7 Leadership Strategies I Used to Build a $30 Million Tattoo Brand

Posted on by Real Leaders

What led a rock star and a corporate manager to disrupt the tattoo industry and become brand renegades? A steadfast vision, some bravado, a cocktail of caution and cleverness, and finally, hard work — plenty of it.  

A lot of people in business shy away from that word: disruption. But to be a brand renegade you have to take standard views of your business or industry and disrupt them to create a new brand identity. It means refusing to be swayed by critics, stepping out of your comfort zone, acting without fear, taking calculated risks, and having a passion for your industry. 

In just over a decade, we’ve established six luxury locations of Club Tattoo in two states and manage more than 100 staff members. We not only reinvented the industry, but we redefined what it meant. Taking something that was thought of as dark, dirty, and disreputable and bringing it into the mainstream, rebranding it as cool and desirable, wasn’t easy or straightforward, yet that’s what we did.  

Surviving the Odds 

We built a $30 million tattoo and piercing empire, not only as business colleagues but also as life partners and parents. We survived where businesses and partnerships often fail. It’s estimated that 78 percent of small businesses fail within the first five years, and 50 percent of marriages within that same timeframe. And, depending on which study you’re reading, 25-70 percent of business partnerships also fail. It’d be misleading to say we beat the odds by the grace of some miracle; that would undermine our hard work and struggle. There were a lot of days that weren’t pretty, days that were hard or downright sucked. With our unique perspectives, passions, interests, and temperaments, we mustered the will to power through.  

We had a bold vision yet experienced a lot of pushback. People told us that we’d never make a profit. They said that something that’s never been done couldn’t work and that a tattoo business couldn’t compete with more respected industries. But we suspected there was a void to be filled for experience-based shopping in the immediate market. Las Vegas had the luxury shops but not the immersive experiences that would attract a lot of people. We saw a need for something that didn’t exist and created that space.  

In 2009, we opened after many hurdles inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Immediately, there was high demand and a long line of people eager to get tattoos and piercings. The location was so successful that we couldn’t keep up with the demand and nearly lost everything before we could become established.  

To overcome these initial challenges, we worked long, grueling hours, multiplied our staff, became well-versed in the differences in laws and code requirements in Nevada, and relied on professional advice while adjusting that wisdom to represent and fit our business model. Expanding our location also ushered in profound success. If we hadn’t acted quickly at the beginning, we wouldn’t have saved our business. If we hadn’t done things in our own way, we would have missed these incredible opportunities on our terms.  

Our Story Can be Told Through Our Failures as Much as Our Success  

As it often happens with profound and immediate success, we also failed — a lot. There were times when our decisions had positive results and times where they cost us millions. 

But oftentimes, deciding to take action is better than not having done it at all and then learning from the experience. Through our failures, we always learned valuable lessons about ourselves and our business.  

Ultimately, we were secure in conducting business, treating our employees well, and caring for customers. While Club Tattoo didn’t approach things conventionally, we were true to our vision and brand throughout, and that’s invaluable. 

Living and breathing the renegade lifestyle is for the brave, innovative, and unique. To be a brand renegade also means that you: 

1. Take action. Brand renegades are essentially action takers, shaking things up as they are and imagining and creating what’s possible.  

2. Remain driven by passion, not approval. Being passionate about the work, not seeking approval, or paying attention to needless criticism are essential qualities.  

3. Accept advice. Disregarding naysayers isn’t the same as discounting expert advice. The latter should always be considered, even if you have to reformat that wisdom to fit your business model and needs.  

4. Take calculated risks. As a renegade, you take ownership of your actions and take responsibility when you’re wrong. You have the knowledge and toolkit to make affordable mistakes and take calculated risks.  

5. Transcend norms. Seeing the big picture yet acting with immediacy, understanding your product or service, and transcending business norms and expectations will contribute to achieving success on your own terms.  

6. Follow your instincts. We could have listened to all the critics who said our dream wasn’t obtainable, but instead, we followed our instincts.  

7. Act on your dreams. Envisioning a future that others are unable to see is the hallmark of a true visionary and renegade. But to get there, you must step outside your comfort zone and not be unafraid to act. If mistakes are made, wallowing in regret and self-pity is never the solution. Learning from failures as much as successes provided the foundation to create something extraordinary, changing the tattooing and piercing industry as we know it.  

7 Leadership Strategies I Used to Build a $30 Million Tattoo Brand

Posted on by Real Leaders

What led a rock star and a corporate manager to disrupt the tattoo industry and become brand renegades? A steadfast vision, some bravado, a cocktail of caution and cleverness, and finally, hard work — plenty of it.  

A lot of people in business shy away from that word: disruption. But to be a brand renegade you have to take standard views of your business or industry and disrupt them to create a new brand identity. It means refusing to be swayed by critics, stepping out of your comfort zone, acting without fear, taking calculated risks, and having a passion for your industry. 

In just over a decade, we’ve established six luxury locations of Club Tattoo in two states and manage more than 100 staff members. We not only reinvented the industry, but we redefined what it meant. Taking something that was thought of as dark, dirty, and disreputable and bringing it into the mainstream, rebranding it as cool and desirable, wasn’t easy or straightforward, yet that’s what we did.  

Surviving the Odds 

We built a $30 million tattoo and piercing empire, not only as business colleagues but also as life partners and parents. We survived where businesses and partnerships often fail. It’s estimated that 78 percent of small businesses fail within the first five years, and 50 percent of marriages within that same timeframe. And, depending on which study you’re reading, 25-70 percent of business partnerships also fail. It’d be misleading to say we beat the odds by the grace of some miracle; that would undermine our hard work and struggle. There were a lot of days that weren’t pretty, days that were hard or downright sucked. With our unique perspectives, passions, interests, and temperaments, we mustered the will to power through.  

We had a bold vision yet experienced a lot of pushback. People told us that we’d never make a profit. They said that something that’s never been done couldn’t work and that a tattoo business couldn’t compete with more respected industries. But we suspected there was a void to be filled for experience-based shopping in the immediate market. Las Vegas had the luxury shops but not the immersive experiences that would attract a lot of people. We saw a need for something that didn’t exist and created that space.  

In 2009, we opened after many hurdles inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Immediately, there was high demand and a long line of people eager to get tattoos and piercings. The location was so successful that we couldn’t keep up with the demand and nearly lost everything before we could become established.  

To overcome these initial challenges, we worked long, grueling hours, multiplied our staff, became well-versed in the differences in laws and code requirements in Nevada, and relied on professional advice while adjusting that wisdom to represent and fit our business model. Expanding our location also ushered in profound success. If we hadn’t acted quickly at the beginning, we wouldn’t have saved our business. If we hadn’t done things in our own way, we would have missed these incredible opportunities on our terms.  

Our Story Can be Told Through Our Failures as Much as Our Success  

As it often happens with profound and immediate success, we also failed — a lot. There were times when our decisions had positive results and times where they cost us millions. 

But oftentimes, deciding to take action is better than not having done it at all and then learning from the experience. Through our failures, we always learned valuable lessons about ourselves and our business.  

Ultimately, we were secure in conducting business, treating our employees well, and caring for customers. While Club Tattoo didn’t approach things conventionally, we were true to our vision and brand throughout, and that’s invaluable. 

Living and breathing the renegade lifestyle is for the brave, innovative, and unique. To be a brand renegade also means that you: 

1. Take action. Brand renegades are essentially action takers, shaking things up as they are and imagining and creating what’s possible.  

2. Remain driven by passion, not approval. Being passionate about the work, not seeking approval, or paying attention to needless criticism are essential qualities.  

3. Accept advice. Disregarding naysayers isn’t the same as discounting expert advice. The latter should always be considered, even if you have to reformat that wisdom to fit your business model and needs.  

4. Take calculated risks. As a renegade, you take ownership of your actions and take responsibility when you’re wrong. You have the knowledge and toolkit to make affordable mistakes and take calculated risks.  

5. Transcend norms. Seeing the big picture yet acting with immediacy, understanding your product or service, and transcending business norms and expectations will contribute to achieving success on your own terms.  

6. Follow your instincts. We could have listened to all the critics who said our dream wasn’t obtainable, but instead, we followed our instincts.  

7. Act on your dreams. Envisioning a future that others are unable to see is the hallmark of a true visionary and renegade. But to get there, you must step outside your comfort zone and not be unafraid to act. If mistakes are made, wallowing in regret and self-pity is never the solution. Learning from failures as much as successes provided the foundation to create something extraordinary, changing the tattooing and piercing industry as we know it.  

The Real New Deal: Spend Stimulus Money on Women and Girls

Posted on by Blaine Townsend

The United States government is about to borrow and spend an unprecedented amount of money to revitalize an economy staggered by a global pandemic, in the hopes of lifting a nation at odds with itself.  There is one sure path to increase the investment’s payoff: spend it on women and girls. 

While the Biden administration and Republicans in Congress wrangle over the stimulus’ scope and whether to spend it on bridges and tunnels or electric cars and eldercare, they should also focus on closing the gender pay gap and address America’s wealth inequality problem. When stimulus is viewed through this lens, massive growth will be balanced with environmental gains, a more vital small business community, better health care, enhanced public safety, and greater trust in public institutions. 

And you will create more jobs. Many, many more. Why? Helping women and girls improves every part of an economy and will do so faster than any other path. In fact, PwC Strategy Consulting’s annual Women in Work Index, which evaluates women in work in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries, estimates that raising women’s labor participation rate of all OECD countries to that of Sweden would add $6 trillion annually to the collective GDP of OECD countries. 

