Each month, Built in Los Angeles features some of the key players in Los Angeles' burgeoning tech space and the women who are making it all happen. We'll ask these founders, strategists, developers and innovators what drives them forward, their secrets to success, and what advice they have for the next generation of female entrepreneurs.
Sarah Penna
Entrepreneur Sarah Penna, founder of Big Frame, talks about multi-tasking in the social media space, childhood aspirations of becoming a waitress, and how small details can make all the difference.
[ibimage==27430==Original==none==self==ibimage_align-left]WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am the co-founder of a company called Big Frame. Big Frame is a media company and YouTube MCN (Multi Channel Network). My day-to-day consists of taking meetings with talent, speaking on panels, working with our sales team to execute brand deals and managing my rapidly growing team.
HOW DID YOU BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR?
When I was little my parents would ask what I wanted to be and I'd say a waitress. I just loved serving people! So I was able to turn that love of serving people into managing YouTube talent and then into a media company. My parents were both entrepreneurs too--they were always starting some new venture or other. Their main business was a general contracting company but they've also started a furniture company, Japanese restaurant, dog leash business and most recently an emergency preparedness company called The Get Ready Room. I guess you can say it's in my blood! When I was first introduced to the YouTube world through a YouTuber named Phil DeFranco, I really had no idea what it was all about but I quickly learned and loved it. I decided to give myself 6 months to start my own company and that was 3 years ago. I'm so thankful to my co-founder Steve because there were so many times before I met him that I considered giving up. But he has such a clear vision and is a great leader and we've built something that I'm really proud of.
WHAT'S THE BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED?
Don't take short cuts if they mean betraying what you stand for. This is so important because every industry is competitive and you will see other companies taking short cuts and getting out ahead of you in the short term, but it's so important to stay moral and fight the good fight even it means growing a little slower.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE ON A DAILY BASIS?
Prioritizing. I get calls, texts, emails, tweets, posts, likes etc. all day every day. It's a constant balancing act between everything. As a founder of a company in the social media space I have to be everywhere online and respond to things and talk to my talent. I love it though, each day is a new challenge.
WHAT'S YOUR SECRET WEAPON?
My miniature dachshund Eddie! He's a closer. He makes everyone in the office smile and I love nothing more than taking a meeting with very serious people and watch their reactions to this ridiculous looking dog. He's also our mascot.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE INDULGENCE?
Fresh flowers. It's a small thing, but I love having fresh flowers on my desk and in my home.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
Logger at World of Wonder. I worked on the Tori & Dean show, season 1. I've probably watched more hours of Tori Spelling talking than anyone on the planet.
WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE FOR YOUNGER WOMEN?
Take advantage of all the things that are available to you because you're a woman. I have so many wonderful women networking events and speaking engagements that I wouldn't have access to otherwise.
Connect with Sarah on Twitter @severshed, or by email [email protected]
