ClickSitter's Rise: From Rejection to Fame
Untold success story unveiled - The Sacrifices, Setbacks, Failures, and Triumphs Behind the Success
I have been trying to write this article for over a year, and it's funny how hard it has been to openly talk about it. I counted: I started and deleted my draft more than 33 times. I have never had such a hard time writing anything. Anyway, I hope you can learn from it.
What was ClickSitter?
Before diving into the whirlwind tale of ClickSitter, let me briefly explain what it was. ClickSitter was the "Uber-like" platform for parents to hire pre-qualified babysitters for a few hours. To solve this problem, we first developed a rigorous vetting process for the babysitters and then our App. The concept was straightforward: Request, Receive Proposals (Profile+Rate), Choose, Pay and Review.
Reflecting on the tumultuous yet exhilarating journey with ClickSitter evokes a myriad of emotions. From the inception of a revolutionary idea to the eventual sale of our startup in 2020, the ClickSitter chronicle is a testament to the highs and lows, triumphs, and tribulations inherent in the entrepreneurial rollercoaster.
The Early Days: A Leap of Faith
Imagine this: two dreamers,
and I, sitting at a kitchen table cluttered with notes and laptops, our eyes gleaming with the kind of enthusiasm that only comes when you're on the brink of something big.
That was us in 2014, the year ClickSitter (formerly Click Babá) was born. It wasn't just a business idea; it was our pain seeking a solution, our brainchild, a solution we believed could ease the lives of countless parents grappling with the eternal conundrum of finding trustworthy childcare.
I remember scribbling furiously in my notebook, outlining the reasons that propelled me to start ClickSitter at the ripe age of 38. It was more than just a business; it was a mission to fill a gap that was personal to many, including us. (You can dive deeper into my motivations in the article "Starting a Startup at 38 years old.”)
If you ask me whether ClickSitter was a success, I'll give you two answers: one from 2020 and another from 2024. But one thing's for sure – I don't regret investing my life in it, even if I regret making a few decisions during that period. The ClickSitter chronicle is a testament to the highs and lows, triumphs, and tribulations inherent in the entrepreneurial rollercoaster. Reflecting on this tumultuous yet exhilarating journey evokes a myriad of raw emotions.
I remember the countless hours we spent hunched over my laptops, fueled by an intoxicating mix of determination and instant coffee. I was like a mad scientist, tinkering with code and polishing our business plan, oblivious to the world outside our little startup bubble.
Looking back, I can't help but chuckle at the naivety that fueled our early days. We were like eager kids diving headfirst into a pool, blissfully unaware of the depths we were about to navigate. But that's the beauty of entrepreneurship, isn't it? You don't need to have all the answers; you need the courage to take that first leap of faith.
Soaring Highs: Media Spotlight and Explosive Growth
Those early days of struggle and sleepless nights paid off in a way we could never have imagined. Our pivotal moment came when we were featured on Brazil's most popular business show. I remember the butterflies in my stomach until today as the interview started in my living room, our nerves tingling with excitement and a hint of imposter syndrome.
Little did we know that our lives were about to change forever. The moment the segment aired. The aftermath? A digital tsunami—800,000 website hits that nearly crashed our servers. It was exhilarating and terrifying, a taste of success that was as intoxicating as it was overwhelming.
In the blink of an eye, we went from being wishful-thinking idea underdogs to media darlings. Suddenly, we were appearing on TV shows, gracing the pages of newspapers and magazines, and being recognized in shopping malls. It was a heady, exhilarating experience that fueled my vanity in ways I'm not particularly proud of, even today.
I'll never forget the time two women approached me at the mall, staring and pointing at me and asking for selfies and discount coupons to use our App.
At that moment, I felt like a celebrity, basking in the attention and validation that comes with public recognition. Little did I know that the fleeting taste of fame would become a poisonous distraction, clouding my judgment and leading me to make decisions I would later regret.
Let me tell you, not all that glitter is gold. The fame was a siren call, luring me into the treacherous waters of vanity. That fleeting fame clouded some of my decisions I'd later come to regret.
