42. Bumble’s Whitney Wolfe Herd: Small changes with big impact | Master of Scale

Intro

In this episode of “Master of Scale,” host Reid Hoffman interviews Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder and former CEO of Bumble. They discuss the small changes that can have a big impact on a product or service, as well as the importance of understanding human nature and culture. Whitney shares her journey from being bullied online to creating a kinder social media platform and ultimately founding Bumble, a dating app that empowers women to make the first move.

Main Takeaways

Empowering Disabled Gamers

• Able Gamers nonprofit helps disabled gamers continue to play.
• Steve Spahn, COO of Able Gamers, found gaming to be an outlet where he could feel like everyone else.
• Able Gamers and Xbox collaborated to create the Xbox Adaptive Controller, a game-changer for disabled players.
• Adaptive controllers allow players to capitalize on their abilities and play games despite physical limitations.

The Power of Small Changes

• Small but thoughtful tweaks can change everything and make or break a product.
• A Light, a global humanitarian nonprofit organization, rebranded from calling the people they serve refugees to customers, which fueled growth and empowered the people they serve.
• Bumble’s success lies in the small tweak of having women make the first move, which aims to change how dating works and rewrites cultural assumptions about how people connect.

From Marketing to Empowering Women

• Whitney Wolfe Herd’s passion for marketing with heart and soul led her to study global studies instead of advertising.
• Understanding the universals of human nature and the hyper-local nature of human culture can turn a frown upside down for millions of potential customers.
• Whitney’s persistence and persuasion helped her promote the app on college campuses.

The Impact of Bumble

• Bumble’s design changes were familiar and comfortable, yet contradictory to past expectations of dating.
• Bumble’s feature of only allowing women to initiate conversation would reduce harassment and bad behavior.
• Bumble’s success is due to giving people something they already wanted and expanding internationally requires understanding different cultures’ needs.

Summary

Empowering Disabled Gamers

Able Gamers nonprofit, in collaboration with Xbox, has revolutionized the gaming experience for disabled players through the creation of the Xbox Adaptive Controller. This adaptive controller allows players to overcome physical limitations and continue playing games by capitalizing on their abilities. It highlights the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in the gaming industry.

The Power of Small Changes

Small but thoughtful tweaks can have a significant impact on a product or service. A Light, a humanitarian nonprofit, rebranded from referring to the people they serve as refugees to customers, which empowered them and fueled growth. Similarly, Bumble’s success lies in the small tweak of having women make the first move, challenging cultural assumptions about dating and rewriting the rules of social interaction.

From Marketing to Empowering Women

Whitney Wolfe Herd’s passion for marketing with heart and soul led her to study global studies instead of advertising. By understanding the universals of human nature and the hyper-local nature of human culture, she was able to connect with potential customers and promote the app on college campuses. Her persistence and persuasion played a crucial role in the early success of Bumble.

The Impact of Bumble

Bumble’s design changes, such as women making the first move, challenged societal norms and expectations of dating. This small tweak aimed to reduce harassment and bad behavior, creating a more balanced and empowering framework. Bumble’s success can be attributed to giving people something they already wanted and expanding internationally by understanding the needs and cultural nuances of different markets.

Conclusion

Whitney Wolfe Herd’s journey from being bullied online to founding Bumble showcases the power of small changes and the impact they can have on society. By empowering disabled gamers, challenging cultural assumptions, and creating a more inclusive and empowering dating experience, Whitney has made a significant impact in the tech industry. Bumble’s success serves as a reminder that even small, simple things can have a big impact on society, and the importance of mutual appreciation and respect in all interactions.