@mlaukoerner is the ultimate consumer of fresh ideas, fashion, and productivity hacks. She is the founder of @Goldenerre and creates designer jewelry for smartwatches to empower women with great style and great tech. Oh and she's also an active mom of 2 young kids who relies heavily on tech to keep her life in order. Tell us how you got here and started a business? I saw a growing problem that I thought I could uniquely solve. I felt terrible wearing a fitness tracker in a silicone band, particularly post-partum, and needed a better solution. I saw wearable tech having an increasing role in our lives, and I didn’t want stylish women to be left behind! I believed I could bring a unique perspective for women who want both fashion and function. What is the biggest hurdle you have encountered along the way + what did you learn? My first company was a 50/50 partnership which became a challenge when my partner and I didn’t have the same vision about funding, growth, and company structure. I learned not to split a company 50/50, even if it starts out as a side hustle. Some advice 📝 you wish you had known when you first started? Don’t be a perfectionist in every area of your business, or you’ll never get it done! Pick the spots in your business that matter. How has your business been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? We are all living in sweats during our stay-at-home orders, so selling a “dressy” product has been challenging. But we are seeing women increasingly invest in a statement piece that’s easy to wear, like Goldenerre jewelry, so that when they do get dressed up, it’s noticed! What does being a 👩🏻 in tech mean to you? I love helping other women adopt wearable tech into their lives. I often hear customers say, “I never wanted an Apple Watch until I saw Goldenerre bands.” We would love the community’s support with helping us gain awareness, partnerships that help us to increase our reach, and honest feedback. Head to our blog to read the full interview and get a discount on your next tech chic band.