Episode 85: Eat, Pray, Startup: An Entrepreneur’s Global Search For Creativity & Innovation

Entrepreneurship requires creativity and innovative thinking. Yet living and working in one location can feel like being trapped in an echo chamber, thereby limiting our creative potential.

In 2018, Jennifer Chang found herself at a crossroads. She had successfully sold a startup in 2017 and chased the rising tech pay into the job market, but felt her creativity was being stifled by job descriptions. After being fired from yet another job, she decided to embark on a six month journey around the world to revitalize her creative energy. Her trip took her across 5 continents, 20 countries, 35 flights, and 45,000 miles. Throughout her journey, she met with entrepreneurs, investors, and technologists, using a shared interest in startups as a way to connect with local people, places, and cultures.

In this presentation, Jennifer will share highlights from her journey, including the unique organizations and companies she came across as she travelled the globe, looking for entrepreneurial soulmates.

Bio:
Jennifer Chang is a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur, occasional digital nomad, and world traveler. Jennifer joined her first startup in 2008, and over the past decade, has been involved in over 20 startups as cofounder, executive, advisor and consultant. She's worn many hats over the years and applies her background in marketing and finance to help startups craft compelling stories to attract customers, investors, and employees.

Jennifer is the founder of TechSparks, a networking group and practice pitchfest for early stage entrepreneurs. She previously served as the head of operations, marketing, and finance as the Chief Operating Officer and founding team member at FanBread, a digital media publishing startup which was acquired by RockYou in 2017. She joined as head of marketing for growth stage companies including Perfect Market (Idealab), Haven, and NEXT Trucking. Jennifer has also held roles at best-in-class companies, Apple, Disney and KPMG.

Jennifer received her MBA and Certificate in Technology Commercialization from USC Marshall School of Business, and a BS in Business Administration from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business. She also earned her MA in Cultural and Creative Industries at King’s College London.

Twitter: @jenhchang / @techsparks
Email: [email protected]