Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiana (Kiki) Mincey.
Hi Kiana (Kiki), can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Absolutely. My journey hasn’t been linear. I never envisioned myself in tech when I first started out. I was born and raised in the Atlanta area—specifically Gwinnett County—and I attended Buford High School. I was always athletic, and I walked on to the track and field team at Kennesaw State University, eventually earning a scholarship in my senior year.
Academically, I pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies with dreams of working in radio. Most of my internships were with local Atlanta radio stations. However, during my senior year, I took a production class that changed everything. We had the opportunity to create our own content, and I produced and directed a music video to Bruno Mars and Cardi B’s “Finesse.” That project sparked something in me—I fell in love with the process of taking a vision and bringing it to life.
That moment led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Integrated Global Communication. After graduating in 2019, I heavily networked and landed a job at ESPN/Disney. I moved to Bristol, Connecticut in January 2020 and worked in sports media. While I valued that experience, I eventually wanted more. I downloaded dating apps to meet people, but I found the experience frustrating—matches rarely led to conversations, and conversations rarely led to real connections.
Then I discovered Clubhouse. At the time, it was invite-only, and I was fascinated by the concept of audio-based networking. I found myself in rooms at 2 or 3 a.m., talking with people from all over the world. I even landed a job from someone I connected with on Clubhouse. That experience made me realize how impactful real-time audio could be.
That’s when the idea for SWITCH was born. I thought, “What if I could talk to someone briefly before seeing their profile? Would that improve the dating experience?” I knew it had to be in a speed-dating format—even though I’d never experienced speed dating before.
I shared the idea with some friends, and they encouraged me to pursue it. Around that time, my now co-founder, Corey Staples, reached out to me for help getting into ESPN. I told her about my idea, and the next day she called me and said, “Let’s do it.” From that moment on, we were off to the races. I didn’t have a technical background, but I had a clear vision and intentionality. That’s how SWITCH came to life.
One of the reasons I love SWITCH so much is because it addresses a very real and disheartening issue we face today. With all the social media platforms and dating apps at our fingertips, you’d think it would be easier than ever to form genuine relationships. But it’s actually harder. We have more access to people than ever before, and yet there’s a communication breakdown. Innovation brought us options, but too many options have created unexpected barriers.
Today, people are used to hiding behind screens, sending messages that often get misconstrued, or simply not putting in the effort. Vulnerability is seen as a weakness, when it’s actually the one thing we need most to build meaningful relationships—whether romantic, professional, or platonic. That’s why SWITCH stands apart. It removes superficial judgments, alleviates pressure, and brings people back to talking—real, live conversation. It’s that ’90s love energy we all crave, stripped of materialism, rooted in effort, character, and connection. In this digital age, SWITCH is a reminder that love and communication still matter—and we’re helping people find that in an innovative and fun way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the hardest things was actually not creating the app—but going to market and building brand awareness around SWITCH. It took a long time to figure out how to create an audience that truly understood and connected with our vision. Most people don’t know this, but we actually launched the MVP of our app in 2023. Our users were mainly friends, family, and a handful of random supporters.
We had to completely pivot. We changed who we were working with and hit factory reset on our entire approach. To this day, we’re still learning. But I’m proud to say that after a complete rebrand and the development of a simpler, more streamlined version of the app, we re-launched on Valentine’s Day 2025. That same day, we hosted a successful speed dating event. In just one month, we’ve already crossed over 1,000 downloads and continue to grow steadily—compared to under 400 users before. SWITCH is now available nationwide in the U.S.
This journey has taught me that redirection and pivoting are not setbacks—they’re setups for something better. You never know what’s on the other side of the pivot. There have been times where our business account had zero dollars, and out of the blue, we’d win a pitch competition, secure a grant, or land an angel investment—all because of authentic networking and relationship building.
The hardest part of it all is continuing to show up. It’s not easy pouring your time and energy into something that doesn’t yet pay the bills, but demands everything from you. Mistakes are inevitable, and there’s no such thing as a smooth road. If there’s one guarantee in entrepreneurship, it’s struggle—honestly. And that’s the toughest truth to swallow when you have a vision no one else can fully see.
