Nicole Shariat Farb

Chances are if you love DIY, you’ve been to Darby Smart, an online marketplace for creativity that launched in June 2013 thanks to Nicole Shariat…

Chances are if you love DIY, you’ve been to Darby Smart, an online marketplace for creativity that launched in June 2013 thanks to Nicole Shariat Farb. Previously a Goldman Sachs investment banker, Nicole turned her hobby into a career after deciding the DIY industry was due for some disruption.

Offering DIY inspiration, supplies and pre-packaged projects for anyone looking to flex their creative side, Darby Smart recently announced Series A funding (a name given to a company’s initial massive round of venture capital financing) of $6.3 million in June, launched a Weddings category and is continuing to grow their assortment of product offerings. All this to say, if you’re a business woman at heart, you won’t want to miss Nicole’s advice for turning your passion into your business — even when it’s a complete 180 from your day job.