In "60 Seconds With…" we get to know the people behind the companies that make D.C. such a happening place. Today, we're talking with
Carla Valdes, 28, who spent three years at
Fortify Ventures and made Distilled Intelligence one of the area's most sought-after pitchfests. She recently left Fortify to launch her own startup,
Handpressions, an app that lets parents store and create art from their children's hand- and footprints.
ElevationDC: What was your first job?
Carla Valdes: Milwaukee Frozen Custard. I started there when I was 15 years old and worked there every summer during high school.
Best thing about your business right now?
Knowing that in the one month since our launch, we have already helped over 20,000 people to store precious memories.
If you could change one thing about your business right now, what would it be?
There are many features and functions that I am excited to see in our product pipeline, and of course it is critical to avoid "feature creep" early on and to focus on the core features. However, as we continue to experience more and more rapid growth and adoption, it becomes a higher priority to update current features and ship new ones with more frequency and speed. In this regard, having a larger technical team owning specific aspects of the Handpressions product would enable us to respond more rapidly and comprehensively. This is something I am currently working on as we move forward.
Describe an “A-ha moment” (in business, or in life) that you’ve had.
There has been so many! In regards to Handpressions, the A-ha moment was while making handprint art for hoilday gifts with my then 2- and 4-year-old. After spending $100+ at the craft store and over 2 hours trying to get my kids to sit still, I realized a few things: 1) After 15 minutes, my kids stopped having fun, 2) there was acrylic paint everywhere, and 3) there had to be an easier way!
What are you reading? Or, what have you read recently that has had an impact on you? Why has it been influential?
I'm really into audio books because I spend a lot of time in the car. I'm currently listening to
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. I always seem to take away something different from [each] book.
The Power of Habit helps acknowledge patterns in your personal life and professional that you may have never seen or realized was a pattern or habit. Realizing how habits and cravings are created helps me to see things differently in terms of engaging customers and partners.
Biggest influence in tech or startup culture today? Why?
Being labeled as the "Biggest Influence" is a huge claim to fame and personally, I do not believe it belongs to one company or individual, but to the new age of communication that we live in. Many things influence startups and the evolution of communication has made information and experiences accessible to all. People have become more confident and comfortable about sharing their experiences and knowledge. This allows entrepreneurs to inspire other entrepreneurs, and people to influence others by sharing their success, hardships, failures and resources.
Company to watch (besides your own)?
All companies in the Fortify Ventures portfolio :) In addition,
CareLuLu and
Sketch Factor. It is in the idea stage but I love the concept and I have complete faith Allison McGuire will succeed.
Guilty pleasure?
Pedicures.
Most recent app purchase/download?
"Push It" by Salt-n-Pepa. I'm random--My phone has everything from the Sound of Music soundtrack, Hunter Haze, Luis Fonzi (my favorite Spanish artist) and a TON of 90s R&B.
What do you loathe about D.C.?
Traffic and parking!
What do you love about D.C.?
I love D.C. at night! When the streets are calm I could sit and stare at the city lights all night.
Nominate someone (or yourself!) for a 60 Seconds With…Q&A by emailing [email protected].