National wealth and creating more of it

According to a 2016 study by the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) titled, “The power of parity: Advancing women’s equality in the United States,” the U.S. could boost GDP by $4.3 trillion by 2025 if women attain full gender equality in the workforce. Similarly, in a 2016 Harvard Business Review article, MGI concluded that from state to local economies, every municipality in the U.S. could add 5% to their GDP by advancing the economic potential of women. What’s more, half of the states could add more than 10%, and the 50 largest cities could increase GDP by 6% to 13%. Keep in mind, this study was completed prior to the pandemic; growth rates coming out of a massive recession would likely be even higher. 

Investing in Black women and girls could have the fastest impact

Investment in Black women and girls would likely generate a more immediate benefit to America’s economic growth. Black households own 90% less wealth than the median white household, according to Goldman Sachs 2021 paper “Black Womenomics”. This number is even worse when comparing single Black women to single white men.

These figures are the product of deep and troubling systemic racism in this country, which have resulted in Black families not being able to build wealth over the past several centuries. The Brookings Institute’s Hamilton project found that by 2016, the net worth of the average white family in America was 10 times that of the average Black family.

Economic stimulus provides an opportunity to redress this failure. The payoff will be huge: closing the massive wage gap for Black women could add up to 1.7 million jobs annually, and up to 2.1% in GDP, according to the 2021 Goldman Sachs study.

Partisan politics is an economic threat women can help resolve

A study by the NGO, U.S. Agency for International Development, found that any nation with women holding at least 30% of seats in public office is more inclusive, egalitarian, and democratic. Although rising in the U.S., the representation of women in Congress is still below the 30% threshold and far below that of the 51% female population. How do we make it possible for more women from underrepresented communities to serve in public office? Simple: spend stimulus money on access to education, childcare, and affordable housing.  

Women from underrepresented communities need the help. According to the Federal Reserve’s 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances, Black families’ median and mean wealth was less than 15% that of white families (at $24,100 and $142,500, respectively). Hispanic families’ median and mean wealth was $36,100 and $165,500 less, respectively. Further exacerbating this disparity, the Goldman Sachs study found that 80% of Black mothers are the breadwinners of their households – and recall that Black women make less. Black mothers are also 35% more likely to be in poor health, without access to good healthcare, and living in homes deemed to be “unhealthy.” 

A more diverse, less partisan political system may have real economic benefit. For example, ten years ago when the S&P 500 Index downgraded the United States sovereign debt for the first time, the former chair of the S&P sovereign rating committee said, “the congressional brinksmanship motivated the 2011 downgrade.” This year, Congress was stormed by rioters of the out-going President who spread false claims of election fraud, which was perpetuated by Republican members of both the House and Senate inside the building. By comparison, 2011 partisanship seems like child’s play. 

The cost of capital for the United States will rise if the country continues partisan disinformation and media-aided pandering to the political base. The current political system has delivered a widening wealth gap and persistently low growth. Further, according to a Pew Research poll last November, voters believed by a 90% margin that a win by the other party would create “lasting harm” to the country. That is a Mariana Trench-deep partisan divide in the United States that clearly transcends policy. If it is broke, fix it. Spend the money to increase women of color’s representation at the table for a more inclusive, egalitarian, and democratic United States of America. 

Small business: the lifeblood of the U.S. economy

Economists and politicians alike see small businesses as the U.S. economy’s lifeblood, and their impact on communities expands past the direct employment and revenue they provide. Since women-owned small businesses have been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19, they require more support now than ever.

Women are disproportionately likely to own businesses dependent on foot traffic—like salons and retail—and these are sectors have been hit hardest by the pandemic. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce uncovered that the number of female entrepreneurs who ranked their business’s health as “somewhat or very good” dropped 13% from January to July 2020.  Meanwhile, in this same period, male entrepreneurs only reported a 5% drop. The study found 36% of men-owned businesses expected to increase their staff in the next year, while women-owned reported only 24%. Supporting women-owned businesses will not only help narrow the wealth gap, but will also help improve employment in their communities.

COVID-19 has spurred what has proven to be a very gendered recession, as women have an undue burden to take on increased childcare, have been more likely to lose jobs, and are more likely to own businesses impacted by the pandemic – and these issues are further amplified for women of color. But these are not new problems and, instead, this past year has exposed national, systemic issues regarding our wealth gap, lack of women in public service, and lack of support for women-owned businesses. It is not only the best for our communities but also the best for our economy to focus national investment into women and girls.  

The Real New Deal: Spend Stimulus Money on Women and Girls

Posted on by Blaine Townsend

The United States government is about to borrow and spend an unprecedented amount of money to revitalize an economy staggered by a global pandemic, in the hopes of lifting a nation at odds with itself.  There is one sure path to increase the investment’s payoff: spend it on women and girls. 

While the Biden administration and Republicans in Congress wrangle over the stimulus’ scope and whether to spend it on bridges and tunnels or electric cars and eldercare, they should also focus on closing the gender pay gap and address America’s wealth inequality problem. When stimulus is viewed through this lens, massive growth will be balanced with environmental gains, a more vital small business community, better health care, enhanced public safety, and greater trust in public institutions. 

And you will create more jobs. Many, many more. Why? Helping women and girls improves every part of an economy and will do so faster than any other path. In fact, PwC Strategy Consulting’s annual Women in Work Index, which evaluates women in work in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries, estimates that raising women’s labor participation rate of all OECD countries to that of Sweden would add $6 trillion annually to the collective GDP of OECD countries. 

National wealth and creating more of it

According to a 2016 study by the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) titled, “The power of parity: Advancing women’s equality in the United States,” the U.S. could boost GDP by $4.3 trillion by 2025 if women attain full gender equality in the workforce. Similarly, in a 2016 Harvard Business Review article, MGI concluded that from state to local economies, every municipality in the U.S. could add 5% to their GDP by advancing the economic potential of women. What’s more, half of the states could add more than 10%, and the 50 largest cities could increase GDP by 6% to 13%. Keep in mind, this study was completed prior to the pandemic; growth rates coming out of a massive recession would likely be even higher. 

Investing in Black women and girls could have the fastest impact

Investment in Black women and girls would likely generate a more immediate benefit to America’s economic growth. Black households own 90% less wealth than the median white household, according to Goldman Sachs 2021 paper “Black Womenomics”. This number is even worse when comparing single Black women to single white men.

These figures are the product of deep and troubling systemic racism in this country, which have resulted in Black families not being able to build wealth over the past several centuries. The Brookings Institute’s Hamilton project found that by 2016, the net worth of the average white family in America was 10 times that of the average Black family.

Economic stimulus provides an opportunity to redress this failure. The payoff will be huge: closing the massive wage gap for Black women could add up to 1.7 million jobs annually, and up to 2.1% in GDP, according to the 2021 Goldman Sachs study.

Partisan politics is an economic threat women can help resolve

A study by the NGO, U.S. Agency for International Development, found that any nation with women holding at least 30% of seats in public office is more inclusive, egalitarian, and democratic. Although rising in the U.S., the representation of women in Congress is still below the 30% threshold and far below that of the 51% female population. How do we make it possible for more women from underrepresented communities to serve in public office? Simple: spend stimulus money on access to education, childcare, and affordable housing.  

Women from underrepresented communities need the help. According to the Federal Reserve’s 2019 Survey of Consumer Finances, Black families’ median and mean wealth was less than 15% that of white families (at $24,100 and $142,500, respectively). Hispanic families’ median and mean wealth was $36,100 and $165,500 less, respectively. Further exacerbating this disparity, the Goldman Sachs study found that 80% of Black mothers are the breadwinners of their households – and recall that Black women make less. Black mothers are also 35% more likely to be in poor health, without access to good healthcare, and living in homes deemed to be “unhealthy.” 

A more diverse, less partisan political system may have real economic benefit. For example, ten years ago when the S&P 500 Index downgraded the United States sovereign debt for the first time, the former chair of the S&P sovereign rating committee said, “the congressional brinksmanship motivated the 2011 downgrade.” This year, Congress was stormed by rioters of the out-going President who spread false claims of election fraud, which was perpetuated by Republican members of both the House and Senate inside the building. By comparison, 2011 partisanship seems like child’s play. 

The cost of capital for the United States will rise if the country continues partisan disinformation and media-aided pandering to the political base. The current political system has delivered a widening wealth gap and persistently low growth. Further, according to a Pew Research poll last November, voters believed by a 90% margin that a win by the other party would create “lasting harm” to the country. That is a Mariana Trench-deep partisan divide in the United States that clearly transcends policy. If it is broke, fix it. Spend the money to increase women of color’s representation at the table for a more inclusive, egalitarian, and democratic United States of America. 

Small business: the lifeblood of the U.S. economy

Economists and politicians alike see small businesses as the U.S. economy’s lifeblood, and their impact on communities expands past the direct employment and revenue they provide. Since women-owned small businesses have been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19, they require more support now than ever.

Women are disproportionately likely to own businesses dependent on foot traffic—like salons and retail—and these are sectors have been hit hardest by the pandemic. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce uncovered that the number of female entrepreneurs who ranked their business’s health as “somewhat or very good” dropped 13% from January to July 2020.  Meanwhile, in this same period, male entrepreneurs only reported a 5% drop. The study found 36% of men-owned businesses expected to increase their staff in the next year, while women-owned reported only 24%. Supporting women-owned businesses will not only help narrow the wealth gap, but will also help improve employment in their communities.

COVID-19 has spurred what has proven to be a very gendered recession, as women have an undue burden to take on increased childcare, have been more likely to lose jobs, and are more likely to own businesses impacted by the pandemic – and these issues are further amplified for women of color. But these are not new problems and, instead, this past year has exposed national, systemic issues regarding our wealth gap, lack of women in public service, and lack of support for women-owned businesses. It is not only the best for our communities but also the best for our economy to focus national investment into women and girls.  

