Photo: Contributed
Accelerate Okanagan’s Venture Acceleration Program Client Spotlight highlights some of the program’s clients’ successes, challenges, and lets them share their entrepreneurial insights.
This week, we hear from Shuana Stewart Douglas of Mommble.
Recognizing a need in the market, Stewart Douglas created Mommble – an online, supportive platform that connects moms and mom communities to the resources they need. Here’s what she had to say about becoming an entrepreneur, the value of being involved in the tech community, and what advice she would give to aspiring entrepreneurs.
What made you decide to become an entrepreneur?
I have a tremendous amount of love and respect for moms. I think they are warriors and the cornerstone when it comes to making the world a better, stronger and more connected place.
I also have a huge respect for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship. Recognizing a gap in the market, uncovering and applying a workable business model, having the grit and tenacity for the pursuit and getting in there and rolling up your sleeves – it’s one great big puzzle and the daily problem-solving is invigorating.
After being in the space for several years I knew there was an opportunity to continue to nurture safe online spaces in a sustainable way so I jumped in with both feet.
How did the idea for your business come about?
I started running online communities for moms in 2012 after my daughter was born. The communities continued to grow organically and our commitment to empathy, curiosity and compassion, in addition to our reach, was attracting like-minded partners.
I could see a way to partner with the resources moms need while supporting safe online communities so I decided to pursue it.
What problem do you solve for your customer?
We connect moms with safe communities for peer support. We connect companies looking to reach moms with qualified leads.
Why did you choose to join Accelerate Okanagan?
AO goes to great lengths to connect entrepreneurs to resources, industry insight and each other – all of which are invaluable when working to build and scale a project and business.
As an entrepreneur, what keeps you up at night?
Scalable market adoption. We know our members love our community and the Mommble platform because we see growth, engagement and consistent feedback on the impact Mommble has for moms. Now we must build and maintain momentum on the revenue side.
What’s the value of being involved in the tech community?
Being around smart, excited, like-minded entrepreneurs is energizing!
How has being an entrepreneur impacted your family, social life, or relationships?
Entrepreneurship is all consuming in that it becomes the filter through which you look at everything. I have learned, and am learning, to be present, so rather than doing a subpar job of several things at once I am challenging myself to focus on one thing at a time, whether it’s pitching a partner, welcoming a mom community to the Mommble network or planning a pirate princess party for a soon-to-be five year old.
Photo: Contributed
What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs?
The Big Idea is just the first piece of the puzzle; take this amazing idea and get out there into the market and validate it. It is very possible that this time next year your project is going to look distinctly different from what you thought it would look like, so start now. And have fun.
What are 3 attributes needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
-Flexibility;
-Discipline;
-“Get-er-done-ness”
What have been some of your challenges and what have you learned from them?
Building a business can be a rollercoaster. I have learned to keep moving forward, to listen to what the market is saying (data, data, data), to check my ego at the door and never forget who this is all about: Moms.
What roles are you looking to add to your growing team?
Business development (sales).
What’s next for your company?
Partnership development is a big focus for us.
Who do you look to for mentorship and advice, and why?
My family, because they have built and sold successful businesses, not to mention incredible lives. They know me, they are smart, they challenge me and I know they have my best interests at heart.
My daughter (who will be going to kindergarten this year), because she gives it to me straight, no sugarcoating from this one.
Mommble community and partners because they tell you immediately by their actions if we are going in the right direction.
In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
#alwayslearning
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