YC Fireside: Surbhi Sarna and Tracy Young - Founder of TigerEye and PlanGrid

TL;DR

Tracy, a female founder, shares her experiences and advice on being a woman in the startup world, addressing issues such as gender bias and work-life balance.

Transcript

hi Tracy welcome and welcome to everybody in the audience as well Tracy you are such a legend more broadly and a legend in the female founder Community certainly I can't think of anyone better to kick off women's History Month with thanks for having me I'm happy to be here I will warn you I'm I've either had a four-week cold or I've just had a cold... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔬 Tracy has a background in construction engineering and co-founded a company called PlanGrid, which digitalized construction records.
• 🏗️ PlanGrid aimed to solve problems related to paper documentation in construction, such as version control and finding the latest blueprints.
• 🚀 Tracy is now working on a new company called Tiger Eye, which is still in stealth mode but is building a modern sales software platform.
• ♀️ Tracy acknowledges the differences between being a female founder and a male founder and believes it is important to discuss these issues for change to happen.
• 🔍 Tracy reflects on the societal expectations placed on women to be quieter, softer, and smaller, which can impact their confidence and behavior in the workplace.
• 💰 Tracy highlights the gender disparity in venture capital funding for female founders and the need for change in the industry. ⏳ Tracy believes that change starts with acknowledging the problem and encourages smart, driven women to step up and build something better.
• 🌳 Tracy emphasizes the importance of self-care, empathy, and finding a happy place to cope with the pressures of being a female founder and a mom.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Tracy emphasize the importance of discussing the challenges faced by female founders?

Tracy believes that acknowledging and discussing these challenges is the first step towards bringing about positive change. By openly addressing the disparities and biases that exist, it becomes possible to work towards a more equitable environment for all founders.

Q: What personal experiences did Tracy share to highlight the challenges faced by female founders?

Tracy shared her experience of being told to "be smaller" and "less aggressive" in the workplace, demonstrating the societal expectations placed on women. She also discussed the low percentage of venture capital funding received by female founders, emphasizing the need for change.

Q: What advice does Tracy offer to aspiring female founders?

Tracy advises female founders to not be deterred by the challenges they may face, but rather to use them as motivation to prove others wrong. She also encourages them to build a strong support system and to be intentional with their time and self-care.

Q: How does Tracy emphasize the role of core values in building a successful startup?

Tracy emphasizes the importance of defining and adhering to core values within a company. By establishing clear values and using them as a guidepost for decision-making, founders can ensure alignment and create a positive work culture.

Q: What does Tracy suggest for female founders who are fundraising?

Tracy advises female founders to focus on their business and the problems they are solving, rather than worrying about their gender. She encourages them to cast a wide net, pitch to a variety of investors, and learn from the "no" responses they receive.

Q: How does Tracy encourage female founders to navigate work-life balance?

Tracy recommends creating a structured schedule and being intentional with time. By setting boundaries and making time for self-care and family, founders can find a balance between their personal and professional lives.

Q: What are Tracy's thoughts on being a founder with a family?

Tracy highlights the challenges of being a founder and a parent, acknowledging the internal pressure to prove oneself and the external biases that exist. She encourages women to build a strong support system and not be afraid to prioritize their family when necessary.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Tracy, a successful female founder and former construction engineer, discusses her journey from founding PlanGrid to starting her new company, Tiger Eye.

• Tracy highlights the differences and challenges faced by female founders, including societal expectations and gender biases.

• She emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing these issues to bring about positive change in the industry.