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10 • BAY AREA REPORTER • March 9-15, 2017
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CEO of hair care line proffers venture capital advice by Matthew S. Bajko
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my Errett could easily sail along on the success of her eco-friendly hair care products line, Madison Reed, which she cofounded in April 2013 and oversees as CEO. Yet she also serves on a number of philanthropic boards and as a special adviser to the venture capital firm True Ventures, offering advice on what companies it should fund. “It is in my DNA to start something,” explained Errett about why she is attracted to the world of venture capitalism. Her response came during a conversation in late January that Errett and two other venture capitalists, David Hornik and Hunter Walk, engaged in as part of the Arts and Ideas program at the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco. Prior to launching Madison Reed, Errett had been a general partner and ran the Bay Area office of the venture capital firm Maveron, which was created by Starbucks founder Howard Schultz. “As a VC, I got to meet young, talented people and helped them meet their dreams,” recalled Errett. Their “Venture Capitol 101” talk brought out several hundred people on a Monday night to learn just what a venture capitalist does and tips for those seeking to tap into venture funding for their own start-up companies. Being a VC requires a “24-7” commitment, warned Errett, adding that, “You are working so hard there is no work/life balance.” Nonetheless, she beseeched the industry to support female VCs and entrepreneurs, as men dominate the field and Silicon Valley companies continue to be hit with charges of sexual harassment. The support, added Errett, needs to begin with young girls so they are encouraged
to pursue highwhich began on tech careers. a subscription “You need to model but is now teach girls to be selling through fearless and that other retailers their voices matand has begun ter,” she said. to open its own As for those in stores, had upneed of financing, wards of $15 milshe advised they lion in revenue do their homelast year. work about the The company funds they apis named after the proach. If they are daughter that Erjust starting their rett and her wife, company and exClare Albanese, pect to need years had in 2003. She of cash infusions, did so due to a she suggested Madison Reed co-founder conversation she partnering with Amy Errett had with Madia newer fund, as son in which her it will more likely daughter asked be able to provide multiple rounds if she was “going to do it?” Errett of funding. asked, “Do what?” as she was unIf a company is more established clear of what Madison meant. but needs financing to scale up its “Save women’s lives,” replied her business, then Errett said an older daughter. fund could be a better bet to team The idea for the company had up with. According to Forbes, Errett come out of Errett’s desire to create by 2016 had raised $40 million in hair coloring and other products venture capital funding to grow that don’t contain cancer-causing Madison Reed. chemicals and that can be used by “Pick people that will women who are pregnant. lift you up and be sup“I wanted to dispel the notion portive,” Errett said. there had to be very bad chemicals She personally saw in hair care,” she said during the VC how business relationtalk. “I believe that mission brings a ships could become huge return to the company because acrimonious after her consumers see through things and time as CEO of lesbian will support that mission and not travel company Olivia waiver on those things.” Cruises in the early The event had been postponed 2000s. After helping Olfrom the fall, and the rescheduled ivia reach $25 million in revenues by talk on January 30 happened to 2007, Errett was out of the company come the Monday after airports and entangled in a nasty legal fight across the country had erupted with Olivia founder Judy Dlugacz. in chaos over the weekend due to The two sides reached a confidenPresident Donald Trump the Fritial agreement in 2009, the terms of day prior imposing a ban on imwhich were not publicly disclosed. migrants from seven predominately Years later Errett would team with Muslim countries from entering a former Olivia co-worker, Sabrina the U.S. for 90 days and suspendRiddle, who was the travel coming all Syrian refugee admissions pany’s chief sales and marketing indefinitely. officer, to co-found Madison Reed. (Federal courts later suspended According to Forbes, the company, implementation of the ban after
several state attorneys general filed a challenge to it, and the White House has said it plans to soon issue a revised travel ban.) Asked by moderator Sue Kwon, a former television journalist who now handles communication for the startup Honor, if Silicon Valley’s voice matters in Washington, D.C. in light of the immigration crackdown, Errett answered simply, “Absolutely.” Errett, board chair of the foundation of the progressive Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood, noted that her father was born in Russia and that her maternal grandparents also immigrated to the U.S. “The truth of what is going on is it’s outrageous,” she said. “Where does it stop?” To learn more about Madison Reed, visit https://www.madisonreed.com/.
