Ep 146 – Miki Reynolds, CEO at Grid110

In episode 146, Erik and Kerel talk with Miki Reynolds, CEO at Grid110, a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles that provides free entrepreneurship programs to early stage founders. Miki was born and raised in the Bay Area, Alameda, with her mom, who is Japanese and her dad, who is Caucasian American. Growing up mixed, Miki never really explored her multicultural identity until she went to college at UCLA and found more people who were exploring their identities there. She has worked in tech her whole career, co-founded Grid110 with 6 other people and eventually stepped into the role of the Executive Director a few years in, then moving to CEO about a year and a half ago.

Miki shares the work that’s happening at Grid110 including working with almost 250 companies so far, 70% led by women and 74% led by founders of color. She also talks about her work life blend and how what she does outside of work sometimes looks similar to what she does inside of work – being on the advisory board for Women in STEM LA and South by Southwest, to name a couple. Miki shares how she has faced imposter syndrome, a couple ways on how to overcome it, how to become a possibility model to show others what’s possible, and what Grid110 looks for in founders before they consider working with them.

On imposter syndrome: “I think it’s just reminding yourself that if something like that comes up, you were invited to that table. That there was a reason that you were chosen, that this is being presented to you and that is they want to hear your voice, your perspective. And you have one. I think it’s just to have confidence in that and to figure out what is it that I want to say? And how do I want to share it?”

Timestamps

:46: Miki Reynolds, CEO and Co-Founder of Grid110 shares what Grid110 is and what is happening there these days

2:15: Miki talks about where she’s from, where her parents are from, her experience growing up as mixed (Japanese and white) and how she didn’t really find community until college

6:00: How Miki’s mom’s experiences have influenced how Miki lives her life

8:01: Miki tells Erik and Kerel about the work she’s doing outside of Grid110, including being on the advisory boards for Women in STEM LA and South by Southwest

10:57: The biggest thing Miki has learned from being a co-founder and CEO of Grid110 and the journey she went on to step into the CEO role

15:45: The most rewarding part of working at Grid110 and working with the entrepreneurs and business owners there

18:46: The specific criteria Miki and Grid110 looks for when working with companies or founders in their cohort programs

21:15: What excites Miki the most about the future of Grid110 including expanding their reach to other cities outside of Los Angeles

25:06: How Miki has dealt with imposter syndrome and two things she’s learned over the years on how to overcome it

27:53: The idea of “possibility models” and how you can be a possibility model for others to show them what’s possible

29:44: Miki shares her concept about T3, the triple T threat

31:05: The top three apps Miki uses on her phone to stay socially active and physically active

34:23: How to get in touch with Miki and with Grid110

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