Can you say the L-word about your team?
Nine times out of ten, my youngest son smiles at me when I walk into a room. He’s been like that ever since he was a…
Quirky’s troubles were sadly predictable
A venture capital firm I really respect passed on looking at The Grommet because they felt their Quirky investment was too competitive. I applaud any VC who protects their…
Small town + startups = some surprises
I’m flying back from my second foray as a mentor at the Telluride Venture Accelerator. I always feel right at home as soon as I walk…
Advice for Entrepreneurs: Playing the Long Game
I am posting in its entirety a piece from the Harvard Business School student publication, The Harbus. I wish I spoke as succinctly, in real…
Thanking our “insiders”
Joanne and I sent a special email out to 17,000 of our top customers to mark the Thanksgiving holiday. I am loving the responses people are sending…
High class CEO problems
It’s early morning at the Pacific Ocean. I am writing this from a table barely out of view from the scene above. A waiter just silently adjusted the position of…
To break the glass ceiling, women need to start companies
This post was originally published in Harvard Business Review. I changed the title, here. At a recent baby shower, along with the 35 or so assembled…
The first challenge after a promotion? Bumping yourself upstairs.
This post was originally published on Inc.com As CEO of a company that grew 450% last year, I often think about creating resiliency at The Grommet. With…
The “Older” Entrepreneur’s Secret Weapon
This piece was originally posted in the Harvard Business Review. In the early days of founding my current company, The Grommet, I met with a prominent venture capitalist.…
Seeing that Tipping Point of Joy Get Closer and Closer
When you start a business you are constantly looking for evidence that you are not crazy, and that you are working on something that matters. In…
