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Rewriting the Rules of Love: How Whitney Wolfe Herd Transformed Online Dating

Ever wondered who’s behind the revolutionary idea of giving women the power to make the first move in love? Where women are no longer chosen but rather get to choose first. It’s Whitney Wolfe Herd, the founder of Bumble, one of the most successful dating apps in the world.

But what inspired Whitney to launch such a game-changing concept, and what drove her on this remarkable journey? Let’s dive in and find out. 

In 2012, a year after completing her college, Whitney was looking for opportunities to make a global impact. She was fascinated by the story of Facebook – how the platform connected millions of people in a millisecond. This ignited her passion to do something in the mobile technology space. 

Coincidentally, around the same time, she joined a tech incubator, unaware that this decision would alter the course of her life forever. The second project she took on there eventually led her to co-found Tinder, which at the time was known as Matchbox.

During this period, the concept of socialising was buzzing, and Whitney, along with the Tinder team, merged it with mobile technology to revolutionise online dating. They positioned the app as the must-have tool for millennials, flipping the script on the idea that online dating was for socially awkward or unsuccessful people. Whitney was riding high on Tinder’s success, but in 2014, everything changed.

Whitney left Tinder and filed a lawsuit against the company for sexual harassment and gender discrimination. The aftermath of this brought the darkest moments for her – filled with toxic online abuse, having to fight for herself on her own. 

“I was actually crying on a bath mat, reading messages and feeling like I can’t do this anymore,”

Whitney recalls of her painful days. But Whitney did not give up. The worst moment of her life became the catalyst for the next chapter in her journey. 

“So I sat in the deepest saddest moment maybe I had in my life and then I had an epiphany. I thought, wait a second if I feel this way, there’s a 13 year old girl probably down this street and millions more of them who are getting bullied on their phones right now. There’s no escape for them. The bullying in the playground is now in the bedroom. And I deeply felt appalled and the need to go fix it”,

added Whitney. 

She took a pencil and a paper and started wireframing an idea about a kind and positive social network. It started out as “Merci”, but soon evolved into what we now know as “Bumble,” challenging the status quo in the dating world.

Bumble: Empowering Women in Tech and Dating

Whitney identified a core problem of the time – the internet and relationships were toxic and broken. Women were treated unfairly in relationships, but no one talked about it, no one challenged it. That’s the way it was but Whitney thought it did not need to be that way. 

As she reflected deeply on how to best support women, Whitney realised something crucial – all the dating apps at the time were created by men, built around their needs and experiences. What they failed to recognise was there wouldn’t be anything to monetise if women weren’t using the app or were unhappy with the experience.

So she started to figure out what women wanted or actually what they did not want to build from there what they wanted. That’s how her multi-million dollar idea – Bumble took shape, where women get to choose first. 

Bumble’s motto, “Make the first move,” resonated with millions of users, and the app quickly gained traction. In just a few short years, it became one of the most popular dating apps globally, with over 100 million users by 2021. The company’s focus on user safety, mental well-being, and inclusivity also set it apart from competitors, and Whitney’s leadership ensured that Bumble wasn’t just another dating app – it was rather a movement.

Becoming the Youngest Self-made Female Billionaire at the Age of 31

Under Whitney’s leadership, Bumble was able to navigate the volatile tech industry and establish itself as a leading player. In 2021, Bumble went public with an IPO, making Whitney one of the youngest self-made female billionaires at the age of 31. The company’s IPO was one of the most anticipated tech debuts of the year. It marked a historic milestone for women in the tech and business worlds and Whitney did it with her one year old son on her hip. 

Whitney’s success however wasn’t just measured in financial terms. Her focus on building an ethical, user-first company has earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of Time’s 100 most influential people and being recognised by Forbes for her entrepreneurial achievements.

Standing True to Women Empowerment and Equal Rights

Beyond her tech success, Whitney Wolfe Herd has consistently used her platform to champion justice, especially in the areas of women’s rights and equality. In her personal and professional life, she’s made it clear that she stands firm in her commitment to fairness and advocacy. 

Under her leadership, Bumble has taken a proactive stance on addressing online harassment, taking steps like implementing photo verification and a “zero-tolerance” policy for bullying and hate speech. These policies helped create a safer space for users, especially women, to engage on the platform without fear of harassment.

Whitney’s commitment to justice extends beyond Bumble’s walls. She’s an advocate for equal pay, workplace inclusivity, and supporting women in leadership roles. Her mission to create a world where women have agency, autonomy, and a voice has been central to her career.

“Feminism is not about girl power. It is about equal power.”

Whitney’s Legacy to Inspire for Years

Whitney Wolfe Herd shines today as a role model for countless women and young entrepreneurs, reassuring them that their voices matter, and their dreams are worth chasing. 

Have a dream, chase it down, jump over every single hurdle, and run through fire and ice to get there.

Whitney has proven that with vision and determination, it’s possible to reshape industries and provide opportunities for marginalised voices, particularly women. Her story is not just one of business success but of personal growth and dedication to making a meaningful difference.

 

– Written by Ahona Azad Choyti for Spring ACT