An Interview with Karen Post, co-founder of OddPodz
Social Media Portal (SMP): What made you start OddPodz?Karen Post (KP): I saw an opportunity and I love building businesses.
SMP: What was the most challenging part of building the service?KP: We made a huge mistake when we hired our development company. This cost us tons of money, time and early grey hair. What does not kill you adds to your value.
SMP: Who are your target audience and why?KP: When we first launched we thought it was the creative class (all those who get paid to create). We learned this is too general, as we evolved the site and grew as a business we are now more focused. Our market is the creative professional, the creative service provider, the creative service buyer and entrepreneurs growing businesses. As our site evolves, you will see more evidence of this in content and features.
SMP: How did you initially attract users to your site?KP: PR and word of mouth (WOM).
SMP: What were you best and low moments of what you have been doing so far?KP: Raising our first $500,000 was pretty exciting. Realizing that we spent a big chunk of it on bad technology and it took a year, major sucko!!
SMP: What do you see as your biggest challenges and opportunities?
KP: Challenge; Until we fix our backend technology, we have to explain a lot and live with it.
Opportunities; We look forward, not back, creative professionals are underserved and the Web has such a bright future, you always have to wear sunglasses.
SMP: What are the next moves for OddPodz?KP: Raise more money, start building out a team of pros, become a purpose-driven, cool site, grow our brand into a cult of creative thinkers and have lots of fun.
SMP: What?s the next big step for social media and networks?KP: Niche markets will be the next generation of big success stories. Social networks will work together more. There will be detox clinics for over social networked people.
SMP: How does this fit into plans at OddPodz?
KP: We hope to be an important niche player, enjoy the ride and reap fruit. We will leverage what the pioneers have created in a positive way and we will be very sensitive to finding balance with technology and quality of life for Oddpodz and its founders.
SMP: If you weren?t running OddPodz what would you be doing?
KP: I actually have two hats that I wear, before Oddpodz I?ve been on the international speaker circuit, I authored a book called Brain Tattoos and I consult (brandingdiva.com). I?ve cut back on the consulting, but still speak, really love to do that. And there are several more books in me.
SMP: Are there any other sites/s that we should be aware of?KP: MentalFloss.com is fun place and they are my pals. Very Oddpodish.
For other companies needing to raise funds, I?d check out
thefunded.com, it is a great resource for CEOs.
Now some questions for fun
SMP: What did you have for breakfast / lunch?KP: Breakfast, granola and soy milk. Lunch, soup, almonds, cottage cheese and jam --- not all in the same bowl
SMP: What?s the last good thing that you did for someone?
KP: Sent a thank you note for a speaking referral.
SMP: How many hours do you work a week?KP: 70-80
SMP: When and where did you go on your last holiday?
KP: I travel a lot, so I make my business trips feel like a holiday. When I?m in a nice place, I stay an extra day, get a massage and try to play tennis. I usually work on traditional holidays, not a big fan of them.
SMP: What?s the first thing you do when you get into the office of a morning?
KP: Check email.
SMP: If you had a super-power what would it be and why?KP: The ability to put magazines under my pillow and then wake up with all the good scoop in your head.
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