We ask the buidlers within the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector for his or her ideas on the trade… and throw in a number of random zingers to maintain them on their toes!
This week, our 6 Questions go to Nikki Farb — an lively investor and advisor to know-how firms who’s at the moment a enterprise companion at Headline, a enterprise capital agency.
I spend money on shopper tech (with an actual love for marketplaces) and Web3. I’ve invested in Consensys (MetaMask), AfterParty, Fractal, Aloft, Wander, MarketerHire, SudShare and some others I can’t share simply but.
Earlier than investing, I co-founded Darby — a video procuring app that linked creators and their followers. It was such a journey. We constructed Darby as much as 50,000 creators making movies for five million viewers. Working with the crew at Darby was considered one of my biggest privileges. We had been acquired by Grove Collective.
Previous to Darby, I used to be at Goldman Sachs within the Funding Banking Group. I discovered fairly a bit. Particularly as a result of I used to be an English instructor proper out of faculty.
1 — What has been the hardest problem you’ve confronted in our trade thus far?
There are two challenges that come to thoughts. The primary is that it’s a loud trade. It’s difficult to face the powerful questions: What’s the basic purpose that this trade is flourishing? What’s a novel use case of the tech? Discovering the sign via the noise is crucial factor you are able to do as an investor, because it impacts how you employ each your money and time. I’ve that reply now; with out it, you run the danger of dropping some huge cash.
The second is the pitfall of rallying round a destructive message. One of many quickest methods to achieve this house as a feminine investor is to scream that it’s a boy’s membership. That form of negativity thrives on social media, the place a lot of crypto conversations happen. If I needed to be self-serving, I might say that and construct up my platform, however I don’t consider it and it’s not the trail I wish to select. For those who say the message sufficient instances, it might turn out to be a fact, after which we later damage ourselves by being excluded from some of the vital technological improvements and the quickest technique to even financial outcomes. For those who fall right into a destructive message, it solely hurts outsiders, not the insiders. We, as a part of this trade, get to decide on how this phenomenon performs out. Why would we select to name it a boy’s membership?
2 — Do you subscribe to the concept of Bitcoin as a way of cost, a retailer of worth, each… or neither?
For Bitcoin — as a retailer of worth. Whereas there was a battle 4 or 5 years in the past on what it could turn out to be, it has performed out to be a retailer of worth, and I believe that’s the proper consequence. I do see another cryptocurrencies like Ether and Solana as a way of cost.
3 — Do you suppose governments will attempt to kill crypto?
What a spicy query! I believe sure as a result of crypto degrades governments’ energy, and anybody that has energy is inclined to desirous to reclaim it — although not everybody will pursue that path. So, I believe it’s inevitable that some governments someplace will attempt to kill crypto. As for which authorities and the way far they take it — who is aware of? That’s a film, proper there. I believe some will embrace it wholeheartedly and attempt to make it fly, particularly these with risky currencies. However for now, it’s means too early to imagine. What’s unimaginable about crypto is that it has the potential to decentralize energy and provides rise to economies which might be struggling. There’s good and evil in it, similar to with every other technological innovation. It’s going to all rely upon how individuals use it, and I wish to steer in that route, which is why I select to spend money on the house.
4 — What had been you want in highschool?
Confused, however I made it via! I graduated highschool in three years as a result of my mother made a cope with me that if I graduated early, I might be an actress for my fourth yr as an alternative of going to high school. I used to be additionally kicked out of two faculties in my freshman yr as a result of I wasn’t very nicely behaved, so I finally ended up at night time faculty, the place I later realized I needed to alter my habits. I made one other cope with my mother that if I acquired a 4.0 GPA in my sophomore yr, I didn’t need to go to high school on Mondays, and I did it.
I beloved rap and hiphop tradition, and I used to be additionally very into punk music (my roots are in Orange County). I used to be pleased with my social scene and the quantity of associates I had. My little sister went in every single place with me. She’s three years youthful and my companion in crime.
I had about 30 jobs in highschool as a result of if I didn’t like one thing, I might simply stop. The one job I’ve ever been fired from is Denny’s, and my favourite job was being the fragrance spray woman in Bloomingdale’s. I got here from a rich household however they later misplaced all of their cash. In highschool, I nonetheless needed to stay the life I grew up in, so I positively had a hustler mentality and made my means. I in all probability skated the road of prison habits a number of instances.
5 — Considering of a favourite poem or musical lyric, what’s it, and why does it converse to you?
There are two that come to thoughts. The primary is a saying that “solely boring individuals get bored.” It’s my philosophy for all times. I actually consider that most individuals get to be the captain of their very own ship, so for those who’re bored, go repair it.
The second is admittedly any line from the film The Royal Tenenbaums — two of my private favorites are: “Did you say you had been on mescaline?” “I did certainly. Very a lot so,” and “I’ve had a tough yr, dad.”
It’s such an trustworthy, humble and artistic film. I’ve watched it 100 instances and all the time appear to seek out one thing new. The pursuit of individuality, inventive threat — all the characters take inventive dangers — and constructing character is one thing I’m interested in.
6 — What’s the guide that influenced you probably the most and why?
I might say Delight and Prejudice. My grandmother truly gave me an unique copy of the guide. It’s one of many first novels I ever learn in highschool. I used to be a really avid reader as a child, and this is without doubt one of the most grown-up items I can keep in mind studying at that age. To me, it was in regards to the energy of womanhood and the distinctive traits we now have, and the way a lot energy that provides us on this planet. These traits are additionally totally different from those males have. It helped me notice that I used to be a unique human from my dad or different guys, however how that might be highly effective. I used to learn it yearly. I additionally beloved how they’re all sisters and that dynamic.
A want for the younger, formidable blockchain group:
If I share my want, it could not come true!
