The Wana Blog
An Update from the CEO Regarding COVID-19
We at Wana are changing every day so we can bring you the best of what you caregivers need to get your job done during the coronavirus crisis. Get your self-care with digital swaps. Keep the kids in touch with digital playdates. Still working? Closed babysitting circles help you get the care you need, at no cost, while maximizing the best we can of physical distancing.
A Letter From the CEO Regarding COVID-19
We have always been about bringing people together. COVID-19 is changing the way we do that. During this time, we cannot and do not recommend that families continue trading in-person care, particularly in communities most acutely affected. Though, when breaks in social distancing are unavoidable, we will do our best to not let tools, time, or cost be additional barriers to the care you need.
Wana+Helpkin: Calling All Helpers!
Helpkin and Wana are teaming up! And we’re out to activate the helpers, all those heart-smart grandparents and neighbors who may not have littles themselves but just love to help out (and get some cool Komae gifts from time to time!). Read more here.
Wana+Sitster: We’re Growing Global!
Wana is welcoming families from all over the world into the babysitting swap network, starting with the Sitsterhood founded in London! Read about Wana’s acquisition of Sitster Ltd and why we believe there’s magic in these four female founders coming together.
Wana, LA’s “Free Babysitting!” Startup, Booms with Acquisition of Komae
Wana announces closing of the acquisition of Komae, Inc., Ohio-based market-leading competitor, adding four-star mobile apps and over 19,000 families to the Wana community.
Wana Gearing Up for Glendale Tech Week 2018
Wana is empowering young entrepreneurs at Glendale Tech Week with the Kids Startup Showcase, and you can find Erin representing working moms at the Women in Tech panel.
What is the First Step to a Great Tech Team?
AESC’s BlueSteps reached out to “tech leadership” to learn how to overcome the greatest challenges in building a stand-out tech company. Erin Beck says, “Finding that team, for me, comes down to asking one extra question at the end of each resume bullet: ‘Why were you the only one that could do this?’”
Wana Wins at Innovation Summit
Wana sweeps CSUDH Innovation Summit, the pitch competition celebrating socially-conscious startups.
When You Signup for Wana, We Donate to Reunite Families
For every new family that joins Wana – for free – through July 21, 2018, we are donating $3 to reuniting families separated at the border.
What is Rule #1 for Pitching to Investors?
Business News Daily reached out to “a handful of experts” for advice on making the clinching pitch to investors. Erin says, “They don’t connect with you for what you’re doing, but why you’re doing it.” At Wana, it’s all about giving families the tools to have everything, even free babysitting.
VoyageLA names Erin @ Wana one of “LA’s Most Inspiring Stories”
Erin recalls, “I didn’t think I would fall in love with LA. I’m a Midwest girl turned city dweller that still thinks it isn’t barbecue without the sauce. So I filled up a backpack and did 15 months around 5 continents with my husband and my camera, with odd homes and odd jobs.” Read the rest on VoyageLA.
Hello Cheffy’s Katherine Hunter-Blyden Talks Corporate Life vs. Startup Life
Katherine Hunter-Blyden was a junior officer in a multinational corporation; now she’s chief exec of a food tech startup called Hello Cheffy. What was it like raising two sons on different sides of the transition? She tells the choices she had to make to find balance in both.