Looking to the future
As she looks to the future, Zoosk is both confident and curious about what the years ahead will bring to Zoosk and the world of online dating.
“We are constantly looking at what could be next from a technology perspective,” Steckelberg says. “For example, this week, we are having hack days. Our whole company is eligible to participate these three days in coming up with a project of something they want to be implemented in our product or maybe a new app idea.
They are certainly encouraged to look at what they think is coming in the future and embrace new technologies. I don’t know what is next in terms of online dating. It hasn’t made itself visible yet.”
In the meantime, she is confident the number of people who do online dating will only continue to grow.
“If you think that every single person isn’t on a dating website, you’re probably wrong,” she says. “I think everybody is doing it these days. It’s fun, it’s entertaining, it’s easy and it’s a super-efficient way to meet people.” ●
How to reach: Zoosk, or www.zoosk.com
Takeaways
- You don’t have to be an expert at everything.
- Don’t assume you know what’s best for customers.
- Give your team the opportunity to dream about the future.
The Steckelberg File
NAME: Kelly Steckelberg
TITLE: CEO
COMPANY: Zoosk
Born: Vermillion, South Dakota.
What was your very first job and what did you learn? I worked in the fabric department of a department store. It was called Anthony’s in Kerrville, Texas. It was my first real foray into customer service and how you support your customers.
Who has been your biggest influence? In general, it has to be my mother. She’s one of the strongest people I know and has a very high moral compass. One time when I was in high school, I told her I’d like to be on the tennis team. I went to a very small rural high school, so I didn’t grow up at a country club where I played tennis.
My mother said, ‘OK, let’s play tennis.’ It was as simple as that. You want it, you go for it. We started going down every day after school to the tennis courts and played tennis. She has always been very inspiring. I have two sisters and she raised us to be very strong independent women who could have whatever we wanted.
Who is one person, past or present, that you would like to meet and why? It’s William Randolph Hearst. I find him to have been an amazing successful businessman who also had this super interesting personal life. I’ve read a few biographies and he’s had such a significant impact on San Francisco and the Bay Area as well that I just think he would have been an amazing person to have known.
