Maybe it was a leap of faith when Lawrence Technological University alum Zofia Pietrowicz ’19 traded a nine-to-five job for a full-time position at an early-stage enterprise. But given her strong work ethic and a natural ability to wear multiple hats, she seems perfectly suited to the uncertain world of a start-up operation.
The company is called “With Love.” The app is described as a digital tool that promotes “kindness and connection through letter writing with animated friends.”
“Our vision is to create a safe space for families, where young people can practice writing by pen-palling with our animated characters,” says Pietrowicz. “In turn, ‘With Love’ can help them develop communication skills, emotional intelligence skills, and thoughtful expression.”
She sees their mission as an antidote to all the “junk food” people encounter on the internet, citing comment sections on the internet as an example. “With Love” seeks to provide a healthier outlet—and more meaningful ways—for young people to express themselves online.
“We think the slowness that comes with writing is really important,” she adds, giving people time to think before they write.
“With Love” employs a team of eight. Four are LTU alums—Mick Brege ’18, co-founder and CEO; Jenna Perkin ’24, writer, story lead; Brendan Seyka ’19, music; and Zofia, who is the organizational whiz behind the operation, even though the industrial design major can’t recall a time she wasn’t surrounded by art supplies, thanks to parents who valued arts and crafts.
“I really, really love organizational work,” skills she culled in previous positions, including director of external academic initiatives for CoAD. “There’s a real creativity that comes from: how do you ensure a team is able to do their work to the best of their ability?”
She certainly had her fair share of team-building experience at LTU. “I definitely felt like I was pushed to forge my own networks and connections,” developing project-based relationships with fellow design students while also reaching out to industry professionals for their expertise. “You had to build your own tribe.”
And given the volume of design work required in her program, she was driven by her favorite quote: It’s not done, it’s due.
“Perfection does not exist,” she adds.
The “With Love” team includes “artists, designers, developers, and technologists” who Zofia says are in it for the long haul.
“When you’re working on a start-up, there is always the ‘What if it doesn’t work?’ question that comes to mind. But we can’t see ourselves working anywhere else.”
By: Pam Houghton
