Caroline Strzalka

Co Founder @overplaygamer @itsbyu, entrepreneur, digital media/tech @Scholastic @SesameWorkshop, @wharton alum, cares desperately about the world & people in it

[Overplay Games @overplaygames_]

Our little trooper kitty needs a name! Any ideas?

#CatNaming #KittyLove #PetNames #CatNameIdeas #NameThatCat #CatLovers #KittenLove #FelineFriends #CatTwitter #RescueCat #NASCAR #NASCARCAT #RaceCat #FastCat

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@tranglanimous @vntrlab @Itsbyu @oprahmagazine @GMA @TheView 1800Flowers, The Bouqs, Urban Stems are focused on gifting and using local florists or distributors for next day delivery. Our model cuts out the middle men and focuses on subscription decor and the art of making. It disrupts the old models.

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab 6D: When we can’t go outside, it’s best to invite nature in (with an @Itsbyu kit ;)

https://t.co/gZLNUacyCl

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab 6C: ...#flowers are scientifically proven to bring joy to your life. You should have them around all the time, especially in uncertain times like these! https://t.co/dNZhYpRvCN

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab 6B: However this represents a HUGE opportunity for #dtc companies, including @Itsbyu! Our business has more than doubled since the #pandemic and it makes sense because...

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab Yes - there are no big weddings, corporate events, and funerals, so florists are closed and traditional customers for flowers have gone away. So waste at farm level is at an all time high! https://t.co/BhKEQeVvYe

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab @Itsbyu 5D: We are currently raising an #equitycrowdfunding round on @joinrepublic You can invest in us here with only $100! https://t.co/AJeBV8HTYx

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab @Itsbyu 5C: We rounded out the round with more #femaleinvestors! We won the first @ChloeCapital pitch competition and also got backing from the great @ArlanWasHere @Backstage_Cap. Also longtime friend and @Sittercity #founder @genevievethiers invested!

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab @Itsbyu 5B: Then the hustle was on to raise the rest of our #preseed round! Since we’re #nyc hq’d we were able to pitch to @thegothamgal and she led our round bringing some amazing female angels like @heykbb into the mix!

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab @Itsbyu 5A: Fundraising is never easy (though going to @Penn does make it easier!) Top accelerators like @techstars also give you #cred Through Techstars, we got funding from @Target (a partner) and also from @MatchstickVC whose MD ran our program.

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab @Wharton I helped to found a digital media toys company https://t.co/SHKaTUr4rp which is probably the most award-winning toy you’ve never heard of 🙃 We never took money and we never exited properly. Biggest lesson learned is that all founders should be on the same page with exit strategy

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab What do you mean?? It’s an easy name (if you speak #Polish). Phonetically it’s like sh-chow-ka.
It means “little arrow”...like a pointer tool!

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab @Wharton @Scholastic @netflix @Apple @RL_Stine 3C: I worked at these awesome companies by day and I did my startup on nights and weekends. #hustlin #startuplife

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab @Wharton 3B: Then I went to @Scholastic where I worked on digital media business development. I did the @netflix @apple deals for #themagicschoolbus #Goosebumps #clifford. Here’s an awesome picture of me and @RL_Stine on #Halloween a few years ago!

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab @Wharton 3A: I would actually argue that #wharton is actually a #marketing powerhouse! But, yes, my path is not your “traditional” MBA path! I went to work @sesamestreet (home of @elmo ) doing digital media business development.

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab @Itsbyu 2B: Then you get to the fun part: making your arrangement! Simply follow the video and in about 15 minutes you’ll have made a beautiful professional-looking arrangement! No experience necessary. (Seriously, we have had 5 year olds do it!!!) 💐👏

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab @Itsbyu 2A: So first you go to https://t.co/qKj9zVQ1WE and choose your decor style. Then we send you everything you need to make your own arrangements: farm-fresh flowers, tools, containers and digital guides. It’s literally #fieldtovase

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab @Itsbyu @Wharton 1C: Our customers experience the #zen of making their own arrangements. We’re a GOOD company from beginning to end!

[Caroline Strzalka @carolinestrzalk]

@vntrlab @Itsbyu @Wharton 1B: We are also providing a huge solution to floral waste. Over half of all #flowers that are grown are never sold at farm level...they’re literally just cut and thrown away! We work with the farms to source from overstock flowers to include them in our subscription recipes.