Join my journey through a transformative year of entrepreneurship, from leading discussions in rooms I used to work the front desk in- to discovering insights from startup ecosystems and the community impact I have been able to create in this inspiring reflection of 2024.

Did you know that more startups fail due to poor team dynamics than from a bad product or market? If you're planning to launch a business with your best friend or college buddy, you might be setting yourself up for disaster. In this post, we explore why your founding team is the make-or-break factor for your startup’s success and why the best co-founders might be strangers—not your closest friends. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls, create a balanced team, and increase your chances of success with the right people in the right roles.

Dive into the real world of startup valuations and ecosystem building through the lens of Harvard's Women in Entrepreneurship event. Discover why "We don't compete on ideas, we compete on execution" is reshaping how founders approach pre-seed valuations. Learn crucial insights about the dangers of inflated valuations, the impact of ecosystem location on startup growth, and why being your own customer leads to stronger product-market fit. Featuring real stories from global founders studying at elite institutions like Stanford and Oxford, this article explores how successful entrepreneurs prioritize execution over ideation and community building over quick valuations. Essential reading for founders, investors, and ecosystem builders navigating the complex world of startup valuations and community development.