Qatar Airways Cargo Returns Seven Rescued Lions To Their Natural Habitat For Free

Posted on by Real Leaders

By helping the Ukraine-based NGO Warriors of Wildlife (WOW), Qatar Airways Cargo kept its promise to fly lions to their natural habitat for free. It took six months of hard work involving no less than a dozen departments and over 50 employees to ensure a successful operation.

On Thursday, April 29, the Kouga and Swinburne nature reserves in South Africa welcomed three lions, one lioness and three cubs. This involved a three-day trip from Kiev to Doha and Johannesburg so that the lions could walk on grass for the first time in their lives. So far, all are in good health.

Transporting wild animals back to their natural environment at the request of wildlife protection bodies is a promise made by Qatar Airways Cargo as part its “Rewild the Planet” initiative and is chapter two of the airline’s WeQare sustainability program.

“Repatriating wild animals is a major undertaking, especially over such a great distance,” said Lionel De Lange, Founder and Director of WOW. “But we were able to count on the Qatar Airways Cargo teams who are 100% behind us and the work we do. They played a critical role. Without them, these seven lions would still be in captivity in atrocious conditions.”

Transporting wild animals requires close cooperation between the specific services involved within Qatar Airways Cargo and the NGO staff. The NGO staff look after the animals’ well-being during the entire journey and handlers from the Qatar Airways Cargo’s Live Animals facility are present at every stage. The NGO was authorised to stay with the lions in special holding areas to maintain a constant link with them.

These lions have lived in captivity for years and will never be able to adapt in the wild. They will spend the next few months in a protected area where they will simply learn to explore nature again. They will then be transferred to a much larger nature reserve where they will be protected and taken care of for the rest of their lives.

Qatar Airways Cargo has pledged to continue the program so that the transport costs and logistics will never prevent NGOs from Rewilding the Planet.

Qatar Airways Cargo Returns Seven Rescued Lions To Their Natural Habitat For Free

Posted on by Real Leaders

By helping the Ukraine-based NGO Warriors of Wildlife (WOW), Qatar Airways Cargo kept its promise to fly lions to their natural habitat for free. It took six months of hard work involving no less than a dozen departments and over 50 employees to ensure a successful operation.

On Thursday, April 29, the Kouga and Swinburne nature reserves in South Africa welcomed three lions, one lioness and three cubs. This involved a three-day trip from Kiev to Doha and Johannesburg so that the lions could walk on grass for the first time in their lives. So far, all are in good health.

Transporting wild animals back to their natural environment at the request of wildlife protection bodies is a promise made by Qatar Airways Cargo as part its “Rewild the Planet” initiative and is chapter two of the airline’s WeQare sustainability program.

“Repatriating wild animals is a major undertaking, especially over such a great distance,” said Lionel De Lange, Founder and Director of WOW. “But we were able to count on the Qatar Airways Cargo teams who are 100% behind us and the work we do. They played a critical role. Without them, these seven lions would still be in captivity in atrocious conditions.”

Transporting wild animals requires close cooperation between the specific services involved within Qatar Airways Cargo and the NGO staff. The NGO staff look after the animals’ well-being during the entire journey and handlers from the Qatar Airways Cargo’s Live Animals facility are present at every stage. The NGO was authorised to stay with the lions in special holding areas to maintain a constant link with them.

These lions have lived in captivity for years and will never be able to adapt in the wild. They will spend the next few months in a protected area where they will simply learn to explore nature again. They will then be transferred to a much larger nature reserve where they will be protected and taken care of for the rest of their lives.

Qatar Airways Cargo has pledged to continue the program so that the transport costs and logistics will never prevent NGOs from Rewilding the Planet.

How Women in Business Can Speak up and Break the Glass Ceiling

Posted on by Nick Brice

Businesses continue to confront the disruption caused by the pandemic and navigate an economically and socially viable path towards the recovery phase. But as we tackle all the issues, there is a risk that diversity and inclusion may recede as a strategic business priority for many companies.

Naturally, this is driven by focusing on the most pressing business survival needs, including safety measures and productivity and physical and mental well-being. However, while diversity and inclusion might be at risk, they are critical for business recovery and resilience.

Speaking with impact

Without the ability to speak with impact, presence, and gravitas, female leaders miss the opportunity to persuade and motivate others. Research suggests that it only takes 30 seconds to decide whether we think others are trustworthy, based on both what they are saying and how they say it. Especially in a heavily digitally-focused business environment, it’s not just about communicating the information but ensuring that others listen. Female leaders who communicate persuasively, both online and offline, are in a stronger position to have their voices heard.

As people progress through their careers, cultivating a solid ability to engage and persuade when communicating online and face-to-face will be critical. Research has identified how subtle unconscious bias can affect how women are perceived when they are presenting proposals. Dana Kanze is a doctoral fellow at Columbia Business School. She applies behavioral insights to understand sources of inequality in entrepreneurship and found that both men and women demonstrated a bias towards women when they were making presentations and applying for funding.

She found that men were more likely to be asked more ‘promotion-focused questions’ – those concerned with gains and emphasize growth and development potential. Women, however, tended to be asked more ‘prevention focus questions’ – concerned with avoiding losses and emphasizing reduction of risks. So, helping women develop real executive presence and impact when speaking may well determine whether they are heard in their organization. 

When it comes to gender diversity, executive sponsorship needs to come from the top – having visible female role models, mentoring the next generation of female leaders, and holding the senior leadership team accountable for improving the gender imbalance is necessary. Impostor syndrome can often be a reason behind the lack of ambition and confidence when speaking up, but in fact, most women who suffer from it are successful at work, despite their self-doubt. Therefore, women in leadership positions must communicate in a way that inspires people to want to act as a result of hearing what they have to say.

Investing in female talent

Claire Crompton, Director of The Audit Lab, explains, “In my experience, I’ve found that a big cause of gender imbalance in the workplace is not looking at the talent within, especially when it comes to filling management positions. Many people are immediately dismissed for internal senior hires because it doesn’t “fit” their path of progression, and there’s a mentality that you must hire from outside. You should never dismiss the people you already have within your business – it could be as simple as sending someone on a training course, and all of a sudden, they are perfect for that next position. Many businesses are afraid of spending money on training their staff, but it is so worth it. Training and hiring from within builds loyalty.”

“When it comes to women being listened to in business, the issue needs to be recast: it’s not a ‘woman problem’ per se. Women are not broken items to be fixed. Rather it is a systemic issue that must be addressed to facilitate more diverse voices in leadership positions.”, says Sheryl Miller, business coach, and author. However, we must also be aware of the practical issues at play that prevents women from having a seat at the boardroom table in the first place. Because there are very few diverse people in leadership positions in the first place, and there is a disparity between the expectation and the reality of having diverse candidates vying for leadership roles. 

According to Joanna Swash, CEO of Moneypenny, businesses should not aim to recruit a female who is the same as all the other men on the board – instead, they should look for different types of people who add unique qualities skills and ideas, to enhance the whole. It is essential to focus on equal opportunities from a young age, encouraging diversity of thought, experience, and background, making for stronger businesses and better business decisions. 

Gender diversity correlates with the bottom line, and companies with a gender-balanced C-suite have a higher likelihood of achieving above-average financial results. Yet, despite the clear benefits of a gender-balanced workforce, the ratio of women in leadership roles remains uneven. Research consistently demonstrates that a diverse workforce correlates with better business performance; however, removing unconscious gender bias is not just an HR initiative – it needs to become part of the culture where progress towards gender diversity is being measured and communicated across teams. When companies invest in diversity and inclusion, they are better positioned to create more adaptive, effective teams and are more likely to recognize diversity as a competitive advantage. They can also serve a more extensive, more diverse customer base and attract talent who shares the same values.

It is clear that for women to be heard in leadership may be helped by tackling some subtle systemic issues. However, it’s also clear from the many role models we see in modern life, such as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, that women can develop real impact and gravitas with the right intention, support, development, and exposure to a significant challenge.

How Women in Business Can Speak up and Break the Glass Ceiling

Posted on by Mark Gillis

Businesses continue to confront the disruption caused by the pandemic and navigate an economically and socially viable path towards the recovery phase. But as we tackle all the issues, there is a risk that diversity and inclusion may recede as a strategic business priority for many companies.

Naturally, this is driven by focusing on the most pressing business survival needs, including safety measures and productivity and physical and mental well-being. However, while diversity and inclusion might be at risk, they are critical for business recovery and resilience.

Speaking with impact

Without the ability to speak with impact, presence, and gravitas, female leaders miss the opportunity to persuade and motivate others. Research suggests that it only takes 30 seconds to decide whether we think others are trustworthy, based on both what they are saying and how they say it. Especially in a heavily digitally-focused business environment, it’s not just about communicating the information but ensuring that others listen. Female leaders who communicate persuasively, both online and offline, are in a stronger position to have their voices heard.

As people progress through their careers, cultivating a solid ability to engage and persuade when communicating online and face-to-face will be critical. Research has identified how subtle unconscious bias can affect how women are perceived when they are presenting proposals. Dana Kanze is a doctoral fellow at Columbia Business School. She applies behavioral insights to understand sources of inequality in entrepreneurship and found that both men and women demonstrated a bias towards women when they were making presentations and applying for funding.

She found that men were more likely to be asked more ‘promotion-focused questions’ – those concerned with gains and emphasize growth and development potential. Women, however, tended to be asked more ‘prevention focus questions’ – concerned with avoiding losses and emphasizing reduction of risks. So, helping women develop real executive presence and impact when speaking may well determine whether they are heard in their organization. 

