Sall Grover was a screenwriter in Hollywood for almost ten years. But when she returned home to Australia, she felt like a broken person. With her Mum, she took the experiences she had working in Tinsel Town and channeled it into an app for girls/women/females. “Giggle” is the collective noun for a group of girls and the Giggle app connects girls/women/females from all around the world for freelance work, roommates, activism, emotional support and much more. Giggle is currently used in 84 countries.
Where did the idea for Giggle come from?
The idea of Giggle started with a conversation between me and my Mum. I had recently returned from almost ten years in Hollywood, where I had experienced everything the Me Too Movement represents. It was my Mum who said, “There needs to be a way for girls to help girls!” We decided that we would create an app despite having no idea how to do that. But we quickly learned everything we could and, within 7 months had raised almost $500,000 and the app was in development.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I have to ensure the app is working properly and users are satisfied, while overseeing PR and marketing. I start the day with a 15 minute team meeting to ensure that everyone is on top of what they are doing and then we get to work. I try to keep it all as casual and fun as possible to keep energy and productivity positive.
How do you bring ideas to life?
When I have an idea, I let it sit in my mind for a few days. This is a technique I learned in my screenwriting career. The first step with a new idea is to find out if you are really passionate about it. If the idea stays with you, then it’s time to see if it’s feasible. I then do drawings and notes and get it to a place where I can take it to the awesome people who will make my dream a reality.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Girls helping girls!
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
Passion for what I am doing. If I don’t care about something, I simply won’t do it. I have always been that way, entrepreneur or not.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Relax and enjoy the journey.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Los Angeles is an amazing place to live, full of some of the best people you will ever meet.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Read books or articles that exist outside of my industry or focus. Stay connected to the rest of the world.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
Leaning in to the controversy of being a company for girls/women/females is our biggest “growth hack”. It means we always stand up for the girls who are users or potential users, so that our mission is always very clear to everyone.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
So far, I haven’t experienced anything I would consider a “failure”. We have had major obstacles and some issues that have taken months to work through, so staying focused has always been the number one priority.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
An dating website called “Love @ First Site” where you can create an avatar of your perfect person and then the algorithm finds that person. It would be ridiculously superficial – but I thought of the idea when writing a romcom screenplay.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I bought back some founders shares in my company.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?
Giggle! I get to talk to like minded girls whenever I want and connect with our users to find out what they want next.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
“Becoming” by Michelle Obama. Especially for businesswomen, it gives insight and advice to overcoming obstacles and how to use who you are to your best advantage.
What is your favorite quote?
“I’m tough, I’m ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.” – Madonna
Key Learnings:
• Passion for what you do is number 1
• Supporting women pays off
• Bring experience from your background to your entrepreneurship
Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.