During my fellowship at Wear Opal, I assumed the role of chief of staff, supporting the founder, Jen Chiang, with several key initiatives and projects. The central focus of my projects included communication and content development, partnership outreach, social media support, and general strategic support.

For the communications and content development project, I was responsible for drafting, editing, and publishing key external communications where relevant. This included blog posts for our website, communications to key partners such as journalists and investors, and application to various organizations, such as those offering grant funds. Focusing on partnership outreach, I identified publications and investors who could be interested in our product and story. I then connected to individuals at those organizations to explore whether they would be interested in working with us. Our social media support project focused on planning and executing our social media presence, specifically on TikTok. I also provided general strategic support, acting as a sound board for Jen as she navigated through strategic decisions for the organization. I attended several "Tech Week" events on behalf of Wear Opal, and networked to gain relevant insights for the startup.

My work at Wear Opal this summer directly contributed to the organization's mission through supportive acts. Wear Opal’s mission is to redefine personal safety by crafting essential tools that seamlessly integrate technology with fashion to provide both protection and beauty. Through my internship work, I was able to provide needed support to launch pre-orders for the first version of the Wear Opal smart ring. For communication and marketing initiatives, I aided in spreading awareness about our organization. This allowed us to execute our mission and ensure more women could benefit from our product, feeling safe and protected every day.

At Columbia Business School (CBS), several courses have been instrumental to my role at Wear Opal. Classes such as Launch Your Startup, Entrepreneurial Law, and Strategy have provided a solid foundation for addressing the key challenges and complexities of an early-stage startup. Additionally, my coursework in marketing played a critical role in shaping my approach to external communications and social media strategy. Through these courses, I learned how to analyze consumer behavior, allowing me to tailor messaging that resonated with our target audience. The principles of brand management also discussed in class taught me how to maintain a consistent brand voice across all platforms. These insights were invaluable as I drafted external communications and developed social media content that aligns with Wear Opal’s mission and values. My time at CBS has equipped me with a skillset that has been pivotal to my role at Wear Opal, contributing to both the company’s growth and my development as a leader.

Over the course of my internship, one of the challenges I faced involved maximizing my ability to benefit Jen amidst the countless responsibilities she had. My aim was to provide the best support as she worked to grow the company. Another challenge I encountered was learning how best to deal with unexpected roadblocks. When we faced dilemmas involving the product that required immediate attention, we had to learn to adapt and pivot quickly. This experience taught me the importance of flexibility and staying calm under pressure, as well as the need to remain focused on the bigger picture while tackling day-to-day challenges.

One of my key learnings from this experience was witnessing firsthand the significant passion, grit, and hard work it takes to be an entrepreneur. Working closely with Jen, I gained a deep appreciation for her relentless dedication. Her commitment to the Wear Opal mission was inspiring and reinforced my own desire to become a founder in the future. Throughout the summer, I also learned valuable lessons about what it takes for an early-stage startup to grow. I gained insights into various aspects of the business, including product development, team building, and the importance of cultivating strong relationships with external partners. I learned how to use social media and PR communications to build a brand and reach target audiences. Overall, this experience has equipped me with a broader understanding of the challenges and demands of building a startup from the ground up. I feel confident that the lessons I learned will guide me as I pursue my entrepreneurial ambitions in the future.