I am now co-founder of a Silicon Valley startup.
Since moving to Palo Alto, I have been approached by a few companies to work as a consultant and advisor, and another mom and ex-googler approached me to join her as a co-founder of a Pinterest-like app for secondhand items. These other experiences were wonderful, but nothing ever clicked as this great opportunity.
As many of you know, I am extremely passionate about my children’s education, well-being, and actively involved in their school’s PTA executive board, as VP Events, and previously parliamentarian, after-school programs coordinator, auction chair, room parent, Facebook page creator (for two Palo Alto schools) and Facebook page administrator. Most recently, I am serving as Palo Alto Unified School District Elementary Math Pilot and Adoption Materials Committee member. I am a relentless volunteer and advocate for engaged parents, no matter how small the engagement.
So when the founder of the company that I use on a regular basis to help me organize school events, recruit volunteers, send out announcements, share photos, connect with other parents, among so many other things, asked me to come on board as a co-founder, I was truly ecstatic and ready to roll up my sleeves, to make this fantastic PTA solution available to all.
Since Konstella’s platform was deployed at our school just under 2 years ago, while still in beta, I was always available to give constructive feedback and share ideas on how to improve the platform. It’s amazing how our feedback relationship has led to an official working relationship as partners.
Sure, we are a very diverse team. Eric, my partner, is Chinese American, Cal Tech/ Stanford, Computer Science, grad, with experiences at HP, Oracle, NetApp and previously founded a startup in the tech industry. I, a Sociologist, Policy analyst, children’s book author, marketer, entrepreneur, Wealth manager, with experiences at Merill Lynch, Canadian Federal Government, my own low tech startups. He likes Chinese chess. I like traveling. He enjoys camping with his family. I like playing cards with my family. He enjoys soccer, I enjoy golf. We do have one major thing in common, we both love volunteering at our children’s school, are both PTA board members, and we definitely understand the needs of school organizations: to streamline communications and get more parents engaged.
Konstella has already been deployed in many schools around the country. We offer both a web platform and iOS and android app. The thing I like most about Konstella is that it is only focused on schools, and so deep dives into the needs of school organizations like PTAs and PTOs.
Some of the other fantastic features of Konstella are that:
- It allows admins to create a directory and segments it into classrooms, with searchable fields. Directories can also be printed and delivered to families who may not have Internet access, or are not signed up on Konstella. There are lots of privacy factors in place, and parents can also choose what information they want to include in the directory.
- It makes volunteer signups a breeze. You can recruit for recurring signups or one time.
- Multiple committees can be created.
- It allows event chairs, room parents and others to create announcements, events and have the option of hiding them from teachers, especially if it is a surprise project.
- It supports translation into140 foreign languages, to enhance inclusion of non-English language readers.
- There are analytics that allow the post manager to see how many people have read the post.
- You can share photos and other files on the secure network.
- There is a private messaging feature to contact parents directly
- There are social group features where you can create social groups based on your shared interests.
We have many other exciting features and new ones that we are rolling out before the new school year, such as the ability to raise funds, and collect PTA fees and dues, facilitate sales and collect money for projects.
It is very easy to launch Konstella at your school. It offers easy onboarding and friendly support. We also archive current year and make previous year’s very easy to access. So repeating event signups are a breeze. We also have a demo platform, so no matter where you are located in the world, you can try out Konstella.
The most amazing thing about Konstella is that it is centralized communication, so you don’t have to visit an email group to get your email, a photo sharing platform to see your kids photos, a newsletter platform to send out newsletters and announcements to see how many people are reached, a signup up platform to sign up for upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Parents are overwhelmed! Konstella helps simplify communication.
There is so much more that you will need to experience for yourself. Visit https://www.konstella.com/. Also, check out our video to learn more
Working at a startup is always hard work and a risky move, but I feel strongly that my contribution will help make many parents’ engagements easier. I know first hand the benefits of being involved in my children’s school and their education. Statistics show that parents who are less engaged in their children’s education have children who are less interested in school and learning. Blacks and Latino children often fall within the cracks and this platform is just another vehicle to help address the achievement gap. Research shows that in the US, low-income and minority parent are less engaged in their children education, and communication is one of the many barriers. That is why I am so pleased that this platform addresses the language needs of parents who feel comfortable reading PTA, room parent, or school-wide communication in their language of choice. It also helps all parents be more engaged as it is one platform that centralizes and streamlines all engagement opportunities in school, and stay connected to school communities.
Of course, a startup is challenging especially for a mother of three. I have met quite a few challenges in my life: like when I started my own fine paper and stationery boutiques in New York at age 27 after finding my passion on the Oprah Winfrey Show; and when I decided to take a stab at corporate America and contacted a Director at Merrill Lynch letting him know of my interest to work as a broker at the firm – indeed, I passed my securities exam that some thought those without an MBA or high math background would most likely not pass; when I moved to Ottawa, Canada to attend university, and had the audacity to rent great hotels, including the Chateau Laurier, to host dances for stressed out students for a fee, and help pay for my education; or when my daughter was asking questions about why is her skin color so different from her friends, I created a publishing company to help me publish a wonderful children’s picture book to address her concerns. Now, I love the Skin I’m in is loved by many other children who feel different.
I think that all our experiences help shape who we are. Currently, my kids fuel my inspiration and have helped shifted my interest to be an education advocate. It is my hope that every kid develops to their full potential.
So, as I travel on this journey, I am hoping that you will cheer me on along the way as this experience could be isolating. Eric and I have been working hard together to introduce great features to the Konstella platform and to help simplify communication and engagement at schools. My family has been supportive of me and I am so grateful for their support. Being a female founder is always challenging especially in the technology industry, but women’s involvement is priceless. We need to celebrate women in tech and most importantly women of color in tech as they bring a different perspective to help solve real world problems.
Yes, I will continue to blog, as it is my outlet, and has been so for the last year and a half. I enjoy connecting with Palo Alto people especially moms like myself, who read my blog and thank me for providing information. I also enjoy researching and sharing what is going on in our community and having a chuckle along the way.
Please do visit our platform, share our link with your PTA and request to bring Konstella into your school, because engaged parents = happy kids. It takes a village!
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