Closing a Chapter, Opening a New One

I started triiyo through the BlueChilli Bootcamp & Accelerator in 2018—just six short months into single motherhood with a three-year-old, wearing rose-tinted glasses and carrying dreams of changing the world of work for the better.

I had no idea what I was doing or the sacrifices that lay ahead. All I knew was a deep passion and a yearning to change the way people are treated in the workplace when life happens.

I believe that workplaces have a duty of care to support their employees through life’s challenges (yet, most companies don’t do this well). I also believe that workplaces can be a place of thriving—a source of meaning and purpose—when leadership and culture are done right.

We launched our MVP at the end of 2019, and since then, I’ve raised Angel & VC capital and invested $2M in building a SaaS platform. We worked with global companies like Citibank and Fujifilm, the NSW Government, and many Australian SMEs and individuals through triiyoONE. We developed support across nine life journeys, with another nine in the pipeline, and built a network of over 100 expert partners.

Our platform achieved an average of 25% workforce utilisation—compared to the 1-5% average of traditional EAPs. That’s a quarter of employees actively seeking support because something significant is happening in their lives.

As a venture-backed startup, our goal was to support millions of people in navigating life at work with ease. But being an early-stage business, combined with the impacts of a pandemic and a challenging economy, has hindered our ability to scale at the speed that makes startup sacrifices worthwhile.

And so, with a heavy heart, triiyo ceased trading at the end of 2024. Acquisition conversations are ongoing, but after a lot of inner work, I’m at peace with whatever unfolds.

Regardless of what happens next for triiyo, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the experience, the lessons, and the achievements—and, most importantly, to offer hope, especially to other female founders.

What I’ve Learned:

?? I raised $1.4M across two funding rounds during the Covid era, tapping into the 0.6% of funding that goes to solo female founders. ?? My cap table was a 50/50 split between male and female investors—it’s heartening to know that there are supportive male investors backing female-founded startups. ?? Proposals don’t pay the bills. If your company is sitting on proposals from small businesses, clarity on your intention is an act of kindness. Time is precious in startups. ?? Advisors are worth their weight in gold—lean on them, thank them. ?? As a non-tech founder, you’re a sitting duck for unscrupulous developers and engineers. Trust your gut. If you need good offshore development houses, hit me up. ?? Stay in your lane. Don’t worry about competition—the more noise in your space, the better. ?? Don’t be afraid to ask for help—I’ve never met anyone who’s said no. ?? Integrity matters. The startup ecosystem (especially in Australia) is very small. ?? Look after your people—good staff are critical to your progress. ?? There will be sacrifices. Know your boundaries, and hold them. ?? Your mental health and wellbeing are critical to your startup’s survival.

There are many more lessons, and I’ll share them over time. But for now...

To every single person who has crossed my path during the triiyo era—thank you, from the depths of my heart. Your advice, time, and support have meant everything during what can only be described as the longest rollercoaster of my life.

And I can’t close this chapter without acknowledging Nicolas Elvino , who spent four years with triiyo—starting as an intern and becoming my right-hand man. Thank you for your unwavering support. It was a wild ride!

So, What’s Next?

After two months of much-needed rest, travel, and quality time with my son and family, I’m back in creation mode.

True to any entrepreneur—I don’t sit still for long!

Having navigated the highs and lows of startup life, one thing became undeniably clear: If you want to survive the inordinate pressures, you have to master your inner game.

Before triiyo, I spent years at the intersection of business, coaching, and alternative therapies. Now, I’m bringing that experience forward to support founders, entrepreneurs, and leaders in unlocking exponential growth—both professionally and personally. When you operate from a place of deep alignment, resilience, and clarity, the external results follow.

So, I’m birthing a new business. I’m going back to my roots. And for now—I’m putting the tech game on pause.

If you're a founder, leader, or executive ready to elevate your game from the inside out, let’s connect. The next level of success isn’t about doing more—it’s about becoming more.

And while triiyo may be closing, my mission to make workplaces a place of thriving is still burning inside—I’m just tackling it from a different perspective.

As with every full stop, there’s always a new beginning...

#Startup #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #FemaleFounders #Growth #Resilience #LessonsLearned #InnerGame #Transformation