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The Founder of Match.com Is Now in the Baby Business — and Her Best Success Tips Are Relevant to All Entrepreneurs Super-founder Fran Maier has been building businesses for more than 25 years.

By Robert Tuchman Edited by Jessica Thomas

Key Takeaways

  • Trust and safety are critical to success.
  • Your brand should solve a problem.
  • Women founders should tackle their ideas with confidence.

This week on How Success Happens, I spoke with super-founder Fran Maier. She is best known for co-founding and launching Match.com and is now CEO of BabyQuip. Maier has more than 25 years of experience in B2B and B2C internet businesses, and I was curious to hear about her entrepreneurial journey and success tips.

You can listen to my whole conversation with Maier above, and I've pulled out three key takeaways.

Related: This Angel Investor Has Funded More Than 150 Businesses. Here's What She Learned When She Started Her Own.

Trust and safety are critical to success

Being a parent, Maier knew people wouldn't want to go to Craigslist to rent baby gear due to safety concerns. Additionally, as an Airbnb host, she knew that families would not want to buy gear they would never use again or even know how to use. She trusted that this segment of traveling parents would go crazy for BabyQuip.

Timestamp — 30:20

Related: She Picked Up a Side Hustle Her Husband Saw on 'Shark Tank' — Now It Brings in More Than $100,000 Per Year

Your brand should solve a problem

Just like Match.com, BabyQuip is solving a significant problem. Parent reviews continuously note that BabyQuip saved their vacation and has come to the rescue. The BabyQuip brand alleviates the need to buy or bring bulky gear while traveling on family vacations by renting full-sized cribs, strollers, car seats, toys and so much more.

Timestamp — 35:20

Related: Sarah Jessica Parker Uncorks Secrets to Wine Brand Success in Her Latest Entrepreneurial Venture

Women founders should tackle their ideas with confidence

Trust that you know your market. Many women entrepreneurs start businesses after they spend years at corporations, Maier notes. When they see an opportunity, they should trust themselves and go after it with confidence.

Timestamp — 43:00

Related: Lo Bosworth's Health Woes Led to a Thriving Wellness Brand. Here Are Her Biggest Success Tips.
Robert Tuchman

Entrepreneur Staff

Host of How Success Happens

Robert Tuchman is the host of Entrepreneur's How Success Happens podcast and founder of Amaze Media Labs the largest business creating podcasts for companies and brands. He built and sold two Inc. 500 companies: TSE Sports and Entertainment and Goviva acquired by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

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