HBCU Founders Accelerator Spring 2025 Cohort Spotlight: Meet Garland Trice from Bruce
This Spring, we launched the fourth cohort of the HBCU Founders Accelerator Program. Over the next several weeks, we’ll be shining a spotlight on the remarkable founders and their entrepreneurial journeys. Meet Garland Trice from Bruce!
Can you tell us a little about your background and what inspired your entrepreneurial journey?
I grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, surrounded by small businesses run by family members, neighbors, and community leaders. That environment sparked my entrepreneurial spirit very early on. I was naturally drawn to creating opportunities and making my own money, even as a kid. I was very curious growing up; I'd often get in trouble for taking things apart to see how they worked. One day, my aunt gave me her old computer, and it changed everything. I discovered a deep fascination for technology, leading me to major in computer science. From then on, combining technology and entrepreneurship became a long-term goal for me.
During my college years, I repaired computers for classmates and started a small business with friends selling electronics. For me, entrepreneurship is about pursuing opportunities in areas I'm passionate about, constantly learning, and innovating along the way. That’s what inspires me and makes the journey so exciting.
What problem is your startup solving and what inspired you to tackle this issue?
Bruce was born from a personal challenge that many entrepreneurs face: the constant pressure of marketing. I’ve dealt with this problem myself while building apps. I used to think building the product was enough, but success requires consistently telling your story. A task that feels endless and exhausting. Driven by my own struggles, I wrote code to automate my daily social media posts. It instantly boosted engagement and app downloads. Realizing how transformative this tool was for me, I knew countless other busy business owners needed this solution too. That's what inspired Bruce: helping business owners effortlessly establish a strong online presence while they focus on what they do best.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you have faced while building your startup, and how did you overcome them?
As a solo founder, one of my biggest challenges has been juggling all aspects of the business effectively. Staying focused and disciplined, along with intentional planning, is important, but absolutely critical when you're managing everything alone. I've learned the importance of saying no to enticing but distracting opportunities, and instead concentrating on pushing forward the main drivers that will provide value for my customers and grow the business. Setting clear priorities and consistently following through on them has helped me navigate these challenges successfully.
What has been your proudest moment so far?
My proudest moment as a founder has been delighting my customers. Witnessing an idea that initially existed only in my mind transform into a solution that genuinely brings happiness and value to others is an incredible feeling. One customer told me they “loved the content” that Bruce was creating for them. Moments like that remind me why I’m building this. It's extremely gratifying and fuels my passion to make Bruce better every day.
Where do you see your company in 5 years and how do you see it impacting your community?
Bruce will empower organizations to amplify their voices and share their most impactful work. Our goal is to democratize social media marketing, making it accessible and effective for everyone, not just large corporations or well-funded organizations. By lowering barriers, Bruce will enable smaller businesses, nonprofits, and community-focused initiatives to gain visibility, connect meaningfully with their audiences, and ultimately drive positive change within our communities. As someone who came from a small town full of entrepreneurs, I want Bruce to be the tool that helps the next generation of small businesses thrive.
What led you to become interested in Nex Cubed? What resources do you believe will be most helpful?
I first discovered Nex Cubed on social media and dug deep. I attended and watched demo days on YouTube, spoke with founders, and explored the HBCUFI pre-accelerator. Though I didn’t get into Nex Cubed on my first try, I was able to join HBCUFI, refine my vision, reapply, and successfully secure a spot in the Spring 2025 Cohort. While Nex Cubed offers numerous valuable resources, the advisor network has had the greatest impact on me.
My advisors are incredibly thoughtful and experienced, and they consistently elevate my strategic thinking and focus beyond what I could achieve alone. We also have Founder Fridays, where they bring other advisors and partners within the network to talk with us. It’s my favorite hour of the week. These interactions have significantly accelerated my learning and growth, unlocking fresh ideas and strategies that are instrumental for the future success of Bruce.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned as a startup founder so far?
The most valuable lesson I've learned as a startup founder is the importance of getting out and talking to your users, early and often. Every conversation brings you closer to building the right product. These discussions help you iterate quickly, build trust, gain deeper insights, and uncover new ideas. Regularly engaging with your users keeps your product relevant and helps to meet their true needs, even as they evolve. After each cycle of conversations and building, you must get out again and repeat the process, continuously improving your understanding and your product.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who are looking to make their mark in the industry?
My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: Just start. Don't wait for the perfect plan or the ideal moment. Start now and learn as you go. Action is the best teacher. Be consistent. Build habits. Stay focused. Stay curious, keep growing, and let momentum carry you forward. Success happens over time.
What advice would you give to other HBCU entrepreneurs around fundraising?
Fundraising is storytelling and sales. Clearly communicate your idea, anticipate and gracefully handle objections, and demonstrate a realistic but compelling plan. Provide evidence of traction whenever possible. Even if your idea isn’t perfect, get brutally honest feedback from experienced founders and investors. That feedback is what sharpens your pitch. Once you’ve developed those skills, fundraising ultimately becomes a numbers game, so persistently and confidently share your vision until you get to yes.
What is one word to describe your journey so far?
Worthwhile.
Where can readers/listeners/viewers learn more about your business?
You can follow my founder journey on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/garlandtrice/ and below are all the ways you can connect with Bruce.
Website: https://www.getbruce.app
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbruceapp/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@getbruceapp
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@getbruceapp/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/getbruceapp