By: Tonya Turrell
Forget about claiming a seat at the table. I wanted more than just a seat. I wanted a table that I built—one where I could choose who sits, what we’re creating, and which voices get amplified. So, I did just that: I built my own table.
When I launched The Launchpad in 2020, I wasn’t just starting a business—I was setting out to bring a long-time dream to life. After more than 25 years in tech marketing, I kept seeing the same problem: businesses wasting time, energy, and money trying to find the right tech solutions. My big idea was a “match.com” for tech—a marketplace platform where companies could easily find the tech partners they needed without the chaos, and without unwanted sales spam.
But here’s the twist: I didn’t have big investors backing this vision. I maxed out my credit cards, tapped into personal savings, and even used my retirement to fund our early work. And, along the way, we built our marketing agency services, pouring every bit of profit into designing and developing TechnologyMatch.com. Late nights and sacrifices? Oh yes, we had plenty. I believed in this marketplace, and I was all in.
Building from Scratch—and With Some Help from Faithful Friends
By late 2023, TechnologyMatch.com was gaining traction, and dear friends saw what we were building and stepped in to help. They believed in our vision and invested $1.4 million in our first seed round. It was the fuel we needed to take things to the next level, and I’m beyond grateful for their trust and support. Their belief in what we were building meant the world.
But this journey has always been about more than just me. I’ve been fortunate to work with an incredible team, our core Launchpad family, who’ve poured their hearts into this project. They’ve hustled tirelessly, delivering top-notch marketing and lead generation services to our clients so we could reinvest those profits into the platform. These aren’t just employees—they’re partners, and they’ve contributed more sweat equity than I can describe. We’ve reserved a bucket of equity to share with those who’ve stuck by us through thick and thin. When we exit, they’ll see a direct reward for everything they’ve helped build.
Breaking the Cycle—And Building My Own Table
Here’s a hard truth: women aren’t often invited to sit at the table in tech. Female founders receive only about 2% of venture capital funding, and minority women? Even less. Growing up, I was taught that talking about money wasn’t “polite.” Meanwhile, I saw my male peers talk about investments, business deals, and growth strategies like it was second nature. So when I decided to launch this platform, I wasn’t waiting for permission or an invitation. I was going to build this business my way, using the resources I had, and the expertise of the people around me who believed in what we were creating.
Instead of following the traditional path, I bootstrapped TechnologyMatch.com with our profits. We used every bit of income from our marketing services business and reinvested it. Rather than just claiming a seat at the table, I was building my own table. Now, we’re not just sitting at it—we’re growing it, expanding it, and making space for others to join.
Lessons Learned from Going All In
Self-funding taught me the value of betting on myself, my team, and my vision. If you’re sitting on an idea that won’t let you sleep, here’s what I’d say to anyone thinking about bringing it to life:
- Use What You Have: I leveraged my experience in tech marketing to generate revenue and build a foundation, which we reinvested back into building TechnologyMatch.com. You might be surprised by how much you already have at your fingertips.
- Stay Laser-Focused on Your Vision: Keep your goals in sight, even when things get rough. There were times I questioned everything, but my vision kept me moving forward. It’s what gave meaning to every dollar spent and every hour invested.
- Find Your People: I’ve been incredibly lucky to have a team that believes in our vision. These folks didn’t just work for a paycheck—they worked with purpose, with heart. And I want to share our success with them, because they’ve been the backbone of this journey.
- Be Willing to Bet on Yourself: Yes, it’s scary, but if you don’t invest in your own dreams, who will? I put my personal finances on the line and, looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Trust that you’re worth betting on.
Why Women Are Good Business
Women-led businesses are often overlooked by investors, but here’s the reality: diverse teams are profitable teams. Women founders drive results, yet we’re constantly underestimated. Last year, our company made the Inc. 5000 list, ranking #123 of Fastest Growing Private Companies. We’ve proven that betting on a woman-led business isn’t just a smart move—it’s a winning move.
But I don’t just want to succeed for myself. I want to prove that when women lead, we can change the game. My hope is that by sharing my story, I can inspire other women to pursue their dreams, to fund their own visions, and to build their own tables. Because when we break the cycle, we’re not just claiming seats—we’re creating a future where more women can sit with us.
The Big Takeaway: Build Your Own Table
To every woman with a big dream, I say this: don’t wait for someone to hand you a seat. Build the table you want to sit at. Invest in yourself. Believe in your vision. There is nothing more powerful than a woman who trusts in her own potential.
This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every sacrifice. When you create something with heart and purpose, you’re building a legacy that goes beyond you. And in the end, that’s what matters most.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
