The hard work paid off: her agency was acquired in Fall 2016 by Casual Astronaut, and she is now the Chief Marketing and Communication Officer for PATH. At the Techstars Startup Week Phoenix 2018 powered by Chase for Business, Sandine shared her lessons learned and tips to building a diverse team.
It’s a Rollercoaster
Most founders aren’t prepared for the mental rollercoaster that lies ahead in startup life. Being at the top can get lonely, scary, and stressful when you know all the tough decisions stop with you. When the business is going through challenges, make sure you think about how to approach your team to help you through the valley. “If you run a business then you are familiar with the ups and downs of the business. I think so much of surviving as an entrepreneur is your mindset. Looking back, I would have really focused on my mindset and knowing that the next peak will come and the valleys become deeper and further apart because there is more risk.”
Build a Diverse Team
In a recent McKinsey report researchers found that “there is a linear relationship between racial and ethnic diversity and better financial performance: for every 10 percent increase in racial and ethnic diversity on the senior-executive team, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rise 0.8 percent.” While owners need to hire the right person to get the job done, having a commitment to building a diverse team is part of creating change. Read more about the Phoenix startup ecosystem on TechCo This article is part of a Techstars Startup Week content series brought to you by CHASE for BUSINESS. Techstars Startup Week is celebration of entrepreneurs in cities around the globe. CHASE for BUSINESS is everything a business needs in one place, from expert advice to valuable products and services. Find business news, stories, insights and expert tips all in one place at Chase.com/forbusiness.
