Dear FoundHer...Real Founder Stories for Women Small Business Owners

After more than two decades in business, Kim Oser realized that working harder was not the answer. The missing piece was structure.In this episode of Dear FoundHer from the Forum, Kim, founder of Game Plan Organizing, shares the shift that changed everything. After years of strong results, she realized the real barrier was not the quality of her work but how clearly she could articulate it. Once she stopped winging her own growth and built a clear plan, her business momentum followed.Kim opens up about moving from inconsistent marketing to confident storytelling, and how clarity in her message led to stronger referrals and a calendar that finally reflected the value of her work. She also talks about rebranding, not as a fix, but as an evolution. Game Plan Organizing gave her the language to lead more strategically and the confidence to say no to work that no longer aligned.As demand grew, so did questions about capacity and sustainability. Those questions ultimately led to Clear Game Plan, an online program designed to help people get organized without shame or overwhelm. Throughout the episode, one theme remains constant. Growth became possible and sustainable because it was supported by community, accountability, and shared perspective.This conversation is for anyone who knows their work is solid but feels stuck explaining it, scaling it, or sustaining it without burning out.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Women Founders and the Power of Community01:55 What Game Plan Organizing Is and Why Planning Comes First02:52 When Experience Is Not the Problem but Marketing Clarity Is05:36 How Clear Storytelling Led to Referrals and a Full Calendar07:32 Rebranding a Service Business for Strategic Growth11:17 Using Events and Partnerships to Build Trust and Visibility14:09 Scaling Beyond Personal Capacity with an Online Program17:26 Why Community Accelerated Business GrowthConnect with Kim Oser:Follow Kim on Instagram Follow the Game Plan Organizing on Facebook Connect with Game Plan Organizing on LinkedInVisit the Game Plan Organizing websiteSubscribe to The FoundHer Files Follow Dear FoundHer on Instagram Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Building a breakout brand in the baby space usually looks slower and messier than people expect. It means facing real scaling challenges, making patient decisions, and staying committed to the product even when it would be easier to rush. In this episode of Dear FoundHer, host Lindsay Pinchuk talks with female founder, Andrea Faulkner Williams, of Tubby Todd, about what it really took to build a brand parents trust.Andrea shares how Tubby Todd began with a personal family need and a hard reset most founders would avoid. After spending years developing their first product, they chose to start over when it did not work for their own child. That decision shaped everything that followed, including how they focused on quality, earned trust, and started growing an audience through real word of mouth instead of shortcuts or paid hype. Community, consistency, and listening closely to customers became the backbone of the business.That foundation made the next stage possible. Andrea walks through how Tubby Todd expanded beyond direct-to-consumer, first onto Amazon and eventually into Target, without losing what made the brand work. Instead of relying on retail to create demand, they brought an already loyal audience with them. If you are a woman business owner, wrestling with scaling challenges or trying to grow an audience before taking a bigger leap, this episode gives a refreshingly honest look at what steady growth really takes.Episode Breakdown:00:00 How Tubby Todd Grew Without Paid Ads03:00 Two Years of Product Development and Starting Over04:00 Word of Mouth Strategy for Growing an Audience07:00 “Be a Good Friend” Marketing Philosophy14:00 Community Building Offline Through Play Dates19:30 Scaling Challenges: Amazon to Target Retail Expansion25:00 Founder Challenges: Confidence, Relationships, and Boundaries30:00 A Simple Founder Framework: Why, One Goal, Quarterly FocusConnect with Andrea Faulkner Williams:Follow Andrea of InstagramFollow Tubby Todd on InstagramFoundHer Faves:Keep Mahjing OnFoundation PRMaelove Dryness Treatment KitWomaness Let’s Neck Serum RollerKendra Scott 5 Link Match BandSubscribe to The FoundHer Files Follow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What it really takes to leave corporate with confidence and build a people-first business that actually works.Leaving a stable corporate role is rarely about courage alone. It’s about timing, clarity, and building the right support before you leap. On Dear FoundHer from the Forum, host Lindsay Pinchuk sits down with Jillian Bernstein, founder of The Wellness Extension, to unpack what the corporate-to-founder transition really looks like when it’s done thoughtfully. Jillian shares how she assessed her readiness, invested in learning where she had