Mar 19 2025 20 mins
A rising star in tech entrepreneurship joins the Small Business Besties podcast today - and he happens to be the host's son! Fifteen-year-old Azra shares his remarkable journey as the youngest participant ever accepted into the Von Allmen Center for Entrepreneurism at the University of Kentucky's Gatton Business School.
This ambitious high school student has already developed "Deductly," innovative software that solves a critical problem for businesses across industries. His solution automates paycheck deduction calculations to ensure companies don't inadvertently violate the complex web of federal, state, and county minimum wage laws when making deductions from employee paychecks. What began as an alternative to days of manual calculations for a nationwide corporation has evolved into a promising software venture.
Beyond this single solution, Azra reveals his vision for an AI-enhanced web development firm that could revolutionize accessibility to custom websites. By strategically incorporating artificial intelligence into the development process, he aims to slash typical project costs from $20,000 to $5,000, making professional web development attainable for small businesses with limited budgets. "I want to make web development something everybody can have," he explains with genuine passion.
The episode explores various entrepreneurial resources available to young innovators, including the Governor's School for Entrepreneurship, Awesome Inc's programs, and startup competitions. Azra also discusses his experience developing the Small Business Bestie Toolbox, which helps guide entrepreneurs from idea to launch with business tracking and registration tools.
Are you struggling with time-consuming manual processes in your business? Connect with Azra on LinkedIn to explore how custom software solutions might streamline your operations and solve your unique business challenges. Share this episode with the young entrepreneurs in your life who might be inspired by this tech prodigy's journey!
Check out Azra's Governor's School of Entrepreneurism application video here: https://youtu.be/RORkJW_-w2o?feature=shared
Follow Azra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azra-smock/
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Check out the Small Business Bestie Website