If you can see HER, you can be HER - Q&A with the founder of Loquilab

How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Having worked with people who are living with disabilities that impact

communication, I’ve always been looking out for developments in assistive

technology—what I believe to be one of the most impactful fields in engineering. I

started learning about acoustics through my research, and with some of the

anatomical knowledge I gained in my training as a registered dental assistant, I

became curious about differences in the physical formations of phonetic sounds,

and saw them as a way to decode speech at any volume—even possibly none at

all.

What does the average day look like for you now as an entrepreneur

(especially compared to past jobs/days)?

I feel lucky that my classes, research, and part-time job at Texas Inventionworks

all supplement and empower the technical side of my work in this business, so I

like to think of these as an extension of the work I put into creating my product.

Then there are days which include more business-like operations, like conducting

research to better understand the needs of the customer, or networking in search

of a potential team member.

What are some of the top things you have learned so far?

I’ve learned that two of the most critical characteristics of an entrepreneur are

patience and adaptability, and that failure is normal and abundant. Embracing

this reality has given me the freedom to accept constructive criticism and resist

the temptation to hold back when I don’t feel confident.

Who or what inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

Some of the best things I’ve created in my life were things that nobody asked for,

and I think it’s because the most successful projects are set apart by an organic

enthusiasm. Entrepreneurship is characterized by the notion of creating what’s

important to you. It’s important to me that a person is seen and heard for who

they know themselves to be. Around the time I was ideating Loquilab, I started

exploring entrepreneurship, and quickly found a place to share my ideas and be

empowered to pursue them.

What have been 1-2 of your proudest moments in creating your business?

One of the proudest moments for me was the first time I pitched my business

idea—terribly, I might add. I got in front of the class and stumbled over a string of

“um”s, “so”s and technical jargon. To my surprise, the professor said it was the

most interesting idea pitched that day. Moments like these give me profound

gratitude for the people who let me fall forward.

What’s the best advice you have received along your journey?

“Learn how to tell your story first”. My impression used to be that the storytelling

elements of a pitch were only significant in a formal setting. I eventually found

that it’s as common to the entrepreneur as asking for help—if not the same thing.

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About The Author:

Isa Kazen '26

Founder of Loquilab