About
as an entrepreneur...
I'm a co-founder of Passpack, a free, secure online password manager (shameless plug). If you haven't tried it yet - hop to it! Among my responsibilities: Design and Usability, copy writing, running the blog, posting news on twitter, fielding support questions, marketing strategy, fundraising and general miracle working.
Since Passpack is an Italian company, I'm very active on the budding Italian startup scene. One of the things missing here in Italy is information on how to startup here - it's definitely not the same as doing it in the Silicon Valley.
- I've been called on to speak on various panels.
. - I've been invited by local investors to present to neo-entrepreneurs.
. - I've helped out Amanda Lorenzani in getting the Italian Girl Geek Dinners movement rolling, and Passpack sponsored a GGD Rome event. (GGD Italy is now run by a group of really smart women here in Italy- alas, I've lost touch since the earliest days).
. - I've been invited to mentor at the upcoming StartupMastr program. The program is organized by Italian investor dPixel and Telecom Italia.
. - I've written a couple of articles, and been featured in a few others. This 10 steps to build a startup in Italy (Italian) is particularly popular, bringing a constant flow of traffic to the site owner. This piece for Italian women entrepreneurs hits on a tough topic: asking for help.
.
Hopefully, all of this has saved a few startups from making the same mistakes we did as first-timers. Even better if it'll nudge a few young-uns to take the plunge and build a company.
as a designer...
I have a formal design degree from RISD and worked in web design for ... oh, ten years or so. My previous companies Alianet and Katytid kept the bills paid are both now closed (how liberating!). There are at least 50 or so Italian SMBs that owe their first website to one of these companies.
The most noteworthy project prior to Passpack was the UI design for the Italian Internal Affairs eqivalent of the 911 operator's software. Very cool project, and learned tons about mission critical data access and user experience. The project was in conjunction with IBM, Getronics and a local Italian company.
as a writer...
I had big ideas about writing a novel. But then bigger ideas about Passpack came along and all I managed to squeak out was a bizarre little short story entitled Driving Lesson. Thanks to Whitney at Pindeldyboz for being fantastic and patient.
Once the demands of Passpack let up a little bit, I hope to write a book on our experiences as founders in Italy. The novel will have to wait until retirement.
random factoid...
I can recite nearly the entire first episode of Star Wars in a chipmunk voice - even Vader (darthmatic chipmunk) can't top me.