About Me
Inventor. Educator. Founder. Mom figuring it out.
I'm Carley Hart. I build things, teach people how to build things, and write about building things.
I work at Cornell Tech in NYC, where I help PhD founders launch deep-tech startups through the Runway program. I train scientists and technologists to become entrepreneurs, teaching them to translate complex technology into viable businesses, with a focus on deep tech and AI.
I'm also the founder of Brushing Buddies, a children's dental health company I started because my kids wouldn't brush their teeth and I was exhausted. It began with a musical toothbrushing book and has grown into a real business with dental office partnerships and new products in development.
The Short Version
Before Cornell Tech, I worked at Techstars, Business Models Inc. (one of the founding companies behind the Business Model Canvas), Autodesk, and Instructables (where I fell in love with the Maker movement).
I have a BS in Computer Science and Visual Art from Union College and an MBA in Design Strategy from California College of the Arts. I'm a weird mix of technical and creative, which I've learned is actually a superpower.
I also have two kids — Henriette (5) and Goldie (2.5) — who inspired Brushing Buddies and generally keep life interesting.
What I Actually Believe
Lifestyle business isn't a dirty word. A $5 million business that makes $1-2 million in profit? That's insane and amazing. It would be considered a failure in the startup world. That's wild to me.
AI has dropped the barrier to entry by 90%. What used to require $1-2M in seed funding can now be started in days for the cost of a SaaS subscription. If you're not experimenting with these tools, you're going to wake up one day wondering what happened.
The "supposed to" path is a trap. The life you were supposed to want versus the life you actually want — most people never get honest about the gap. Getting clear on what you actually want (and having the courage to build it) is the whole game.
Moms in their late 30s are perfectly positioned to start businesses. Real networks, financial cushion, clarity about what matters, and friends who actually buy things instead of liking and ghosting. I have a whole framework about this.
Some Random Facts
- I identify most strongly as an "inventor" and "maker" — I came up through the Instructables / Maker movement before it was mainstream.
- My first boss walked around barefoot. It shaped my whole approach to corporate culture (or lack thereof).
- I have ADHD, which explains why I think in frameworks and systems rather than linear paragraphs.
- I always sign emails "Cheers!" regardless of whether it's a dean or a friend. I don't believe in having two sets of manners.
- I'm based in Rockland County, NY — just outside the city, with Hudson River views and actual space for kids to run around.
Let's Connect
I'm always happy to chat with people who are thinking about starting businesses or figuring out how AI tools can help them build something.