Data-Driven Elizabeth Zalman 

“You need to meet” – when one of your mentors says that to you, you jump at the introduction. This was the case for me with Elizabeth Zalman. Elizabeth is the co-Founder & CEO of StrongDM, a startup merging her love of data with her irritation at how poor data quality tends to be a programmatic solution. Elizabeth is a geek and an amazing one. She’s an expert on data warehousing, SQL development and isolating patterns and insights.

I’m not the least bit surprised by Elizabeth’s focus on data. When I asked her the question “What are you curious about?” she replied: “The universe….what else is out there and can we get there already?!”  StrongDM is not Elizabeth’s first entrepreneurial venture. She previously founded Cuff & Tweed (first private eBay-based door-to-door consignment service in Massachusetts) and Media Armor (acquired by Nomi).

Define “entrepreneur.”
Someone who is brave enough to venture out on their own in the face of failure.

What is your current challenge?
Ensuring I’m continually listening to feedback.  Even if I can’t digest it enough to integrate it at that particular moment, I’ve got it in my back pocket.

You greatest achievement?
Losing 100 lbs. in a healthy, sustainable way!

What is your motto?
“Fortune favors the bold.“

Why are you an entrepreneur?
It’s the toughest thing I can think of doing – constant innovation and self-reflection.

What problem are you solving?
We are creating a way for any organization to systematically ensure data quality across their entire stack.

Item you wish you had invented.
Warp drive!  There is still time.

Biggest regret?
None.  I believe regret to be a waste of time; you can’t change the past.

What mobile device do you presently use?
Blackberry.  Yes, I’m a tech CEO and developer and still opt for the Blackberry.  I can type like a demon on it!

Best discovery?
Hanes boys’ white tank tops – I live in them!

Which talent would you like to have?
Mind reading – would be a heck of a lot easier than having to read your opponent.

Best slap on the back you’ve ever received?
From a mentor: “You are simultaneously a pit bull and immensely coachable.  It’s why I like you so much.”

Your bio in six words?
Principled, passionate, compassionate, strong woman.

Biggest misconception about being an entrepreneur is?
That you’re constantly surrounded by people and the life of the party.  Even when that is true, those times tend to be even more lonely than the norm.

Inc. or Rolling Stone or…..? Which magazine cover?
Vogue.  Style and power in one neat package.

What are you reading?
Lots of short stories – by Alice Munro, Edith Wharton.

What is your must read?
The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen.  It’s the book I wish I had written myself.

What’s your guilty pleasure?
eBay.  My first company was an eBay-based couture clothing consignment business, and my closet is chock-full of formerly outrageously expensive items that I got for a song.

Short cut, long route, road less travelled? What’s your roadmap?
I wish I could say I’ve had a plan, but I’ve found myself here by consistently saying ‘yes’ to the un-ordinary option — and also not being worried about what would happen if I failed.

The memories of a chef are tastes and smells; what would you say are the memories of an entrepreneur?
For me it’s been the moments when my teams have gelled – either team outings or late nights in which we’re all drinking and trying to figure our way out of a truly difficult  outrageous problem… together.  The key is the ‘together’ part.

What’s the most important startup/entrepreneurship lesson you’ve learned?
Sales is tough.  It will make or break your company.  You can have the best mousetrap but if nobody will buy it, you’re done.

Your Ferris Bueller moment. If you could goof-off / skip out for a day, what would you do?
Surf.  Go trampolining.  Practice walking on my hands.

Part of the trick to staying focused is?
Putting on headphones and either techno or hard rock music.  Head down.

You take a three-hour ocean tour and get stranded …what three items do you have with you?
Sunscreen.  Water.  A cell phone + connection to call for help.

Where can readers of “In Conversation With” connect with you online?
LinkedIn.

One last thing: what’s the question I should be asking you?
Why the original 90210 is the greatest show of all time?