Chris Edwards is the founder of Honeycombers, a lifestyle media platform that now reaches 1M unique readers monthly. She also recently started Launchpad, an entrepreneurial community for early-stage founders that are building businesses that are a force for good.

👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

I build media businesses and community platforms that are designed to make life more connected, inspired and fun.

When I first started Honeycombers, digital media was not really a thing (Facebook only started in 2004, so it was very early), so I spent a lot of time explaining it's not a blog but a magazine without print pages.

🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

I worked unpaid in my company for the first five years, my husband supported me — and I reinvested all the profits into growing the business.

Now in our 14th year, my husband doesn't have full-time employment. He is Mr. Mum and helps out at Honeycombers. So it's nice to have it swing completely around to see the business supporting us as a family.

🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Hiring a General Manager and making myself redundant. I really enjoyed the ability to step out of day-to-day management of my business and take some time off — it was a five year hiatus, so quite a break!

In saying that, the other big highlight has been coming back into my business and running it again. I love the creativity, the challenges, and the people — it's totally addictive.

🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

There are a few! It's a really exciting time to be an entrepreneur. There is so much change and opportunity. My big three are:

• What millennials and Gen Zs are bringing to the traditional views of work.
• Community as a service. We have seen SaaS, but I believe that community can be a service just like software.
• Finally, sustainable, ethical and conscious businesses — I love the innovation in this space.

💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?

Surround yourself with smart people who are willing to help you on your journey.

🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours?

I love talking with founders about their businesses. I love understanding (and challenging) their revenue models, marketing positioning and strategy, branding, digital marketing trends, and company culture.

Basically, if you have a business, I will be happy to talk to you for hours.

🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show?

Top Gun (the original, of course)

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🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

Espresso martini, hold the ice cream.