UPDATE – There’s a great post in TechCrunch today about Meebo’s recent growth.
On September 17th, everyone on our team stopped what they were doing, pushed schedules aside, postponed code reviews for another day, and convened at Rengstorff Park at 11 am under the late summer sky with our frisbees, softballs, and guitars to celebrate Meebo’s birthday. Four years ago, we were a team of three. Today, we are a team of approximately sixty and still gradually growing.
Seeing Meebo evolve from the beginning, I am more aware of how the dynamics of the team change with the number of people. When we were a team of three, I could tell you what Seth and Sandy were doing almost on an hourly basis. One of us was always on high alert monitoring the servers and making sure they could get in touch with the others in case something seemed amiss. When we were twelve people, we could still fit everyone into Godavari Indian Restaurant across the street. Around thirty people, we were able to work on multiple projects simultaneously which meant that if you wanted to take a break from coding, you could switch to stats, or talk with David about his latest set of mockups.
What I really appreciate about Meebo’s current size is the resulting excitement and energy that makes it easier to gain critical mass and get projects rolling. For instance, Renaud, Mikey, and I planned a three-city usability tour asking folks how they communicate online. A year ago, this would have been nearly impossible. And in 2009, there were enough of us interested in leading a liquid nitrogen ice cream experiment that we stocked our kitchen freezer with enough experimental flavors of ice cream to keep our sweet tooths sated for years. And if you get an itch to go rock climbing or skiing, you’re in luck – you’re going to be able to fill a car with like-minded folks pretty quickly.
For this year’s birthday celebration, we were estimating how much food we needed for this year’s picnic and after a few phone calls, I was delighted to realize that we had enough team members to justify a visit from the cupcake truck. If you haven’t heard of a cupcake truck before, picture a cleaner and pinker version of a hotdog truck that just specializes in icing-topped goods. So around noon on September 17th, the Cupkate Bakery truck rolled up to Rengstorff Park, opened its windows, and handed out Meebo birthday cupcakes. The minimum order is 100, roughly two cupcakes per Meebo person, and this quantity also ensures that you don’t have to decide between the Double, Double Chocolate or Smores cupcake.
A birthday celebration is already a happy occasion. And the idea of a cupcake truck just makes me giddy. Combine the two – and it’s just a deeply satisfying moment in time. Happy birthday Meebo team.
Take care,
- Elaine
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October 5th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Hello, Nice to meet you!
October 5th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
happy birthday meebo!
October 5th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
sounds both yummy and fun. Happy birthday!
October 5th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
I wish you a very happy birthday and Many Many More Happy Birthdays to come.
October 6th, 2009 at 12:43 am
wishin u a Happy birthday is way of telling u to make more cakes for urself ur friends and me.
October 6th, 2009 at 12:49 am
Happy birthday! the cake looked pretty delicious too.
Sixty people and growing? wow… I didn’t think the meebo team needed to be this big… you must be working on more stuff than we think!
October 6th, 2009 at 12:49 am
I like ur pics
October 6th, 2009 at 2:32 am
hellow Meebo happy birth day to u meebo may u leave long
October 6th, 2009 at 2:33 am
may u live long happy birth day to u
October 6th, 2009 at 2:47 am
Wow, I thought this was just a hobby site or something.
October 6th, 2009 at 3:23 am
Don’t know but the whole cupcake-thingie feels little bit nerdish
October 6th, 2009 at 4:09 am
Happy Birthday, Meebo! Many more happy years (and Meebo-ites!) to come.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:25 am
Hey, Happy B-day Meebo!
October 6th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Congrats! I absolutly love Meebo as it helps me run several companies at one time. Thank you so much.
October 6th, 2009 at 5:29 am
Happy birth day Meebo……”it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
October 6th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Cupcakes are so fun, espcially coming from a pink and white truck! Happy Birthday, Meebo. I am a recent user (just as of last week) and am very impressed with the service. It is easy and reliable
October 6th, 2009 at 6:25 am
wooooooooow i like it Happy Birthday from ( soooooo_simple78@yahoo.com )
October 6th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Happy Birthday! Meebo Rocks!! I’ve been using it for a few years and absolutely love it! Thanks for the https access (which allows me to use it at work). I use meebo to an extent now where I’ve actually uninstalled chat program-specific clients from the computer I use the most. I also use meebo on my iPod Touch. Thanks again and keep up the great work!
October 6th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Congratulations! Happy Birthday!
October 6th, 2009 at 8:15 am
wow congrats! wheres my cupcake??
October 6th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Happy BDay Meebo !
I would like two of those cupcakes
October 6th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Happy buffday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
October 6th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Congratulations! It’s been great following Meebo from the start, and you guys just keep getting better. Four years? You’re growing up so fast *wipes away a tear*
Happy cupcake day!
