Rejections Didn’t Stop Kinside CEO Shadiah Sigala To Reach A Stellar Entrepreneurial Career
Uncategorized
November 11, 2022
SHARE:
Shadiah Sigala co-founded HoneyBook, a $2 billion financial management software platform for small businesses, motivated by her ability to negotiate uncertainty while gathering information and making decisions.
When Shadiah was a child, her Mexican mother together with her two siblings moved to southern California. Despite most of her family members being unable to attend college, she was an honor student whose lifelong ambition was to acquire the greatest degree of education.
Shadia attended Pomona College for Latin American Studies and Harvard Kennedy School for public policy. As a result, she established a strategy for reaching goals she wasn’t sure about.
Before becoming an accomplished millennial, she finished her master’s degree and became the highest-earning member of their family as a project manager at Aetna, a health insurance company, where she learned about entrepreneurship, realized she is a “builder,” and thought starting her own company was the best option.
However, Shadia realized that she wouldn’t be happy there since she wouldn’t be valued. Shadia ultimately started a personal chef business in 2010, using her Pomona College alumni network to find well-off grads who wanted someone to cook for them.
In 2012, another realization occurred to her that cooking wasn’t for her. Shadiah then decided to move with her then-husband to San Francisco and found tech. She arranged informative interviews with everyone in the sector and learned that the problem she wanted to tackle was one she’d experienced as a business owner: no effective method to handle backend logistics like emails, payments, and bills.
With the three Israeli business people who have a similar concern as hers, they decided to digitize all these tedious procedures that micro small firms must complete to free them up to genuinely focus on doing what they love.
Using that concept, Shadia established HoneyBook in 2013 and worked there for five years according to CNBC.
As her most recent business, Shadia co-founded Kinside in 2018, a child-care marketplace that is available to employees that offers new parents a centralized location to look for daycare in their neighborhood, which has reached over $16 million, according to Crunchbase.
Letting fear and excitement be one’s guide and being open-minded is what Shadia advises to other aspirants.According to her, opportunities that “feel like they are beyond your pay grade” are exactly how stellar is made.
SEO is constantly on the run, and what used to be your waving lucky cat might lose its charm the next day. Here are three key signs that your SEO’s “waving lucky cat” mode may have been deactivated.
Dropping Search Rankings
If Google search is keeping your website on the low-low, it’s time that your SEO strategy needs a reboot. Or else, algorithm updates or stronger competition could be dragging you down.
Low Organic Traffic
If your organic traffic is at a standstill, your keywords may be outdated, or your content may not be what the audience needs anymore.
High Bounce Rate
If visitors visit your website like a casual one-click-stand, then there’s a problem, too. It could mean slow load times, poor mobile navigation, or irrelevant content. Whatever it may be, all of them may hurt your SEO performance.
If your brand is facing any of these SEO challenges, it’s time for an update. AHN Solutions offers expert SEO strategies to help you improve rankings, increase traffic, and drive more conversions.
Running a successful paid ads campaign is not just about budget–paying hard doesn’t mean paying smart. To maximize your ad performance, here are three tips that AHN Solutions believes you can take to step up your paid ads game.
Define Your Audience Clearly
Bring out the magnifying glass because we’re going deep into our target demographics, interests, behaviors, and lookalike audience. Make sure you’ve got everything covered and detailed as much as possible. By doing so, you gain a much deeper and more unique understanding of your audience; henceforth, you can adapt your strategy to target them.
Optimize for Each Platform
Each audience group has a different preferred content format and platform. You can not run ads on Facebook and expect to touch Gen Z? Customize your ad format, visuals, and messaging based on the platforms and the desired target audience.
Use Compelling Creatives & CTAs
It’s the era of visuals. Impactful content must go with eye-catching visuals and resonant CTAs. Test different versions to identity the most resonant one with your audience.
While these tips are extremely valuable for improving your SEO game, having a professional handle will not only save resources but also boost results. AHNS’ services in branding, SEO, and website development will take care of the technical details, so you can focus on growing your business.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we shed light on the incredible women transforming the world and driving the community forward. This month, we are honored to interview the visionary at the helm of the world’s toughest multi-course race—the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon: Jennifer Lau. As the Vice President of Action Sports Events at IMG, Jennifer is a proud Chinese American who has constantly stayed at the forefront of the sports and entertainment industry for over 25 years.
