Meet Robyn Ward of FounderForward in Santa Monica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robyn Ward.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Robyn. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was named after my grandfather Robert, who was an orphan turned successful entrepreneur. I wanted to be just like him (not the orphan part) so I left Indiana to attend the University of Southern California – as it’s business school was amongst the first to offer Entrepreneurship as a field of study.

I have since spent my career immersed in the entrepreneurial community that is early-stage tech and venture capital. About 18 months ago, I left an investing job to launch a startup coaching and advisory firm called FounderForward. Via my company, I work with many of LA’s top early-stage founders, helping them scale themselves and their businesses.

I also now co-teach a class on entrepreneurship at my alma mater.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Tech startups are roller coasters by definition, so they are never smooth. I have been at some that have been successes and sold and some that failed – which is par for the course in startups.

Launching companies is a risky business full of uncertainty. What I have learned (the hard way) is that self-care, working smarter, not harder and emotional intelligence are the keys to sustained success. I used to think it was all about IQ and hustle – but those are really table stakes.

This is why my current venture, FounderForward, has grown quickly and rather smoothly – because there is such a need for founder coaching. It is an intensely lonely and pressure-packed job so having an experience thought and accountability partner to help you grow and develop yourself, your team and your company can be a game-changer.

FounderForward – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My business, FounderForward, is a startup coaching and advisory firm. Our mission is to help startup and high-growth companies achieve sustainable success. We do that via one-on-one, group and workshop engagements where we help leaders and leadership teams take themselves and their businesses to the next level.

I get to wake up every day and help people become better humans and leaders and help them build the company of their dreams. I love what I do and I am proud that I have helped so many folks on their entrepreneurial journeys.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
How I define success has evolved greatly over the past few years. I used to define success by mostly external factors – by what and how much I achieved. Which meant my success and self-worth was often tied up in the success of whatever startup I was at. This certainly isn’t healthy and is something I spend time coach founders on now.

With age and wisdom, my definition of success is now all about what fulfills me – like leading a purpose-driven life in which I am always learning and growing and, most importantly, where I am surrounded by the people I love and people who love me.

Contact Info:

• Website: FounderForward.com
• Email: Robyn@FounderForward.co
• Instagram: www.founderforward.com
• Facebook: www.robynmward.com
• Twitter: FounderForward
• Yelp: FounderForward

Image Credit:
Stacy Salter Moore, Marissa Maharaj

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