Sam and I started the company in 2003, and it was just the two of us. I managed ordering, processing, packing, and even unloading containers of product. We ran it together for seven years, then hired our first employee. To formalize our charitable efforts, we founded the Malouf Foundation together in 2016, which I am very proud of.As Sam and I built a team that could take on the day-to-day operations I was managing, I re-focused my energy on family and the Foundation. Our flagship cause is fighting child sexual exploitation, including sex trafficking and online exploitation. The board and I work to find creative ways to educate the public (like our OnWatch training), bring awareness to the cause, and create long-term shifts in perception and action.I recently became a partner at Tamarak Capital, a private equity firm that specializes in venture capital. Young companies, those in Utah especially, are full of talent and great ideas, and I am very excited to connect with our next generation of businesses. I am especially looking forward to mentorship opportunities and hope to bring an interesting perspective, both because women are underrepresented in the VC world and because of my own entrepreneurial experience scaling Malouf from a two-person startup to where it is today. Another new opportunity happened just this year when I joined the executive team at Downeast. I loved the design aspect of creating bedding products over the years and can’t wait to expand those skills. I’ll be diving into the apparel side of the business, specifically. I’m passionate about exploring more sustainable fabrics and practices that further support Downeast’s commitment to high-quality women’s clothing and our environmental impact. We have five beautiful, talented, and busy children. My home life is usually spent taking them from dance to weight-lifting to football—organizing activities for five kids is no joke! As a family, we love to travel and explore new places and cultures, which will be a little harder in the coming months. We recently purchased an RV and can’t wait to hit the road!