We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Alexis McDonald, a young and driven female entrepreneur based in Bunbury. Alexis founded HerHelp, a wellness app that has been making waves in the mental health and wellness space.
Q1: What did you do before starting HerHelp?
I started HerHelp in my bedroom at 17 and worked on developing it after school while procrastinating my ATAR studies. Unlike most kids, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up, so creating HerHelp was such an eye-opener to me towards pathways and opportunities I never thought I could access.
Q2: How did HerHelp get started?
HerHelp started in my bedroom at 17 after being bullied growing up and realising that in school, we learn so much about English, maths and history, but when it comes to actual life skills like paying taxes, regulating your emotions, dealing with conflict, relationships with food etc I had no idea where anyone went, so I hopped onto YouTube and searched “how to make an app” to create the ultimate safe space online.
Q3: What’s been the most challenging thing about starting a startup in Western Australia?
Being a young female tech startup in a regional town in WA was super challenging because I truly couldn’t see anyone else like me doing what I was doing or even at times, understand what it was that I did. So the early days were very challenging, but now I have been doing this for 4 years, I have been able to connect and create a really amazing network, but it definitely didn’t start that way!
Q4: What piece of advice do you give aspiring entrepreneurs in Western Australia?
I would tell them that their age doesn’t determine their ability to do absolutely anything, if you see something you want, go out and grab it with two hands, it may just be the best thing you ever do.