When it comes to gender diversity, executive sponsorship needs to come from the top – having visible female role models, mentoring the next generation of female leaders, and holding the senior leadership team accountable for improving the gender imbalance is necessary. Impostor syndrome can often be a reason behind the lack of ambition and confidence when speaking up, but in fact, most women who suffer from it are successful at work, despite their self-doubt. Therefore, women in leadership positions must communicate in a way that inspires people to want to act as a result of hearing what they have to say.

Investing in female talent

Claire Crompton, Director of The Audit Lab, explains, “In my experience, I’ve found that a big cause of gender imbalance in the workplace is not looking at the talent within, especially when it comes to filling management positions. Many people are immediately dismissed for internal senior hires because it doesn’t “fit” their path of progression, and there’s a mentality that you must hire from outside. You should never dismiss the people you already have within your business – it could be as simple as sending someone on a training course, and all of a sudden, they are perfect for that next position. Many businesses are afraid of spending money on training their staff, but it is so worth it. Training and hiring from within builds loyalty.”

“When it comes to women being listened to in business, the issue needs to be recast: it’s not a ‘woman problem’ per se. Women are not broken items to be fixed. Rather it is a systemic issue that must be addressed to facilitate more diverse voices in leadership positions.”, says Sheryl Miller, business coach, and author. However, we must also be aware of the practical issues at play that prevents women from having a seat at the boardroom table in the first place. Because there are very few diverse people in leadership positions in the first place, and there is a disparity between the expectation and the reality of having diverse candidates vying for leadership roles. 

According to Joanna Swash, CEO of Moneypenny, businesses should not aim to recruit a female who is the same as all the other men on the board – instead, they should look for different types of people who add unique qualities skills and ideas, to enhance the whole. It is essential to focus on equal opportunities from a young age, encouraging diversity of thought, experience, and background, making for stronger businesses and better business decisions. 

Gender diversity correlates with the bottom line, and companies with a gender-balanced C-suite have a higher likelihood of achieving above-average financial results. Yet, despite the clear benefits of a gender-balanced workforce, the ratio of women in leadership roles remains uneven. Research consistently demonstrates that a diverse workforce correlates with better business performance; however, removing unconscious gender bias is not just an HR initiative – it needs to become part of the culture where progress towards gender diversity is being measured and communicated across teams. When companies invest in diversity and inclusion, they are better positioned to create more adaptive, effective teams and are more likely to recognize diversity as a competitive advantage. They can also serve a more extensive, more diverse customer base and attract talent who shares the same values.

It is clear that for women to be heard in leadership may be helped by tackling some subtle systemic issues. However, it’s also clear from the many role models we see in modern life, such as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, that women can develop real impact and gravitas with the right intention, support, development, and exposure to a significant challenge.

100 Women in Impact

Posted on by Real Leaders

Real Leaders has been recognizing the business leaders creating a positive social and environmental impact for over a decade. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we highlighted 100 women who are leading us towards a brighter future! This list is in alphabetical order.

Abigail Morris, Co-Founder and CEO, Compare Ethics
Abbie Morris and her partner James Omisakin founded Compare Ethics in 2018. Abbie, a sustainability and policy expert, had previously worked with the United Nations, World Economic Forum, and Confederation of British Industry (CBI). Abbie became concerned with global impact and the effects of investing in sustainability at scale. Finding that no objective sustainable verification platform existed to help shoppers and brands, Compare Ethics was born.

Aimee Koval, Co-Founder and President, Metis Consulting Group
Aimee Koval is the Co-Founder, President & COO of Metis Consulting Group, a software development and IT consulting company. Social and environmental consciousness, transparency, and accountability are just as important as the work the company does in consulting. She aims for Metis to be an ethical organization at every level.

Allie Burns, CEO, Village Capital
Inspired by the opportunity to reinvent the way we back new ideas and support entrepreneurs who are creating a more equitable and sustainable world, Allie joined Village Capital in 2016, and was named CEO in January of 2019. Village Capital is on a mission is to reinvent the system to back the entrepreneurs of the future. Their vision is a future where business builds equity and long-term prosperity. Allie’s passion for supporting entrepreneurs solving some of the world’s toughest challenges also goes beyond US borders. She worked in Nairobi to provide affordable and accessible sanitation in urban slums.

Alyson (Friedensohn) Watson, Founder and CEO, Modern Health
Alyson Watson is the founder and CEO of Modern Health, the mental wellness platform that combines well-being assessments based on WHO principles, personalized stress management support, an international network of certified coaches, and licensed therapists available in 35 languages to deliver wellness across a broad range of individual needs. Modern Health empowers employers to lead the charge in acknowledging that mental health is just as important as physical health, destigmatizing coaching and therapy, and increasing accessibility of mental health services for all.

Ana Eulate, CEO, Cuento de Luz
The award-winning author Ana Eulate has enjoyed writing and telling stories since she was a child. When she started Cuento De Luz in 2010, a Children’s Picture Book Publishing Company, she applied impact principles to the business from the very start. A strong engagement with NGOs together with the utilization of sustainable materials in the production books (especially the exclusive use of Stone Paper in all printing), led to a B Corp certification in 2015.

Angela McElwee, CEO, Gaia Herbs
As the CEO and President of Gaia Herbs, Angela McElwee has stewarded growth, strategy, and the building of a world-class team for North America’s top herbal supplement brand for over twelve years. She is an advocate for using business as a vehicle to promote positive change for people and the planet and to bring that same ethos to her work as a board member for other social impact and wellness organizations.

Anne Weaver, CEO, Elephants Deli
Anne Weaver is the CEO of Elephants Delicatessen, who has been providing a fun, friendly, energetic, sensory food experience combined with exceptional quality and service since 1979. Elephants Delicatessen’s mission has expanded to include a commitment to environmental stewardship through waste, resource, and emissions reductions, and help alleviate food insecurity in the greater Portland area.

Anthea Kelsick, Board of Directors, B Lab
Anthea Kelsick is on the Board of Directors and former CEO/CMO of B Lab, a global network that serves a movement of people using business as a force for good. She shares B Lab’s goal to accelerate this culture shift and make it meaningful and lasting. Our vision is of an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economic system for all people and the planet. 

Ba Minuzzi, CEO, UMANA
Bá Minuzzi is a self-made entrepreneur, humanitarian and fearless venture capitalist who cares about people, humanity, technology and purpose – not just profit. She is the CEO of UMANA, a multi-family office based in San Francisco that focuses on serving some of the world’s most powerful, influential, and misunderstood individuals. From Silicon Valley Tech Founders to Influencers, Conscious Athletes & Celebrities, Umana’s mission is to create and redefine wealth. Bá is the 1st Latina to be the founder and sole decision-maker of a venture capital firm in Silicon Valley.

Barb Stegemann, CEO, 7 Virtues Peace Perfume
Barb Stegemann’s entrepreneurial vision was formed after her best friend—a soldier—was severely wounded in Afghanistan. Understanding that supporting Afghanistan’s economy was key to building stability for its people, Stegemann created The 7 Virtues, a company that sources organic, fair trade essential oils from countries experiencing turmoil. Despite addressing complex global matters in her talks, Stegemann uses humor to explain how individuals can use business for good and effect change, both at home and worlds away.

Barbara Bush, Co-Founder, Global Health Corps
Barbara Bush is Co-Founder and Board Chair of Global Health Corps (GHC). Since 2009, Global Health Corps has supported over 1,000 young leaders to solve the world’s most pressing global health issues. Barbara served as GHC’s CEO for its first nine years. Barbara is a Skoll Foundation Social Entrepreneur, a Draper Richards Kaplan Social Entrepreneur, and a fellow of the Echoing Green Foundation. Barbara and her twin sister co-authored the #1 New York Times best-seller Sisters First, along with a children’s book under the same title.

Brandy Amidon, Co-President and CFO, Brains on Fire
As Co-President and CFO at Brains on Fire, Brandy Amidon leads teams towards individual and collective growth goals while leveraging her expertise in the financial sector to create stability and confidence for collective success. She manages human resources, while also overseeing the agency’s financial reporting, risk assessment, budgeting and implementation of company-wide goals. She also currently serves as the elected Mayor of Travelers Rest, South Carolina.

Brandy Hall, Founder and Managing Director, Shades of Green Permaculture
Brandy Hall founded Shades of Green in 2008. Since then, she has worked with hundreds of clients who are applying permaculture across contexts. She is passionate about leading a purpose-driven business that actively creates a healthier world for our children every single day. Hall loves seeing her daughter graze on the plants in our yard, knowing they are chemical-free and full of nutrients you can’t get at the store. Hall has nearly two decades of experience in building off-grid water systems, landscape construction, and integrated farming systems.

Carinne Chambers-Saini, CEO, Diva International
Established in 2003, Diva International Inc., founders Carinne Chambers-Saini and her mother Francine Chambers developed The DivaCup to offer women worldwide a reliable and more eco-friendly approach to feminine hygiene. The DivaCup provides the most convenient, clean and comfortable way to address period care while eliminating the need to buy disposables. Today The DivaCup serves millions of women around the world in over 21 Countries, forever changing the way women view period care and live their lives.

Carolyn Pistone, President, Clear Blue Commercial
Carolyn is the President and Managing Director at Clear Blue Commercial, committed to client service and applying a holistic and sustainable approach to all facets of the life of a property. She is dedicated to saving the planet using her real estate license. Carolyn is a proud Realtor, EcoBroker, and Certified Green Building Professional. These experiences have led her to work to build a supportive, innovative, and collaborative environment for clients, vendors, team members, and, yes, even the planet, to thrive.

