From Attorney to Tech Founder : How Allison Rogers is Revolutionizing Parenting with Ducklinks
At Worthwhile Venture, we pride ourselves on supporting entrepreneurs who are solving real-world problems, and Allison Rogers, founder of Ducklinks, is a prime example. As a full-time attorney, a mother of three, and now a tech founder, Allison has taken her personal challenges as a busy parent and transformed them into an innovative product designed to optimize quality time for families.
In our recent podcast interview, we dive into Allison’s journey of creating Ducklinks—a platform that provides personalized, smart recommendations for activities and events for families with young children—and explore how her background, family collaboration, and partnership with Worthwhile Venture Studio have contributed to her success.
The Journey to Ducklinks: A Personal Problem Turned Product
As any parent can relate, time with our children is finite and precious. For Allison, the struggle of finding age-appropriate and conveniently scheduled activities for her kids was a real pain point.
“I found myself on Sunday afternoons piecing together our family’s week—browsing social media, newsletters, and community sites to figure out what activities fit our schedules. It felt like a full-time job on its own,” Allison recalls.
With three children under the age of four, Allison wanted a better solution, not just for her family but for other parents as well. That desire to create a smarter, more efficient way to discover events and activities for kids was the inspiration behind Ducklinks.
From Attorney to Tech Founder
Shifting from a legal career to tech entrepreneurship might seem like a leap, but for Allison, it was a natural progression driven by the need to solve a pressing problem. “I didn’t study this in law school, but being an attorney has made me a great problem-solver. I’ve learned to live in the gray areas and get creative with solutions, which has been crucial as a founder.”
With her father, Andy Humen, as her co-founder, Allison built Ducklinks from the ground up. Andy’s extensive business experience, especially in sales and finance, provided the perfect complement to Allison’s drive and vision. Together, they embarked on a journey to turn an idea into a market-ready product.
Partnering with Worthwhile Venture Studio
Building a product from scratch is no easy feat, especially when it comes to technology. Allison knew that to succeed, she needed more than just her and her father’s skills. That’s when she turned to Worthwhile Venture Studio.
“In just four months, we went from idea to product thanks to Worthwhile. Their all-in-one approach—covering design, branding, marketing, and development—allowed us to focus on what we do best while they handled the rest. If it weren’t for them, we’d still be stuck in the development phase,” Allison shares.
The Worthwhile team’s ability to work quickly and efficiently made it possible for Ducklinks to hit the market with an MVP that was not only functional but also polished and market-ready. Allison credits this speed and comprehensive support for their early success.
A Personalized Approach to Children's Activities
So, what makes Ducklinks different from other platforms? It’s not just a database of events—it’s a customizable tool that parents can tailor to their children’s specific interests, needs, and schedules.
“Think of it like Zillow for kids’ activities,” Allison explains. “You can create a profile for your children, input their ages, interests, and schedule preferences, and Ducklinks will curate personalized recommendations. For instance, our four-year-old loves STEM and sports, while our two-year-old is more into arts and music. Ducklinks helps me find activities that fit both of their interests and our busy schedule.”
The platform even goes a step further by including practical details like whether a location has stroller access, food options, and clean bathrooms—things parents need to know but often can’t find on traditional event platforms.
Challenges and Surprises Along the Way
Like any founder, Allison has faced her share of challenges. One of the most significant has been learning how to juggle the many hats she wears as a founder, mother, and attorney.
“Knowing how to spend your time and money as a founder is one of the hardest parts,” Allison admits. “There are days when I ask myself, ‘Should I focus on marketing today? Development? Fundraising?’ Balancing all these priorities has been tough, but I’ve leaned on mentors and the Worthwhile team to guide me.”
Despite the challenges, Allison has also been pleasantly surprised by the outpouring of support from the startup ecosystem, especially in her hometown of Greenville, South Carolina. “The startup community here is incredible. I’ve met so many talented and supportive people who have become mentors and friends, including our advisor, John Barnett, who has been instrumental in helping us navigate the startup journey.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Ducklinks
After successfully launching Ducklinks in Greenville, Allison has her sights set on expanding the platform to new markets. “We’re focusing on perfecting the product here in Greenville, but the goal is to expand to other markets like Columbia and Charleston next,” she says.
As Ducklinks continues to grow, Allison is also seeking funding partners to help scale the business and enhance the platform’s capabilities. “Technology is expensive, and as a startup, we need the right funding partners who believe in our mission and can help us take Ducklinks to the next level.”
Advice for Aspiring Founders
As a relatively new founder, Allison hesitates to offer too much advice, but there are a few key lessons she’s learned along the way. “Stay true to your ‘why.’ That’s what will keep you going when things get tough. But also, be flexible. Listen to your customers and adapt your product based on their feedback. It’s a balance between staying true to your vision and being open to change.”
Allison’s journey from attorney to tech founder is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. By identifying a personal pain point and building a solution for it, she’s not only made life easier for herself but for countless other parents as well.
Ducklinks is a game-changer for families looking to make the most of their time with their kids, and with Worthwhile Venture Studio’s support, Allison is well on her way to scaling the platform to new markets.
If you’d like to learn more about Ducklinks or get involved, visit ducklinksgvl.com or reach out at info@ducklinksgvl.com.
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