Friends! Qwilr turns 10 today! 🎉
Building Qwilr has been one of the most rewarding things that I have done with my life. It has been a truly amazing journey that I know has helped shape me into a better person.
Building a startup that passes the test of time and that has enough revenue to stand on it’s own two feet is not an easy feat. I am incredibly lucky to have had the privilege to work with Dylan, my co-founder, for so long. We started as friends and are still friends (and are now both Dad’s too!) - and all the while my esteem for him has grown continually. You will be hard pressed to find a more thoughtful, intelligent, creative and principled person.
There have been many amazing people that have come along for this journey. Special shout out to all of the amazing Qwilroo’s (I’m not 100% sure who came up with that name - but somehow it has stuck) who have built Qwilr into what it is today. It is always a privilege when someone chooses to take a bet on your startup and to bring their time, effort and energy to the quest. 10 of our team have been with us for more than 5 years, and the amazing Benjamin has been here for all ten!
Then of course, are the people who believe in you along the way and put their money where their mouth (heart?) is. It’s possible that Qwilr would not even exist without Garry's help and belief in the early days. We’re so luck to have been able to work closely with wonderful Louis & Christoph - who we were introduced to by the fantastic John who we have been lucky enough to have on our board for over 4 years. There have been many times that the people above, and others like Michael, Jason, Kim and Ed, have gone above and beyond to do things that have enabled Qwilr to survive and thrive. Thank you.
And, of course, we would be nowhere without our customers. Amazingly our first two customers are still with us, as is our tenth (shout out to Ronnie, Kurt and Mike!). In fact there are 25 companies who have been with Qwilr since 2014. This is frankly astonishing - especially as our early product was deeply imperfect! We have 5000 customers today, from over 70 countries - which span from the Fortune 500 to teeny-tiny startups just like we were 10 years ago.
Anyone who has done this, especially while starting and growing a family, knows how vital a role your partner plays. I cannot fully express how essential Lizzie has been to me.
Amazingly - I am not weary! I am filled with excitement for what is to come. Qwilr’s best years are ahead of us and I am thrilled by the work that we’re doing at the moment. There is still so much to do.
But, for a moment, I do want to pause and proudly reflect on what we have built. I cannot wait to celebrate with our whole global team at our company retreat next month.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us build this wonderful product and company over the past ten years 🙏 🙌 ❤️
Founder and COO at Canva. Come join us! lifeatcanva.com/jobs
2yhow LAME. Nothing worse and more pathetic and unoriginal than a clone.