Equity How do you know when it’s time to shut down?
May 10, 2023
Kristen Anderson, co-founder and CEO of Catch, shares her candid journey about the heart-wrenching decision to shut down her payroll benefits app for the self-employed. She discusses the emotional complexities of entrepreneurship and how venture capital influences founders' decisions. Kristen emphasizes the importance of transparency in the entrepreneurial process, highlighting her commitment to building in public. Despite the challenges, she looks forward to returning to the fintech space, proving that resilience is key even in peak pessimism.
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Kristen's Path to CEO
- Kristen Anderson joined Catch as Head of Product, later becoming COO and then CEO.
- Co-founder Andrew hired her, allowing them to work together before committing to co-founding.
Founding Stories
- Not all businesses start in garages; many founders meet and commit quickly.
- Working together beforehand, like Kristen and Andrew, helps build shared vision and avoid future conflicts.
Finding Your Role
- Take ownership and identify gaps where you can contribute.
- The CEO role is not inherently superior, it's simply a different job that needs filling.