Ep. 75: Solving Big Problems with the Power of VR—with Morgan Mercer of Vantage Point

When problems don’t affect us directly, they are easy to ignore. But if we create a connection with the people who ARE impacted and truly understand the consequences of our own action (or inaction), that’s when we start to care. What if we leveraged the immersive experience of virtual reality to establish empathy for marginalized groups? What if VR could give people the agency to take action and solve the world’s biggest problems? Morgan Mercer is the founder and CEO of Vantage Point, a startup that offers a cutting-edge, fully immersive sexual harassment training program experienced in virtual reality. Vantage Point’s B2B product focuses on identifying sexual harassment and assault, bystander intervention, response training, and societal stigma and bias. Prior to Vantage Point, Morgan served as the Head of Digital Marketing for the online designer consignment platform LePrix. Today, Morgan joins us to discuss her inspiration to change the world of human resources by way of VR. She offers insight around what it’s like to be a female founder and how women can arm themselves to better navigate life as an entrepreneur. Listen in as Morgan describes the parallels between entrepreneurs and athletes and learn how VR can empower us to solve big problems with thoughtfulness and compassion. Topics Covered Morgan’s inspiration to transform HR Year abroad revealed own biases, ignorance VR has power to create connection Why virtual reality is ideal for HR training Form relationships and empathy See outcome of actions The barriers for female founders Avoid events because only woman in room Create environments, processes more inviting to women How female entrepreneurs can arm themselves Learn to negotiate, stand ground Get comfortable in uncomfortable situations Morgan’s insight around VC fundraising Investors are partners, allies Work together to get to next stage What the world looks like if Vantage Point succeeds More thoughtfulness and compassion Run toward problems, empowered to act Morgan’s moratorium on social media Who are you living for? How does that influence actions? Morgan’s take on asking good questions Inspired by friend Samier Mansur Questions influence information uncovered The parallels between working out and entrepreneurship 40% rule Requires long-term commitment Push limits to gain strength Morgan’s definition of success Go beyond what believe can achieve Pursue something meaningful Connect with Morgan: Vantage Point https://www.tryvantagepoint.com/ Morgan on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/morganrmercer/ Morgan on Twitter https://twitter.com/themorganmercer?lang=en Resources: Halogen Ventures http://halogenvc.com/ LiveSafe https://www.livesafemobile.com/ The Art of Being and Becoming by Hazrat Inayat Khan https://www.amazon.com/Being-Becoming-Hazrat-Inayat-Khan/dp/093087241X The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho https://www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Paulo-Coelho/dp/0061122416 Evan Spiegel at Code 2018 https://www.recode.net/2018/5/30/17397120/snap-ceo-evan-spiegel-transcript-code-2018 The Little Prince Animated Film https://www.amazon.com/Little-Prince-James-Franco/dp/B01F8505M4 Connect with Boost VC: Boost VC Website https://www.boost.vc/ Boost VC on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/boostvc/ Boost VC on Twitter https://twitter.com/BoostVC