October 6th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Hi All,
Congragulations and Many Happy returns of the day. Elaine has actually put every word in the blog to expereance. You has have come far but let me tell you there are lots of more adventures that u guys will have to cater with. All the best and trust me i am so happy as if its my company. The way Elaine has described those initial day was really good and should tell you she has good nag of wriritng( I dont know which department she works with).
Guys keep up the good work. All the best.
Regards
Nikhil U. Jadhav
October 6th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
i would’ve never commented on this if it wasn’t the same DOB as mine…. i share my birthday with a chat site
October 6th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Congrats! Glad to be a Meebo User!
October 6th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
onee day i wuz ridin my dirt bike and i was ridin wit my crew we did blocks ygz
October 6th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
happy b’day meebo…..n guys u know wat i was also born on da smae day but just 17 years before meebo on 17th sep..kool is isnt it..!!!
October 6th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Happy birthday Meebo! Keep being awesome.
October 6th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Congrats on your birhday and hope you had an enjoyable time with your cupcakes.
thanks for making it so much easier to connect with my family and friends whenever i’m travelling..cheers to meebo…
October 6th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Congrats! ! Happy Birthday!
October 7th, 2009 at 12:56 am
congratulations meebo………………………happy birth day en most of all we thank God for u
Judith Otambo
October 7th, 2009 at 3:12 am
hi this is celvin thanks for your help congratulation
October 7th, 2009 at 3:55 am
Lookingforward to you adding 10 more million before EOY 2009.
Cheers !
October 7th, 2009 at 7:55 am
i want to be apart of the meebo team how do i come aboard
October 7th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Well Happy Belated Meebo! The meebo shirts are dope.
As for the cupcakes…..I’ll take a red velvet please. lol
October 7th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Now that mebo is older could you all maybe try and fix the current bug/glitch/error that wont allow us to rename ourselves in chatrooms and that (when trying to change name) two names appear when we speak in said chatrooms…THANKS
October 7th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
At least ya’ll get cupcakes. N.Y. published a bill banning Cupcakes in schools.
http://www.theweek.com/article/index/101212/New_Yorks_cupcake_ban
October 7th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Happy Belated Birthday Meebo. Nice cupcakes. c:
October 7th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
That’s so sweet, Happy Birthday Meebo,
for so long as everyone enjoyed themselves as much as each and everyone of you have worked for…
a long deserving afternoon softball / frisbees & of cos, the cupcakes
October 7th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
happy bday meebo! keep ur good job up.
October 8th, 2009 at 1:04 am
happy bday meebo! keep ur good job up.for so long as everyone enjoyed themselves as much as each and everyone of you have worked
happy bday meebo! keep ur good job up.
My Best Regards
jamaluddin
October 8th, 2009 at 1:50 am
How do I keep MEEBO from running while I’m doing other things?
October 8th, 2009 at 1:55 am
I want to delete from my programs but it doen’t show up my programs. How do I do this???
October 8th, 2009 at 2:23 am
that day is also my birthday!!!
October 8th, 2009 at 2:53 am
happy birthday
… i like your site a lot .. good work !
October 8th, 2009 at 4:17 am
b chot a hap by ………. to good live
October 8th, 2009 at 4:29 am
Congratulations!!! We’re about to have our third year birthday at Helium.com too!
October 8th, 2009 at 4:57 am
Me gustaria be, likes me the softball but does me dificil am dominicano happy solo cumpleaño.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Congratulations! and meebo does sounds like a fun place to work at. Keep up the good work.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:34 am
where is meebo for iphone??
October 8th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Sounds great! I spent 40 years with IBM andf being a software engineer/consultant. I wish I could go back in time and work with your team. (:>)
October 8th, 2009 at 10:06 am
A very happy b’day to Meebo.com and the great team @ Meebo. Cheers guys. You need a celebration.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Meebo App with push!!! PLEASE!!
October 8th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I mean 4 Iphone!! I know the website works, but not when safari is closed.
October 8th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
oh ok nice to meet you
October 8th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Well done on such a nice success story – very pleased for you and wish you every success in the future.
October 8th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
happy birthday and i hope you have a good birthday. have fun
October 8th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
you are the best
October 8th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
leave me a meassge some time
October 8th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
happy birthday meebo !
October 8th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
It’s your birthday, your very own special day of the year, and I just wanted to send you some birthday cheer. Have a great day, because you deserve it.I hope it will be the best birthday yet, bringing you happiness you’ll never forget.And remember,
no matter what you do, to blow out the candles,because birthday wishesalways come true.
