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Designing Success: Lessons from 20 Years as a Female Tech Entrepreneur by Catherine Connelly

November 3, 2024 Melanie Hawken

Catherine Connelly

Book Review

Designing Success by author and entrepreneur Catherine Connelly offers a fresh perspective on achieving true fulfillment and balance in a world where burnout has become the norm. This book is your blueprint for creating an environment that fosters growth and empowers you to succeed on your terms.

Author of the new book, Designing Success, Catherine Connelly began her entrepreneurial journey at fifteen when she cofounded an early social network, which evolved into a thriving portfolio of dating apps serving millions. Despite fierce competition and rapid technological shifts, her team’s intentional approach to growth and strategy led to two sales: $100 million in 2011 and $500 million in 2020. Drawing from her experiences, Catherine shares actionable strategies to help you design a life where you can thrive. You’ll gain practical tools for setting boundaries, automating decisions, and fostering meaningful connections. Learn how to align your life with your core values, create more time for what matters most, and lead with authenticity.

Designing Success is for ambitious dreamers, overworked caregivers, and aspiring leaders. It’s for anyone seeking to break free from the treadmill of constantly adapting to external pressures to build a life tailored to your needs and goals.

Author Quotes

This book is for ambitious dreamers who work hard but want to know what they are working for.

Look internally to find your own definition of success. It doesn’t matter what other people think of it. But don’t keep that definition or the journey of getting there to yourself.

The issue with keeping our values hidden is that, as a society, we cannot work together to achieve our goals. Still, it’s useful to have a measure of success.

About the author

Catherine Connelly is an award-winning entrepreneur, marketing leader, and engaging speaker. Catherine cofounded myYearbook at fifteen and grew it to eventually become The Meet Group, a NASDAQ-listed social dating and livestreaming company connecting millions of active users globally. She led brand strategy and marketing for The Meet Group through mergers, acquisitions, and rebrands. She left The Meet Group after a successful exit. Catherine graduated from Georgetown University and holds an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She was named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner for the Philadelphia Region in 2011. Catherine has been featured on CNBC, the Wall Street Journal, MTV, ABC News, Fox News, CosmoGIRL, BusinessWeek, the San Francisco Chronicle, and CBS.

linkedin.com/in/catherinecookconnelly


Why LoA loves it…

Getting the balance right as an entrepreneur can be a constant juggling game, but it’s possible to navigate a path that works for you and is authentic. In her new book, Designing Success: Lessons from 20 Years as a Female Tech Entrepreneur, author and entrepreneur Catherine Connelly, provides some personal insights and a wealth of experience to help you on your own entrepreneurial and life journey. It’s a fascinating read and one that can help every fellow women entrepreneur to navigate their own successful journey. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa

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CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


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Statement Accessories…We love the power of accessories to make strong fashion statements, and Taíla Carrilho, founder of Atelier Taila Carrilho in Mozambique creates the most exquisite, eye-cat Image of the Day / Nokware Skincare

Sustainable skincare…We love to see natural cosmetics companies with a sustainable approach to business succeeding in Africa, and Nokware Skincare, founded by Tutuwa Ahwoi in Ghana is a great example. She f Image of the Day / Eloli

African luxury couture…For those who want to stand out from the crowd, Dibo Ndumbe Eyoh, co-founder and co-creative Director of Eloli, an award-winning luxury African fashion brand in Cameroon, has just what you need. Image of the Day / KOVA

Luxury leather tote…Petrina Auino-Mwandingi is the founder and creative director of her own brand of leather products, KOVA, in Namibia. The business produces high quality leather handbags, primarily totes as well as o Image of the Day / Hope Distillery

Boutique gin…If you are a gin lover, then check out Hope Distillery, a South African distillery in the heart of urban Cape Town. Established by Lucy Beard and her husband Leigh Lisk, Hope Distillery is a sma Image of the Day / Amorambique

Capulana with style... If you love Capulana, then explore the new range of modern accessories from Amorambique, Mozambique, created by founder Patricia Vasco. This proudly Mozambican brand of accessories and footwear i Image of the Day / Suzie Beauty

Marvellous Make-up…When you need to take your make-up routine to the next level, professional Kenyan make-up brand, Suzie Beauty, founded by Suzie Wokabi, has you covered. Suzie founded her successful business Image of the Day / Aya K Design

Sophisticated sandal style…If you love design that combines traditional with modern style, then these sandals from Aya K Design, founded by Aya Keita in Cote d’Ivoire, are a must-buy. Aya is an entreprene Image of the Day / House of Cinnamon

Animal print pumps…These eye-catching animal print pumps from House of Cinnamon in South Africa are a great addition to any stylish wardrobe. Founded by Frances Edwards, House of Cinnamon is a proudly Afro

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