From Television Producer to Tech Co-Founder
Before entering the tech world, Julia Hartz worked in television production on shows like Jackass and The Shield. Her transition into tech began in 2006 when she co-founded Eventbrite with Kevin Hartz and Renaud Visage. The idea was simple but bold: create a platform where anyone could organize, promote, and sell tickets to events—without needing a massive budget or insider connections.
Building a Startup From a Closet Office
In the early days, Eventbrite operated from a tiny, windowless office in San Francisco. Rather than raise significant capital upfront, the team bootstrapped the company and stayed lean. Julia focused on creating a company culture rooted in transparency, empathy, and performance—foundations that would prove crucial as the startup faced growing pains and scaling decisions.
Customer Feedback as a Growth Strategy
From the beginning, Julia prioritized listening closely to user behavior. She believed customer actions—more than opinions—were the clearest guide to product improvements. This data-driven approach helped Eventbrite refine its tools and build trust with small business owners, nonprofits, and independent event organizers around the world.
Leading with Culture in a High-Growth Environment
As the company expanded, Julia viewed culture not as a static set of values but as something dynamic—shaped by the people who joined and the challenges they faced. She was intentional about hiring people aligned with Eventbrite’s mission and ensured that inclusion, work-life balance, and accountability remained central even during periods of rapid growth.
Becoming CEO and Navigating Crisis
In 2016, Julia stepped into the CEO role, transitioning from her previous focus on culture and operations to full executive leadership. Under her direction, Eventbrite grew internationally and strengthened its platform through acquisitions and new features. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and in-person events halted, Julia led the company through one of its most difficult periods. Her emphasis on transparency and resilience helped rebuild trust internally and externally.
Championing Diversity Without Quotas
Julia helped Eventbrite achieve gender balance in leadership without implementing formal quotas. She did it by rethinking recruitment strategies, widening talent pipelines, and cultivating an environment where all employees could thrive. Her leadership in this area has influenced how other tech companies think about diversity—not just as a metric, but as a core value.
Conclusion
Julia Hartz’s journey with Eventbrite shows that leadership isn’t always loud. Her ability to scale a company while staying grounded in empathy, listening, and operational clarity helped turn a simple idea into a global platform. Her story highlights the power of behind-the-scenes influence—and how quiet, thoughtful leadership can shape a company’s direction for the long term.
