A Conference Encounter, Simmone C. Taitt, Head of Business Development for an App Start-up Talks Career & Leaving the Corporate World  

You arrive at a conference bursting with enthusiasm, start to leaf through the program, and ten minutes later you’re overwhelmed. There are seemingly endless permutations of speakers, breakout sessions, labs, exhibits, and events. Let’s be honest though: 80% of the fun happens at the events – sponsored happy hours, cocktails at lounges, late night parties, and even concerts!

These venues are also where you meet people after a long day of information overload, forge meaningful business connections, and sometimes meet inspiring women from whom you’d like to learn — and emulate. I met Simmone Taitt at one such event. She was the market lead for Gilt City, and began her career in merchandising at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York City, but is now the Head of Business Development at Gracious Eloise, a handwriting technology company that is extremely innovative – you can read more about it here in this TechCrunch article.

But in a nutshell, Gracious Eloise – which completed its Series A funding round of $3 million last year, and counts Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Diane von Furstenberg’s company DVF, BlueSky ETO, Calypso St. Barth, and Union Square Hospitality Group among its partners — — has created handwriting.io,  an API that can incorporates “digital personalized handwriting” into any product or service.  Examples: CRM and e-commerce platforms, as well as e-stationery, greeting cards and wedding/baby gift registries.

And now back to the conference: while I was chatting with Simmone, the cast of Silicon Valley was next door, and the line had wrapped around the block.  We found ourselves at the after-party next door, waiting to descend upon the next batch of hummus (and cookies). The next day, we attended the Women’s Panel together and as we waited at the Ritz for her cab, I decided that I wanted to turn my casual – but very instructive — conversations with Simmone into an interview.

You left the corporate world years ago to work for a start-up… How do you do that and why?
There was a point early in my career when I realized that I could learn and build a solid foundation in a large corporation, but that at some point, my curiosity would be stifled by large company bureaucracy. So I made a commitment to myself to say “yes” to all the opportunities that came my way, especially the ones no one else wanted, and I ended up being a part of some of the most interesting projects that pushed the envelope for these companies.

That said, some of the projects failed miserably, but many of them allowed for a shift that positively affected the trajectory of the organization. I figured that if I could be this successful with plenty of resources at my fingertips, what would happen without the resources? I identified that my passion was in chasing the challenge and solving for it, so I took my chances and left a Fortune 500 company for my first startup. That was almost a decade ago.

What was the most difficult part about leaving the corporate world? What’s the most rewarding? 
The employee discount on designer duds! Seriously. I’ve found that transparency is an ongoing challenge in most organizations. The most successful organizations I’ve been a part of are committed to transparent communication at all levels. You have to practice transparency as you practice things like delegation. It is not always easy, but it is worth it, and a healthy organization thrives when we get it right.

The most rewarding aspect of being a part of an early stage startup is getting to play the role of C.O.E., aka “Chief of Everything.” Titles aside, every decision you make in those early days can provide the wind for your sails or sink your ship. It is tremendously rewarding to celebrate the big wins that push the vision forward, but it is equally rewarding to celebrate the small ones.

When in your career did you realize your strengths, and how did you capitalize on them?
This is a tough one for me to answer. I think we are conditioned to put the most amount of focus on transferable skills, like being bilingual or knowing how to build a spreadsheet. But from my perspective, work ethic, curiosity and passion are just as important. I’ve leaned into focusing on self-awareness and making decisions about my career path based on where I can be the most impactful with problem-solving; how I can continue to both learn and teach; and what kind of culture I can build with others that share in the company vision.

And some of the same skills I employ in my day job are the things that I transfer into the other things that I’m passionate about, such as volunteering and mentoring. Always make room to give back in whatever capacity you can; the lessons are immensely impactful and rewarding.

What’s it like working with a female CEO?
Eloise and I are passionate about working with other women entrepreneurs; it’s one of things that brought us together early on. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the smartest and successful female entrepreneurs, like Anu Duggal, one of the biggest supporters of and investors in women-led startups. Wendi Sturgis, Tracey Weber and Carolyn Everson are just a few powerhouse women who also inspire me in my career.

What’s it like being a one-woman team for Business Development?
Attending conferences is one of the most economical and efficient ways for startups to spread the word and receive feedback. Conferences are where you perfect your elevator pitch. Believe me, you will know if it’s not right by a person’s facial expression! Conferences can also be a huge time suck, so don’t feel guilty about not attending every one you’re invited to. Your time is valuable, so be strategic about how and where you spend it.

Fortunately, you’ll find that most people on the conference circuit are there to soak up new ideas and are receptive to hearing about innovative, new, and disruptive technology. Just remember to stay hydrated, bring Emergen-C, and wear comfy heels – it is a marathon!