October 9th, 2009 at 6:23 am
happy birthday meepo
October 9th, 2009 at 6:30 am
Happy birthday Meebo!
I just want to say how much I enjoy Meebo. You make my life easier and I always look forward to your imbedded blog. Your articles have been informative and incredibly inspiring personally and professionally!
Thank you and I look forward to many more birthdays!
October 9th, 2009 at 11:51 am
hi i like your picture and happy birth day meebo
October 9th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
How do I make it so that these blogs don’t appear on my screen when I sign in?
October 9th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
If you’re ever in the mood for ice cream again, try making it with crushed dry ice in a stand mixer. You have to be careful not to leave any chunks (ouch!), but if you get it just right it’s fizzy. Personally I recommend avocado-mango fizzy ice cream… sounds weird, but soooo good!
October 9th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
HEY IT IS ME EVERYONE KNOWS ME CAUSE IM FAMUS ,I AM EMILY OSMENT!YEAH IM POPULAR THAN ANYONE ,AND I AM COMING TO THE PLACE WHERE ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE A VIDEO OR SOMETHING LIKE SO EVERY ONE WILL SEE ME !OH YEAH .THE PEOPLE THAT DIRECT IT ,I WILL SEE THEM SO THAT IS WHY I AM WRITING IT HERE BECAUSE EVERYONE LIKES TO GET IN PEOPLES STUFF SO THANK YOU AND GOOD BYE!
p.s:I AM DOING A NEW DUET ON MEEBO WITH SELENA GOMEZ!
love ,
EMILY OSMENT
October 9th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
happy birthday meebo!!!!!!!!!make all your birthday wishes come true
October 9th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi hi
October 9th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Felicidade é viver do meu lado!!!!
October 9th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
querem tc comigo
October 9th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Lol, the sound of “cup cake truck” just makes me smile; I’ve never seen a hot dog truck, only ice cream trucks down here in Southeast Texas. Anyways, Happy Birthy Meebo!
October 10th, 2009 at 2:46 am
hi…….””!!!!!!
October 10th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Hi…
My names Érico…
I from Brasil in Rio de Janeiro…
I my Producer…
I have nice weekend…
By… by…see you…
October 10th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Meebo and I share birthdays
October 10th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
HEY THATS SO COOL BECAUSE TODAY IS MY B-DAY
October 11th, 2009 at 4:44 am
Happiest B’day Meebo! You celebrate it a day before my good old mum celebrated hers. She’s 52 as of 2009 and I hope you and the team responsible for your greatness live a long, fruitful life–just like her.
October 11th, 2009 at 6:02 am
hello meebo
October 11th, 2009 at 9:44 am
You guys rock with the efforts you have put in..I appreciate the wonderful job you have done from the 1st day when u were a team of 3…….great to know your strength is 60…may god bless so much luck…that sooner this 60 people team gonna 6million…..!!
Cheers and Happy Belated B’day……..
October 11th, 2009 at 10:22 am
CONGRATS!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEEBO!!!!!!!!!! LOL LUV YA BYE!!!!!!!
October 11th, 2009 at 10:44 am
vou parlez tous englai??
October 11th, 2009 at 10:45 am
nn tkt t pa la seule!!
October 11th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Happy birthday Meebo! Keep up the good work!
October 11th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
huy… semua pa kabar swry ya klo Q rhu Online ;n rhu comment disini?
Meebo makin sepi aja nih?
October 11th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
ola como estas feliz cunpleaños y que bueno que justo estaba en meebo ya que te baya bien xau
October 11th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
olaolaolaolaolaolaola yo soi de chilean y te bengo a dejar un mui grande mensaje
October 11th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Thanks for providing a great website where I am able to communicate through instant messaging simoultanously & without having to take up so much memory on my hard drive.
More power to Meebo & Happy Birthday!
=]
October 13th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I m used only Chatting
October 13th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Thanks for providing a great website where I am able to communicate through instant messaging simoultanously & without having to take up so much memory on my hard drive.
More power to Meebo & Happy Birthday!
October 16th, 2009 at 2:25 am
Hi, God bless u
October 18th, 2009 at 7:46 am
hello i love your hair because it looks nice when you get a chen chat ok
October 25th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
hola como estan yo bien y tu?
November 15th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
we havin tonque tonite lol insider
November 15th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
srry meeboo….happi belated birthday i totaly for got about i was at work or probally very busy so srry !!!!=]
November 17th, 2009 at 7:24 am
hello my name is alex vargas am from dominican republic mededico ala musica soy amigable my num is 829-431-8212 yerfezon@hotmail.com republica dominicana pulta cana y mao valverde provincia valverde,,,,,,,,,,,,
November 17th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Happy VERY LATE birthday!