Olina Qian

I first met Preethy in one MBA prep session. At that time I wanted to go to Business School, so I signed up an MBA coach. And she worked with that Coach before me and she got admitted in Has Part time MBA program & UCLA Executive Program. So she was invited to one of our MBA sessions to share some of her experience. She is very nice and willing to answer our question very patiently. We used to go to a Marathon session in San Francisco with that Coach. A group of people brainstorming, refecting there while we work on our Essay. Preethy showed up sometimes. But we’ve never got chance to talk deeply.

I later met Preethy in TiECON. I was assigned to be photographer that day and she went there to represent the Cisco TelePresence marketing group. We met in the lobby and started to talk a little bit. She told me that she just founded a company called the smarter baby. I understand people who pursuing MBA degree always want to start their own bussiness. But I was amazed how quickly she picked up the Entrepreneurship. So I wanted to invite her for a lunch to talk more about it. Surprisingly , before I brought it up, she invited me first. See, that’s the initiative. I seldom see people have such a good initiative and I believe who take initiative, who will win.

Our lunch is in Pedros, a fine Mexico restaurant in Santa Clara. The talk went pretty smooth. She told me that she used to be an Software Engineer. But she doesn’t want to be Engineer the whole life. So she worked hard to become a Project Manager and then later move to the product marketing team in Cisco.

It’s such an inspiring career path. Since I have lots of engineer friends, they all want to switch their career to marketing; They all want to know how business works does. But they just don’t know how to get start and make it happen. Preethy just set a perfect example of them.

Then we talked about her startup: thesmarterbaby.com. She said that Research shows that human brain develops fastest from 0 to 6 years of age. But lots of new parents don’t know how to educate their kids. In order to solving this pain, “The Smarter Baby” provides learning tools like flash card for parents to teach children between 6 months and 6 years of age online. Early learning tools also promote fun and interaction between a parent and the child.

I asked her revenue model and how she plans to do the marketing. She answers very smoothly too. Then I know she really figured out how to conduct her business. It’s amazing that she can pick it up so quick. She told me that she is attending an organization called Future Women Learders. They hold a program called Fearless Entrepreneur. It’s a six months program and it can help you figure out how to start a business, how to write business plan and executive summary etc. She found it’s very useful! Ha, what an interesting way to meet interesting people. I plan to take that program too.

It’s also amazing that she seems has great energy. It’s unbelievable that she has a full time job; She is a mother of a four year old boy. She is also a founder for an non-profit organization, in the mean time, she can start her own business. So I asked her what does she do to keep herself so energetic while handling so many things. She said she attended a course called “The Art Of Living”. It combines a light yoga and meditation together. It also shows you how to use Breath Technique to release your stress and control your emotions. She suggested me to do it as well. I’ve been exhausted from my 7-11 schedule lately. So I am happy to get this information from her and willing to try it out.

One hour’s lunch is too short. I felt that there are lots of things I need to talk to her, but time just flys. At the end, she told me that she planned to launch the smarter baby this coming September. I wish she had a successful launch, and in deed, I believe she will. Since people with great passion can make things happen. Just like she did for her career.

Preethy, a super mommy founded the smarter baby, an indeed future woman leader!