From Teen Startup to $500 Million Exit: Catherine Connolly's Journey

Catherine Connelly's remarkable journey began at age 15 when she and her siblings created a digital yearbook website to make friends at their new high school. What started as a simple solution to a teenage problem evolved into a social platform that would eventually sell for $500 million.

During our conversation, Catherine shares how despite having no coding background, she and her siblings built their platform by using Google to answer every question they had about website development—from "how to buy a domain name" to creating specification sheets for developers. This resourcefulness, combined with early exposure to entrepreneurship through her older brother's success, gave her the confidence to pursue her idea without waiting to acquire all the necessary skills first.

The evolution of her platform offers fascinating lessons in adaptation and growth strategy. When their initial plan to expand high school by high school didn't work, they pivoted to acquiring viral quizzes that brought users from MySpace and AIM. Later, they rode the Facebook app wave before successfully transitioning to mobile and eventually pioneering livestreaming features with virtual gifting economies years before they became mainstream.

What's particularly striking about Catherine's story is her perspective on success and work environments. After leaving the company she built for 18 years, she authored "Designing Success," which explores how anyone can create environments where they can thrive without burning out. She challenges us to define success on our own terms—not just through career achievements but through family, community involvement, and personal well-being.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or someone seeking better balance in your career, Catherine's parting advice resonates deeply: "Just go for it. Waiting until you feel ready is often waiting too long." Through her newsletter "Growing Up Startup" and monthly office hours, she continues to share wisdom that helps others design their own paths to success.

This podcast is proudly sponsored by USC Annenberg’s Master of Science in Digital Media Management (MSDMM) program. An online master’s designed to prepare practitioners to understand the evolving media landscape, make data-driven and ethical decisions, and build a more equitable future by leading diverse teams with the technical, artistic, analytical, and production skills needed to create engaging content and technologies for the global marketplace. Learn more or apply today at https://dmm.usc.edu.