Gay app taps into political zeitgeist
With Trump kicking up a hornet’s nest of political activism across the country, a San Francisco-based gay social networking app is working to harness the energies of LGBT critics of the president and his policies. Hornet, which San Francisco resident Christof Wittig co-founded in 2011, plans to team with LGBTQ grassroots activists across the country to serve as a crucial hub for resistance marches and other protests. It plans to provide logistical information about the events to its 18 million worldwide active users who are interested in marching against the Trump administration’s discriminatory policies. Hornet announced last week that it would launch the service with the #ResistMarch set to take place in Los Angeles Sunday, June 11 during the city’s annual Pride weekend. It will send push notifications to its users notifying them of the time and location for the march.
The company said its users would also be able to easily share the information with their own social network on the app by sending out editorial material, photos and additional event information. “Unlike other gay apps, we recognize gay culture goes deeper than just a passing moment. Hornet was designed to stay connected and build community,” explained Wittig about why the app added the new feature. The Los Angeles #ResistMarch for LGBTQ+ and People of Color Equality will coincide with the planned National LGBTQ March on Washington, D.C. that Sunday in June. “We are grateful to the Hornet team for working with us and others to share information about where and how we gather. And, more importantly, we are excited that Hornet understands and supports why we must gather,” stated #ResistMarch founder Brian Pendleton, who is also a member of Christopher Street West’s board of directors, which oversees LA Pride. At no cost to event organizers, Hornet is offering to promote protests and marches anywhere in the world. In addition to its American users, Hornet has large followings in France, Russia, Brazil, Turkey, and Taiwan. “The voice of our generation is amplified through social media and, because of it, we can connect millions of LGBTQ people across the globe,” noted Hornet President Sean Howell. “Now, more than ever, we need to rally, gather and connect to ensure our rights are not stripped away.” For more information, visit Hornet’s website at http://love.hornetapp.com/ or download the free app, available for iOS and Android. t Got a tip on LGBT business news? Call Matthew S. Bajko at (415) 829-8836 or e-mail m.bajko@ebar.com.
SF Parks Alliance taps new CEO compiled by Cynthia Laird
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he San Francisco Parks Alliance has named a gay man as its new chief executive officer. Drew Becher is scheduled to begin work at the nonprofit Monday, March 13. He replaces Rachel Norton, who had been running the organization on an interim basis
after the departure of gay former CEO Matthew O’Grady. Norton, who had served as director of external affairs prior to leading the alliance, told the Bay Area Reporter that she would be “discussing next steps” with Becher and the board. The Parks Alliance is a leading advocate at City Hall for funding of the city’s numerous parks and
recreation facilities. It also partners with scores of community groups that have adopted various city parks to serve as stewards of the sites. More than 200 groups, such as the Friends of Kezar Triangle, are fiscally sponsored by the Parks Alliance. According to a news release from the Parks Alliance, Becher’s experience includes more than 20 years in national and regional park planning, advocacy, and philanthropy. He most recently led the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society as its president and CEO, and was previously the executive director of the New York Restoration Project. “We have tremendous enthusiasm and confidence in Drew’s capacity to build on our many valued relationships with the teams at Recreation and Parks, the Department of Public Works, Department of Planning, the Port of San Francisco, City Hall, and our extraordinary network of park partners,” a news release from the Parks Alliance stated. While head of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Becher was praised as a forward thinker but criticized by some as aloof. According to an April 2015 article on www. philly.com, Becher’s tenure saw some popular initiatives such as pop-up gardens, flower shows, and
Courtesy SF Parks Alliance
Incoming SF Parks Alliance CEO Drew Becher
tree plantings. But he also reorganized the nonprofit from top to bottom that resulted in the layoffs of 22 staff members in 2013. Becher moved to San Francisco after leaving the horticultural society after his partner, Eric Lochner, relocated to the city for his job. According to his LinkedIn page, Lochner is now CEO of STEELE CIS, an online compliance company. The couple were married a few years ago.
Calling all antique buffs
The team from History channel’s
“American Pickers” is coming to California and is looking for people with unique collections of antiques. “American Pickers” is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking.” According to a news release, hosts Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz are two of the most skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for rare and valuable collections. The show is looking for leads. People who are interested and who have a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the pickers can spend the better part of a day looking through can contact americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 1-855-OLD-RUST.
SF library debuts performance arts festival
The San Francisco Public Library has announced the citywide “Live! At the Library,” a performance arts festival that will feature 50 events throughout March at all neighborhood branches. Events include West African acoustic guitarist Jesse Sahbi at the Noe Valley branch Saturday, March 11 at 3 p.m.; world rhythms and chants with body percussion at the Eureka Valley branch Saturday, March 25 at 1:30 p.m.; and special effects makeup at the Mission branch Thursday, March 30 at 3 p.m. See page 13 >>