PIONEERING CHANGE IN SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
It’s the era of women making big moves and solidifying their status in society. Jennifer is also part of the movement. Fueled by a passion for storytelling and inclusivity, Jennifer made her way into the sports and entertainment industry through determination and a vision for change. “I always knew I wanted to work in sports and entertainment,” she shares. “Growing up, I loved reading and watching movies, TV shows, and sports that featured stories I could relate to. Regardless of economic class, gender, or ethnicity, these stories resonated with me, and I wanted to be part of that creative process.” And what is her goal? It has always been through storytelling that she wants to connect and uplift others.
Jennifer has been dreaming of a narrative where she could pave her own path in the male-dominated industry, earn the top ranks with her own talent, and she did just that. She rose through the ranks at IMG and earned her place at some of the world’s most iconic sporting events—the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.
From dreaming of change to leading it, Jennifer Lau is making waves in the sports and entertainment industry.
Reflecting on this, Jennifer shares:
The sports and entertainment industries have historically been male-dominated, presenting challenges in leadership and visibility for women, particularly women of color. Throughout my career, I’ve had to advocate for myself, push boundaries, and challenge preconceived notions about what leadership in sports looks like. I’m grateful to the executive team at IMG. Over the last 25 years, they have always supported me and continue to encourage me to pursue new business opportunities and ideas, which has allowed me to grow and evolve.
FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY IN THE ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ TRIATHLON
The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon has roots in this stretch of odds, which holds a powerful claim of Jennifer’s commitment to inclusivity. The race, known for its strenuous course—plunging into the ice-cold waters of San Francisco Bay, biking on steep and bumpy hills, running through the dirt and rocks—pushes the envelope for many athletes. What makes the 2025 race special is that this year, an impressive number of 405 women will take part in this challenging race, exemplifying the growing influence of women in endurance sports.
This marks a significant milestone as women have long been underrepresented in the sports industry. Jennifer recognizes the need for greater Asian representation in the triathlon space.
Asian females, like many women, are underrepresented in sports and entertainment—whether behind the scenes, in management, as athletes, or as content producers. Growing up, I rarely saw stories that reflected my identity in the industry, which motivated me to push for more representation. The perspectives and stories from the Asian community are essential in shaping the future of the industry, not only for visibility but for driving meaningful business and cultural impact.
EMPOWERING ATHLETES AND FUTURE GENERATIONS
Beyond race day, Jennifer’s commitment is a reminder of sportsmanship, which is unity and camaraderie. She aims to highlight the human connections behind the competition, with a focus on the fact that the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon is not about elite athleticism. The race is a beacon of people connecting, sharing, and uplifting each other. “The camaraderie that emerges as athletes cross the finish line makes the achievement even more meaningful. It’s a celebration of resilience, determination, and unity.”
Sportsmanship is not just about health and fitness, it’s also about unity and camaraderie.
“With the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, we’ve noticed that not many Asians participate in the sport,” she explains. “While many run or bike, swimming opportunities are often limited in Asian communities due to a lack of access to pools or open water environments. Our priority is to engage with Asian communities and other underrepresented groups, creating opportunities for them to experience this incredible sport.”
CONNECT WITH JENNIFER LAU
“One of my proudest achievements is seeing the events I’ve helped create continue to provide opportunities for athletes, inspire future generations, and entertain global audiences. Witnessing athletes who started in our events go on to compete at the Olympic level is incredibly rewarding.”
SEO can be a tad bit difficult, especially when you have to worry about your business as well. We understand and have prepared some valuable tips to improve your SEO game!
Use an Advanced Keyword Glossary
Creating a keyword glossary can be a game-changer for your business. With 52% of Google searches being informational, a well-crafted glossary helps you plan content strategically and stay ahead of the curve.
Find the Question Behind the Query
Keywords are crucial, but thinking ahead is key. Consider your buyers’ needs and how your chosen keywords can provide the solutions they’re searching for.
Publish Optimized Content
Impactful content resonates with both search engines and audiences. Focus on relevance and depth, and use your keyword glossary to solve your customers’ problems effectively.
While these tips are extremely valuable for improving your SEO game, having a professional handle will not only save resources but also boost results. AHNS’ services in branding, SEO, and website development will take care of the technical details, so you can focus on growing your business.
