Nicole Shariat Farb is an American entrepreneur and business executive. She is a co-founder and the chief executive officer of the video community Darby Smart.[1][2][3] Prior to founding the company, Farb worked as a Head of Emerging Private Companies at Goldman Sachs.[4][5] Farb has also appeared several times on Good Morning America as a DIY expert.[6][7][8] She is also active in pursuing diversity and equality in the tech industry.[9]
Nicole Shariat Farb | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | Booth School of Business |
| Years active | 2013 - current |
| Known for | Co-founder, CEO, Darby Smart |
| Spouse | Michael Farb |
| Children | 2 |
Early life and education
editFarb was raised in Orange County, California.[10] When she was 10 years old, she started a business making and selling hair bows.[11] After graduating high school she briefly pursued a career in acting, before studying journalism at Loyola University. After Loyola, she received her Master's in Education from University of California, Irvine and worked as a teacher before attending business school at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.[12]
Career
editFarb relocated to San Francisco, California and began working for Goldman Sachs where she was a vice president.[13][14] After experiencing frustration while crafting thank you cards following her 2011 wedding,[15] she left Goldman Sachs to start Darby Smart.[16]
She recruited software engineer, Karl Mendes, as a co-founder and raised a $1 million seed round of funding.[17][18] Darby Smart was launched in June 2013.[19] In Spring 2014, Darby Smart raised an additional $6.3 million in Series A funding led by Maveron.[20]
Farb led the company into a partnership with Urban Outfitters in Fall 2014.[5][16] In 2015, she formed a partnership with the craft retailer Michael's.[5] By 2016, Farb had launched the Darby Smart app which helps users create videos.[13]
Farb has been vocal about diversity and inclusion issues in the tech industry,[9] and was quoted in Emily Chang's 2018 book, Brotopia about her experience as a female entrepreneur in Silicon Valley.[21]
In 2018, Darby Smart was acquired by Grove Collaborative, and Nicole Farb joined the company's beauty venture.[22]
Personal life
editFarb married Michael Farb, the co-founder of sports recruiting software company CaptainU, in 2011.[13] The couple met while attending the Booth School of Business and have twin boys.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Darby Smart DIY kits from best of Pinterest". SFGate. 2013-08-15. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "20 Female-Founded Startups That Grew Like Crazy in 2017". Inc.com. 2017-12-19. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Darby Smart Launches Darby Video App for How-To Videos". Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "The Pivot: Nicole Shariat Farb, Founder of Darby Smart". Levo League. 2015-09-16. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ a b c "The co-founder of Darby Smart on her secret weapon for success in the startup world: stalking". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ Cooper, Matt (2016-12-08). "Thursday's TV highlights: 'Taraji's White Hot Holidays' and more". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Good Morning America: Highlights for ABC News' 'Good Morning America,' May 8–12". Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Parenting hack: How to make homemade slime for kids". ABC News. 2017-04-07. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ a b "Fake News, Cyber Security, Political Stalemate Top Concerns at Brainstorm Tech". Fortune. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ a b Mulshine, Molly (October 1, 2015). "These 8 Pairs Are Redefining the Term 'Power Couple'". Business Insider.
- ^ Wylie, Melissa; Johnson, Mary (November 19, 2015). "8 Female Founders on Making the Leap From Corporate climber to Entrepreneur". Biz Woman.
- ^ "Introducing Nicole Shariat Farb". I Want Her Job. December 5, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Cupid Is a Quant". www.chicagobooth.edu. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ Lessin, Jessica E. (2013-05-01). "Tech Poaches Wall Street Talent". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Apps I Live By: Crafting Innovator Nicole Shariat Farb - NBC News". NBC News. 2014-06-11. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ a b "Xconomy: Craft Kit Maker Darby Smart Takes on Supply Goliath Michaels". Xconomy. 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Interview: Getting Crafty with Darby Smart's Nicole Farb". SF Station – San Francisco's City Guide. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Craft kit startup Darby Smart raises $6.3 million to beat Hobby Lobby on the web". Fortune. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ Winograd, David (2013-06-20). "Darby Smart's Founder Nicole Farb Quit Goldman Sachs To Found A Startup". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Darby Smart Raises $6.3M For DIY Craft Marketplace – TechCrunch". techcrunch.com. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ Emily, Chang (2018-02-06). Brotopia : breaking up the boys' club of Silicon Valley. New York, NY. ISBN 978-0735213548. OCLC 1000234925.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Grove Collaborative's CEO Discusses Clean Beauty & Sustainability Efforts". Observer. 2019-09-09. Retrieved 2021-03-25.