Meet…Gaby Howard, Founder of Flaunter (SM17)
Gaby Howard first joined the Startmate community in 2017, when she joined the Accelerator with her company Flaunter. She is now returning as a mentor and participating in First Believers, our new program to build confidence and experience in first-time and early-stage investors.
Name: Gaby Howard
Company: Flaunter —beautiful content management software for PR and marketing teams.
HQ: Sydney, NSW
What were you doing before Startmate?: Before Startmate I was busy building Flaunter solo. Before Flaunter came to life, I ran my own PR Consultancy, where I had the insight into the problem we’re trying to solve.
Why did you decide to get involved in Startmate?: I often reflect on this when Startmate comes up in conversation! The biggest impact SM had was helping me to find a community. Before that, I’d operated relatively ‘alone’. Joining SM made me feel connected to the world of startups — and helped me find more ‘people like me’. From that moment, the world seemed so much bigger…
If it weren’t for Startmate, what do you think you’d be doing?: I’d be growing Flaunter — but without as many smart friends ;)
What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given and who gave it to you?: These are probably well documented pieces of advice, and I’ve lost count of who said them [most are said often]. But this is the simple advice that has had the biggest impact:
- Solve a problem you are truly, deeply, madly in love with.
- Back yourself. No one is better equiped to solve your problem than you.
- Starting isn’t the hard part — it’s the ability to keep moving forward every single day, for years and years, that will challenge you the most. So build resilience and be tenacious.
- Surround yourself with the most awesome people.
- Try to laugh every day.
A book that has impacted you?: The Hard Thing About Hard Things. I read it when I was feeling really challenged and it just changed the way I saw the world.
What is one problem begging to be solved by a Startmate company?: Save our planet.
What is the best change that has occurred in the local startup ecosystem over the past five years?: The focus on diversity and inclusivity. It has — and continues to be — hard-fought. The effort being expended on making these changes is really inspiring. I remember my first tech conference 10 years ago…. gah!
