{"id":1112,"date":"2020-09-29T12:02:27","date_gmt":"2020-09-29T19:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/?p=1112"},"modified":"2020-09-29T12:07:58","modified_gmt":"2020-09-29T19:07:58","slug":"debbie-sterling-founder-ceo-of-goldieblox","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/2020\/09\/29\/debbie-sterling-founder-ceo-of-goldieblox\/","title":{"rendered":"Debbie Sterling &#8211; Founder &amp; CEO of GoldieBlox"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GoldieBlox: Using narrative to engage girls in STEM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Founded in 2012, GoldieBlox is an award-winning multimedia company that aims to empower girls with skills in engineering. GoldieBlox&#8217;s unique approach combines construction toys with a set of interactive books, apps and videos. It also features the world&#8217;s first female engineering character, Goldie, a curious young girl who loves to build and try new things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8220;<strong>GoldieBlox is a media and entertainment company using storytelling to make STEM fun. We educate and empower young girls by creating engaging content, fun toys and interesting resources that will help build their confidence and their dreams.&nbsp;We believe that we can close the gender gap by combining our unique STEAM + FUN formula with what girls love to get more girls interested in these key fields.<\/strong>&#8220;<\/p><cite>&#8211; From GoldieBlox.com<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/files\/2020\/09\/maxresdefault-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1121\" width=\"414\" height=\"233\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/files\/2020\/09\/maxresdefault-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/files\/2020\/09\/maxresdefault-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/files\/2020\/09\/maxresdefault-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/files\/2020\/09\/maxresdefault.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 414px) 100vw, 414px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Founder: Debbie Sterling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>GoldieBlox was created by Debbie Sterling, is a Stanford-educated engineer. Frustrated by the low numbers of female graduates (only 20% of graduate degrees in technology and science are awarded to women), Debbie launched GoldieBlox.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Debbie Sterling, Founder and CEO of GoldieBlox | Dynamic Dialouges\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Bho4qg3oXYk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Prior to conceiving GoldieBlox, Sterling landed at a creative branding and design agency. Finding herself in an unfamiliar field, she worked hard to upskill and, in 3 years, earned the title of Lead Brand Strategist. Driven by a need to do meaningful work, Sterling then spent 6 months volunteering in India and, on her return, followed an old passion and got a job with a small jewelry company. It was at this time that, during an &#8220;ideas brunch&#8221; with friends she came across the idea of GoldieBlox. Rather than quit her job at the jewelry company, Sterling used this job as an opportunity to save up and  learn how to run a small business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>&#8220;<strong>I faced my fair share of challenges when I first started out. I saved up as much as I could to eventually quit my job and go full-time on starting the company. I really believed in my concept \u2013 STEM toys for girls \u2013 but the toy industry wasn\u2019t as receptive. I kept hearing from industry veterans that my idea was a good cause, but it would never sell. I knew that if I wanted to make GoldieBlox successful, it meant I had to break down the outdated gender stereotypes that plague the industry. To this day, these outdated stereotypes continue to be my biggest challenge.<\/strong>&#8220;<\/p><cite>&#8211; Debbie Sterling<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She reached her funding goal on Kickstarter in 4 days. GoldieBlox was on shelves in Toys &#8220;R&#8221; Us 6 months later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2014, Sterling was named as one of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/most-influential-women-in-the-world-2014-5#9-debbie-sterling-22\">Business Insider&#8217;s 30 Women Who Are Changing the World<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Team<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>&#8220;I always look for people who are genuinely passionate about our social mission. They need to have the skills to be able to do the job, or at least demonstrate they are quick learners. I look for people who are self-starters that thrive in uncertainty. In entrepreneurial environments, it\u2019s critical to be able to solve problems on your own. I also look for people who seem like they love to learn and don\u2019t act like they already know everything. Last but not least, I constantly look for diversity and make sure we have a pool of very diverse candidates for every role.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p><cite>&#8211; Debbie Sterling<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Debbie Sterling<\/strong>: Founder and CEO<\/li><li><strong>Beau Lewis<\/strong>: Co-Founder and VP Content (Emmy-winning producer, writer, and viral media expert; founder of Seedwell Studios which pioneered viral campaigns for brands like Nike, Pepsi, and Google)<\/li><li><strong>Shawn Dennis<\/strong>: President (Former head of brand and franchise development at DreamWorks Animation and chief marketing officer at Mattel\u2019s American Girl)<\/li><li><strong>Tim Erickson<\/strong>: Executive Vice President, Operations and Partnerships (Previously created original merchandise and brand experiences for DreamWorks and Fox)<\/li><li><strong>Melissa Schneider<\/strong>: Chief Content Officer (Former EVP at digital studio New Form)<\/li><li><strong>Keith Bencher<\/strong>: Chief Financial and Strategy Officer (Former VP at CNET Networks; EVP at Federated Media; CFO at This Moment marketing technology company)<\/li><li><strong>Elizabeth Miller<\/strong>: Creative Director (Former Creative Director at 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., Cloudco Studios, Hasbro, DreamWorks Animation, AwesomenessTV and Disney)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Entrepreneur Inspo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Three key things I take away from Debbie&#8217;s story:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Perhaps you&#8217;re not yet in your dream job, but always look for opportunities to learn and grow.<\/li><li>Find the believers.<\/li><li>Beyond just having a great idea, an entrepreneur must then inspire, form a tribe and build a community around it.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><strong>Once you have found a business idea that is your true passion, you need to share that passion with everyone you possibly can.&nbsp;Whether it\u2019s someone you\u2019re sitting next to on an airplane, a waiter at a restaurant, a Lyft driver it doesn\u2019t matter. Share your passion with the world, because as soon as you do, people will start coming out of the woodwork to help you.<\/strong><\/p><cite>&#8211; Debbie Sterling<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/files\/2020\/09\/sterlingdebbie6407-pv13_1200xx3569-2008-0-184-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1122\" width=\"460\" height=\"259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/files\/2020\/09\/sterlingdebbie6407-pv13_1200xx3569-2008-0-184-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/files\/2020\/09\/sterlingdebbie6407-pv13_1200xx3569-2008-0-184-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/files\/2020\/09\/sterlingdebbie6407-pv13_1200xx3569-2008-0-184-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/files\/2020\/09\/sterlingdebbie6407-pv13_1200xx3569-2008-0-184.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/elanagross\/2017\/10\/11\/how-the-founder-of-goldieblox-is-creating-the-next-generation-of-women-in-stem\/#5a7beb5d4e13\">You can read Debbie&#8217;s full Forbes interview here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You might also be interested in <a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/@makaylamlatkins\/debbie-sterling-an-engineer-that-inspires-me-c7a426a0bbb1\">Debbit Sterling: An Engineer That Inspires Me<\/a> on Medium.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GoldieBlox: Using narrative to engage girls in STEM Founded in 2012, GoldieBlox is an award-winning multimedia company that aims to empower girls with skills in&#8230;<\/p>\n<div class=\"more-link-wrapper\"><a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/2020\/09\/29\/debbie-sterling-founder-ceo-of-goldieblox\/\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Debbie Sterling &#8211; Founder &amp; CEO of GoldieBlox<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":74053,"featured_media":1115,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-founders-parade","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1112","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/74053"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1112"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1112\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1125,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1112\/revisions\/1125"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1112"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1112"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ubc.ca\/etec522\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1112"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}