1) What was your journey to becoming COO of Mashable?

Initially, I was working in Real Estate and ironically focused on community building. For fun, I began blogging and sending interesting and funny emails to my friends, realizing that I enjoyed the technology and community building aspect of my job best. In 1997, I built a site to increase my search rank on Google, focusing on leveraging my community of friends. In 2007, I began blogging again with community based columns.  and this is what I presented to Pete [Cashmore founder and CEO of Mashable]. I knew Mashable and its existing community read more of my style, with news around startups,  and social networking.

2) Is there a formula for Startups?

It comes down to blogging 101. Make sure you are writing and providing good content that is positioned well, and is relevant to your community. Be sure to include community building opportunities through easy share functionality.