ABBEY MUI
FROM THE START: A chat with the founder of re:Bloom
Too often, we learn from other founders only after they’ve “already made it,” but there’s a lot to gain from their journeys as early-stage entrepreneurs. FROM THE START is an interview series with founders from our 2021–2022 Incubator that will trace their startup stories from the beginning, reveal some of the resources helping them overcome the bumps, and point out ways you can help them thrive.
Since joining the Incubator in May, all of the companies have been hustling to get their brands and businesses out there. Now it’s time to get to know them!
Some answers have been edited slightly for brevity.
What’s been the journey that’s led you to start your company?
After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University in 2020, I was sitting around waiting to start my full-time job as my start date was pushed out months due to COVID-19. I worked as a preschool teacher’s assistant at my mother’s childcare center, which lost over 50% of its students during mandatory statewide shutdowns.
The childcare center previously had a web presence, but it was incredibly outdated because no one took the time to teach her how to update it. I spent over 30 hours remaking the website on a new, easy and intuitive platform. While she understood the importance of a digital presence, she was overwhelmed with where and how to begin. She had two options: hire an expensive agency that would give her a site without teaching her how to use it, or sink hours into learning a new platform with no guarantee of a finished product.
This was when I realized that there was an opportunity to help both my community and students who lost their internships/job offers. I founded re:Bloom, a nonprofit digital agency whose mission is to make tech accessible and affordable. It’s irresponsible to create a tech solution for organizations without teaching them how to use, edit, and maintain it. That’s why we work with organizations to understand their budget, needs, and technical skill before finding a tech solution that works for them.
What’s the problem that your business is solving, and what gives you confidence that you’re the right person to do this?
re:Bloom is closing the digital literacy and technical gap between large corporations and small women & minority-owned businesses. We help communities thrive by providing small businesses with accessible and affordable tech. Many businesses struggled to pivot their operations online, as they don’t often have the same resources that larger organizations do. These businesses give our neighborhoods a sense of community, and it’s our mission to help as many as we can thrive.
re:Bloom connects business owners with developers, designers, and digital marketers to find a way to make tech accessible and affordable for small businesses. Together, we work to build websites, implement e-commerce, and even set up online ordering for restaurants. We’re different because we believe that business owners should be involved every step of the way, so by the end of a project, they can edit, update, and maintain their new tech.
What has helped you overcome the bumps you’ve encountered so far in your entrepreneurial journey?
I think I’m still on my entrepreneurial journey, where I haven’t even encountered my biggest bumps yet. But, if I had to pick something, I would say the biggest challenge has been finding a balance between my personal life and work. It’s been really helpful to join an entrepreneurial community such as Ascender to hear how others overcome similar challenges. I’ve learned new tips & tricks for how to balance the many different hats I wear.
What’s a resource or tip that’s helped you develop as a founder and move your business forward?
Take yourself seriously and start today. Don’t sleep on your next big idea. If you believe it’s going to be the next big idea, then what are you waiting for?
What’s next? How can our readers help you?
re:Bloom is looking for people who believe in the community I’m building. re:Bloom is looking for funding (grants or donations), technical volunteers, and full-time executive committee members. If you have any leads or are interested in getting your business online, please reach out to abbey@re-bloom.org. Let’s get your business blooming!
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From fledgling tech companies, healthcare innovators, and nonprofits to makers, creators, services and shops, Ascender is for Pittsburgh’s entrepreneurs. We help businesses of all types in the Pittsburgh region start and build a business through education and connectivity. See how Ascender can help you.
