Some people think that the key to success lies within their daily routine. Do you agree with this, and if so, what is your daily routine?
I don’t have a strict daily routine, but there are a few things I try to do every day that helps me be my best self. First and foremost, I do a 30-minute cardio workout pretty much every morning. This is usually a 3-mile run outside in my neighborhood or a ride on my Peloton bike. These workouts are a form of meditation in a way – they help my mind escape from stress, give me space to think of new ideas, and they give me the energy I need to tackle my day. Second, I am constantly listening to music while doing emails or diving deep into a work project. When I’m stuck having to do something tedious and grueling (like reviewing a 40-page legal contract, for example), a great soundtrack can still keep me in good spirits. Lastly, I am always trying to drink lots of water. It sounds really simple, but staying very well hydrated is so important – it’s great for your overall health, your energy, your skin, it prevents headaches, the list goes on. Drink. Water.
Looking back at your teenage years, did you have any entrepreneurial interests?
My mom was an entrepreneur – she started her own chocolate company called “Confection Connection” and had a kiosk at the mall. Every day after school, I’d come home and help her make chocolates. I enjoyed “painting with chocolate”, where I’d pour different colors of chocolate into molds to make all kinds of creations. Looking back, this was definitely a huge influence on me.
Is there a specific time of day when you feel most productive?
I tend to feel most productive in the mornings after I work out.
Do you think there is one character trait/skill that is important to have in order to become a successful entrepreneur in today’s world?
I’d have to say “grit.” When you’re starting a company, you have to chart your own course, and oftentimes, the path ahead is uncertain. You are bound to make mistakes and face rejection. People who are comfortable learning from failure and determined to hustle to achieve their goals even when the going gets tough are well suited for entrepreneurship.
Has being a woman in the business world affected you positively or negatively, and how so?
Both. There are many advantages – perhaps the biggest is that I don’t think I would have even come up with my business idea in the first place had I not been a woman with my own unique experiences. I also think being a woman in business afforded me more press opportunities, invitations to conferences, speaking engagements, and other networking events. It also helped me recruit best-in-class talent. Some of our best hires were, in part, interested in coming to work for a female-led company. On the flip side, I do believe I faced more difficulty fundraising than a male would have. It also took me a while to hit my stride as a leader, I lacked confidence in myself for many years because I was trying to fit the mold of male leaders I’d worked with in the past or seen on TV rather than just being true to myself.
What is one major goal that you wish to achieve by 2030?
A hit animated TV show that gets kids excited about STEM.
Who is your biggest influence and why?
My grandmother, Sterling Sturtevant. Although she died before I was born, I grew up marveling at her illustrations of “Mr. Magoo” and “Peanuts”. She was a prolific, Academy Award-winning character designer in the 50’s, when very few women worked in animation, particularly at that level. I inherited her artistic ability, and I am constantly doodling designs of characters. This is what led me to creating Goldie Blox, Ruby Rails, and other STEM characters that I hope will be role models for kids everywhere.
If you could pick one female entrepreneur, who would you say is your biggest inspiration?
Maxine Clark, the Founder, and Chairman of Build-A-Bear Workshop. Maxine has been a mentor and friend of mine for years. What I admire most about her is how much she gives back to young female entrepreneurs. She is constantly reaching out and offering to help other women succeed. She is incredibly generous with her time. You can’t find a kinder, more giving human on the planet.
What has been the most formative advice you have received and why?
When I was first starting my company, and the idea was really just a few sketches in a sketchbook and a rudimentary prototype, I took it to my college advisor, David Kelley, the Founder of IDEO and the Stanford D. School. I really admired David, and his opinion mattered a lot to me. I was nervous to hear what he had to say. As I showed him what I was working on, he sat quietly and listened. Then, at the end, when I asked, “what do you think?” he responded with just one word: “Go.” And at the time, that was exactly what I needed. Encouragement. He could’ve sat there and told me all the reasons why what I was trying to do was really hard, what an uphill battle it would be, etc. But he didn’t. He just gave me the thumbs up that I was onto something, and he believed in me enough not to dissuade me or make me second-guess myself. Sometimes the best advice is just a giant pat on the back.
What has been the most impressive/memorable question anyone has ever asked you?
Your interview questions are great! Thank you for taking the time to research me and ask me questions that aren’t already publicly available.
If you have siblings, are they also entrepreneurs?
I have a younger sister. She is the longest-running employee at GoldieBlox – almost 10 years!
Do you think the drive to become an entrepreneur is born with or is learned?
I do think I was born with a certain drive to achieve; however, I think entrepreneurship can be learned, and I have certainly learned by DOING!
CONTACT INFORMATION & SOCIAL MEDIA GoldieBlox Founder/ CEO San Francisco, CA website: https://goldieblox.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldieblox/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debsterling/ email:[email protected]