Nicole Farb
American entrepreneur and business executive
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Nicole Shariat Farb is an American entrepreneur and business executive. She is a co-founder and the chief executive officer of the video community Darby Smart.[1][2][3] Prior to founding the company, Farb worked as a Head of Emerging Private Companies at Goldman Sachs.[4][5] Farb has also appeared several times on Good Morning America as a DIY expert.[6][7][8] She is also active in pursuing diversity and equality in the tech industry.[9]
Nicole Shariat Farb | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | Booth School of Business |
| Years active | 2013 - current |
| Known for | Co-founder, CEO, Darby Smart |
| Spouse | Michael Farb |
| Children | 2 |
Early life and education
Farb was raised in Orange County, California.[10] When she was 10 years old, she started a business making and selling hair bows.[11] After graduating high school she briefly pursued a career in acting, before studying journalism at Loyola University. After Loyola, she received her Master's in Education from University of California, Irvine and worked as a teacher before attending business school at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.[12]
Career
Farb relocated to San Francisco, California and began working for Goldman Sachs where she was a vice president.[13][14] After experiencing frustration while crafting thank you cards following her 2011 wedding,[15] she left Goldman Sachs to start Darby Smart.[16]
She recruited software engineer, Karl Mendes, as a co-founder and raised a $1 million seed round of funding.[17][18] Darby Smart was launched in June 2013.[19] In Spring 2014, Darby Smart raised an additional $6.3 million in Series A funding led by Maveron.[20]
Farb led the company into a partnership with Urban Outfitters in Fall 2014.[5][16] In 2015, she formed a partnership with the craft retailer Michael's.[5] By 2016, Farb had launched the Darby Smart app which helps users create videos.[13]
Farb has been vocal about diversity and inclusion issues in the tech industry,[9] and was quoted in Emily Chang's 2018 book, Brotopia about her experience as a female entrepreneur in Silicon Valley.[21]
In 2018, Darby Smart was acquired by Grove Collaborative, and Nicole Farb joined the company's beauty venture.[22]