One of the hardest challenges has been raising capital, particularly as a Black woman founder. You can have the best idea in the world, execute well, and still be overlooked. There have been times where I had no stable income, and personal hardships affected the progress of the business.
Yet, through it all, I’ve stayed committed. I believe in what we’re building. SWITCH is more than a dating app—it’s a platform that can evolve into something much bigger: networking, friendships, authentic connections. It’s about innovation with a human touch. The struggle is real, but so is the potential impact.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Before launching SWITCH, I worked as a producer across several television shows for major networks. I cast talent, wrote storylines, and brought ideas to life. I’m a creator at heart—I bring visions to reality.
People often say I’m a relationship cultivator. I build strong connections and follow up consistently. That’s how we’ve raised funding for SWITCH—through networking and maintaining authentic relationships.
What sets me apart is my determination. I may not have all the answers, but I’ll find them. I’m relentless in the pursuit of bringing my vision to life. I’m most proud of how far SWITCH has come—from just an idea to a product people recognize and engage with. When people tell me they met someone at one of our events and are still seeing them, or that they were inspired by my journey, that’s when I feel the most fulfilled.
There’s not enough article space to really break down what I go through personally. I don’t think people would even believe it, honestly, because I don’t openly share or harp on my hardships. But through it all, there’s no denying the role God has played in protecting me and providing for me. Even the way resources and people have been divinely placed in this journey is truly remarkable. It’s those moments—those timely blessings—that help me keep going, even when I don’t want to. I’m truly exhausted, but I have to give all glory to God. There’s purpose in what we’ve built and are building. It’s not about me.
I’m also incredibly proud of the impact SWITCH is already making. When people reach out and say, “Hey, I want to volunteer at your event,” it means everything. We literally just had a young woman email us saying she believes in what we’re doing, loved her experience, and wants to help with our next event. Or someone says, “Hey, I met someone at your event,” or “I love the date giveaway you planned for us—me and so-and-so are still dating.” Or, “Someone referred me to your event, and I’m so glad I went.”
I love seeing the reviews because I know we’re offering something completely different in Atlanta. I honestly wish we could do more. I love seeing the positive impact of the community we’re building—bringing back real-life connections, not only in person but also online through our app. I’m proud of the fact that I even started this business. From the moment I had the idea, I knew I had to get it going—some way, somehow. I never stopped to think about how hard it would actually be. It never crossed my mind how expensive it would become. We definitely jumped into this a bit naively, and now I truly understand that ignorance really is bliss. Had I known everything this journey would require, I’m not sure I would’ve started. But looking back, I’m so grateful I trusted my gut. I believed the idea could be a game-changer—and I still do.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the people here. You can really come across some great individuals who are willing to grind and build with you—or connect you to someone—because they see the work you’re putting in and believe in our company’s mission. You can be at a function in Atlanta, singing and dancing with a random stranger, and before you know it, you’ve built a connection and that person ends up becoming someone you collaborate or work with. There’s so much love here, despite what you might see on social media. Sometimes, you can’t even explain what just happened—you just say, “Only in Atlanta.”
This city truly influences everything, just like they say. It’s impactful, and I’m proud to say that SWITCH started right here in Atlanta and plans to be just as impactful as the city that birthed it.
What I like least? Definitely the traffic—and the drivers! But overall, this city is constantly growing and evolving. There’s so much love and opportunity here if you take the time to find your tribe. Once you do, it’s unmatched. Atlanta is truly one of a kind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.myswitchapp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myswitchapp?igsh=YWkza3lmem83NWZm&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiana-kiki-mincey/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaa_kQyVGW28HJT20BdsY_YruSpUNtLQndHREN37IMbHWppjXt4Yzgwxyp8_aem_S_zsLJkEw4tYbjHPcQS0pA&v=fPEljlpQ_wk&feature=youtu.be
Image Credits
Keenan – @eyeshotthis on IG