In those early days, the media exposure was like rocket fuel for ClickSitter. We were soaring, riding a wave of momentum and public interest that seemed unstoppable. Or so we thought.
Weathering the Storm: Challenges and Adaptability
The highs were inevitably followed by gut-wrenching lows. The early days of ClickSitter were marked by relentless effort, long hours, and a struggle for funding that tested our resilience to the core.
I remember the countless pitches we made to investors, each one a nerve-wracking performance where we poured our hearts and souls into convincing them that ClickSitter was the next big thing. And yet, rejection after rejection piled up, each "no" hitting us like a punch to the gut.
Amidst the challenges, the long hours and sleepless nights became routine. We faced the stark reality of over 500 investor rejections, each one more soul-crushing than the last. But we refused to let these setbacks define us. Instead, they fueled our determination to prove that ClickSitter was not just an idea but a solution waiting to change lives.
I'll never forget the time we pitched to a so-called "investor" who offered us a measly $500 for 50% of our company's equity. It was a slap in the face, a blatant disregard for the blood, sweat, and tears we had poured into building ClickSitter. But instead of letting it crush our spirits, we used it as motivation to keep pushing forward, to prove that our vision was worth far more than that insulting offer.
Those early days were a crash course in resilience, a baptism by fire that taught us the true meaning of perseverance. We learned to take each rejection in stride, to dust ourselves off and come back stronger, armed with the unwavering belief that our idea was worth fighting for.
Balancing Act: Success Amidst Personal Struggles
As ClickSitter thrived, the challenges on the personal front became increasingly apparent. The strain on our marriage was a byproduct of the long hours and emotional rollercoaster that comes with building a startup. Luciana was growing increasingly unhappy working in the startup, as she didn't share my passion for the problem and growth we were pursuing. Most importantly, it was affecting us as a couple.
Together, we made the difficult but necessary decision for Luciana to depart from ClickSitter. It was a heart-wrenching moment, as we were parting ways professionally on the dreams we had built together. However, we both recognized that this step was crucial to preserve the foundation of our marriage.
I'll never forget the mixed emotions on Luciana's face as we discussed her departure. Her eyes glistened with tears, reflecting a sense of hurt and resignation, but also a glimmer of relief. In that moment, I felt a pang of sadness, realizing that we were sacrificing a part of our shared journey for the sake of our personal well-being.
But as painful as that decision was, it taught us a valuable lesson about the importance of balance. Entrepreneurship is an all-consuming pursuit, one that can easily devour every aspect of your life if you're not careful. By prioritizing our marriage, we were making a conscious choice to preserve the foundation that had made our professional success possible in the first place.
In the months that followed, we focused on rebuilding our relationship, rediscovering the love that had brought us together. It was a humbling reminder that success means nothing if you sacrifice what truly matters.
The pressures of entrepreneurship can strain even the strongest bonds, a lesson we learned the hard way.
A Risky Gamble: The Attempted Spinoff
This happen before Luciana’s departure from ClickSitter. We were emboldened by our early successes, thinking bigger, being ambitious. So, we decided to double down on our momentum by attempting to spin off ClickSitter into a new venture, QueroUmaBabá – a digital agency for nannies exclusive to Brazil.
In hindsight, this move was a classic case of overconfidence and hubris, two sins that have brought down many an entrepreneur before us. We were so drunk on our own success that we failed to see the potential pitfalls of diversifying too quickly.
I'll never forget the night we made the decision to launch QueroUmaBabá. We were sitting in a dimly lit bar, emboldened by a few too many celebratory drinks, convinced that we had stumbled upon the next big idea. At that moment, our hubris knew no bounds, and we were blind to the risks we were taking.
The QueroUmaBabá venture was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it represented the exciting prospect of expanding our reach and exploring new business opportunities. On the other hand, it was a risky gamble that ultimately taught us a valuable lesson about strategic decision-making and the importance of focus.
As the months wore on, it became increasingly clear that QueroUmaBabá was a distraction, siphoning precious resources and attention away from our core business. The return on investment wasn't scalable enough to justify the risk, and we were forced to make the difficult decision to cut our losses and refocus our efforts on ClickSitter.