gaps, and resisted the pressure many women founders feel to rush decisions just to make it work.This episode challenges a common misconception about workplace well-being. Jillian explains why surface-level wellness initiatives often fall short for small business owners and how listening closely to clients led her to build a more comprehensive HR concierge model. Her pivots were shaped by real conversations, careful testing, and a willingness to evolve her services based on what businesses actually needed.At the center of it all is community. Jillian reflects on how her network supported her during the quiet early months of building her business and how she now creates paid opportunities for other women through her work. This conversation is for women founders who want to grow sustainably, think strategically, and stop trying to do everything alone.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Investing in Skills You Do Not Have as a Founder02:52 Building an HR Concierge Business for Small Businesses06:30 Knowing When You Are Ready to Leave Corporate11:25 Revenue Goals, Business Pivots, and Sustainable Growth16:27 The Key Decisions That Made This Business Work19:49 Why Community and Network Matter for Women FoundersConnect with Jillian Bernstein:Follow Wellness Extension on Instagram Connect with Jillian on LinkedInVisit the Wellness Extension WebsiteSubscribe to The FoundHer Files Follow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're a woman business owner over 40, join the Dear FoundHer... Forum to find support, advice, resources and mentorship—JUST FOR YOU. It’s all inside, without the gatekeeping and without the overwhelm.If you’re a woman business owner over 40 who feels like growth should be louder or more complicated than it needs to be, this episode is for you.In this solo episode, Lindsay Pinchuk shares why real business growth rarely starts with a launch, funnel, or rebrand—and almost always starts with a conversation. Drawing from her experience building and exiting a seven-figure company, Lindsay explains how conversations have led to her biggest opportunities, partnerships, and long-term growth.You’ll learn why women over 40 are uniquely positioned to grow through relationships, how one aligned conversation can create more impact than ten pieces of content, and why community—not campaigns—is often the missing piece.If networking feels forced and marketing feels heavy, this episode will help you rethink what growth can look like.Subscribe to The FoundHer Files Follow Dear FoundHer... on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many successful female founders and entrepreneurs are exhausted by planners, productivity advice, and the pressure to always do more, yet they still feel behind when it comes to time management. This episode of Dear FoundHer from the Forum slows that conversation down and asks why time feels so hard, even for capable, motivated women.Jill Beck, founder of Just Go Long and an accountability coach for women over 40, joins the discussion to talk about what she sees again and again in her work. The problem usually isn’t a lack of effort or the wrong system. It’s the absence of accountability in the middle of real life. Jill shares how she supports women through text-based accountability that fits into busy days rather than adding more to them.The conversation covers burnout, boundaries, confidence, and why it’s so hard to follow through when your plate is already full. Jill also shares how her business came together in a very unflashy way, built on trust, referrals, and showing up consistently rather than chasing attention or growth trends.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Why Productivity Systems Fail Without Accountability02:27 Text-Based Accountability Coaching for Women Over 4005:29 Burnout, Health, and Sustainable Time Management06:48 The Time Pie Chart That Forces Real Tradeoffs10:12 Visibility, Confidence, and Letting Go of Follower Obsession16:04 Growing a Coaching Business Through Email and Referrals23:24 What’s Next for Just Go Long and Corporate Time OverloadConnect with Jill Beck:Follow Jill on InstagramConnect with Jill on LinkedInSubscribe to The FoundHer Files Follow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for the FREE Dear FoundHer… Forum Open House + Networking (virtual) Event on January 28th. RSVP HERE we won’t host another Open House until later this spring.This female founded business began as a side hustle in an apartment and grew into a 45-location, company-owned beauty brand by staying grounded in reality.Courtney Claghorn, president and founder of Sugared + Bronzed, a natural sugaring and spray tan company shares how the company took shape while she still worked full-time, learned the service herself, and paid attention to what customers were actually willing to buy. Early decisions focused on cash flow, reinvestment, and keeping costs manageable. Profitability set the pace from the start and made it possible to scale without franchising or giving up