top of page
Kyle, Founder at Parichute : Advize Career Interview
This interview with Parichute's Founder reveals a dynamic career journey, starting from a childhood dream of television news anchoring to founding a successful nonprofit organization.
The path included impactful internships, leadership roles, and a pivot from news to direct community engagement.
The Founder's daily routine involves extensive relationship building with partners and investors, demanding strong communication, project management, and problem-solving skills.
A key takeaway is the immense value of networking and seizing opportunities, even uncomfortable ones, to build a career.
The Founder candidly discusses challenges like time management in a startup and overcoming imposter syndrome as a female leader, ultimately highlighting the rewarding nature of making a real-world difference and the importance of passion, teamwork, and a nuanced understanding of success in the nonprofit world.
Entry-level positions focusing on communication and outreach are suggested as excellent starting points in this fulfilling field.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Kyle Crognale
Founder
Parichute
Kent State University, 2017
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Creative Writing, Journalism
Nonprofit
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Greek Life Member, First Generation College Student
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path Of A Nonprofit Professional At A Nonprofit Organization
From a childhood dream of becoming a television news anchor, Kyle pursued this ambition relentlessly, landing a morning news anchor job straight out of college after accumulating relevant experience through various leadership roles, writing competitions, and internships at organizations such as the American Red Cross and NBC. However, feeling unfulfilled by this role, Kyle transitioned into the nonprofit sector, driven by a desire to be "a part of the solution" to the issues they reported on, ultimately dedicating their time to helping those in need.
Main Responsibilities of a Founder at Parichute
As Founder at Parachute, Kyle's main responsibilities involve scaling the company and cultivating key partnerships with nonprofits, celebrities, athletes, and corporations to facilitate impactful fundraising and awareness campaigns. This includes "matchmaking," partner vetting, campaign strategizing, project management, and a strong focus on results.
A Day In The Life Of A Founder At Parichute
Kyle, Founder at Parichute, prioritizes a productive start to the day, beginning with "responding to emails and following up," before dedicating the majority of the workday to outreach, describing it as "98% of what I do," to build and maintain relationships with partners and investors. This outreach, combined with internal collaboration and investor updates, is key to the startup's success.
Most Important Skills For a Founder At Parichute
Kyle, Founder at Parichute, emphasizes the crucial need for "strong communication skills and confidence" to effectively navigate the multifaceted demands of their role, further highlighting the importance of "project management and problem-solving" skills to juggle numerous global campaigns and time zones simultaneously.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Founder At Parichute
Kyle's biggest challenge as Founder at Parichute is effectively managing time, as "there's no real nine to five," leading to a seven-day workweek driven by both startup demands and a personal drive for constant progress; however, Kyle recognizes the importance of setting boundaries to achieve work-life balance, acknowledging the difficulty while emphasizing the immense workload inherent in a startup founder's role.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Startup Industry As A Founder
Kyle, Parichute's Founder, finds the most rewarding aspect of their industry to be "making a difference in [their] community and beyond," a driving force behind leaving television to start the company. This fulfilling impact, despite challenges like long days and fluctuating pay, makes the work worthwhile.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Nonprofit Industry According To A Founder At Parichute
Kyle, Founder at Parichute, identifies passion and teamwork as key traits for success in the nonprofit industry, explaining that "passion is what excites you to wake up every morning," while "the ability to work well with others and contribute to the group success is absolutely critical." This highlights the collaborative and driven nature of the work.
What a Founder at Parichute Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Startup Industry
Kyle, Founder at Parichute, learned that success is "so relative" in the nonprofit sector, with vastly different fundraising goals among partners, requiring a nuanced perspective beyond simple key performance indicators (KPIs). The most impactful lessons learned involved adapting to setbacks, viewing even small wins as significant ("if you raise $20 and that $20 can provide warm cooked meals for a child for that entire week, I'm gonna count that as a win"), and avoiding comparisons between different partners or organizations.
Entry-level Positions For Aspiring Communicators And Outreach Specialists
Kyle, Founder at Parichute, suggests that entry-level communication and outreach roles offer a strong starting point for undergraduates interested in the nonprofit sector, allowing new professionals to "spread their wings and explore" various aspects of the field like fundraising and events. This experience helps identify strengths and preferred areas within the organization, a valuable skill applicable across industries.
Significant Career Lesson From a Founder at Parichute
Kyle, Founder at Parichute, identifies "communication and networking" as a "cheat code" to career success. The willingness to connect with others, even "a random person in the room," can unexpectedly create valuable opportunities and propel one's career far beyond what might otherwise be possible.
College Experiences That Helped a Founder at Parichute Succeed
Kyle, Founder at Parichute, emphasized seizing "every single opportunity," even if uncomfortable, as crucial for career success. Mentorship, specifically finding a professor who recognized Kyle's drive and made key introductions, was equally vital in navigating post-graduation and building the crucial "connections" Kyle considers "everything."
How Identity Has Influenced a Founder's Career at Parichute
Kyle, founder of Parichute, openly discusses the challenges of imposter syndrome as a young female founder in male-dominated spaces, stating "it can definitely be intimidating," and the need to constantly remind oneself of their value and accomplishments. This experience underscores the importance of self-belief and perseverance in overcoming gender-based biases in the professional world.
Advizer Personal Links
bottom of page