Kelly shares her story, from her early days of recognizing her entrepreneurial spirit to the founding of her company, Send Ribbon.
She discusses her tech startup background, the challenges of personalized corporate gifting, and how her experience inspired her business idea.
She shares insights into her strategic methods for launching the business, overcoming financial constraints, and the pivotal moments that led to the company's growth. Kelly also details her personal life sacrifices, the importance of networking, and her eventual acquihire by Urban Stems during the pandemic.
1:01 Kelly’s Path to Becoming an Entrepreneur
5:55 Taking Big Risks in the Startup World
8:34 Managing Money Through Early Startup Struggles
10:51 Cutting Costs to Keep the Business Alive
13:03 Lessons Learned From Buyers at Ralph Lauren
15:02 Launching the Business Just in Time for Mother’s Day
17:51 Prioritizing Customer Needs Over Vanity Metrics
20:10 Reconnecting With the Founder of UrbanStems
22:03 The First Conversation That Sparked an Acquisition
24:08 The Email That Confirmed UrbanStems’ Interest
26:12 Moving to DoorDash to Build Community
28:01 What an Acquihire Really Looks Like
31:48 How the DoorDash IPO Shaped the Experience
33:40 Why Resources Matter So Much in an Acquihire
37:00 The Emotional Challenge of Letting Go of Ownership
38:38 The Regrets That Can Come After Selling
40:50 Long-Term Career Paths After an Acquihire
42:21 Spending the Holidays With the People Who Matter
