

Hello, I am Carissa
Founder of Cue.
I've spent years studying relationships, human behavior, and what helps people genuinely connect.
The more people I talked to, the more I realized we all shared the same challenge:
We wanted real-life connection.
But the tools we had weren't helping us get there.
One day I asked myself,
"Why doesn't an app exist that simply shows who's already out and open to meeting?"
I searched for it.
It didn't exist.
So I built it.
Welcome to Cue.
My Story
I'm the founder of Cue, and I want to tell you why it exists.
I've owned a beauty studio in Dana Point for the last 7 years. Building that business taught me something I never expected - I loved the conversations just as much as the work itself.
Every day, my clients and I would end up talking about life, relationships, dating, friendship, and the feeling that it had become surprisingly difficult to meet genuine people.
Eventually, I realized they weren't the only ones feeling that way.
For the next few years, I immersed myself in learning everything I could about relationships, attachment, communication, and human connection. My original intention was to become a relationship coach. I invested in programs, certifications, and countless hours of personal growth because I wanted to become the healthiest version of myself—and eventually help others do the same.
Along the way, I realized something unexpected.
While I loved the work, I didn't want to coach professionally. But everything I had learned changed the way I saw people. I found myself having deeper conversations with friends, family, clients, and anyone who needed someone to listen.
No matter who I was talking to, I kept hearing the same thing.
People were lonely.
People wanted real connection.
And almost everyone felt frustrated by how difficult it had become to meet people naturally.
So I turned to dating apps myself.
I experienced the bots, inactive profiles that still appeared "active," endless conversations that never became real meetings, and platforms that seemed designed to keep people scrolling instead of helping them connect.
I'm also in the small percentage of women who will actually walk up and introduce themselves to someone in public. If meeting people still felt difficult for me, I couldn't stop thinking about everyone else who found it even harder.
One day, I caught myself wishing there was an app that simply showed me who was already out and open to meeting. I searched for it.
It didn't exist.
At some point, I stopped asking, "Why doesn't someone build this?" and started asking, "Why not me?"
That question eventually became Cue.
Cue is built around one simple idea:
Technology shouldn't replace real life—it should make real life easier to find.
Instead of scrolling through people who may never be available, Cue lets you see who's already out and open to meeting.
You go live when you're already out.
You draw your radius.
You discover people nearby who are also looking to connect.
If there's mutual interest, you start a conversation. Then, when you're ready, you meet in person.
The phone is the introduction - not the destination.
Whether you're looking for friendship, dating, activity partners, or simply hoping to expand your circle, Cue exists to make real-life connection feel possible again.
Building Cue has been one of the biggest leaps of my life.
I jokingly call this chapter "Beauty to the Beast," because going from owning a beauty studio to building a tech startup is about as unexpected as it sounds.
I've never built a technology company before. Every day has been a lesson in solving problems I never imagined I'd face, asking questions I never thought I'd ask, and figuring things out one step at a time.
Some days have been exciting.
Some have been exhausting.
Some days have been both.
But I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.
Because I believe some of the best stories aren't about people who already have all the answers - they're about people willing to build anyway.
My vision for Cue has always been bigger than an app.
I want to help create a culture where genuine connection comes first. A place where people don't just meet each other - they grow into the kind of people they hope to meet.
Over time, I hope Cue becomes more than technology. I envision community events, workshops, retreats, local partnerships, and resources that help people build healthier relationships with themselves and with each other.
If we can help even a small number of people feel less alone, make a meaningful friendship, meet their partner, or simply have the courage to say hello to someone new, then I believe we're building something worthwhile.
I don't believe technology should replace real life.
I believe it should help us find it.
That's why I built Cue.
Cue is live on Google Play, with Apple approval on the way.
This is only the beginning, and I'd love for you to be part of building it. Your feedback, your ideas, and your stories will help shape where Cue goes next.
If you've made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read my story.
I hope Cue helps you find a friendship, a relationship, or simply the courage to say hello to someone new.
That's why I built it.
Contact
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Phone: 949-886-1181