This is the second story within our Startup Power Couples series. We'll be highlighting couples who both have a heavy hand in our local tech and venture ecosystem.
We're just getting warmed up with our features on Boston's startup power couples. This week, we're getting slightly sappy: It's Friday, the sun is shining, the fall leaves are popping and love is in the air. So what better time to talk about Blair Baldwin and Lindsay Hyde, a husband-wife team of entrepreneurs.
Hyde is currently the co-founder and CEO of pet concierge startup Baroo. The venture currently operates in Boston, Chicago and D.C., with a fourth market on the way. It just raised a $2.25 million seed round. Meanwhile, Baldwin is the co-founder and CEO of Quilt, an online insurance startup that recently secured $3.25 million in seed capital. Previously, he served as the chief marketing officer of Goji.
On top of their mutual affinity for startups, both members of this dynamic duo are Harvard College and Harvard Business School alumni. We explored the ins and outs of their relationship, and here's what they had to say.
Olivia Vanni: What was your first encounter like?
Lindsay Hyde: We met in 2001 in college. I was a sophomore moving into a new dorm. The dorm organized an outing for all of the incoming students and Blair was the leader of my group. I immediately thought he was so very handsome! We started dating shortly after meeting on that trip and got married in 2008.
Blair Baldwin: Not to sound cliche, but it really was love at first sight. Someone happened to snap a picture of us chatting that day and you could tell the sparks were flying!
OV: How do you support one another professionally?
LH: Our skill sets are incredibly different and we approach problems from very unique perspectives. It is amazing to be able to take a question I might be wrestling with and tee it up for a discussion with Blair. We don’t always agree on approach or outcome, but it is helpful to have someone who I know is looking out for my best interest who can help me see things from multiple viewpoints.
BB: Being a founder/CEO can be pretty lonely, but not when you can confer and share the ups and downs of startup life with your best friend and life partner.
OV: How do you juggle day-to-day responsibilities?
LH: Blair does the vast majority of the cooking because my main talent in the kitchen is setting off the smoke alarm. This has happened so frequently that now when I walk into the kitchen, our adorable dog, Brody, runs and hides.
BB: It's true, Lindsay doesn't cook. But she organizes our household with military precision. I've gotten used to following orders.
OV: Does anything about the other person annoy you? Tell the truth.
LH: We have an ongoing battle of shoes being left in random and surprising places, usually precisely in my walking path. I have recently taken to hiding the offending shoes, so if you ever see Blair walking around barefoot, you know why.
BB: Somewhat ironic given the shoe story, Lindsay tends to leave keys in random places. Our car keys have ended up in the glove drawer, the refrigerator and occasionally locked inside the car itself.
OV: What do you admire most about one another?
LH: Blair is unbelievably smart and so talented, but the thing I admire most about him is his sense of humor. Having a partner who brings out the humor in every situation is invaluable.
BB: Lindsay strikes a truly amazing balance between heart, grit, and talent - she is an incredible woman!
