**Meet Carla Small**

Carla Small, a dynamic leader with a profound passion for literacy and education, joins us on this episode of #WisdomOfWomen.

Carla is CEO and co-founder of EarlyBird Education, a tech platform using cutting edge brain science, AI and gamification to prevent dyslexia. Carla led the Digital Health Accelerator at Boston Children’s while EarlyBird was in incubation, and left her role to launch EarlyBird. As Executive Director of Innovation at Boston Children’s, Carla designed and oversaw the accelerator responsible for startup and new technology incubation – spinning out five companies with portfolio venture funding totaling over $200 million. Prior to this, Carla was a health care strategy consultant, and Dir. of Product Development and Strategy at startup Work/Family Directions. Carla has served on the School Board of the Codman Academy Public Charter School, and on the advisory boards of Edwards Life Sciences and Medtronic Diabetes. She received her MBA from Harvard Business School and her Bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College.

**Key Takeaways:**

1. Books That Shape Us:

Carla shares the influence of Composing a Life by Mary Catherine Bateson, a book that redefined her perspective on career progression. Discover how this book can challenge your own views and reassure you about the many pathways life can take.

2. Intentional Career Pivots:

Learn from Carla's “intentional career pivots” and “opportunistic leaps.” Her journey from Boston Children's Hospital to Early Bird provides valuable lessons on navigating and thriving in the health and ed tech industries.

3. Breaking into School Districts:

Gain insights into the complexities of entering the school district market in the ed tech sector. Carla discusses the critical importance of having an evidence-based product, leveraging reputation, and utilizing word of mouth to succeed, especially in the post-COVID landscape.

4. Early Intervention for Dyslexia:

Understand the vital role of early intervention for children with dyslexia and other learning challenges. Carla and Coco emphasize the potential mental health implications and the need for equitable access to support, sharing personal stories that highlight the importance of early and effective instruction.

5. Funding Journey and Vision:

Carla opens up about the funding challenges and successes for Early Bird, stressing the significance of vision and perseverance. Learn about the diverse range of funders, including health tech and social impact investors, and Carla's gratitude for their support.

6. Women-Led Enterprises and Purpose:

Explore the importance of purpose in driving profit for women-led businesses. Carla and Coco discuss promoting the wisdom of women in business, aiming for a cultural shift with more women in leadership roles. This conversation is a must-listen for any woman founder looking to align her business with a greater purpose.

7. Do you know a child with reading challenges?

Go to www.earlybirdeducation.com and learn more. You can sign your child up for a simple and fund game-based...