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- Tis The Season To Dreamore, Grow More:
Tis The Season To Dreamore, Grow More:
Unwrapping New Opportunities This Holiday Season
Welcome to our online community garden: a place for founders, investors, creators, and business leaders to learn and grow together.
Last weekend we witnessed the rebuilding activity happening in Maui following the aftermaths of the Lahaina fire… 15 minutes after our plane landed in LAX the Franklin fire started. What a week! A true test of resilience.
In feng shui, fire energy means enthusiasm, warmth, brightness, illumination and activity. Fire is destructive in excess (as with all things in excess). As many know, fire is woven into the identity of Dreamore. As we ease into the holiday season and 2025, we embrace fire’s positive aspects. It’s only terrible if we let it be.
Dreamore is female/diversity led, serving purpose-driven, innovative startups and middle market firms over the last 30 years, highly ranked on Forbes’ America’s Best Professional Recruiting Firms. Hiring? thinking about hiring? growing in other ways? contact us! |  We like robots but humans even better! |
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"Navigating AI with Purpose with Karen Smiley of Agile Teams: Insights on Ethics, Innovation, and Inclusion"
 | ““There’s a saying: somebody should do something, and I’m somebody.” Karen Smilkey |
What inspired you to start your company? I’ve always been passionate about analyzing data to solve problems. My journey started with my first programming experience during my engineering studies, and I’ve been drawn to data-driven solutions ever since. After decades in the field, I wanted to focus on writing and sharing insights on AI, ethics, and technology. Starting my own company allowed me to center these priorities and explore gaps in the market that align with my vision.
How can founders ensure ethical practices when implementing AI? Starting with ethical data sourcing and training is crucial. Once models are polluted with unethically obtained content, it’s extremely difficult and costly to backtrack. Founders should integrate ethics into their core values early, as the behavior and principles they establish will shape their company culture and operations long after they’re gone.
What role does diversity and inclusion play in building strong teams? The most effective teams are diverse across dimensions like gender, race, age, and even neurodivergence. Founders should set this balance from the start—it’s much harder to achieve later. Diversity not only strengthens problem-solving but also lays the foundation for a culture that reflects the world we’re building for.
What are some overlooked challenges when using AI in business? One major issue is "AI technical debt," where shortcuts in data quality or training create long-term problems. Founders must also prioritize transparency—ensuring clear policies for how AI tools are used internally and with customers. A lack of trust can undermine credibility and customer loyalty.
How can startups adopt an agile mindset for product development? Agile principles focus on adapting to change, meeting customer needs, and honoring individual contributions. True agility goes beyond processes to building a culture of collaboration, continuous learning, and adaptability. Establishing diverse teams and a people-first approach are key.
What’s your vision for a more equitable world through technology? I envision incentives that reward companies for ethical behavior and inclusive practices. Equity should be embedded in how businesses interact with employees, customers, and society. Technology has the potential to bridge gaps, but it requires intentional design and accountability.
What should investors look for when evaluating AI-driven companies? Investors should assess whether companies have clear policies around data use, privacy, and AI practices. Transparency, bias mitigation, and responsible use of technology are non-negotiables for sustainable growth.
🌱 Hire More
Clients are hiring! It’s not like the old days just yet, but definitely signs of improvement. Links to a few featured jobs, and much more coming in January:
Senior Director Engineering hybrid in Los Angeles
Business Development Director hybrid in Culver City
Operations Director hybrid in West Los Angeles
We are a targeted search firm with many deep relationships.
We recruit for startup and middle market clients who might only need ONE hire, or multiples, at any level/function in the organization.
Not just executive level, but any nuanced or challenging hire that is best served with a targeted, filtered approach instead of staffing, online job postings, or volume. And sometimes you’re just too busy and need to outsource the work to someone who can save you time and deliver better quality faster.
Our ideal clients are startup or mid-sized, purpose-driven in some way which can be the product/service itself or simply the way leadership treats their people.
Share our info freely with others considering who/when/who to hire. Glad to help even if it’s just some friendly advice.
😂 Giggle More
The year near and end, and what in the Dickens has the 2024 job market been?
Cypto bless us, EVERYONE!
“There’s more of gravy than of grave about you”
🏡 Build More
Growth mindset means you can adapt and learn, instead of having a fixed mindset or avoidance behavior. Towards that concept, we want to extend much gratitude to the fire fighters and Malibu community who applied valuable lessons from the Woolsey fire 2018 (including the loss of our Malibu Dream House). Relatively speaking, they kept the fire contained and people safe, even with strong winds and rugged conditions. Does this halt our progress? NOPE. Climate change is happening everywhere, so instead of avoidance, we adapt! We apply sustainable, tech-forward construction and land development practices in every project we’re adding to Dreamore’s real estate portfolio. Click here to receive the latest investor deck or to discuss your project/area of interest. |  Dreamore, just outside the evacuation zone  Not our usual ocean view  Fire retardant IS environmentally friendly |
Just a click on our sponsor helps keep this publication alive!
Leading the Future of Finance
C$152M YTD revenue.
Expanding global reach.
Zero-debt growth strategy.
🤝 Support More
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The most entrepreneurial and ambitious people in LA. Current members have raised +100M in funding! More about the community here, or reach out to Lance! Host Your Next Event at Offshore Santa Monica. Stylish, beach-inspired space offering curated menu options. [email protected] Focusing on the people, tools, and tactics that will drive sustainable growth. Actionable insights for founders on building startups and mastering mindsets, delivered every Monday and Thursday. Swiss Precision Active Start Engine Campaign There is an opportunity to invest. Swiss Precision Active aims to transform the textile industry with its patented CopperActive ™ technology. |
Dreamore: Dream more, not less - we can do this!
Annemarie Penny
dreamore.io