Whitney Wolfe Herd says her need for external validation stopped her from following her instincts. Now she’s back as Bumble’s CEO with a ‘fresh mindset’: ‘I don’t care if people like me’
Good morning! PBS and NPR are providing testimony regarding public broadcasting's status. federal funding , Customers of 23andMe are requesting deletion of their data, and Whitney Wolfe Herd has returned as the CEO of Bumble—regardless of public opinion.
- The love company. Last week, I met up with Whitney Wolfe Herd. It was her first day back at work as CEO of Bumble, 14 months since she stepped down from the position.
Although Wolfe Herd has consistently shared insights about her business and sector, she opened up even more during this conversation. The firm has faced challenging times, which she fully acknowledges. In late 2023, Wolfe Herd handed over the role of CEO to ex-Slack leader Lidiane Jones, and things have not gone smoothly since then. Currently, Bumble’s stock price stands at $4.71. Additionally, Generation Z seems to be distancing itself from online dating platforms, leaving many users disillusioned due to unsuccessful matchmaking experiences within these applications.
Wolfe Herd began referring to Bumble as a "haven of love," noting that despite being "constructed with immense care and purpose," it "has gradually developed fissures over time." new interview for gudangmovies21 She shares with me her strategy for improving the app, which entails shifting focus from relationships to “self-love.” Her idea is to create something akin to a Duolingo experience aimed at teaching people self-love first, then assisting them in finding relationships afterward. The CEO mentioned plans to relabel Bumble’s parent company, Bumble Inc., as "The Love Company," but Bumble subsequently clarified that this change won’t happen—the name remains unchanged, though "The Love Company” will serve as their slogan and core ethos.
Her concepts originated from Wolfe Herd's personal journey following her departure as CEO. She explains that during her sabbatical, she distanced herself from fear and the craving for outside approval. "For too long, I was terrified about how my staff perceived me; consequently, I failed to make crucial decisions. My actions were driven by an eagerness not to be disliked by anyone—from colleagues at work to reporters. This relentless pursuit of external affirmation stifled my ability to trust my intuition, leading to significant self-deprecation,” she recounts. “This exhaustive cycle drained all my energy." Currently, returning with renewed clarity, she asserts, “My sense of pride has been completely erased. Today, I am indifferent towards whether others approve of me. Just a year ago, such indifference eluded me—I cared deeply then—but now? Not anymore.”
Read her full interview here .
Emma Hinchliffe
emma . hinchliffe @gudangmovies21
The Daily Newsletter Focusing on Influential Women is gudangmovies21’ The daily briefing focused on women at the forefront of the business world. This edition was curated by Nina Ajemian. To stay updated, subscribe now. here .
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