startup life is a rollercoaster

*** [FYI: This post was written sometime back in February, 2015.  For some reason, I forgot to post it... so here it is.]

I thought long and hard about what photo to include with this post.  There really isn't a good one.  I decided that the best way to portray this startup journey was to find the longest video I could of the craziest roller coaster video on YouTube.  Apparently, the Olympia Looping is one of those "holy grail" of roller coasters for many roller coaster enthusiasts. It only exists in Germany.  It travels around all over the country.  (I'm not one for physical roller coasters.  Not my thing.  I can do the emotional and mental ones.)

As you can imagine, there are some major highs we've experienced, and some low points as well on this startup company journey.  Yes, just like a roller coaster. 

Some excitement had:

• Team is everything.  Advisors, Employees, Investors, Mentors and of course, our families and friends who cheer us on.  I appreciate the team now about a year in the journey.  My cofounder and I have been at this for over a year.  Jon rescued us from a small emergency in December.  Roy constantly working from all different angles whether it's delivering gifts, building JSON files, or prospecting new partners.  [And most recently, Sharon gave us fresh new energy. ]

• Acquired GiftStarter.com ---- Thankful to Wandy of MeeGenius and Lori of Byndl for their support and help.  Women CEOs helping other women, that's a beautiful thing.  Much respect to both of these women for all that they have accomplished.
• Our official trademark registration for GiftStarter came through.  Yes, we can use the (R) mark on all things GiftStarter!  WOOT.  [Notice the updates to our logo since?]

Some challenges faced:

• As of December 5, 2014, our former technical cofounder is no longer part of the team.  It was upsetting for us, for a short while.  We figured it out and moved forward.  We were more mad at the way it all happened.  The team did a great job of accepting the change, and moving forward and on.  Luckily we had Jon and Hoon already on the ground ready to go.
• We did not get the rocket traction we thought we were going to get in November, December and January.  It did go up (on all counts, number of gifts, traffic, everything).  It wasn't THE "rocket" up we were predicting.  It has made us take the time to do some more testing, thinking, and re-evaluating.  [Since April however, we're seeing the rocket ship metrics...]
• Life.  People getting sick, home burglary, children getting sick, spouses not feeling like they've gotten enough Tender Loving Care, in-laws, ...  We all recognize we have life that happens at the same time as this mission we are in the trenches fighting for.  Giving each other the room to take care of life, so that we can get back in and fight as whole people on the team.

Ultimately, I think of the roller coaster as another word for war.  We are each soldiers on a mission - fighting battle after battle. Without the support of the team and our family/friends, we would not have this opportunity - to transform gifting.

And personally, without the arms and heart and trust and support of my husband, there is no way I would have the opportunity to do this.  The way he wears our GIftStarter tee-shirt EVERYwhere.  The way he brings us donuts to cheer the team on.  The way he is constantly looking for ways to connect us. 

Hugs.
Arry