Erin Anacker

I'm a 2x founder and human-centered product leader passionate about turning mission-driven ideas into real-world impact. My background in design and full-stack web development helps me connect vision with execution. At my last startup, WholeStory, I built a SaaS hiring platform that brought job seekers’ personal stories into the recruitment process—elevating thousands of underrepresented voices and reducing turnover for employers. I specialize in early product development, go to market strategy, and using empathy as a business tool. I love helping founders clarify what they’re building, who it’s for, and how to launch with confidence. I care deeply about mental health during the startup journey and am happy to offer a listening ear to those who need. In addition, I am especially excited to support underrepresented founders (women, BIPOC, LGBTQ folks).

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  Advice on funding

  Fundraising can be intimidating—I can help with narrative, clarity, and confidence. As a strong visual and written communicator, I offer focused feedback on pitch decks, storytelling, and framing the “why now/why you.” I’m keen on story structure, messaging, and finding the emotional hook of your pitch.

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  Go to market strategy

  I help founders build creative, effective GTM strategies rooted in real user needs. My experience spans B2B SaaS and two-sided marketplaces, with a focus on early-stage traction and distribution strategy. At WholeStory, I developed a pass-through GTM model that reached both sides of our marketplace through a single entry point—helping us acquire early customers without a large sales team.

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  Product management

  I specialize in 0-to-1 product development—from uncovering real user needs to validating concepts and defining MVPs. I help founders focus on what matters most: solving the right problem, for the right people, with the right level of effort. My background spans customer research, product strategy, and lean MVP execution—always with an eye toward mission and impact.

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  Airtable

  8 years of experience

  I’ve leveraged Airtable in a variety of contexts, from developing public-facing, interactive databases to managing product roadmaps that align cross-functional teams. My experience includes structuring complex data systems that improve visibility, collaboration, and decision-making across startup environments.

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  Thinkific

  7 years of experience

  As a finalist in the XPRIZE Rapid Reskilling competition (2020–2022), my team and I built an online learning experience under tight timelines. I identified Thinkific as the optimal platform for our needs and led the development and integration of our course, ensuring a seamless learner experience and strong operational efficiency.

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  Typeform

  11 years of experience

  I use Typeform as both a dynamic form builder and a no-code prototyping tool. It’s particularly effective for startups needing to validate concepts quickly or collect user data in a highly engaging way. My implementations have supported everything from user testing to automated onboarding flows.

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  Notion

  12 years of experience

  I’ve implemented Notion as a central operational hub and company intranet, designing systems that improved organizational clarity and knowledge sharing. My approach focuses on scalable architectures that evolve with a team’s growth, helping startups establish efficient internal processes early on.

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  Zapier

  14 years of experience

  Zapier is my go-to automation layer for connecting tools and streamlining operations. I’ve used it to create integrations that automate awareness, reporting, and data workflows—what I like to call the “duct tape of the internet.” These automations have saved teams significant time while improving transparency and operational consistency.

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  B2B

  Most of my experience lies in building and supporting B2B SaaS products. I’ve worked on platforms ranging from two-sided marketplaces in the hiring space—serving employers as customers and job seekers as users—to big data solutions that deliver people analytics insights for recruiting, retention, and promotion. I can help founders navigate the nuances of designing for business customers while maintaining focus on end-user experience.

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  UX Design

  With a background in human-centered design strategy, I began my career designing and developing websites before transitioning into software product design. I hold a degree in Visual Communication with a minor in Psychology, which informs my approach to research, interface design, and behavioral insight. I support teams in strengthening UX foundations, building scalable design systems, and aligning product experiences with user motivations.

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  Product Design

  Much of my career has focused on translating product concepts into tangible, user-centered solutions. I prioritize end-user needs at every stage of the design process, balancing usability, feasibility, and business goals. My experience spans a wide variety of product types and user groups, giving me a strong foundation for helping teams design with clarity and empathy.

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  SaaS

  As founder of WholeStory—a two-sided marketplace with a SaaS business model—I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges of early-stage product development, pricing strategy, and customer acquisition. I enjoy helping founders experiment with business models, refine value propositions, and align positioning with both user needs and market dynamics.