If Zoom is a way to have long meetings with colleagues that could be emailed, Houseparty is a place to catch your breath with friends after a meeting. released in 2016, the app allows users to join "rooms" of up to eight people to chat with friends play games, take workout classes, or attend celebrity live-streaming events. Once a Gen-Z secret, the app gained 50 million new users worldwide (mostly millennials and older) in just one month this spring, when evacuation orders were issued and people could no longer gather in person Houseparty is now one of the most downloaded apps in the world and is rapidly becoming a way to stay socially distant yet socially connected.

The product is the brainchild of co-founder and CEO Sima Sistani, one of the few women leading a major video chat platform. Here, she shares how she leads her fast-growing team of 100, how she balances motherhood and telecommuting, and her vision for a more socially connected future.

Marie Claire Houseparty has seen a surge in users since telecommuting orders related to the coronavirus began. How is the company responding?

Sima Sistani: Our mission is to create the most human way to be together when we are not physically together. We as a society have never been so physically apart, yet people crave social connection. For us, keeping people connected in these challenging times is a huge responsibility. We are truly humbled to be in this position to help people maintain the relationships that matter to them. I feel very fortunate that my family is in good health. My brother is a doctor on the front lines and I am reminded every day that what we do matters.

MC: How did you first come up with the idea for the house party?

SS: We had all gotten away from talking to each other face to face. We have moved on to more efficient communication. It is generally asynchronous, for example, sending a text, liking (a social media post) or commenting on a post. My brother is in Tennessee, my parents are in Alabama, and my best friends are spread out in Chicago, North Carolina, New York, and San Diego. Even if we live in the same zip code, we don't necessarily stay connected in the same way.

MC: How do you see house parties shaping those conversations, especially now that people are using devices to connect with family and friends?

SS: Ultimately, it's about sharing experiences. There is the practicality of group video chat, but there is also the authenticity of what we do with friends and family in real life. Gaming was one of the first features we introduced into the shared experience category, with over half of the people (who actively use the app) playing games.

Another is spontaneous togetherness. When sending a (video call) link, there are many hurdles to overcome (call setup, logistics of logging in, etc.). When you call someone, the first thing they do is "What's up?" and they often text back; Houseparty aims for a more organic way of interacting. I open the app and say, "I'm available." There's wine. I'm cooking macaroni and cheese for the kids. Who wants to join me?

MC: Obviously it's a social tool, but do you use Houseparty for work?

SS: I do a lot of one-on-one meetings on Houseparty. I use Zoom (for larger meetings), but Houseparty allows me to walk by someone's desk and chat, or grab (a colleague) and have a quick chat.

MC: What are some of the new extensions that came out of the pandemic experience?

SS: Our roadmap hasn't changed that much. Frankly, we all hope that things will settle down and get back to normal. Of course, everyone will have a new baseline. But it (the pandemic) hasn't changed our thinking, and we are very excited to share our experiences, as we always have been. We hope to see a new silver lining. [My family] was out of the habit of having family dinners. When I get back to the office, I plan to keep it going.

My greatest hope and harvest is that people will recognize that the pandemic has made them more connected to friends and family. It will be interesting to see some of our behaviors change. I think one of the changes that is already happening is that people are once again embracing face-to-face interaction and recognizing its value. I created this app with children in mind. I want them to know the right facial reactions to things, not just the right emoji. It is so important for people to connect face to face.

MC: What are some of the challenges you face now as a working mother leading a company?

SS: I am a homeschooler. When I started this job I had a whiteboard and a scheduler. I would be lying if I said I was able to maintain that. The kids definitely get too much screen time and too much sugar. I drink too much wine. We are all just trying to keep sane

Working mothers always have psychological struggles. At no time is that more difficult than now. It's okay for many of us to feel out of balance; some days we feel like A+ execs and C+ moms, and other days we feel like gold stars as mothers and disqualified as execs.

Sometimes when you read (interviews with female CEOs) it sounds like she has it all figured out. That is not true. It's very much a human part of it. What works for me may not necessarily work for another family or another manager. All I am saying is just be realistic. This is really, really hard. I am failing a bit as a CEO and as a mother. I try to tell myself that my best is good enough. A lot of times we fail because of the hurdles we set for ourselves.

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