Meet Madilynn Beck: Founder + CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Madilynn Beck and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Madilynn, what is the most important factor behind your success?
It’s always tricky for me to answer questions where I can only assign one, in this case contribution, to something that feels so complex. But, if I had to, I’d say the most important factor behind my success to-date would be my ability to call failure by it’s name and to do it fast. I’ve read, watched and listened to the arguments against why we need to reassess our relationship with failure and even call it by another name. I completely agree that how you deal with failure is important to examine and has a huge impact on your success. But “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet?”, no. It wouldn’t. My ability to humbly accept my defeat, my failure, is directly tied to the fact that I call it by it’s name. If I called it, “an opportunity” or ‘a pivot” I wouldn’t try to so rigorously to evaluate why it fell flat and create a solution that flies. With Fountful, a space that was new to me as an entrepreneur (tech), I failed…a lot. I’ll probably fail again tomorrow, because we’re no where close to where we’re capable of going, but I won’t repeat those failures because they were hard, they were thorough and I tried every avenue before I arrived to them. Failing fast has saved me time, heartache and most importantly as a bootstrapped start-up, money.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
After my partner’s company, a high-profile bakery, that employed 81% female workforce, closed due to COVID and the virtually impervious LA market of hospitality and entertainment began to disintegrate before my eyes, I was fascinated by how delivery services and online commerce boomed! Not because they were more desirable businesses but because the digital marketplace for them already existed, their accessibility was universally known. The doors to the internet do not close. And then I thought, ‘what if the 53% of unemployed Los Angelenos in the health+beauty, hospitality and entertainment industries had the same?’. Cue, Fountful. The intersection of a global health crisis and a crisis of humanity provided a lot of awareness where there wouldn’t have been. So, while I want to say the past 4 years and more specifically 2020, has been one big challenge, I am grateful for the light it has shone on many dark issues. The challenges to come are the ones I’m most focused on. Once the hashtags get buried and diversity and inclusion continue to lose steam, will the opportunity for funding my company dim too? I rather prepare for that with strategy over hope. By capitalizing on the relationships and opportunities afforded to me currently, I will create a sound infrastructure, rich in conscious corporate practices and financial readiness. I want the world to know I created Fountful inorder to spawn a culture of economic sovereignty. To invalidate the idea that gig workers are holding out their hands when they’re really holding out resumes. To access what we inherently know, life is wherever you are.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, whenever anyone comes to visit me, they tend to be from colder climates, so they would want to go to the beach or some trendy rooftop to hopefully see the top trending influencer. But, once they’re touristed out, I take them to the places I love. Long Beach is a personal favorite, so I’d take them by Derrick’s or Georgia’s (PS- Tourist note, if ever want something authentic go to a place with a person’s name that either works there, started or was somebody’s Auntie. Periodt). For drinks, I’m a beer geek , so we’d hit up HP Brewery in Chinatown. Maybe have a cheese board and pretzel. Then we’d finish up the weekend with some people watching and belly filling at the Grand Central Market. Oysters, pasta, pupusas, everyone’s always happy. I’m a Sari Sari fanatic, if for nothing other than their coconut desert. The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family (chosen and genetically bound), deserves an award, a vacation, a non-distanced hug, all the things. My journey to where I am today was not a straight path, nor an affordable one and they have consistently stood by me. My gratitude is endless.

Website: https://www.fountful.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fountful

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fountful

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/fountfulapp

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fountful