# 44. From Apple to Entrepreneur: Surviving COVID, Closing the Digital Divide & Leading with Empathy | David Collins

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/b-student-podcast-7163471/44-from-apple-to-entrepreneur-surviving-covid-closing-the-digital-divide-leading-with-empathy-david-collins
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/b-student-podcast-7163471/44-from-apple-to-entrepreneur-surviving-covid-closing-the-digital-divide-leading-with-empathy-david-collins.md
Podcast: [B Student Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/b-student-podcast-7163471)
Published: 2026-04-01T11:00:32+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/44-from-apple-to-entrepreneur-surviving-covid-closing-the-digital-divide-leading-with-empathy-david-collins--71011443
Audio file: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/71011443/ep44_guest_david_collins.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/b-student-podcast-7163471/episodes/44-from-apple-to-entrepreneur-surviving-covid-closing-the-digital-divide-leading-with-empathy-david-collins
Duration seconds: 2365

## Resource

In this episode of the B-Student Podcast, we sit down with David Collins, CEO of Aeras Technologies and Aeras Foundation, a 26-year veteran of the software and telecom industry and a former Apple executive who helped launch the original iPhone into the carrier market. David shares the behind-the-scenes story of leaving a successful corporate career to start his own company—only to launch it three months before the global pandemic. Instead of retreating, David and his team leaned into the chaos with a simple philosophy: “We weren’t selling. We were helping.” From navigating crises like 9/11, the 2008 financial crash, and COVID-19, to building a company culture rooted in empathy and service, David explains how resilience, relationships, and values-driven leadership have shaped his entrepreneurial journey. We also dive into the powerful impact of the Aeras Foundation, a nonprofit tackling the digital divide by repurposing donated technology and providing devices to students and nonprofits across Central Florida. If you’re building a business, leading a team, or navigating uncertainty in your career, this conversation offers a powerful reminder: the best businesses start with service. Time Stamps: 00:00 – Meet David Collins (CEO of Aeras Technologies) 06:12 – The “Burn the Boats” Entrepreneur Mindset 09:28 – Launching a Company 3 Months Before COVID 12:41 – From Selling to Helping: The Sales Philosophy That Worked 16:05 – Lessons from Past Crises: 9/11, 2008, and the Pandemic 19:24 – Building an Empathy-Driven IT Company Culture 22:46 – Hiring for Values First, Training Skills Later 26:03 – The Importance of Team Strengths in Leadership 29:08 – Community Leadership and Leadership Winter Park 32:18 – The Birth of the Aeras Foundation 35:54 – Closing the Digital Divide Throu…

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