Carly Pepin sits down with entrepreneur and innovator Kate Doerksen, co-founder and CEO of Sage Haven, a safer messaging platform designed to protect children from cyberbullying, harmful content, and unhealthy digital habits.
In this episode of Built For This, Kate shares her remarkable entrepreneurial journey, beginning with the creation of Ditto, a pioneering augmented reality and AI eyewear technology company that ultimately served more than 70 million users worldwide before being acquired by 1-800 Contacts. She opens up about the realities of building a venture-backed startup, raising $35 million in funding, navigating years of costly litigation, and staying committed through more than a decade of challenges before achieving a successful exit.
The conversation then turns to the deeply personal experiences that inspired Sage Haven. After witnessing the devastating impact of cyberbullying and harmful online content on a close family member, Kate became determined to create a safer digital environment for children. Through extensive research with parents, kids, psychologists, and technology experts, she identified a critical gap in the market and built a platform designed with children's wellbeing at its core.
Carly and Kate also discuss the lessons learned from building multiple companies, the unique experience of partnering with her sister as a co-founder, how AI is reshaping entrepreneurship, and why mission-driven businesses often create a level of resilience and energy that purely commercial ventures cannot.
This episode is a thoughtful exploration of entrepreneurship, technology, leadership, and the responsibility of creating products that positively impact future generations.
Key Themes:
- The Best Businesses Solve Personal Problems: How firsthand experience with cyberbullying inspired a mission-driven company designed to protect children.
- Experience Creates Clarity: Why Kate approaches entrepreneurship differently after building, scaling, and exiting her first company.
- Purpose Fuels Persistence: How a mission centered on children's wellbeing creates the motivation to overcome challenges and keep moving forward.
About Kate Doerksen:
Kate Doerksen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sage Haven, a safer messaging app created to help reduce cyberbullying and protect children from harmful digital interactions. Throughout her career, she has focused on building technology that improves the lives of individuals and families.
Before launching Sage Haven with her sister Anne, Kate founded Ditto, a groundbreaking augmented reality and AI eyewear technology company that served more than 70 million users globally before being acquired by 1-800 Contacts in 2021.
Kate holds an MBA from Stanford University and a Bachelor's degree in Entrepreneurship from Ball State University, where she was inducted into the Hall of Fame for her academic and athletic achievements. She lives in Danville, California, with her husband and two children.
Memorable Quotes:
“I don't follow the trend. I don't give a shit. I'm just building a product that a lot of people need.”
“I learned the first time you can't predict the future. Your plan doesn't matter. Make it make sense right now and wait and see.”
“The mental health of kids is at the center of every decision that we make. That's clean fuel.”
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Host: Carly Pepin
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West Coast Growth Advisors
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