Carrie Fox, CEO, Mission Partners
Carrie Fox is the founder and CEO of Mission Partners, a woman-owned strategic communications firm and Certified B Corporation that guides high-potential nonprofits, foundations, and socially responsible corporations in realizing their greatest social impact. Since launching her first firm in 2004, she has guided hundreds of organizations around the world to lead with purpose, fueling organizations and their missions forward in new and more impactful ways. Her signature approach to asset-based messaging—leading with a community’s strengths rather than its weaknesses—has been applied to dozens of social impact organizations, challenging stereotypes and breaking bias in the process.

Caryl Levine, Co-Founder of Lotus Foods
Caryl Levine is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Lotus Foods, a certified B Corporation, focused on value-added products that address consumer interest in convenience with superior quality, innovation and nutritional value while growing the demand for more sustainably produced and more fairly procured rice. She leads marketing and sales and is primarily responsible for the image and positioning of the brand, the development of all packaging and merchandising materials, and new product development.

Catherine Berman, CEO, CNote
Catherine Berman is CEO and co-founder of CNote, a fintech platform that unlocks new investment opportunities for retail and institutional investors. Working with mission-aligned community lenders, CNote aims to close the wealth gap by allowing anyone to invest in small businesses, affordable housing and economic development in financially underserved communities, with a focus on lending to women and minorities.

Cathy Hayward-Hughes, Co-Owner and President, Crystal Creek Logistics
Cathy was born in Alaska and spent her early professional life in the fishing industry. Her first fulfillment successes were with traditional mail-order catalogers. She now leads the way in Internet-based, eCommerce fulfillment as the co-founder and president of Crystal Creek Logistics. Her demonstrated proficiencies include call center management, facilities management, packaging design and development, hiring, catalog development, turnaround management, and customer retention program development.

Cathy Zoi, CEO, EVgo
Cathy Zoi joined EVgo as CEO in 2017 and has led the company’s growth and its establishment as the preeminent public fast-charging network in the US. Zoi came to EVgo as a distinguished executive with decades of experience in the clean energy, investing, and policy communities. She has held numerous CEO and senior executive positions in the energy industry, government, academia and non-profit sectors. She served as Assistant Secretary and Acting Under Secretary at the Department of Energy, where she oversaw more than $30 billion in energy investments. Zoi was also the founding CEO of both the Alliance for Climate Protection and the Sustainable Energy Development Authority, a $50m fund to commercialize clean energy technologies in Australia.

Cheryl Contee, CEO, Do Big Things
Cheryl Contee is the award-winning Founder and Chair of Do Big Things, which brings together a diverse team that uses new narratives and new tech like blockchain, AI, bots and machine learning to make the world a better place for everyone. Do Big things is proud to partner with inspiring nonprofits, NGOs, foundations and political campaigns to achieve unprecedented breakthroughs. Cheryl is also the author of Mechanical Bull: How You Can Achieve Startup Success, a best-selling guide on how to navigate Silicon Valley and startup culture like a pro to ensure your startup’s success.

Christina Keller, President, Cascade Engineering
Christina Keller is President and CEO of the Cascade Engineering Family of Companies, a position she has held since September 2018. Cascade Engineering based in Grand Rapids, Michigan is a global manufacturing company with ten business units supporting a diversity of strategic markets, including transportation, environmental services, office seating, material handling, polymer compounding, and RFID technology.

Christine Bergeron, CEO, Vancity Community Investment Bank
As President and CEO of Vancity, Canada’s largest community credit union, Christine believes that banking plays a vital role in developing a healthy society—building the wellbeing of people and, at the same time, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the communities in which they live and work. Christine chairs the board of the Women’s Enterprise Centre, is a board member of Aviso Wealth, and is on the Board of Governors for the BC Business Council. Christine also represents North America on the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative’s Banking Board. 

Donna Carpenter, Board Chairman, Burton
Donna Carpenter is the Owner, Chair and former Co-CEO of Burton, the snowboarding gear and apparel giant she built with her late husband Jake Burton. Under Carpenter’s leadership, Burton became a certified B corporation in 2019, committing to balance its profits with purpose. Thanks to Donna’s leadership, Burton now has industry-leading women’s leadership and sustainability initiatives. Deemed a ‘Super Woman’ and ‘The Snowboard Ambassador’, Donna’s leadership is an inspiration to her company, her industry, and beyond.

Eileen Fisher, Founder of Eileen Fisher
Eileen Fisher is the Founder of women’s clothing brand Eileen FIsher. She believes that business can make a positive difference in the world. That’s why she has committed to sustainable fibers and working to close the loop on our manufacturing and taking clothes back and making them into entirely new designs through Renew and Waste No More.

Emma Rose Cohen, CEO, Final
Emma Rose Cohen is the CEO and founder of Final, creators of FinalStraw—the world’s first reusable, collapsible straw that raised nearly $2 million on Kickstarter. In the last decade, Emma’s passion for sustainability motivated her to help found a nonprofit, Save the Mermaids, with a mission to educate children about the harmful effects of single-use plastics. Emma has grown Final from a one product company to a company with an entire line of convenient, sustainable alternatives. In 2020, Final launched BiggieStraw, FinalSpork, and FinalFork. In Q1 of 2021, FinalWipe Home and FinalWipe Travel will make their debut. Waste is just a design flaw. Emma and the Final team are on a mission to change that.

Erika Karp, Chief Impact Officer, Pathstone
Erika Karp founded Cornerstone Capital Group to bring the disciplines of finance, economics and sustainability to bear in pursuit of a more regenerative and inclusive form of capitalism. Now, Erika will serve as Pathstone’s Chief Impact Officer and join Pathstone’s Executive and Investment Committees. Her leadership and expertise in sustainable and impact investing will enhance Pathstone’s existing efforts in this increasingly important approach to portfolio construction. Over the course of her 25-plus years on Wall Street, Erika developed a deep belief in environmental, social and governance analysis as a critical input to investment decision-making.

Esther Foreman, CEO, The Social Change Agency
Esther has spent over 15 years working in the not-for-profit, social enterprise and business sectors, running award-winning campaigns, supporting enterprise and building teams. She founded the Social Change Agency in 2013 with a desire to combine organizing, technology, comms and social enterprise to create a leading non-sector-specific agency to improve movement building across the world.

Geeta Aiyer, Founder and President, Boston Common Asset Management
Geeta Aiyer founded Boston Common in 2003 with colleagues who have worked together since the mid-1990s. Key members of the Investment team have worked with Boston Common for more than a decade. She serves endowments, foundations, mission-driven organizations, religious groups, family groups, and pension funds across the United States. 

Hannah Davis, Founder and President, BANG Shoes
Hannah Davis is the Founder and President of BANGS Shoes. She founded BANGS to try and make the world a better place. BANGS Shoes are modeled after simple work boots worn by workers and farmers she discovered when teaching English in China, and are built to maintain this same classic feel while supporting you on your everyday adventures. Davis has helped invest in over 3,000 entrepreneurs across 70 countries.

Heidi Patel, Managing Partner, Rethink Impact
Heidi Patel is a Managing Partner at Rethink Impact, a venture capital firm investing in female leaders using technology to solve the world’s biggest problems. Heidi also teaches and co-created a course on impact investing at Stanford University and serves on the Investment Committee for the Stanford GSB Student Impact Fund. 

Jane Chen, CEO, Embrace Innovations
Jane Chen is a globally recognized entrepreneur, inventor and speaker. She is the co-founder & CEO of Embrace Innovations, which developed a ground-breaking infant incubator. The Embrace incubator costs  ~1% of a traditional incubator and has saved over 300,000 babies across 22 countries. 

Jane Goodall, Founder, Jane Goodall Institute
Through nearly 60 years of groundbreaking work, Dr. Jane Goodall has not only shown us the urgent need to protect chimpanzees from extinction; she has also redefined species conservation to include the needs of local people and the environment. Today she travels the world, speaking about the threats facing chimpanzees and environmental crises, urging each of us to take action on behalf of all living things and the planet we share.

Jane Henderson, CEO,  Virginia Community Capital
Jane Henderson is the CEO of Virginia Community Capital,  a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with a mission to create jobs, energize places, and promote an enhanced quality of life for Virginians. Since its launch in 2006, Jane has led VCC and their leverage of a $15 million state-backed investment to nearly $800 million in public and private investment in Virginia.

Jasmine Crowe, Founder and CEO, Goodr
Jasmine Crowe founded Goodr, a tech-enabled sustainable food waste management company with a goal to eliminate hunger and reduce food waste. Through her years of work feeding vulnerable populations, she saw a great opportunity for technology to solve the hunger problem. Under Jasmine’s direction, Goodr has now diverted nearly two million pounds of food from landfills and serves clients including Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson Airport, SAP, NFL, The Georgia World Congress Center, Netflix and more. The mission of Goodr is simple, Feed More, Waste Less.

Jaya Chakrabarti, CEO and Director, Tiscreport
Jaya Chakrabarti is the CEO of Tiscreport, the world’s largest open data platform committed to ending corruption, supply chain labor abuses and modern slavery, joining up Transparency In Supply Chains reporting globally. Jaya is a passionate advocate for engaging business with the community through technology to improve people’s lives, and was honored with an MBE in the 2014 Queen’s birthday honors list ‘For services to the Creative Digital Industries and the community in Bristol/.

Jeni Britton, Founder, Jenni’s Splendid Ice Cream
Jeni Britton Bauer is an American ice cream maker and entrepreneur. Jeni founded Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in 2002. As Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Jeni remains the beating heart of the company and is in charge of all creative output—from the ice cream itself to the supporting details that enhance the experience of eating it.

