Amos Winbush of CyberSynchs: Connecting The Data


Quite often, the path that leads you to your ultimate destiny is a long and winding road.  Those who stay the course reach their destiny much sooner than those who become distracted by shortcuts and crossroads.  Amos Winbush, CEO of CyberSynchs, joins Brent Leary to share the story of the path to his destiny.  A destiny that lead to the creation of a successful, first generation, universal data synchronization company.  And guess what? Amos has a secret to share!

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Amos Winbush of CyberSynch?sSmall Business Trends: Can you tell us a little bit about CyberSynchs and your personal background?

Amos Winbush: I started the company in 2008 and, in short, we really focus on the issue that customers have with data splintering. What that means is most devices don’t communicate with each other.  You have a BlackBerry that doesn’t communicate with your iPhone or doesn’t communicate with your Windows mobile device.

We developed a system that allows for all of your devices to communicate with each other.  Not only a mobile device, but can also send content to a digital camera or an Internet enabled printer.  That is what CyberSynchs is.  We are a first generation universal data synchronization company.

I am 28 and one of those kids that decided they did not want to be in college anymore.  I wanted to go out and actually do.  Of course, my parents hated it, but…

Small Business Trends: They like it now, right?

Amos Winbush: They like it now.  But at the time, they did not like it so much. I am the youngest of three kids.  Two older sisters, grew up in Louisiana, really focused on music a lot. My mom and dad both encouraged me to have that creative side.  That creativity from music went into innovation and technology and I am all the greater for it.

Small Business Trends: How difficult is it for people to have all of their data at the device of their choice when they need it?

Amos Winbush: It is very difficult. Our main focus is to understand what the customer wants.  If an enterprise has employees with BlackBerrys, iPhones, and Windows mobile devices – and those devices do not communicate with each other – then that is the reason why CyberSynchs exists.

I think accessing the data is one thing.  Having complete ownership and manipulation of that data is another.  We’re all about having complete access to that data.  Meaning you are able to manipulate it, you are able to edit it, add it, delete it and it will also change in all of the devices that are associated with CyberSynchs and that particular piece of data.

Small Business Trends: How did you get started at such a young age? You said your parents were unhappy when you decided to move on from school.  But folks like Zuckerberg, Gates and Jobs did the same thing?

Amos Winbush: Yeah, but when you look at the landscape, at that time I was a 19 or 20-year old kid, with parents who grew up in the late 50’s early 60’s. Upward mobility for them was having a stable job and having a college degree that you can fall back on.

I always had the mentality that I did not want to work for anyone.  But I did not know what that meant until I really started to focus on music.  I am a strong believer in that, depending on where you are in life, it sets you up for the next stage. So if I did not focus on music, I would not have moved to New York City.  I would not have started CyberSynchs.

For me, it was being able to put the pieces together in the music industry.  I was able to bring that into launching a tech company.  Because it’s all about piecing things together at the right time and in the right place.

Small Business Trends: How were you able to get to where you are today without having access to the kind of technology role models that some of the folks I mentioned had?

Amos Winbush: I would be remiss if I said that it was not difficult.  It was very difficult. I remember going into this one conference in New York City and being the only African American in a room of 800 people.

When I first started CyberSynchs, I did not have those role models. I also did not have a major community of tech people that I grew up around. I did not go to a tech school, and I was not privy to having millions of VC dollars when I started this company.  So the doors just did not sling open for me. I had to work really hard and I decided to build my own road.  As difficult as it was, it was probably the smartest decision I had have ever made.

The first year and half to two years of CyberSynchs existence, it was very touch and go.  It was not all peaches and cream.

Small Business Trends: When was the moment you said, “You know what?  I think I am going to make it.”

Amos Winbush: I think when we signed our first partnership in late 2010 with a company in Central and South America that brought on board over a seven year period 118 million dollars into the business.  That was the first light that helped me to say, “I think we will be okay now.”

Small Business Trends: Where can people learn more about CyberSynchs and about Amos Winbush himself?

Amos Winbush: I am always on social networking.  On Twitter, @TechCEO is my personal account and @CyberSynchs is the company account. We like to communicate with people via Facebook.

Small Business Trends: Can you tell us about the TV show you are going to be making an appearance on?

Amos Winbush: Well, I can’t say too much because I don’t know if ABC would like that.  But I took part in an amazing show where I go into a community and take on a different identity.  I work with amazing organizations that are changing the way that not only their community operates, their state operates, but the country operates. If not the world. The show is called Secret Millionaire and it airs on ABC.

This interview is part of our One on One series of conversations with some of the most thought-provoking entrepreneurs, authors and experts in business today. This interview has been edited for publication. To hear audio of the full interview, click the right arrow on the gray player below. You can also see more interviews in our interview series.

This is part of the One-on-One Interview series with thought leaders. The transcript has been edited for publication. If it's an audio or video interview, click on the embedded player above, or subscribe via iTunes or via Stitcher.


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Brent Leary Brent Leary is the host of the Small Business Trends One-on-One interview series and co-founder of CRM Essentials LLC, an Atlanta-based CRM advisory firm covering tools and strategies for improving business relationships. Brent is a CRM industry analyst, advisor, author, speaker and award-winning blogger.

5 Reactions
  1. Great job with the One on One series! It really helps to hear a personal success story, especially those of us who are considering becoming entrepreneurs. So thanks, Brent and Amos!

    • Thanks for the kind words about the series Kelsey. And I totally agree with you about the power of personal success stories from folks like Amos. We can learn a great deal from all the folks in the series.

      Thanks again!
      Brent

  2. Charleen Larson

    Thanks for such an inspiring story. I’ve never watched Secret Millionaire but this tempts me to start.

  3. I had the privilege of teaching 9th grade English at Northwood High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. I have to be honest and say, “A technology genius? Really?” Anybody who knew Amos back then would have bet the farm that he’d be a famous singer, game show host, politician, or a smile model for Crest toothpaste. The fact the he gave birth to CyberSynchs is just amazing. It just shows that human potential is limitless. I’m so proud of Amos. He deserves everything he has achieved and more.