It was a humbling experience, one that reminded us that not every idea translates into a successful business. But more importantly, it underscored the importance of calculated risk-taking and the need to stay laser-focused on what works best for your company.
Climbing Peaks: Recognition and Expansion
Despite the setbacks and lessons learned along the way, ClickSitter continued to thrive, reaching new heights of success that reaffirmed the impact of our vision and the resonance of our platform in the lives of countless parents.
We proudly celebrated milestones such as winning pitch competitions, earning recognition from Apple Store editors for the first time out of three, and amassing over 5,000 paying monthly users across 3 cities in Brazil.
I'll never forget the day we received the message from Apple, informing us that ClickSitter had been selected as an App Store Editor's Choice. It was a validation of all the hard work and dedication we had poured into making our App a seamless, user-friendly experience for busy parents.
That recognition from Apple wasn't just a stamp of approval; it was a tangible reminder that we were making a real difference in people's lives. And as the accolades and user base continued to grow, so did our sense of purpose and determination to keep pushing ClickSitter to new heights.
I remember us discussing the expanding the Business, and my desire to expand to North America, where the concept of babysitter was not new, I won't need to "explain" to our user the business model of hiring a professional for a few hours, instead of a monthly contract.
I remember founding arriving in Toronto for the first time, attending industry events and pitch competitions, feeling a sense of camaraderie and friendly rivalry with fellow entrepreneurs. We were all in this together, navigating the treacherous waters of startupdom, united by our shared passion for innovation and our unwavering belief in the power of our ideas.
Bittersweet Farewell: The Sale of ClickSitter
In 2019, after years of pouring our hearts and souls into building ClickSitter, we made the bittersweet decision to sell the company to an investment group. It was a moment that marked the end of a significant chapter in our lives, a farewell to the baby we had nurtured and watched grow into a thriving business.
I'll never forget the day we signed the paperwork, pens in hand, a mixture of pride and sadness swirling within me. As I scribbled my signature on the dotted line, it felt like I was letting go of a piece of myself, a part of my identity that had been inextricably linked to ClickSitter for so many years.
The decision to sell wasn't an easy one. It came after months of soul-searching and countless discussions about our future, about where we saw ourselves heading, what we wanted our legacy to be, and more importantly for us, our family. In the end, the opportunity to pass our technology to others with the resources and vision to take it to even greater heights was too compelling to ignore.
Even though the brand no longer exists, the technology has soared through Asia in unimaginable sectors.
As we walked away from that videoconference call, I couldn't help but feel a sense of bittersweet satisfaction. We had built something extraordinary, something that had touched the lives of countless families and left an indelible mark on the industry.
Epilogue: Lessons Learned and Paths Ahead
Looking back on the ClickSitter journey, I'm struck by the profound lessons it has imparted and the ways in which it has shaped me as an entrepreneur, a partner, and a human being.
Perhaps the most valuable lesson of all has been the importance of perseverance and unwavering determination in the face of adversity. From those early days of rejection and self-doubt to the highs of media recognition and explosive growth, our story is a testament to the power of believing in yourself and your vision, even when the odds seem insurmountable.
I've also learned the hard way about the delicate balance required in the entrepreneurial landscape, the need to prioritize personal relationships and well-being even as you chase professional success. The decision to part ways with Luciana professionally was one of the most difficult choices I've ever had to make, but it ultimately strengthened our bond and reminded me of what truly matters in life.
As I look ahead to the next chapter, I carry these lessons with me, armed with the wisdom and battle scars that only a journey like ClickSitter could impart. The entrepreneurial fire still burns bright within me, and I know that whatever challenges lie ahead, I'm better prepared to navigate them with grace, humility, and an unwavering commitment to my values.
So here's to the rollercoaster ride that was ClickSitter – a journey filled with highs and lows, triumphs and tribulations, but above all, a testament to the indomitable spirit of entrepreneurship. The ride may be over, but the adventure continues, and I can't wait to see what's around the next bend.
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