Lorien Gabel was born in Malaysia while his dad was curing tropical diseases with the Peace Corp. He lived in Hawaii, San Diego, India and Canada but eventually installed himself in New York. He became a lawyer but soon made a bionic leap into internet start-ups when his little brother Matt dropped out of high school and started his company in the basement of their parents house. Their company Interlog became one of Canada’s first commercial ISP’s and was acquired by a large multinational telecommunications provider. They then started a second company which was acquired by AT&T Canada. Their most recent project is pingg, which is one of their best and most challenging ventures yet.
what is pinng?
pingg is the result of a few of us socially-conscious, design-orientated, tech-geeks who wanted to create an online invitation and card site that we (and our friends) would actually use. We wanted to be smart and stylish in our approach so we combined online and printed invitations and cards, so hosts can send them via email, regular mail (we print, stamp and mail the invites to your guests) and still manage all their guest’s RSVPs online. Basically we wanted to appeal to anyone who had been turned-off by online invitations. We want people to know that online invitations can still showcase their personalities–they can include pictures, videos, etc…we just provide a canvas, and the hosts can paint whatever they want.
Challenges of starting your own company?
It’s basically like starting a new relationship- you lose sleep, you fear rejection, you wait for phone calls, you lose a lot of money in the process…but for some reason, the torture is well worth it.
Who chooses the imagery of the designs for pingg?
We choose each of the designs. Our VP of Marketing and Development, Margo Spiritus, usually reaches out to designers and we also ask and encourage designers to contact us directly. We really want people to choose from new, unique designers, artists and photographers to select something that fits their personalities and events. And it’s a good way for designers and artists to get their work out to the public.
Favorite artists?
Jessica Lichtenstein whose work was featured on your site a few weeks ago. Actually I don’t really have favorite artists…I like a lot of art and like going to galleries and fairs like Art Basel and stumbling across something new that really speaks to me. I have a large painting in my apartment of a bunch of toy bobble heads staring up at something (perhaps a hand reaching down to grab them) that I love. I bought it in Canada from an unknown artist. But then again I also have some more well-known photographers as well. I think art is less about the names, but more about what you like.
Favorite 3 books ?
Ooooo….that’s tough. I love books. Maybe I’ll just pick some from a few genres. Most recently read and liked– Netherland by Joseph O’Neill (loved his writing) and America America by Ethan Canin (loved the scene it set), The Road by Cormack McCarthy (haunting). Favorite poetry readings –Leonard Cohen (Book of Longing). Favorite non-fiction–The Hive: The Story of the Honeybee and Us by Bee Wilson ( I am obsessed with honeybees). Favorite fantasy– His Dark Materials Trilogy or The Left Hand of Darkness. But honestly, I am also a magazine guy- The New Yorker, The Economist, New York Mag…I have a stack of mags by my bed I still have to get through.
Favorite restaurants in NY?
Spotted Pig (you can’t beat their burger and fries), the Chinese restaurant on 24th and 9th avenue (best cheap chinese food in the city) and La Esquina (always a good vibe).
