Nothing is more special than a handmade gift -- think a DIY tutu for your daughter, or a knitted Despicable Me Minion. Nicole Farb cofounded Darby Smart to make it easy for people to buy and sell kits like these. There are more than 7 million aspiring DIYers on the platform today. Farb, 34, left her high-paying job at Goldman Sachs to launch the company in 2013 after her own DIY mishaps. And so far, it’s getting traction: Darby Smart partnered with Michaels craft stores in September.
What about your job most excites you?
Our mission. We’re working to unlock the creativity that lives inside everyone.
How many hours do you sleep?
I love sleeping in, but it’s a lost luxury because I have both a startup and one-year-old twins. On average, I get about 6 hours a night, but I long for 8.
What do you eat for breakfast?
The same thing from the same place every day for five years. How boring is that? I go to my local coffee shop, get a large iced coffee and English muffin with cream cheese. I love going there because I chat with the owners and it wakes me up and gets me excited to begin the day.
If you could be pitched to by one person, who would it be?
Ellen DeGeneres. I think she’s visionary in her use of social media.
What’s on your home screen?
A picture of a cat crafting. It’s from our April Fools' prank when we announced the launch of our newest line: “prafting.” Crafting for Pets.
How often do you exercise?
Not enough! But when I get to, I love a good run.
What app can’t you live without?
Google Calendar … oh so boring! And Quora. I love reading the questions.
What's your favorite city and why?
Buenos Aires. It’s beautiful and alive.
What’s the most important company we’ve never heard of?
Impossible Foods. They’re developing a meat made from plants because it’s a real way to solve world hunger.
Are there any social platforms you refuse to participate in?
I love trying them all.
What are you reading right now?
Someone just told me I should read The Alchemist. I’m going to start that.
Do you think there’s a tech bubble?
I think that today’s tech cycle is very different from the last bubble. Companies are scaling and monetizing faster, they have clear business models and paths to profitability. It feels like a much healthier environment.
Best piece of advice you've been given?
Only boring people get bored.
What keeps you up at night?
Feeling like I don’t have enough time to do all that I wish I could.
If you could tell your 18-year-old self one thing, what would it be?
Don’t follow convention. Your life is unique and your choices can be too.