Jennifer Kenning, CEO, Align Impact
Jennifer Kenning co-founded Align Impact, an independent fiduciary and impact specialist that works alongside financial advisors, institutions, foundations and directly with individual clients and family offices, helping integrate impact strategies and investments into the broader wealth management strategy. Jennifer is a trailblazer, collaborator and change-maker who has quickly risen to become one of the most recognized voices in impact investing. A frequent speaker, moderator and guest lecturer, Jennifer is committed to building the impact investing ecosystem while leading Align.

Jenny Abramson, Founder and Managing Partner, Rethink Impact
Jenny Abramson is the Founder & Managing Partner of Rethink Impact, the largest, US-based impact venture firm with a gender lens that invests in female leaders using technology to solve the world’s biggest problems. She believes that the next generation of extraordinary companies will find success through their relentless pursuit of mission, for the benefit of all communities.

Jessica Alba, Founder, The Honest Company
Award-winning actress Jessica Alba founded The Honest Company because she believes you shouldn’t have to choose between what works and what’s good for you. She knows that everything you put on, in and around your body matters. That’s why the company holds itself to an Honest standard of safety and transparency. Since day one, Honest’s social initiatives and community partnerships have ensured that more people have access to safe, effective options when they need it the most.

Jessica Bailey, CEO, Greenworks Lending
Jessica Bailey is the CEO of Greenworks Lending, the nation’s largest provider of Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing. She leads in the organization’s efforts to scale nationally by making clean and renewable energy a smart business decision for commercial property owners.

Jessica O. Matthews, Founder and CEO, Uncharted Power
Jessica O. Matthews is the founder and CEO of Uncharted Power, an award-winning, sustainable-infrastructure company that transforms the ground beneath us into an industrial Internet of Things platform for streamlined integration, deployment, and management of critical infrastructure like power lines, broadband, sidewalks, and water pipes. Jessica’s research and career center around the intersection of disruptive technology, renewable energy, human behavior, and the psychology of self-actualization.

Jodie Morgan, CEO, GreenMantra Technologies
Jodie Morgan is the CEO of GreenMantra Technologies, a  leader in advanced recycling that transforms recycled plastics into specialty waxes and polymers for industrial applications. She has a record of outstanding results in developing and mature markets. She is a recognized leader and operator achieving business objectives by managing turbulence and capitalizing on market opportunities. Jodie has repeatedly demonstrated strength in identifying core issues, articulating the path forward, engendering commitment, and achieving positive change.

Judith Plant, President, New Society Publishers
Judith Plant is the President of New Society Publishers, an activist, solutions-oriented publisher focused on bringing you tools for a world of change. Judith cares deeply about both what they publish and how they do business. A certified B Corporation, we print on 100% post-consumer recycled paper, we are carbon neutral, and we print only in North America, never offshore.

Judy Ward, CEO, Advanced Enviro Systems
As CEO of Advanced Enviro Systems, Judy Ward focuses on equipment, solutions and innovations to reduce waste, solve problems, and enhance spaces. She helps create waste reduction strategies that make sense, are easily implemented, and produce measurable sustainable results.

Kat Nouri, Founder and CEO, Stasher
Kat Nouri, CEO and Founder of Stasher, the reusable, airtight silicone bag — that you can cook, store, and freeze — has disrupted the food storage industry and prevented millions of single-use plastics from piling up in landfills and polluting our oceans. As an immigrant, a woman, and a mother of three, Kat is committed to standing up for the rights and opportunities of other women, and to motivating people to protect our planet. Her drive and passion has turned an award-winning innovation into a global movement. 

Kelly Dolan, Co-CEO, Ingage Partners
Kelly Dolan is the Co-CEO of Ingage Partners who deliver Management and Technology Consulting services to amaze our clients and to be a force for positive change. She challenges her team to find business solutions that provide a real and lasting impact on their clients’ business. Whether the change requires project leadership, identifying business needs and opportunities, or thought leadership – her team of consulting professionals provides the experience our clients need to succeed in today’s complex environment.

Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks, CEO, Earth Friendly Products
Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks is the President and CEO of Earth Friendly Products, maker of ECOS Laundry Detergent and over 200 other environmentally friendly products that are safer for people, pets and the planet. Made with plant-powered ingredients, ECOS cleaners are thoughtfully sourced, pH balanced, readily biodegradable, easily recyclable, and never tested on animals. Kelly has been recognized for her highly effective leadership and influential voice in the green movement and in corporate social responsibility. She is outspoken in her commitment to sustainability in her products, her facilities, and her employment practices.

Kimberly Bryant, Founder and CEO, Black Girls Code
Kimberly Bryant is the Founder and CEO of Black Girls CODE, a non-profit organization dedicated to changing the face of technology by introducing girls of color (ages 7-17) to the field of technology and computer science with a concentration on entrepreneurial concepts. She aims to train 1 million girls by 2040.

KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz, Founder and CEO, Sustainable Brands
KoAnn is the Founder and CEO of Sustainable Brands Worldwide. Through Sustainable Brands, she and her team lead the global conversation about how brands can, and are delivering new business value through innovation for environmental and social purposes. In addition to overseeing direction and strategy at SB, she writes and speaks around the world on the shift in consumer demand and the opportunity for brands to respond by changing the way they think of and deliver against their role in society.

Kristin Carroll, President, Rescue Agency
Kristin Carroll is the CEO of Rescue Agency, a behavior change marketing agency that focuses exclusively on marketing to cause positive social change. We serve over 22 states as well as federal agencies, non-profits and health systems by developing health communication campaigns that address tobacco, nutrition, mental health and substance use issues in communities across North America. 

Kristin Groos Richmond, CEO, Revolution Foods
Kristin Groos Richmond is the Co-Founder and CEO of Revolution Foods. Her mission is to empower children to make better, healthier choices by introducing nutritious school meals at a young age. Kristin is also on the Board of Directors for Generate Capital, a leading clean energy investment company and sustainable infrastructure operator. 

Kristy Wallace, CEO, Ellevate Network
Kristy Wallace is the CEO of Ellevate Network, and is responsible for executing Ellevate Network’s mission of changing the culture of business from the inside out by providing professional women with a supportive community to lean on and learn from. She directs the Network’s staff, is responsible for business growth and strategy, and works closely with Ellevate’s Chapter Leaders, Business Partners, and Champions to further Ellevate’s impact.

Laura Hertz, CEO, Gifts for Good
Laura Hertz is the co-founder and CEO of Gifts for Good, an e-commerce site that curates and customizes premium gifts for companies and professionals that support charitable causes in 19 states and 65 countries around the globe. Making thoughtfulness and philanthropy easier for all.

Laura Huckabee-Jennings, Founder and CEO, Transcend
Laura Huckabee-Jennings is the Founder and CEO of Transcend, an award-winning management consulting firm that leverages evidence-based practices to create strong organizations with inclusive cultures, more rewarding work, and more joy. Her mission is to build stronger organizations where people thrive and contribute back to healthier communities.

Laura Wittig, CEO, Brightly
Laura Alexander Wittig is the founder and CEO of Brightly, a community-driven lifestyle brand empowering conscious consumers. We reach over 250,000 millennial and Gen Z women every day and inspire them to create change. She has spent her career building, designing, and writing for companies like Google, Amazon, Adobe, and more. 

Lauren Bush Lauren, Founder, FEED
Lauren Bush Lauren founded FEED in 2007 after seeing the reality of childhood hunger firsthand while traveling with the World Food Programme. She created the first FEED Bag as a tangible way for her peers to get involved. To this day, every product the company makes has a number on it, representing the school meals donated with its purchase. Through the sale of our artisan-made products, FEED not only provides meals but also sustainable livelihoods for artisan partners and their families.

Lindsey McCoy, Co-Founder and CEO, Plaine Products
Lindsey McCoy is the CEO and CO-Founder of Plaine Products, a sustainable packaging company providing returnable, refillable reusable aluminum bottles full of all-natural, vegan, toxin-free shampoo, conditioner, body wash & lotion. Their mission is to help eliminate the need for single-use plastics in the world.

Lisa Curtis, CEO, Kuli Kuli
Lisa Curtis is the Founder and CEO of Kuli Kuli, America’s leading supplier of moringa. She began working on Kuli Kuli while in the Peace Corps in Niger, West Africa. As a volunteer in her village’s health center, she gained an understanding of the nutritional challenges faced in West African villages and how moringa can help address those challenges.

Lisa K Farrell, CEO, Lisa Home Mortgage
Lisa K. Farrell is the CEO of LISA HOME MORTGAGE, a BBB A-rated mortgage brokerage with a faith-based organizational culture, and is also a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator. The company’s slogan is “FAMILY. LIFESTYLE. LEGACY”, and holds a special mantra for first-time homebuyers “homeownership is closer than you think”. The company offers a boutique mortgage experience with competitive rates, several mortgage loan options, reduced fees, and a no-cost approach to provide credit-challenged applicants an Action Plan to get them pre-approved.

Lisa Lorimer, CEO, Mamasezz
Lisa Lorimer is the co-founder of MamaSezz, a whole-food, plant-based meal delivery company serving customers nationwide. She aims to put an end to the meal-prep madness and help busy folks do like their MamaSezz: eat their fruits and veggies. Lisa also co-authored the book Dealing with Tough Stuff: Practical Wisdom for Running a Values-Driven Business.

Lyly Greca, Co-Founder and Creative Director, MIEI
Lyly Greca is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Miei, Australia’s fastest-growing market-leading provider of fresh flowers, quality gifts and premium grocery delivery service. Also, the first Australian business of its kind to be certified as a B Corporation and a founding member of B Corporation in Australia. Miei was set up with one simple philosophy – to be the vehicle to combat poverty and homelessness in Australia. 

