Dillon Abend’s Journey From Philanthropy to Entrepreneurship
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Greetings to all our passionate readers and aspiring entrepreneurs! Today, we’re shining the spotlight on a remarkable young entrepreneur whose journey from adversity to innovation is nothing short of inspirational.
Meet Dillon Abend, the founder of 3rd-i, a company taking massive strides in rideshare safety through advanced connectivity and safety software.
Introducing Dillon Abend
At just 21, Dillon’s path from a small town in Chester, NJ, to the forefront of tech entrepreneurship paints a vivid picture of resilience, passion, and creativity.
As a senior at the University of Miami (UMiami), what started as a hobby of inventing and tinkering during high school transformed into a life-changing venture spurred by personal challenges and a commitment to making a difference.
From Philanthropy to Innovation
During his early college years, Dillon’s sense of community and philanthropy flourished, especially after his father’s diagnosis of Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer. His response? Spearheading initiatives that raised over $30k for Pancan and more than $45k for a children’s hospital.
A promising college hockey career cut short by injury led Dillon to channel his energies into creation, ultimately birthing an idea for a shareable body cam app that evolved into a crucial rideshare safety application in response to incidents at UMiami.
3rd-i: The Venture that Speaks Volumes
With Dillon steering 3rd-i’s helm alone, the company operates with a small team of under 10, demonstrating the effectiveness of lean operations.
Their innovative approach is supported through a variety of funding channels, including bootstrapping, crowdfunding, and seed funding, showcasing Dillon’s multifaceted strategy towards achieving his vision.
A Glimpse into the Entrepreneurial Journey
A week in Dillon’s life is a testament to his dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence. Balancing late nights with strategic planning, software development, and substantial networking, Dillon’s routine is anything but typical. Here’s a snapshot:
- Late-night project management and bug testing
- Daytime engagement with beta testers for real-time feedback
- Strategy discussions with advisors and refinement of pitch decks
- Hourly dedication to social media strategy and content creation
Through tools like Jira, Slack, and Google Drive, Dillon not only manages his team effectively but also ensures continuous progress and responsiveness to the dynamic needs of his venture.
Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Milestones
Entrepreneurship is no stranger to hurdles, and Dillon’s journey through software development and fundraising showcases resilience. Key moments like securing the Movie Recording for Apple Entitlement and engaging with rideshare victims have been pivotal, both as validation and as a testament to 3rd-i’s impact.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For Dillon, entrepreneurship is more than a career; it’s a calling that demands everything you have. His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs reflects this ethos:
“You will get out of it what you put in. If you pour your heart in, good things will come your way. And remember, software is always delayed.”
Dillan Abend
Connect with Dillon
To learn more about Dillon and 3rd-i, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.
You can also follow Dillon’s journey and insights on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Wrapping Up
Dillon Abend’s journey from a budding tinkerer to an entrepreneur tackling significant safety challenges in the rideshare industry illustrates the journey of entrepreneurship with all its ups and downs.
His story is a potent reminder of the impact that one person, armed with creativity, resilience, and a drive to make a difference, can have on the world. Watch this space; Dillon Abend and 3rd-i are just getting started.
To all our readers and future entrepreneurs, let Dillon’s story inspire you to take that leap of faith toward your dreams. In the challenging yet rewarding path of entrepreneurship, resilience, passion, and innovation are your greatest allies.
Dillon Abend’s Lightning Round
In this lightning round, I asked Dillon Abend to answer 13 rapid-fire questions:
Q1. What’s something that’s in your pocket right now, besides your phone?
Wallet and business cards
Q2. Artificial intelligence: hope or dread?
Hope
Q3. What is your favorite place to think big?
Running or Shower
Q4. If you were out of business tomorrow, what job would you pursue?
Tech Innovation
Q5. One object from your childhood you could never throw away?
My treasure chest is safe.
Q6. One feature you wish your phone had?
Scanning for illnesses or injuries
Q7. What is your favorite mobile app?
3rd-i (mine)
Q8. The book that most influenced you?
Pitch Anything by Oren Klaff
Q9. Messy desk or clean desk?
Clean
Q10. One thing you always have in your fridge?
Turkey Breast
Q11. The most creative measure of success you’ve set for a team?
World-changing
Q 12. Your favorite time-saving hack?
ChatGPT Emails
Q 13. Best movie ever?
Death Sentence with Kevin Bacon or WeWork Movie
A special thanks to Shaun Gold for introducing us to Dillon Abend.
I’m founder of BizStack at Cagri Sarigoz LLC and a passionate advocate for entrepreneurs.
With over 14 years in tech, marketing, and AI, including my role as Head of SEO at CitizenShipper and co-founder of TaleBot at Intale AI, I’m dedicated to sharing genuine, useful product insights and tips.
At BizStack, I aim to cut through the digital noise to provide clear, actionable advice.
And more than all else, I’m a father to a (always) little girl and a husband.
Contact me at [email protected] for assistance.
