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1. What were you doing before you launched your startup?

I worked at Microsoft in Product Marketing. I joined Microsoft at 24 and spent a decade working in various Product, Sales and Marketing roles. When I joined, we were selling Windows Vista via CDs to our customers. This summer Microsoft announced Windows 11 in the Cloud, almost 14 years later. The innovator’s dilemma is real. I got a first-hand education through many Windows launches just how hard it is to innovate and upgrade billions of customers to the cloud.

I spent most of my career in Windows incubating new products, running pilot and enterprise adoption programs and most recently on Google compete strategy. I learned a ton in that time that has served me really well in startups. I think some people have the idea that Microsoft employees aren’t agile enough to run startups. That couldn’t be further from the truth. One of my greatest strengths as a Founder is my ability to build, pilot and sell enterprise software. As a non-technical Founder, this has served me well as we’ve been able to commercialize our product much earlier than most startups.

2. When did you realize you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

As I was approaching my 10-year anniversary, something totally unexpected happened. As if overnight, purpose vs. money became a more important driver for me. I remembered a promise I had made to myself back in college when I decided to double-major in Business (I was already on track to receive my Anthropology degree). I remember telling myself that I would go into business to get “money, influence and power” and then use that privilege to make a difference someday. At that moment, I realized that I’d spent almost a third of my waking life working for Microsoft and that the time had come for me to apply myself to something more purpose driven. 

I didn’t immediately quit my job. To be honest, I never thought I’d leave Microsoft. I left 15 months later; but not before being involved in a freak skiing accident with my new boyfriend (now husband) two weeks before my end date. I was hit by a snowboarder from behind with such force, I immediately tore my ACL, fractured my tibia, ruptured my meniscus, and tore my posterior lateral corner. As I was falling down the mountain in slow motion, I remember thinking, “What have I done?” followed by “Thank God I still have insurance.” I was scheduled to speak at several pitch competitions and conferences in the coming weeks. I was tobogganing down the mountain in tears as I faced the sobering reality that I’d need to learn to walk again, in addition to navigating the uncertainty of startups and life outside of Microsoft.

3. What initial hesitations did you have about starting your first company?

Money! I was single living on a houseboat on Lake Union in Seattle. My mortgage + moorage wasn’t insignificant, and I worried how I’d be able to afford my lifestyle if I quit. I had saved 6 months of living expenses and told myself that I could always go back if the money dried up. Indeed 6 months later I was given the opportunity to do some consulting work which allowed me to continue building Tribute. At some point, you have to trust your gut and take the leap. I had many hesitations about quitting, including what my friends and family might think, but ultimately, the idea for Tribute was too powerful to not go for it. As silly as it sounds, I knew it was my calling and that I needed to follow it. Thankfully, I feel like Microsoft would welcome me back with open arms if I ever wanted to go back. Without a doubt, I’m a better employee today for having the education that startups have taught me.

4. Can you remember the day you put in your notice? What was it like, what was going through your mind, how did your manager take it?

Yes! It was a cold December day. I had been ideating on Tribute for over a year. I found that more of my thoughts and time were being spent on Tribute vs. my day job. I knew then that it was time. My integrity wouldn’t allow me to keep accepting a paycheck from a company I wasn’t giving 110% too. As I drove in, I felt a lightness of being that reaffirmed my decision. My manager was admittedly disappointed but not surprised. I had been open and transparent with him from the beginning. He took it great and fully supported my decision. Rather than a standard two weeks’ notice, I stayed on for another 3 months to help recruit my replacement and do a full transition. I keep in regular contact with my old team today and have leaned on their support, including my former Manager, more times that I can count.

5. What are you doing now?

Tribute just turned two and is thriving! We’ve got several enterprise customers today, including Microsoft, have raised capital, grown the team, and are just getting started. I sold my houseboat, got married, moved to Ballard, had a son, and have another one on the way. Building babies alongside businesses is another blog post all together! 

The pandemic had a silver lining in that remote work has really challenged how we make meaningful connections in the workplace. Tribute’s peer-to-peer mentorship app, available in Teams and Slack, is perfectly positioned to help companies attract and retain top talent in this new hybrid work era. Investments in HRTech are booming as we’re all reimagining the future of work. Tribute was also selected as one of the only female-founded startups to be included in Microsoft Viva’s launch at Inspire in July.

6. Looking back on your experience of founding a company, what do you know that you wish you knew before? Are you happy with your decision?

So many things! Learning to tell your Founding story (your why) is critical when venturing out. Most people don’t know how to make sense of someone in their mid-30s leaving a stable career to start a company. Being able to communicate your mission, your why and why you are the one to lead this mission is critical. In the early days investors are betting on you. Without a compelling story, it’s going to be hard to build the momentum you need to get your idea off the ground.

I’ve grown so much in the years since venturing out. There are hard days when I question everything, but ultimately, I’m very happy with my decision. I’m a better person, employee, wife, Mom, friend for having this experience. Plus! Tribute has helped thousands of people all over the world find a mentor. Finding a Mentor can be life changing and I know our mission is making a difference in people’s lives for the better.

