Nico Aguilar didn’t grow up with a gift for public speaking. In fact, he was the opposite—a shy, soft-spoken kid from a small town in Iowa who avoided raising his hand in class or speaking up in social settings. But as life often does, it threw him a challenge he couldn’t dodge. It came during a college presentation, a moment most of us can relate to. His body betrayed him—nerves, nausea, and breathlessness forced him out of the room. That day, Nico realized he couldn’t let fear control his life anymore. He decided to face it head-on.

“I had to confront the fact that this wasn’t just a passing moment,” Nico explained. “If I didn’t deal with it, I’d let it hold me back forever.”

That decision sparked a journey of transformation. Nico started small: reading books on public speaking, enrolling in workshops, and seeking out mentors. Slowly but surely, he rebuilt his confidence, not just as a speaker but as a person. It wasn’t about becoming perfect—it was about becoming better every day.

That personal evolution inspired Nico to create Speako, an app designed to help others master the art of communication. “We give feedback on everything—tone, filler words, speaking pace—things people rarely think about but that can make or break how they’re perceived,” he shared. Speako, often described as "Grammarly for your voice," equips users with real-time insights and actionable tips, leveling the playing field for people from all walks of life.

Nico’s mission is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves to be heard. “A lot of us didn’t grow up in environments that taught executive-level communication,” he said. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn. Confidence isn’t a gift—it’s a skill.”

One of Nico’s favorite features of the app is the live coaching option, where users can connect with human experts for tailored advice. “AI is great for analyzing tone and pace,” he said, “but sometimes you need that human connection to pull it all together.”

The impact of Speako has been profound. Nico recalled coaching an entrepreneur prepping for a high-stakes pitch on Shark Tank. Together, they refined the delivery, structured the narrative, and polished the tone. That preparation landed the entrepreneur a $300,000 deal. “Moments like that remind me why I started this,” Nico reflected.

Beyond the app, Nico offers a simple yet powerful lesson for anyone struggling with communication: start where you are. “There’s this myth that you have to be perfect before you can start,” he said. “But it’s okay to stumble. What matters is that you keep going.”

Nico’s advice applies not just to speaking but to life itself. “Pick your work,” he said. “Every job, every pursuit, involves effort. So choose something meaningful, and enjoy the process.” For Nico, the process isn’t just about building an app—it’s about building people. And with over 400,000 users worldwide, Speako is doing exactly that.