Walter Powell – Politiscope App, Co-Founder

Walter Powell is a St. Louis, Missouri native and a graduate from Murray State University. Walter was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 6th round of the NFL Draft. He spent 4 seasons in the NFL playing for the New York Jets & Buffalo Bills.

He is now the co-founder of a political app called Politiscope that is changing how we view politics. The mission of Politiscope is to inform, educate and engage the average citizen back into the political process by creating player profiles for politicians and breaking down detailed complex bills and policies in to “cliff notes” versions.

From the politicians profile page you can get there local office address, call, email and follow them on all social media outlets as well. Theres also a spot on the app where you can register to vote.

We connected with Walter and we’re excited to share his interview with our readers.

What do you do in your spare time?

Great question! The reality is that when you’re launching a company sacrifices need to be made and one of those sacrifices is free time. However, when all of your energy and attention is directed toward a goal which in my case is launching and growing Politiscope, it’s important to schedule some time away from the business so you can come back refreshed and recharged.

To answer the question, I enjoy painting and creating art in my spare time. It’s something I’ve been doing for a while and I’ve found that tapping into creative outlets in my spare time helps me come back to the business with more creativity and less stress. Painting feels good and it’s something I really enjoy doing.

What’s your favorite type of food?

I’m all about healthy and delicious food! After playing in the NFL and being an athlete my whole life, healthy habits have stuck with me. Exercise and training is one part of the equation and diet makes up another important half.

Working out is still a big part of my life and I need plenty of (healthy) fuel to support my mind and body. While I’m no longer a professional athlete, my appetite hasn’t changed and I can usually always go for a bite. I don’t mind cooking and I’m always in search of healthier options, especially when traveling. You are what you eat!

What do you wish you knew before starting a business?

I love this question because transitioning into running my own company has been a much different experience than the business of the NFL I’ve experienced for the past 4 years.

What I wish I realized sooner is how much my experience as a professional athlete has prepared me to successfully run my own business. The reality is that many people who start their own businesses have never done it before and may feel overwhelmed with the amount of work, decisions, and sacrifices it takes to succeed.

The moment I realized I already have the work ethic, I have a solution to solve a big problem, I have an incredible team supporting me, I’m committed to supporting my team at Politiscope, and each day going forward I’m better than I was the day before, everything clicked and I’ve never looked back.

To summarize, I wish I realized how much the role confidence plays in business (much like my experience in sports) sooner. Furthermore, good energy is contagious and having a positive attitude helps yield positive results.

What’s your favorite thing about working in your industry?

When it comes to tech and mobile app development, I love how there’s no rules or “playbook” so to speak. There’s a lot of trial and error and it’s often difficult to compare yourself or your company to other “players” in the marketplace.

My favorite thing about my industry is the potential for scaleability, impacting people for the better, and empowering users through education. Politiscope puts me and my team in a position to deliver those elements using technology we’re creating.