responder encounter that could result in a tragic outcome

Flywheel: If you are wildly successful, how will our community be a better place?

Valda:; The population of people with mental health challenges (estimated at 28%) will be safer, the caregivers will have peace of mind for their loved ones encountering the police, and the 1st responders will be protected and have a lower the risk of a tragic encounter.

Flywheel: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up and why?

Valda: I wanted to be like Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr – for his leadership in the area of Social Justice – it seemed like the most important work I could do.

Flywheel: What’s a good piece of advice you got from a former boss or mentor? 

Valda: “Over the years I have learned that time, energy, and focus are precious and valuable. There is never as much as I would like to have and so I learned to spend them with great care always expecting a high return in terms of personal growth, insight, and tangible worthwhile results. I have heard it said that the difference between genius and something less is the ability to focus – to recognize and keep focused on the objective.” Mr. Henry E. Brown, Engineering Director at The Procter & Gamble company. He told me this in the late 1980’s as my senior boss and I am still working on it!

Flywheel: What’s a fun fact about you that would make people smile?

Valda: I am a 4th degree Master Black Belt and the students call me Master V and they hate for me to lead the warm-up – lots of push-ups, crunches, and planks!

Flywheel: What’s a household chore you enjoy doing and why?

Valda: Walking the dog – exercise and I get outside.

Flywheel: Favorite Cincinnati Food?

Valda: The Loving Hut Quarter Pounder veggie burger with veggie cheese

Flywheel: What is your super power? 

Valda:Persistence and Productivity