Lynn Jurich, Co-Founder and CEO, Sunrun
Lynn Jurich is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sunrun, the nation’s leading home solar, battery storage, and energy services company. With Sunrun co-founder Ed Fenster, Lynn invented the business model “solar-as-a-service” that unlocked access to clean, affordable energy directly from residential rooftops. Today with more than $3 billion in installed solar systems across 22 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, Sunrun is revolutionizing how consumers generate and store electricity using rechargeable home solar and batteries.

Marci Zaroff, Founder and CEO, ECOfashion
Marci Zaroff coined the term “ECOfashion” in 1995 and is an internationally recognized ECOlifestyle expert, educator, innovator, author and serial ecopreneur. Founder and CEO of ECOfashion Corp, a Greenhouse of Brands, including B2B turnkey sustainable fashion manufacturer MetaWear, regenerative in-conversion-to-organic cotton farm project RESET, QVC organic lifestyle brands Farm to Home and Seed to Style, and new D2C ECOfashion brand YES AND. Marci has been instrumental in driving authenticity, environmental leadership & social justice worldwide for nearly three decades.

Margret Trilli, CEO of ImpactAssets

Margret Trilli is the CEO and Chief Investment Officer of ImpactAssets, a non-profit impact investing firm that partners with entrepreneurs, VCs, family offices, foundations and corporations to invest for social, environmental and financial returns. After 20 years investing on Wall Street and leading multiple turnarounds and acquisitions, Margret turned back to impact investing which was the most fulfilling chapter of her career. Since making that decision 10 years ago, she has advised more than $30 billion in assets and overseen the execution of more than 500 impact investments. “While my passion sits at the intersection of climate and equity, I also really enjoy guiding our clients to fulfill their purpose by activating all of their investment assets to the forces of good, however they define that.”

Mari McClure, President and CEO, Green Mountain Power
Mari McClure is the President and CEO of Green Mountain Power, an energy transformation company providing power and innovative products and services to three-quarters of Vermont. Mari became CEO at the start of 2020 after spending the last decade leading transformational work at Green Mountain Power by building strong teams, balancing skills, and motivating employees to deliver the most cost-effective and reliable power while also ensuring great service for customers.

Mary Beth Laughton, CEO of Athleta
Mary Beth Laughton is the head of Athleta, a certified B Corporation and premium fitness and lifestyle brand that creates versatile, performance apparel to inspire a community of active, confident women and girls.

Masami Sato, CEO, B1G1
Masami Sato is the CEO of B1G1, a global giving movement that helps businesses give back easily in meaningful ways. Masami is the guiding light behind almost every project at B1G1, from product design to member events to our team culture. Having lived in and traveled to over 30 countries across 5 continents, Masami’s experiences have given her a unique perspective on life and giving.

Melanie Dulbecco, CEO, Torani
Melanie Dulbecco’s mantra is “Grow, baby, grow!” That’s what she’s done for over 20 years as Torani’s first outside CEO. Torani, the family-owned maker of café flavors and creative beverage products. Melanie loves that the company’s products help people to connect — in coffee cafes, restaurants, and homes around the globe. She believes creating drinks with Torani products gives the world a reason to share a moment of joy with family and friends. She is deeply committed to building an organization that creates value and positive impact for all stakeholders, including team members, partners, customers, shareholders, and the community. 

Melissa Orozco, Founder and CEO, Yulu PR
Melissa is an award-winning social entrepreneur with a passion for adopting innovative PR solutions to campaigns that solve social and environmental issues. In 2011, Melissa founded Yulu Public Relations, a PR agency mandated to champion socially innovative organizations that are making a positive social and environmental impact. With the belief that stories have the power to drive behavior and social change, Melissa embarked on the development of a new industry – an evolution of public relations. 

Michele Kessler, CEO of REBBL
Michele Kessler is Chief Executive Officer at REBBL Inc., an organic plant-based beverage company that is committed to ethical, impact sourcing practices, developing community, preventing worker exploitation and working to ensure their farmers receive fair wages, access to health care, water, nourishing food and education as well as protection of their rights. 

Michelle Arevalo-Carpenter, CEO, IMPAQTO
Social entrepreneur and human rights lawyer, Michelle Arevalo-Carpenter is the Co-Founder and CEO of IMPAQTO, a business with a mission to help change agents in Latin American cities turn their ideas into impact- we strengthen the social entrepreneurship community, support the ecosystem, and catalyze collaboration.  

Michelle Greenfield, CEO, Third Sun Solar
Michelle Greenfield is the CEO of Third Sun Solar, the premier full-service provider of clean energy systems in the Midwest. Michelle is passionate not only about her business, but in truly making a difference in her community, state and throughout the world. She aims to accelerate the shift to clean energy for a more sustainable future.

Michelle Hirons, CEO, HigherRing
Michelle Hirons has over twenty years of experience in call center processes and developing back-end systems for big retailers and cloud-based SaaS enterprise companies. She has been involved with numerous start-ups and growth companies where she built dynamic contact teams and their systems from the ground up. As HigherRing’s CEO, Michelle focuses on establishing strategic client relationships, researching technological advances and customer service trends.

Miyoko Schinner, Founder and CEO, Miyoko’s
Miyoko Schinner is the tenacious, award-winning vegan chef behind Miyoko’s. Her passion for her craft and mission is unrivaled. The publication of her groundbreaking book, Artisan Vegan Cheese, kicked off the start of the vegan cheese revolution. Whether in the kitchen or the farm, Miyoko makes her mission of feeding the world with delicious, compassionate food the drive behind everything she does.

Moe Carrick, Founder and CEO, Moementum
Moe Carrick is the Founder and CEO of Moementum, Inc. which helps business people, nonprofit or corporate teams and leaders work better together. Using practical support, coaching, team-building facilitation and unique, personalized leadership experiences, they help organizations reach their full potential and succeed with purpose. 

Monica Meldrum, Founder and CEO, Whole Kids
Monica Meldrum is the Founder and CEO of Whole Kids, Australia’s award-winning market-leading provider of organic snack foods for children. Whole Kids is the first Australian food business to be certified as a B Corp and one of the founding members of B Corporation Australia. 

Nikki Reed, CEO, BaYou with Love
Nikki Reed is an actress, conservationist, musician, and designer. She is the founder of Bayou that was born from a love for design, creativity and all things sustainable. She leads with her heart, designing a beautiful eco-friendly line of accessories and products to match her lifestyle.

Nooshin Behroyan, CEO, Paxon Energy
Nooshin Behroyan is the Founder and CEO of Paxon Energy & Infrastructure Services. The company’s focus is on energy- innovative approaches that emphasize technologies for energy-efficient solutions, paving the way for clean and safe energy. Paxon has become a trendsetter and game-changer in the oil and gas industry. In under 3 years, Nooshin has grown the company into America’s #9 fastest growing and a leading Woman Owned consulting management firms heavily focused on improving critical infrastructures in the oil, gas, and utilities industries.

Nova Covington, CEO, Goddess Garden Organics
Nova Covington is the Founder and CEO of Goddess Garden, an organic skincare company based in Colorado. Goddess Garden is the leader in Natural Sunscreen for kids, adults and babies available at Whole Foods nationwide, Wegmans, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Sprouts, HEB, The Vitamin Shoppe and natural grocery stores around the US and Canada.

Paola Santana, Founder and CEO, Social Glass
Paola Santana is a lawyer, public procurement expert and tech entrepreneur, creating the next breakthrough in government systems. She’s the founder and CEO of Social Glass, a software ecosystem using Artificial Intelligence to power high-performing governments. She’s best known for her ability to create things from scratch at the intersection of the public, private and regulatory domains, and for her track record of introducing cutting-edge technologies into highly-regulated markets. 

Princess Sarah Culberson, Founder, Sierra Leone Rising
Sarah Culberson was born in Morgantown, West Virginia, to an African father and a white mother. As an infant, she was put into foster care, then adopted by a loving white family. She learned that she belonged to a royal family in Sierra Leone. Now, as co-founder of the non-profit Sierra Leone Rising, she and many others work to support Education, Public Health and Female Empowerment in Sierra Leone.

Rebecca Hamilton, CEO, WS Badger Company
Rebecca Hamilton is a second-generation owner and co-CEO (Collaborative Executive Officer) at Badger, a natural and organic personal care manufacturer known for its unique company philosophy, pioneering family-friendly benefits, and B Corp community engagement. In addition to her role as Co-CEO, Rebecca leads marketing and sustainability initiatives.

Rose Marcario, Board Member, Meati Foods and Rivian
Rose Marcario is the former CEO of Patagonia and current Board Member for Meat Foods, a company using proprietary, clean technologies to provide nutritious, fungi-based protein that everyone can enjoy and feel good about eating every day and Rivian, an automotive manufacturer building a team of adventurous individuals determined to make a positive impact on the world.

Samantha Richardson, CEO, Ethical Profit Agency
Samantha Richardson is the CEO of Ethical Profit Agency, a full-service accounting firm, providing bookkeeping, tax and HST filing and business advice for small businesses. She helps small businesses with a social or environmental mission to get a handle on their finances so they can better understand their cash flow and finances. With this information, they are able to make smarter business choices to help fuel their growth.

Sandra Moore, Chief Impact Officer, Advantage Capital 
Sandra M. Moore is the Chief Impact Officer at Advantage Capital, who provides equity and debt financing to established and emerging companies located in communities underserved by conventional sources of capital. Sandra guides the investments and strategies to maximize community impact. 

Sarah Kauss, Founder, S’well
In 2010, Sarah Kauss started S’well, a reusable bottle company with the goal to rid the world of single-use plastic bottles. Every day she is inspired to bring style, innovation and joy to sustainable living. That means doing good and being good to the planet through the power of design and ingenuity.

