The Women Who Are Leading the Way in LA's Tech Boom: Tegan Monique Gaan

by Tiffany Laurence
October 8, 2013

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. 

Tegan Monique Gaan

Founder | Gigit

No witty preface needed. Between selling inch worms and undertaking the job of cutting her grandmother's toenails, Tegan was working on accepting her "awkard", young self. This transformed entrepreneur is hilariously real... Girl crush? We think so.

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WHAT DO YOU DO?
I flirt with a fine line of living the dream slash going batshit crazy... every day. I'm also the Founder of a technology/music plafrom called Gigit.

HOW DID YOU BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR?
I suppose I have my older sister to thank for that. I was sort of always watching her from a distance, and she was always creating. My favourite story is when she was sent home from our Catholic boarding school for a failed business model in the 'Inch Worm Selling Business.' Though quite perky, entertaining, not to mention, a steal at 10 cents in the morning, disgruntled purchasers wanted their money back when the poor bastards died by 5th period. 

WHAT'S THE BEST ADVICE YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED?
'Just create.'

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE ON A DAILY BASIS?
Not eating ice cream for breakfast, and understanding your job isn't your life/doesn't define you. 

WHAT'S YOUR SECRET WEAPON?
Being funny as hell. <in my head>

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE INDULGENCE?
Fraiser.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?

If I answer that question in regards to the first time I was paid for hard labor, then it would be cutting my grandma's toenails. She was a round womand who waddled, not walked, was a master at Yahtzee and Myjong, but couldn't reach her toes. I bought a larch McDonald's fries for my sisted and I. *I washed my hands first.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNGER WOMEN?

Awkward is ok when you're older; so man up and wait it out. It gets better.

Connect with Tegan and email her at: [email protected]

 

Jobs at Gigit

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