The Day a Doodle Became an AI Startup

Twenty months ago, I found myself sitting at my desk, notebook in hand, sketching out ideas for what could be a game-changer in the world of what I now know as ‘HR Tech’. To clarify, when I say “sketching,” I don’t mean intricate, professional drawings – I mean doodles that resembled an explosion of spaghetti on a page. From those humble beginnings, on March 24^th, 2023, SteppingStone was born.

Fast forward to today, and those notebook scribbles have evolved into something extraordinary. We now have an AI product for job seekers and employers who we lovingly refer to as Stella, and she’s a bit of a personality. She doesn't just sift through resumes or play match-the-keyword like your average algorithm. No, no. Stella gets to know the job seeker. She connects with them, understands their strengths, and pairs them with employers who need exactly what they bring to the table. We believe Stella has the potential to change the lives of millions of job seekers, and yes, I’m proud of her.

From the very beginning of this journey, I’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible support and engagement I received from my network. The enthusiasm and belief from those around me created a sense of clarity and optimism that we were truly onto something special. Every conversation seemed to add another layer of validation that SteppingStone had the potential to be something unique. I've also been blessed to have been introduced to more brilliant and interesting people than I can count, each one bringing a fresh perspective and inspiring me to push even harder. My running analogy is that I’ve passed through the back of the wardrobe and into Narnia. It's been an exhilarating and humbling experience, and I’m constantly reminded that this path is shaped not just by my vision but by the amazing people who have helped bring it to life.

One of the things that has kept me going is my deep-rooted belief that relationships matter. Not just in business, but in life. Everything we do at SteppingStone is centered around the idea of connection – connecting the right people to the right opportunities.

The best part? We’re just getting started. We’ve managed to create something that’s not only functional but that we’re truly proud of – a platform that makes the hiring process smarter, more efficient, and dare I say it – enjoyable. We’ve designed Stella to take the stress out of job hunting for candidates and the guesswork out of hiring for employers. My amazing team and I believe that Stella will soon be a household name.

To all the job seekers, employers, and career services leaders reading this, you’re why we’re here. We’re on this journey because we know there’s a better way to connect talent with opportunity. And now, thanks to those early sketches, we’re well on our way to making that dream a reality.