Chen and her cofounder Ana Swarup (pictured left) launched Rise to build “a more personal and human approach to how people get work.”
Vivian Chen’s startup ambitions stemmed from a belief that “the world of work was broken.”
After corporate stints, she found that self-employment offered life-changing flexibility while also accelerating her climb up the career ladder.
In 2019, Chen cofounded Rise, a “women-focused talent community” that connects vetted members with companies via an online career platform focused on flexible offerings, employee autonomy and a shift away from the traditional 9-to-5 corporate track. “We see a way of work where people have more agency and call their own shots. [It’s] about working when you want, how you want, where you want,” says Chen.
9-to-5
No Longer
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Users can sign up for the Rise network by completing a short application form detailing their accomplishments, goals and employer preferences.
Once prospective members are accepted, they can access a personalized list of jobs and apply directly through the website.
When Rise launched, remote consulting, contract-based gigs and freelance opportunities were the main alternatives to traditional full-time employment. So, Rise focused primarily on linking its 50,000 job-hunters with project-based opportunities at small and medium-sized businesses on its job board.
Flexibility First
The career search looks different than it did even just a year ago, though. “How we envisioned the future of this remote and hybrid world became a reality overnight,” says Chen. “What used to be our unique value proposition became table stakes.” Increasingly, employers are offering remote, hybrid and flexible arrangements, and those companies are fiercely competing for the bright candidates that demand more agency and balance in their professional lives.
