Betsy Flanagan, The Startup Studio
Name: Betsy Flanagan
Hometown: Columbia, Maryland
Current Residence (City, State): San Francisco, CA
Education: Harvard A.B. in Anthropology, MBA University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business
Professional Background (brief, please): I founded and sold a tutoring and college prep center in Great Falls, VA. And I’ve worked in venture capital, private client services, investor relations and internet strategy.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: mommy-robber (don’t hold this against me – I was only 5 when I came up with it and my family has never let me live it down! I wanted to be a mommy, and my parents had told me robbers don’t work, so there you have it.)
What you are: Podcaster focused on interviewing and helping entrepreneurs
Brief Summary of your Start Up: The Startup Studio is a podcast featuring startup stories and inspirational entrepreneurs who once lived ordinary lives and went on to create something extraordinary. Hear how they did it; learn how you can too.
Company Website? http://www.thestartupstudio.com
What inspired you? I am inspired by people who take risks to live their dreams. I am inspired to help others do this and that is why I started my podcast. I learn by example and have been fortunate to meet many amazing entrepreneurs. I felt their stories had helped me so much and could help others and therefore needed to be told and distributed as widely as possible.
How long have you been in business? My site launched January 2007.
How did you fund it? Savings
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I have a lot of great advisors and supportive friends. I also have two great career coaches. Denise Brouillette from The Innovative Edge and Michelle Randall from The Juncture Company.
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? The Innovative Edge – an amazing organization. www.innedge.com
Current Business Challenge? Getting the word out.
What are you doing about it? Talking to a lot of people, researching it, trial and error.
Favorite motivational quote: “If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.†W. Somerset Maugham
Family? Most of my family still lives in Maryland. I am not married, don’t have kids. I have a great dog named Arizona.
Favorite book? I recently read Nuts! Southwest Airlines’ Crazy Recipe for Business and Personal Success. I knew a little about Southwest prior to reading it but nothing compared to what every entrepreneur should know. I was blown away – it is truly one of the most extraordinary entrepreneurial success stories of all time and incredibly inspirational. I’ll give you a preview – when they started the company, the big airlines tried to burry them in litigation and they spent 4 years fighting in the courts before they could take their first commercial flight. Today (35+ years later) they are the largest airline in terms of customers flown. And, here is a shameless plug – there is an amazing interview with Herb on my website.
What do you do to relax? Exercise, laugh with friends, play with Arizona.
What do you want to change most about your world? I love interviewing entrepreneurs so much that I’d like to be able to do it full time.
What are you most proud of? My inner strength and tenacity.
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Just do it! I have been interviewing very successful entrepreneurs and almost every single one I have spoken to has said this.
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? Support of friends
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Love, acceptance, confidence, strength, courage, and tenacity.
Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother to another woman entrepreneur? (I am working on a secure system to do this, any ideas?) possibly
What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in? not sure
Would you be interested in going to lunch with other women entrepreneurs for a “networking tea party� yes
If you are out of Utah County, would you be willing to be a facilitator of such an event? maybe
