Barclays Female Founder Accelerator 2023 member
WorkTripp
WorkTripp is the only marketplace for team offsites to focus on team performance, productivity and motivation, not logistics.
We support a cycle of engagement, which includes offsites and back-at-desk support.
Why did you apply for the Female Founder Accelerator?
To support our investment round and strengthen our go-to-market.
To be part of a cohort of female founders.
Do you think there's a need for programmes like this for Female Founders?
Yes, especially the network. Less so the content, which can be found by any savvy entrepreneur.
Why did you want to start your business?
Our vision is to help all teams, from high-growth startups to well-established corporates, to get-together, enjoy work and be productive.
We both had lived experience of the problem, a specific vantage point to tackle the problem, and an appetite for the challenge. I also went to a female entrepreneur event and felt sufficiently fired up to take the leap again (7 years after starting my first business).
What are you looking to get out of this programme?
To support our investment round and strengthen our go-to-market.
To be part of a cohort of female founders.
Which entrepreneur inspires you the most and why?
Emmie Faust - because she is doing an amazing job at giving back.
Rachel Carlson, Founder of Guild Education - for raising £££££ when pregnant with twins and driving her biz to unicorn status.
Melanie Perkins, Founder of Canva and Whitney Herd, Founder of Bumble for building epic and needed business often with difficulties along the way.
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
Meeting my fantastic co-founder.
Securing investment.
Getting our v1 up and running after bootstrapping.
Securing first customer revenues and really great excitement towards the product.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Navigating the investment world early on and how to "get in".
Being patient with myself
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
Networking with other female entrepreneur communities - TEC Women and Female Founders Rise.
Early on, Everything Marketplace, LinkedIn.
A select few fellow entrepreneurs.
Set Squared.
All helped with practical problem solving as you edge towards new phases of the business, plus introductions.
What drives you to make your business a success?
Legacy of a better way of working which is sustainable in this digital age we live in. This means re-injecting the social learning, adventure, and sense of belonging back into work. If I have enriched people's lives with more shared memories, deeper connections to their colleagues, and better working success as a result, I will be happy.
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
Do it. Be prepared to put your own time and money on the line by working in order to get through those early MVP stages. Remember everything takes longer than you think. Consistent effort is key. Enjoy and celebrate the ups and don't beat yourself up too much on the downs. Remember to thank everyone around you who makes it possible.