Sarah Schomber, Co-Founder, Buchi Kombucha
Sarah Schomber is the Co-Founder of Buchi, the first commercial kombucha brewery in the southeast. Buchi is quickly growing from a women-founded and worker-owned family business to a significant player in fermented beverages. She focuses on responsible sourcing and manufacturing, a culture of inclusiveness, and a willingness to address the critical needs of food and climate systems in our world

Shamini Dhana, CEO, Dhana Inc
Shamini Dhana is the Founder and CEO of Dhana Inc., a fashion tech company, at the innovation edge of circular fashion; leveraging global textile waste as the solution to creative commerce, co-creation and collaboration while transforming customer and business experience from zero-waste design to impact. Shamini Dhana brings to the fashion industry 28 years of experience in sustainable fashion, international strategy, global operations, venture capital, business development, and executive leadership in Corporate America.

Shannon Keith, CEO, Sudara
Shannon Keith created Sudara with a mission rooted in job creation and freedom-filled choice for women who want to escape sex slavery. Over the past fifteen years, Shannon has taken the organization far and wide. On its current trajectory, Shanon leads Sudara’s vision from the position of founder and chairwoman. Her responsibilities include analyzing systemic issues, evaluating and forming strategic partnerships, and positioning Sudara as a leader in the social innovation space.

Sharon Rowe, Founder of Eco-Bags
Sharon Rowe is the CEO and Founder of Eco-Bags Products, Inc.  Eco-Bags is the original reusable bag brand, sold worldwide, recognized as “Best for The World” by B Corporation for social and environmental commitments and standards. Sharon is recognized as a thought leader in social innovation, sustainable and responsible production since 1989. She speaks regularly on building profitable, mission & value-aligned businesses, believing that business can be a force for good, a currency for ideas that shape culture.

Shelby Taylor, CEO, Chickapea
Shelby Taylor is an entrepreneur on a mission to create good for the world through nutritious, organic meal options. In 2016, she officially launched the organic pasta made from only chickpeas and lentils in the Canadian marketplace and then expanded into the US less than a year later. Shelby is committed to using her business as a force for good andis also passionate about helping other women bring their dreams to life.

Stephanie Nadi Olson, Founder and CEO, We Are Rosie
Stephanie Nadi Olson is an advertising executive who founded We Are Rosie in 2018 based on a genuine understanding of what it feels like to not belong. We Are Rosie is a manifestation of her soul’s calling to create a better way to do business by focusing on the people doing the work. Over the course of her career in advertising, Stephanie has worked closely with big brands and major tech companies. Using this experience, she has created a human-centered approach to marketing that celebrates diversity and facilitates happiness, while ensuring that We Are Rosie maintains integrity and authenticity every step of the way.

Seungah Jeong, President and CEO, MPOWERD
CEO of MPOWERD, Seungah Jeong has spent her career shaping global brands and driving them toward success. She’s a pro at managing teams, leading retail partnerships and building things from scratch, especially when it comes to small business. A company co-founder in her own right, Seungah has two decades of consumer goods experience, balancing a keen eye for design with a sharp business acumen. With a background in philosophy and environmental studies, she’s passionate about the potential companies have to create positive impact.

Susan Griffin-Black, Founder and CEO, EO Products
Susan Griffin-Black co-launched EO Products, a line of plant-based and organic personal care products, in the early days of the natural cosmetics and beauty revolution. The company is a group of 90 mostly passionate, capable, intelligent, kind and diverse people who believe in work as a source for the good of all.

Susan Leger Ferraro, Founder, Imajine That and G3 Consulting
A social entrepreneur and sought-after business innovator, Susan Leger Ferraro launched her first multi-million dollar business as a teenager. In 2005, Susan partnered with a group of investors to create Imajine That, an interactive children’s discovery museum. Through workshops, birthday parties, parent support groups, playgroups, and exploratory fun for children of all ages and stages, Imajine That offers the best sensory-integrated learning stations to stimulate learning for children and families.

Tamala Jones, President and CEO, Pearl Consulting Group
Tamala Jones is the President and CEO of Pearl Consulting Group, a purpose-driven, boutique consultancy focused on creating positive social impact. She is dedicated to helping organizations achieve a positive social impact. Tamala sees the company as a living bridge, facilitating the exchange of mutual benefits and constructive outcomes.

Wendy Strgar, CEO Good Clean Love
Wendy Strgar is an award-winning entrepreneur as the Founder and CEO of Good Clean Love. Starting in her kitchen back in 2003, Wendy founded Good Clean Love after hearing from many women about and experiencing for herself, the painful side effects of using petrochemical-based hygiene and intimacy products. Good Clean Love products are now sold internationally and endorsed by thousands of physicians for their safe and non-toxic ingredients.

Y. Elaine Rasmussen, CEO, Social Impact Strategies Group
Y. Elaine Rasmussen is the CEO of Social Impact Strategies Group (SISG). Driven by the mission to mainstream impact investing and democratizing access to capital by and for women and communities of color, SISG designs community-centered strategies for philanthropists, nonprofits, foundations, investors and social entrepreneurs for positive, sustainable social impact. Elaine has extensive experience in building cultural competency and facilitating transformational relationships in a wide range of sectors

Yasmine Mustafa, CEO, ROAR for Good
Yasmine Mustafa is a social entrepreneur and the CEO of ROAR For Good. Fueled by a passion to leverage technology for good, she leads the ROAR team in their mission to cultivate safer workplaces and empowered communities. Dedicated to fostering inclusive opportunities in business and education, Yasmine draws upon her own experiences as an immigrant and woman in tech to create a platform for conversation and igniting change.

The Entrepreneur Helping Women Find Their Powerhouse Idea

Posted on by Tracy Holland

First, the good news. In 2019, Become reported approximately 13 million women-owned businesses in the U.S, which equates to around 42% of all companies.

Even better — women-owned businesses are growing at a rate of nearly 5%.

But that’s where the good news ends.

According to NAWBO, only one in five firms with revenues of over one million dollars is women-owned. Worse, only 4.2% of all women-owned firms have hit that magical 7-figure mark in revenues.

Why is that the case? Well, one big reason is how women-owned businesses struggle to secure the funding they need to grow. Women-owned start-ups only receive 13% of venture capital. Women are also more likely than men to be denied funding (70% of women who seek funding are denied), and if they can secure a loan, it’s 31% less than it is for men.

For someone like myself, a serial entrepreneur and creator of multiple multi-million-dollar businesses, that was simply unacceptable. Something needed to change. 

I decided I was going to step up and be a part of that change.

It’s time for women to have a seat at the table. For too long, women haven’t been able to compete on the same level as men in business, and changing that is long overdue.

I’ve spent most of my life defying the odds. My entrepreneurial journey began in my mid-twenties, where I repeatedly founded and grew multimillion-dollar businesses over and over, despite not having a rich uncle or any other family money to fall back. I also needed to bust through a mindset block that stemmed from a difficult childhood.

I’m now the cofounder and CEO of Hatchbeauty Brands, a beauty and wellness company based in Los Angeles that has generated $500,000,000 in the past seven years.

So how did I do it? By finding a powerhouse idea, then doing what needed to be done to transform it into an actual powerhouse business. 

What I did wasn’t unique. Any woman who has a powerhouse idea can follow in my footsteps. And that’s what I want to teach.

I quickly discovered that building a successful business was actually the easiest part. New issues cropped up as I struggled to balance motherhood and marriage with entrepreneurial success.

It took some time, but I eventually learned how to balance a life and a business successfully. It’s possible to be extremely successful and not work all hours of the day and night. I feel like too many women stop themselves because they think the cost will be too high. It doesn’t have to be, and I want to show women that they can truly have it all.

In 2020, I launched a new business called Potential to Powerhouse to teach women to do exactly that – take their powerhouse ideas and transform them into real-life powerhouse businesses without costing them their relationships, family, or soul. I do this by providing mindset coaching and training for women entrepreneurs and want-to-be entrepreneurs.

But that still wasn’t enough. My mission was to give every woman access to these core fundamental teachings, regardless of their financial or family situation. So, I decided to launch a podcast.

The From Potential to Powerhouse podcast brings together experienced entrepreneurial women to share their success secrets, and proven business tactics — mined from tough lessons and blockbuster wins — with up-and-coming powerhouse women to empower their paths to success and to make the journey more collaborative and connected.

It features candid and productive conversations with other top-level women entrepreneurs and executives, and it’s designed to support women entrepreneurs in building their dreams.

When I first started as an entrepreneur, this podcast was exactly the resource I wished I had. I have been so inspired by listening to women’s powerhouses tell their stories and share their wisdom. There is so much to learn from each of them; it will save listeners lightyears on their path to building their businesses. I believe women should be millionaires if they want to be. You are exquisite and deserve an exquisite journey. You can live your ultimate life and build your ultimate business just by shifting how you see your circumstances. Let’s share in building with one another, especially when faced with adverse situations and obstacles.

The star-studded list of guests includes Christie Hefner, Sallie Krawcheck, Elizabeth Funk, Katherine Power, Kay Koplovitz, Richelle Parham, Katie Kitchens, and many others. Each of these self-made powerhouses shares their intimate, inspired conversations, their bumps and bruises and wins, and how they used their mindset to fuel their transformations.

Listeners will come away with practical tools and steps to build their dreams as quickly and as efficiently as possible. In addition to the podcast, Potential to Powerhouse will also offer a private Facebook community and “Powerhouse Programs” to give women the opportunity to network, access exclusive Q&A sessions, thought leader panels, masterclasses, and more.

www.potential2powerhouse.com

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