The Rise of Intentional Tech: Sleke’s Journey from Idea to Influencer Success
🎙️ Welcome to Healthy Happy Wise Wealthy!
In this special in-person episode recorded at Reno Startup Week, host Mary Meyer sits down with Austin Boer and Brennan Jordan, the co-founders behind Sleke—a minimalist “dumbphone” designed to help users reclaim their time from smartphone distractions while keeping essential modern features.
Discover how their global journey from University of Nevada, Reno to China inspired them to tackle digital overwhelm, and learn how they’re building a new kind of phone—and community—right from the heart of Reno’s growing startup ecosystem.
🌟 Topics Covered:
- The origin story of Sleke and its founders’ inspiration in China
- What a “dumbphone” is and why the movement is gaining momentum
- How Sleke balances essential apps (Maps, Messaging, Money, Music, Management) with digital well-being
- The impact of excessive screen time, boredom’s creative benefits, and tech’s influence on society
- Bootstrapping a hardware startup in Reno: from community support to international sales
- The importance of user feedback, building an engaged early adopter community, and strategic influencer partnerships
- The journey through Reno’s startup resources and accelerator programs like G Beta and Generator
- Using refurbished hardware (Google Pixel) and the technical choices behind the phone
- The future of Sleke and broadening its reach to families, older adults, and businesses
- Insights into mission-driven entrepreneurship and building meaningful tech
Key takeaways:
- Intentional Tech Isn’t Just for One Generation: People from all life stages—Gen Z, Millennials, Boomers, parents, and kids—are looking for ways to reduce phone distractions and reclaim focus in their daily lives.
- Functionality Without Doomscrolling: Sleke gives users maps, money transfers, communication apps, and essential tools while eliminating time sinks like infinite social feeds.
- Community & Feedback = Growth: Bootstrapping has paid off by staying close to users—listening, adapting, and growing an international following through grassroots advocacy.
- Startups Thrive on Community: Reno’s vibrant networks—from accelerators to Startup Week to grassroots meetups—are catalysts for innovation and support.
- Building with Purpose: Staying focused on a social mission (helping people reconnect with real life) is just as important as financial growth.
Learn more about Brennan Jordan and Austin Boer
- Website: sleek.io
- For questions, feedback, or to join Sleke’s growing community, reach out via the product’s home screen or company website.
- @sleke.mobile on Instagram and Facebook
Resources mentioned:
- Subreddit: r/dumbphones
- Startup Accelerator: G Beta (by Generator)
- -nnovation Center, University of Nevada, Reno: UNR Innevation Center
- Consumer Electronics Show (CES): CES Official Site
- App mentioned: Beeper (aggregates social DMs) Beeper
- Proposal (AI web search tool partnered with Sleke)
- Reno Startup Week: Reno Startup Week
Join us as we explore the future of tech that puts people first—and how you can reclaim focus from your phone!
Listen to More Founder Stories on HHWW
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Mary Meyer is a podcast host, actor, sales professional, mother and entrepreneur helping people and organizations share meaningful conversations that support health, wisdom, clarity, and growth.
Produced by the All-Talented Erika Christie
Podcast Sponsor
We are excited to have IT company Mindiii as a podcast sponsor.
Founded in 2015, MINDIII is a Product Development and Data + AI Company that builds scalable digital products and intelligent data platforms. They help businesses design, engineer, and launch high-impact web and mobile applications, powered by modern data engineering, analytics, and AI solutions.
Specialities:
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