Steven Galanis

And for us, one of the things that happened, and we got called a COVID darling a lot, but people don't really know that in 2018 and 2019, we were the fastest growing consumer marketplace in the world at that time, too. So coming into COVID, we had this huge momentum.

And for us, one of the things that happened, and we got called a COVID darling a lot, but people don't really know that in 2018 and 2019, we were the fastest growing consumer marketplace in the world at that time, too. So coming into COVID, we had this huge momentum.

We had just raised our series B from Kleiner Perkins and churning group and a lot of like incredible investors that joined the cap table. And like this thing was like ready to launch when COVID hit. Initially, we didn't know how that was going to deal with our business, right? The whole world shuts down.

We had just raised our series B from Kleiner Perkins and churning group and a lot of like incredible investors that joined the cap table. And like this thing was like ready to launch when COVID hit. Initially, we didn't know how that was going to deal with our business, right? The whole world shuts down.

And in fact, the first week of COVID, the first week of lockdowns, our business went down by 50%. And we had an emergency board meeting that Sunday night about, Hey, like what, like, were we going to need to do layoffs? Like, what were we going to need to do? We didn't know how long this was going to go on. So like, I remember me and the founders, we cut our salaries to zero.

And in fact, the first week of COVID, the first week of lockdowns, our business went down by 50%. And we had an emergency board meeting that Sunday night about, Hey, like what, like, were we going to need to do layoffs? Like, what were we going to need to do? We didn't know how long this was going to go on. So like, I remember me and the founders, we cut our salaries to zero.

We got rid of like a lot of these benefits that we had like, Ooh, you could Uber to work back in the day or like gym membership or like, well, if everything's shut down, like we're not going to need any of those things. So we just basically did everything we could to avoid laying people off and took some costs out of the business.

We got rid of like a lot of these benefits that we had like, Ooh, you could Uber to work back in the day or like gym membership or like, well, if everything's shut down, like we're not going to need any of those things. So we just basically did everything we could to avoid laying people off and took some costs out of the business.

And then basically the next week, like it rebounded and then it just shot out like a cannon. And, you know, in 2020, we grew about 500% in revenue, right? So suddenly, you know, this thing is like full speed ahead.

And then basically the next week, like it rebounded and then it just shot out like a cannon. And, you know, in 2020, we grew about 500% in revenue, right? So suddenly, you know, this thing is like full speed ahead.

And as I like to describe it to people, that period of time was like playing the game Mario Kart when you hit the star and you can kind of go 10 times faster and you can bump into shit and you just keep going. And then at some point, like that star just kind of fades off. And for us, that was when the second vaccine came out.

And as I like to describe it to people, that period of time was like playing the game Mario Kart when you hit the star and you can kind of go 10 times faster and you can bump into shit and you just keep going. And then at some point, like that star just kind of fades off. And for us, that was when the second vaccine came out.

And if you think about why our business accelerated during COVID so much, you mentioned that this was becoming a new way to communicate. Your mom is living across the country, so you couldn't see her for Mother's Day. You sent her a Kenny G to tell her how much you loved her and wish her a happy Mother's Day. So you're literally sending digital love.

And if you think about why our business accelerated during COVID so much, you mentioned that this was becoming a new way to communicate. Your mom is living across the country, so you couldn't see her for Mother's Day. You sent her a Kenny G to tell her how much you loved her and wish her a happy Mother's Day. So you're literally sending digital love.

And you think about the missed weddings and birthday parties and life events that happened, and a cameo is such a great way to do it. But On the supply side, for the first time in history, every athlete, actor, celebrity in the world was out of work.

And you think about the missed weddings and birthday parties and life events that happened, and a cameo is such a great way to do it. But On the supply side, for the first time in history, every athlete, actor, celebrity in the world was out of work.

And none of them, even those that are like, if you're a pro, if you're an MLB player, you're an NBA player, you have an annual salary, but you get paid per game. So guess what? When the games weren't happening, they weren't getting paid. So this was a massive supply side tailwind for us.

And none of them, even those that are like, if you're a pro, if you're an MLB player, you're an NBA player, you have an annual salary, but you get paid per game. So guess what? When the games weren't happening, they weren't getting paid. So this was a massive supply side tailwind for us.

And, you know, there was more availability, they were busy and it just kept people were on their phones and at home. And it just, it was just the perfect storm, you know, for our business.

And, you know, there was more availability, they were busy and it just kept people were on their phones and at home. And it just, it was just the perfect storm, you know, for our business.