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In The Silicon Valley, The Next Best Idea Just Might Be A Tiny One
Interview with Laura Ching, Co-Founder of Tiny Prints
In The Silicon Valley, The Next Best Idea Just Might Be A Tiny One
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Written by Jessica Gize
Our editor-in-chief, Upuia Ahkiong, had a conversation with Laura Ching, co-founder of Tiny Prints during a WELA workshop. Tiny Prints, an online stationary store, started in a 2-bedroom apartment in 2004 and became so successful that by 2011 it was acquired by Shutterfly for millions. Their conversation included her out of the normal start-up entrepreneurial decision, life as an over analyzer and what day of the week she focused on the most at Tiny Prints.
How did you get started and see the opportunity? “My partners and I saw an opportunity to take stationary and create a better experience, and a more effortless experience from design to better personalization and bring everything online. And at that time, in 2004, I believe 99.9% of the market was still going to the store and purchasing invitations, cards, and stationery,” Laura stated.
Let’s leave entrepreneurs reading this with a goal or a boost for their day. Laura emphasized, “You don’t need a crazy big idea to start a business. Imagine us sitting in Silicon Valley or worse around all of these IPO’s and you say to yourself I have to think differently and big. I think it really depends on your goals, and for us, we had modest goals. You really need to focus on the small wins. Literally getting an order a week was a win. You need to set yourself up to have those early wins because that will give you the confidence to keep going.”
To view the full interview with Laura see information below.
Did you miss our past WELA x Google Workshops and want to catch up? You can now view all three workshops and hear from our guest speakers!
Workshop #1: “Reach Customers Online With Google” with speaker Mary Ellen Coe, President of Google Solutions
Workshop #2: “Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps” with speaker Amy Konary, VP of Zuora Customer Business Innovation
Workshop #3: “Make Your Website Work For You” with speaker Laura Ching, Co-Founder of Tiny Prints
