The notion of work-life balance trips up a lot of entrepreneurs. The more unbalanced the better, or so it seems. Or maybe it’s organized chaos that allows for productivity and opportunities to take place despite the growing to-do list, numerous meetings and customer service upkeep, to name a few responsibilities, that come with the startup grind.
For Blavity co-founder and CEO Morgan Debaun, the answer is quite simple.
“The solution for me has been to pick something I enjoy doing.”
Since Blavity was a mere thought in DeBaun and co-founder Jeff Nelson’s minds, the Washington University graduates, which includes core team members Jonathan Jackson and Aaron Samuels, have spent sleepless nights getting the multicultural platform for creatives up and running. It’s been several months and Blavity has gained traction with its target audience: Black millennials.
The last six months have served as a user research study for the team as they maximize the secret sauce they’ve uncovered into a business that’s profitable all while leveraging technology to do so. Although that translates into late nights, it’s worth it for DeBaun and team.
“We’re going back and forth,” says DeBaun of a recent midnight (PST) call with Jackson, who resides on the East Coast. “We’re talking about business and we were also talking about funny things that happened throughout the day. Family. Then we’re editing an article.”
So, work-life balance isn’t a term DeBaun would use. But she’s perfectly fine with the life she’s actively building.
“Flying down to LA for the weekend. Meeting new people, having a chill set where we’re also making content but also just hanging out, having a party. Building cool things with my friends and making money doing it, and building a product other people that I identify with can use,” says DeBaun. “This is my dream life.”
The 24-year-old, who left her position at Intuit to focus on Blavity full time, is constantly on the go, working on her startup. When she’s not doing that, which she admits is rare, DeBaun is traveling, hanging out with friends, listening to podcasts and music, or reading cultural or entrepreneurial books.
The podcast This American Life is a personal favorite. Her current book picks include Hatching Twitter by Nick Bilton, Stiletto Network by Pamela Ryckman and Roxane Gay’s Bad Feminist.
Whether it’s through travel or exploration through books, it’s the experiences that matter most to DeBaun.
“I seek out experiences. I think that’s probably the theme of everything,” says the young go-getter.
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Ladies First
In conversation with Morgan Debaun, co-founder and CEO of Blavity, it doesn’t take long to realize the pint-sized powerhouse is wise beyond her years. Her drive, determination and hunger to affect change are admirable, and her infectious personality will likely lengthen any discussion with the millennial entrepreneur.
