Today we’d like to introduce you to Cathy Pucher.
Cathy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I always excelled in Math, so I chose electrical engineering as a major at UCSD. That said, I always loved helping customers at my dad’s children clothing store and later in other job capacities. As college was coming to an end, I realized that working in a lab was not for me. I accidentally found out about “technical sales’ and a passion career was BORN. I spent 18 years at Texas Instruments and became their first FEMALE sales director heading up our North America sales efforts as the cell phone became ubiquitous and the smartphone emerged. With two small children, a hard-working husband, two dogs and a nanny, I left TI to take on worldwide sales/marketing/business development efforts for the first company to put a video on a cell phone and be part of their “re-startup” efforts. The work was exhilarating and intoxicating but left me far away from my loved ones 70% of the time. After failing to find an acceptable career/family balance, I walked away and joined colleagues in a startup effort. We all invested and went “all-in”. Unfortunately the startup did not take off; however, it opened a new door. I had the opportunity to be part of the leadership team to start an incredible incubator called EvoNexus and lead it for the first 2 years.
From there, I followed a mentor to another startup. After the startup struggled to gain adoption, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to lead a newly opened incubator at SDSU. NOW – 6 years later, I am helping students, faculty, and staff launch a startup from their early stage idea. I have the privilege of doing something I love daily, providing a transformational experience and applying my own experiences and knowledge to helping others.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Work-life balance has always been a struggle for me. I love working and put everything into it.
That said, pre-marriage, I loved spending time with friends, exercising and travel. As I became more of a “workaholic”, the struggle to maintain balance was super challenging. Nearly impossible as I started a family, took on more responsibility and ambitiously grew my career. My advice is to think hard about your priorities, choices, and consequences. I thought unrealistically that I could do it all and I did not have what you would call a “soft-landing” as I realized I could not. I am finally in a great place with balance but it was a painful path to get there.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about SDSU ZIP Launchpad – what should we know?
I am the executive director at the ZIP Launchpad, an incubator at SDSU. I have the privilege of working with inspiring students from all majors who work outside of the classroom to bring their idea to life.
I am known for being hard on them but fair and often referred to as their second “mom” for my encouragement and “tough love”.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I never actually looked for a mentor but when I found someone that I could learn from and respected greatly, then I would cultivate the relationship in the direction of a mentor. With regards to networking, my advice is to try different venues to see what “feels” right. Once you find a group or association that “feels” right, begin to think strategically. Rather than just showing up – have a plan. Who do you want to meet? Can you volunteer or get more involved to build a deeper relationship? Are there specific meetings that you can consistently attend?
Contact Info:
- Website: ziplaunchpad.sdsu.edu
- Email: cpucher@sdsu.edu
Image Credit:
Cathy Pucher
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