Published in Bootcamp·Updated 4 days agoMember-onlyWhy UX is the Most Lucrative Investment Tech Founders Can MakeEmbarking on my career as a user experience designer in the early 2000s was complicated. During those early years, I designed in-house at a few larger companies, but my role seemed to always require more UX advocacy skills than it did actual design. It felt like none of my bosses…Startups5 min readStartups5 min read
Published in UX Collective·Jan 5Member-onlyThe UX battle of 2023: craft vs. processYesterday afternoon I was scrolling through LinkedIn during my usual post-lunch haze. I stumbled upon this post by Tony Moura, a tech founder and UX icon from IBM. I haven’t stopped rereading, analyzing, and flat-out obsessing over its contents ever since. In it, Tony states that during a recent conversation…UX Design5 min readUX Design5 min read
Published in UX of EdTech·Dec 30, 2022Innovator’s Think Tank for the UX of EdTech CommunityA workshop recap — 2022 was a tremendous year for UX of EdTech. Thanks to the vision and dedication of our fearless founder, Alicia Quan, we scaled from a niche community to a full-blown eco-system comprised of value-sharing UX professionals who are trying to make a difference in education. This year the community hosted…UX6 min readUX6 min read
Dec 20, 2022Member-onlyStartup Funding Guidance for Female Founders, Against All OddsAs a female founder, I often get asked why I don’t raise venture capital. This question makes me laugh. Many of my peers assume that my being a woman gives me an advantage given the current DEI movement happening within the startup world. …Startup5 min readStartup5 min read
Dec 13, 2022Member-onlyThe Leadership Advice I Received This Year That Changed Everything2022 was a year full of high highs and low lows for Gallardo Labs. What I read and heard from other respected leaders in the industry was that the ups and downs are all part of the agency game. …Leadership6 min readLeadership6 min read
Nov 30, 2022Member-onlyWorking From Home “Doesn’t Work” for Elon Musk–But It Does Work for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in TechJust one week after taking over Twitter, Elon Musk eliminated nearly 1/2 of Twitter’s workforce and told the other 1/2 to come back to the office — reversing the remote work policy that had been in place since the pandemic. He is implementing the same hustle work culture that he…Remote Work4 min readRemote Work4 min read
Published in Bootcamp·Updated Nov 18, 2022Member-only5 Common Mistakes That Startups Make When Hiring Their First UX Designer, and How to Avoid ThemI have been a part of several startup UX teams and even built a couple of my own. I’ve learned that the first UX designer is always the most important hire for the design team because they set the foundation for the organization’s UX methods and practice as it grows. …Startup5 min readStartup5 min read
Oct 25, 2022Member-onlyWhy My First Startup Failed and My Second One Almost Did — The Top 3 Lessons I Learned as a FounderI poured most of my twenties and my life savings into a company that ultimately failed. In 2009, I founded my first startup, Eidia Lush, a hand-made shoe company that let customers design their own women’s couture shoes online. After spending 5 years of grind and sweat to build Eidia…Failure5 min readFailure5 min read
Oct 14, 2022Member-onlyHow Much Does it Really Cost to Launch a Profitable Digital Product?I have spent 15+ years helping founders and leaders in tech convert their ideas into digital products. I’ve watched many companies succeed and others fail. I have taken note of what winning companies did and how much they invested in their products at launch. …Startup4 min readStartup4 min read
Published in Bootcamp·Updated Nov 18, 2022Member-only8 Free Toolkits, Card Decks, and Practical Guides to Help the Curious UX Designer Broaden Their SkillsetThe best UX designers I’ve met throughout my career are the ones who never stop learning. They never stop being curious, widening their perspective, and refining their craft. There are a plethora of UX design resources out there to help you become one of the “best”, but sifting through them…UX3 min readUX3 min read