No matter what happens, I know that finding the courage to follow my calling is serving others, and that is always a worthwhile pursuit.

7. Any other advice you can share for others contemplating a similar path?

Venturing out is scary, but so worth it. If you’re considering a similar path, my advice is two-fold. First, I would find a mentor (aka someone who has walked this path) and ask as many questions as you can about what to expect. Second, don’t quit your day job too soon. Running a startup is a marathon, not a sprint. You’ll want to time your exit correctly, so you have the runway you’ll need to succeed. In startups, it’s not enough to have a good idea or even a good product. You need to have a good business in order to succeed out here. Leaving because you have a good idea is almost surely to run you into the ground before you have a real chance to begin. If you’re a female founder, join the Female Founders Alliance run by Microsoft alum, Leslie Feinzaig. That community of founders has been a lifeline to me throughout my journey.

1. What were you doing before you launched your startup?

I’m a former Amazonian. I worked as a legal specialist. I was highly involved with other teams on the philanthropy side of Amazon, specifically with the Disaster Relief sector. 

While working at Amazon, I co-founded Puerto Rico We Care, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provided disaster relief to Puerto Rico after it was devastated by hurricane Maria in 2017.

2. When did you realize you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

After working in philanthropy and co-founding a nonprofit, I fell in love with this sector. To explain my inspiration, I must go back to where it all started – Puerto Rico. 

Back when the hurricane devastated Puerto Rico, people in the mainland wanted to help. Over 200,000 families lost their homes, 4,000 lives were lost, and the island was without power for almost a year. It was a desperate time. When people in the mainland began sending aid, the Puerto Rican government implemented lots of red tape. It was disorganized. A group of us in Seattle came together to use technology and help expedite aid. I designed and created a platform using Amazon Wishlist’s. Donors could easily choose which items they wanted to donate, and their donation would arrive in a matter of days. In Puerto Rico I had over 100 volunteers in the 78 towns that make up the island, and they would distribute to families in need. In a 2-month period over 300 donors donated over 20,000 items and impacted 4,000 families. This was one of the many projects we worked with at Puerto Rico We Care. 

After our project ended, many nonprofits came to talk to me to understand how they could replicate that success. Right then, I understood that there was a big gap between the nonprofit sector and technology, and I wanted to close that gap. I began efforts to bring better technologies to Amazon to help improve the nonprofit sector, but my ideas were too big at that moment. I decided that my time would be better used by creating a new platform for the nonprofit sector and departing from Amazon.

3. What initial hesitations did you have about starting your first company?

As many first-time entrepreneurs I think the first thought is – “am I crazy?” But then it’s followed by “In a few years, am I going to regret not going for it and say “What If?””, “If not now, when?”, “If not me, then who?”

Yes, working for one of the best companies in the world is rewarding. Yes, the money was good. But there’s no feeling more incredible than creating your idea, launching it, seeing it live, watching it grow and most importantly – changing people’s lives. 

Did I have questions? Yes. Did I have hesitations? Never.

4. Can you remember the day you put in your notice? What was it like, what was going through your mind, how did your manager take it?

I remember that day like it was yesterday, and I think I will remember it forever. I was nervous, anxious, but above all, I was excited. I can’t talk for my former manager because I don’t know what was going through her head. All I can say is that it came in as a surprise.

5. What are you doing now?

I’m the founder and CEO of NEDDIE. 

NEDDIE is a nonprofit marketplace where nonprofits and donors can easily connect, engage, and support the causes they love. 

It has been an ongoing hurdle for people to find where to help, and for nonprofits to be exposed to new donors outside of the same loyal donors they’ve had for years. Time is money, especially when that money is to cause change. People want to help but they want to do it in a fast, easy, secured, and simple way. With NEDDIE, donors are empowered to easily find nonprofits, engage in a multitude of ways, and track their donations. 

Finally, nonprofits have a hub where they are constantly exposed to new donors and can create new long-lasting relationships. We have over 40 nonprofits on our platform from WA and Puerto Rico and plan to expand nationwide. 

Some people call us the “Amazon of Nonprofits”. We are just happy to have a place for nonprofits where they are at the center stage. NEDDIE is the new hub for being part of philanthropy and creating meaningful connections. 

6. Looking back on your experience of founding a company, what do you know that you wish you knew before? Are you happy with your decision?

Many know that founding a company is not easy. It is a rollercoaster of success and emotions. Sometimes your company has great momentum and is performing amazing, other times you feel like you are filling holes in a sinking ship. Ultimately, it is up to you to keep pushing, move forward and take your company to the successful path that you’ve envisioned. 

I don’t think I would’ve wished to know more about the entrepreneur path before I started it. Maybe I would’ve thought it was a big risk or that I would’ve questioned my knowledge, and I might have feared to move forward. Instead, I took the leap and I trusted in myself. Throughout my journey I’ve been learning so much from other entrepreneurs and investors. I’ve fallen hard and I’ve learned how to get up, and with that I’ve become a better CEO and founder for my business. I’m not only happy with my decision, but I’m also proud. I’m a very different person now than when I was in front of my computer designing NEDDIE for the first time.

