Tomas David Ye has an academic background in theoretical mathematics. After graduation, he spent five years at Amazon, where he tackled complex supply chain problems. During this time, he realized that with AI and cloud computing, it was possible and affordable to bring Amazon-level supply chain technology to smaller businesses. Most e-commerce and third-party logistics (3PL) companies lacked sufficient detail in the pricing sections of their contracts with carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS, which led to unnecessarily expensive shipping costs. He left Amazon with the aim of minimizing waste in American supply chains by integrating smart routing algorithms with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
If your business could have a mascot, what would it be and why?
It would be the Greek hero Perseus with a sword in one hand and the head of the beast Medusa in the other, similar to the statue of Perseus in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I named the company Perseuss because I love Greek mythology, and the first customer did too—Medusa Distribution. The story of Perseus resonates with the challenges of company building.
What strategies do you employ to maintain a healthy work-life balance while running your own business? *
Eat Proper Food: I cook my own meals to control the macro nutrients and listen to audiobooks while doing so.
Exercise Daily: I follow a 20-minute exercise routine that fits into a 30-minute break between calls, and I go to a gymnastics gym once a week—keeping up with my junior-Olympic level skills.
Sleep At Least 7 Hours a Day: Lack of sleep makes work less enjoyable, so I prioritize sleep. Although all-nighters are sometimes necessary, good planning can prevent them.
Play and Watch Chess: It’s a relaxing and strategic activity that reminds me that business is like chess—requiring planning and foresight.
When faced with unexpected detours on your business path, how do you pivot with grace and resilience, showing fellow women entrepreneurs the way forward?
I surround myself with people who elevate me. For women, I recommend finding a mentor who has already achieved what they are striving for. I personally view detours as opportunities as long as they do not threaten the business’s survival. The key is to focus on staying alive, reducing burn-rate, and maintaining a positive mindset. With the right support—like a supportive network and a place to crash temporarily—I believe women entrepreneurs can tackle the business world’s ups and downs with resilience.
How do you measure the success of your business beyond financial metrics, such as customer satisfaction or community engagement?
The packers that use my product say they feel like “they are playing a video game”. Making blue-collar jobs more enjoyable is the most rewarding part of my work.
Can you share a memorable moment where you witnessed significant growth or transformation in your business, illustrating the impact of your services/products?
When we launched in the customer’s warehouse. Not only did the software end up saving more money than we predicted, but it also makes packers happier and more productive.
What role do you believe mentorship plays in the success of small businesses, and how have mentors influenced your own entrepreneurial journey?
Mentorship is crucial. It’s invaluable to have someone experienced tell you what not to do. They’ve already made those mistakes, and learning from them can save time, effort, and even failures.
What’s your work all about, and how does it make a difference in the world?
We help turn warehouse work into a game while saving business owners money. This is particularly important as automation becomes more prevalent in warehouses and the human aspect is sometimes overlooked. I believe robots won’t replace humans entirely in warehouses soon, so I focus on making the human workers as productive and valued as possible.
