Joshua Hipps’ journey spans the discipline of the military, the rigor of corporate leadership, and the courage of entrepreneurship. From serving as an Air Force officer to working with global giants like Apple, Citibank, and Amazon, Joshua’s path eventually led him to build something deeply personal and purposeful. Featured on Humans of Fuzia, his story resonates with our 5M+ global community because it reflects resilience, faith, and a commitment to creating impact beyond profit—while strongly advocating for women as powerful leaders and changemakers.
Q. Joshua, take us back to the beginning. What inspired you to start your journey as an entrepreneur?
I grew up in the southern United States as an only child and went on to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy. My early career began as a logistics officer in the Air Force, followed by roles in the corporate world with Citibank, Apple, and now Amazon.
But the seed of entrepreneurship was planted years ago. After graduating, I spent time traveling in Asia and met an expat in Thailand who was running his own business remotely. That conversation stuck with me—the idea of being able to live anywhere, work from a backpack, and not be tied down by physical things.
When the world shifted during COVID and remote work became mainstream, that idea began to solidify. Last year, while searching for a product I personally needed but couldn’t find, I decided to build it myself. I’m a nerd at heart—if something doesn’t exist, I’ll try to create it. What started as a personal solution slowly evolved into something much bigger.
Q. Your work seems deeply connected to purpose and faith. Can you tell us more about that?
My faith plays a huge role in everything I do. As I was building this product, I realized it wasn’t just about avoiding monthly AI subscriptions or protecting personal data. During a time of prayer and reflection, I felt strongly called to think about missionaries, humanitarian workers, and disaster response teams.
I kept asking myself—what happens when infrastructure fails? When there’s no internet? These are the people working in the most challenging environments, yet they’re often relying on outdated technology. Meanwhile, billions are invested in advanced tech for other sectors.
That realization changed everything. What I was building suddenly had a much broader purpose—creating technology that could actually support people serving in the field, especially when they need it most.
Q. What challenges have you faced so far, especially while building and marketing this product?
The biggest challenge has been time. I’m a solo founder bootstrapping everything while working full-time at Amazon. On top of that, I’m a caregiver for my mother, who has Alzheimer’s, navigating the end of a marriage, staying active in my church community, and trying to take care of my own health.
Balancing all of this can be overwhelming. The marketing side is still on the back burner—not because it’s unimportant, but because there are only so many hours in a day. Staying grounded, mentally and spiritually, has been essential for me to keep moving forward.
Q. Do you currently have a team supporting you?
At the moment, I’m still very much a solo founder. That said, I’m part of a Capital Accelerator, which has been incredibly supportive. I have a great coach and access to people who help me navigate things I had little experience with—like pitching, building a deck, and thinking like a founder rather than a corporate employee.
Once funding comes through, my goal is to hire an engineering lead and a marketing and sales lead. I already have talented AI architects ready to come on board, so the foundation is there—it’s just about timing and resources.
Q. What has been your proudest milestone so far?
Getting into the Capital Accelerator stands out the most. The process moved incredibly fast—I applied, and within a week I was interviewed directly by the CEO. Fifteen minutes into the conversation, I was offered a spot in the cohort.
It was validating, unexpected, and deeply meaningful, especially because it aligned with a significant moment in my personal faith journey. That overlap made it even more special.
Q. As someone who strongly supports women in leadership, what are your thoughts on women empowerment today?
I’ve always been an advocate for women in leadership. My very first leader in the Air Force was a woman, and many of my instructors and commanders were women who led with strength, clarity, and compassion.
One leader in particular shaped me deeply—she was bold, decisive, and nurturing all at once. That balance is something I’ve seen women embody so naturally.
From both life experience and faith, I truly believe women are bridge-builders and barrier-breakers. Historically, women have been the backbone of progress, often without recognition. Society moves forward because of women who step up—especially when others step back. Supporting women in leadership isn’t just important; it’s essential.
“Women build bridges, break barriers, and push society forward—often carrying the weight of progress quietly but powerfully.” — Joshua Hipps
Connect with Joshua Hipps:
- LinkedIn: Josh Hipps | LinkedIn
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