Kerry Washington Joins Cheersy: Revolutionizing the Wedding Marketplace!
Kerry Washington is making headlines as she expands her angel investment portfolio by leading the pre-seed funding round for the innovative wedding marketplace, Cheersy. This investment marks a significant step in Washington’s venture into the startup world, joining a growing list of celebrities who are investing in promising enterprises.
Cheersy: A New Era in Wedding Coordination
Founded in 2024 by Amy Shack Egan, Cheersy is designed to assist couples in finding reliable day-of-service wedding coordinators. The startup has successfully raised a total of $550,000 from notable investors, including Elizabeth Cutler, co-founder of SoulCycle, and Jennifer Gilbert, founder of Save the Date. The funding round was also advised by Joanna Rosholm, former press secretary to First Lady Michelle Obama, and Christina Tosi, founder of Milk Bar.
Washington’s Journey as an Angel Investor
While Washington did not provide immediate comments, her involvement in Cheersy highlights her growing influence as an angel investor. Shack Egan recalled meeting Washington through the actor’s director of social impact at a dinner party in Los Angeles. This chance meeting led to an introduction that would pave the way for Washington’s investment.
Washington has already made a name for herself in various ventures, including:
- Investment in Spill, a Black-owned social platform.
- Backing Equip, a startup focused on eating disorder treatment.
- Investing in the charity fundraising platform Omaze and healthcare company Solv.
- Previous investment in The Wing, a women’s social club that closed in 2022.
The Vision Behind Cheersy
Shack Egan’s journey has been both rewarding and challenging. After founding her previous business, Modern Rebel, in 2015, she realized the increasing demand for day-of wedding coordination services. She stated, “Day-of coordination is the most booked wedding planning service, and I responded to requests for this service we didn’t offer with handpicked recommendations.” This realization led to the development of Cheersy, which operates on a model akin to Airbnb.
How Cheersy Works
Cheersy offers couples a platform to find vetted wedding coordinators that align with their budget, vision, and style. Users can:
- Search by date, price, and specialty.
- Book a call with potential coordinators.
- Finalize arrangements if the match is right.
Future Plans and Goals
Shack Egan views her background in small business as an advantage, despite the challenges it presents in securing funding from investors seeking tech giants. She expressed the loneliness of the fundraising journey but found support through programs like Power to Pitch.
The fresh capital will be utilized to:
- Enhance the booking platform features.
- Add key hires, including a user experience designer.
- Increase marketing efforts.
- Expand into six new cities, starting from its current presence in New York City and Hudson Valley.
Shack Egan is passionate about improving the wedding industry experience, stating, “I know the pain points of this job personally. I love the idea that we’re making the experience of being someone that works in the wedding industry more supported and more fun.”
This article has been updated to reflect the advisors involved in the investment round.