7. Any other advice you can share for others contemplating a similar path?

Do It! Do you have a great idea? Share it with the world! Your idea might be the key to improving people’s lives. If you have doubts, ask yourself “If not me, then who?”, “If not now, when?” It is a risky business, overwhelming all the time, and it keeps you at the edge of your seat. But if you have a passion, if you have a dream, if you are willing to give it your all to make it happen, then trust in yourself and go for it. I believe that:

– Mentorship. Having mentors and a support system is the key. 

– Networking is important! Don’t be shy, ask for help. Your success will be possible not only because of you, but also because all of those who are helping you build that ladder going up. 

– Listen. Learn from others that have paved the path. Don’t be scared to hear something that you don’t want to hear. When needed, listen, adapt and pivot. Making tough decisions will be part of the process.

– Finally, be a good leader. Companies are built by people, not just one individual.

1. What were you doing before you launched your startup?

I was working as a Software Engineer at Karat, a Seattle-based startup that conducts technical interview screens for rapidly growing engineering teams.

2. When did you realize you wanted to quit your job?

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic I was stoked to work from home for 2 weeks. I’m an introverted Software Engineer– this will be awesome! I was really excited to work in my pajamas and spend more time with my rescue dog!

But, after 9 months of isolation from my colleagues, friends, and family… the excitement disappeared. Before resigning I actually took a couple weeks off for mental health. (I am incredibly thankful to have been part of such a supportive team!) I officially resigned in late October 2020 (before the election because that was another huge element of stress) and spent 2.5 months completely recharging, focusing on self development and learning.

3. What initial hesitations did you have about quitting your job and how did you overcome them?

– Financial stability: I made sure I had a good cushion of savings and knew my monthly burn rate. We also decreased our rent by moving outside of the city.

– Health insurance: I knew getting health insurance was crucial during a health pandemic. I ended up keeping my insurance through COBRA and later switched to a public market plan.

4. Can you remember the day you put in your notice? What was it like, what was going through your mind, how did your manager take it?

My manager was very supportive as was the rest of my team. (Karat is an awesome company to work for and are actively hiring for many roles.)

The day I gave notice I felt a huge sense of relief. I knew I would have time to just live and survive through the pandemic without daily job responsibilities. Entrepreneurship and starting my own company has always been my end goal, but I didn’t know how soon it would be coming my way!

5. What are you doing now?

I am now the CTO & Co-Founder of HelloPrenup, the first digital platform for couples to seamlessly create prenuptial agreements. 

HelloPrenup makes obtaining a prenuptial agreement affordable, fast, and easy! Everyone who gets married has a prenup, they may not know it yet. Those who do know it, realize how difficult and expensive it can be to draft a prenup. It shouldn’t be so hard! HelloPrenup is the first online platform to offer valid prenuptial agreements created using smart algorithms, offered at less than a third of the cost of a typical prenuptial agreement, and requiring a fraction of the time it takes to draft a prenup through attorneys. 

HelloPrenup charges a transparent, flat rate fee of $599 per couple for a prenuptial agreement, and the process takes about 2-3 hours from start to finish, whereas attorneys charge $2,500 per individual, on average, and the process takes 3 months!

Why a prenup in the first place? Through the use of prenuptial agreements, anyone can protect their financial interests and avoid potential economic pitfalls that can befall many married couples by controlling what happens to pre-marital property, business interests, change in income, among many other factors.

Use discount code VENTUREOUT for $100 off your prenup! (Expires 08/01/21).

6. Looking back on your experience of founding a company, what do you know that you wish you knew before? Are you happy with your decision?

I had never worked on a direct B2C product. Many Software Engineers think that if you build a good product, people will come flocking to it. But people can’t use your product if they don’t know it exists!

SEO and online marketing were completely black boxes to me. I have learned so much about the importance of content and online presence for building a consumer focused business.

7. Any other advice you can share for others contemplating a similar path?

Find a Co-Founder that is an expert in the industry you are looking to innovate in (especially if you are the technical Co-Founder!) 

In February 2021, I recognized the need for innovation in the prenup market– millennials are getting engaged and we demand modern solutions for everything we do! The traditional prenup process of vetting 2 divorce attorneys, paying uncapped hourly rates, and waiting months… all while planning a wedding… is the opposite of what we want! 

As a lone Software Engineer I knew I would either need: a Legal Co-Founder or a Legal Advisor to make my vision possible. While conducting competitor research, I came across HelloPrenup and reached out to Julia Rodgers, HelloPrenup’s CEO and head of Boston’s premier family law firm. (Advice: as an entrepreneur you really have to get over any fear of cold emails or phone calls!) It turned out that our visions to disrupt the prenup space aligned perfectly! With Julia’s legal and my technology expertise, we have grown the business exponentially since teaming up in March 2021.