ownership.The conversation traces what changes when a side hustle demands more than spare time, how standards hold up as scale increases, and why systems replaced intuition as the business grew. Courtney also talks through choosing when to raise capital, adjusting during COVID, and building something that could keep growing without depending on her presence in every room.Episode Breakdown:00:00 From Side Hustle To Growth At Scale: The Sugared + Bronzed Story  03:10 Identifying A Market Gap In The Spray Tan Industry  06:00 Early Customer Acquisition Without Social Media  07:00 Leaving A Corporate Job When Demand Takes Over  08:10 Bootstrapping The First Store And Prioritizing Profitability  14:50 Scaling Without Franchising Or Losing Control  16:10 Raising Capital After Proving The Business Model  17:30 Surviving COVID Through Creative Pivots  23:00 Maintaining Quality And Culture At Scale  34:00 Founder Advice On Moving Fast And Avoiding Overplanning Connect with Courtney Claghorn:Follow Courtney on InstagramVisit the Sugared + Bronzed WebsiteFollow Sugared + Bronzed on InstagramSubscribe to The FoundHer Files Follow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for the FREE Dear FoundHer… Forum Open House + Networking (virtual) Event on January 28th. RSVP HERE we won’t host another Open House until later this spring.Building a business around friendship sounds personal because it is, and Nina Badzin shares what it takes to do it with clarity and staying power. As the founder of Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship, she talks about turning years of writing and real reader questions into a podcast and newsletter that function as the business itself, not side projects. Nina also opens up about the relief and clarity she found when she stopped trying to sound like an expert and simply showed up as a writer.Nina also gets practical about sustainability, from how sponsorships support the podcast to how paid Substack subscriptions support the newsletter. She shares why waiting to monetize often slows momentum and how the right platform can create visibility without constant promotion. The conversation also touches on the role of community, including how the Dear FoundHer Forum helped her test ideas, host live events, and find support beyond her personal friendships.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Introducing Dear FoundHer From the Forum and Nina Badzin01:17 Turning Friendship Advice Into a Sustainable Business07:55 Starting a Podcast During COVID10:15 How Dear Nina Makes Money Through Sponsorships and Subscriptions13:58 Why Substack Works for Newsletter Growth and Discovery20:53 Why Community Matters More Than Friends in Business23:55 Real Business Results From the Dear FoundHer Forum27:11 Three Practical Lessons for New Business OwnersConnect with Nina Badzin:Follow Nina on Instagram Tune in to Nina’s Podcast: Dear Nina Conversations About FriendshipSubscribe to The FoundHer Files Follow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for the FREE Dear FoundHer… Forum Open House + Networking (virtual) Event on January 28th. RSVP HERE we won’t host another Open House until later this spring.A personal turning point became a company, a community, and a test of what values-driven leadership actually costs.Lindsay Pinchuk sits down with Zibby Owens to talk about how a deeply personal reset evolved into a media company built on instinct, trust, and conviction. Zibby shares how her work as a podcaster grew from meaningful conversations with authors into live events, publishing, and a broader community shaped by paying close attention to what resonated. How do you keep building when there is no clear roadmap and the business keeps changing?Zibby shares how she makes decisions inside a business that refuses to stay static. She explains how creating an umbrella brand helped her clarify who the company exists for and what truly belongs, even when that meant letting go of projects she loved. Structure arrived when it was necessary, not because she chased scale, but because the work demanded it.Zibby also talks about the cost of showing up publicly with conviction after October 7th. She reflects on backlash, strained relationships, and the emotional weight of choosing to speak openly. That choice led her to step more fully into her role as an advocate, using Zibby Media to create an anthology that gathered stories and offered connection during a moment of crisis.This episode shows listeners what it really takes to grow a business without a script, hold firm to your values, and keep showing up when the stakes are personal as well as professional.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Leadership, Visibility, And Responsibility After October 7th  02:22 Building Zibby Media Without A Traditional Business Plan  06:01 Becoming A Podcaster And Turning Conversations Into Community  08:16 Expanding From Podcast To Publishing Company And Bookstore  13:55 Rebranding To Zibby Media And Creating An Umbrella Brand  18:31 How To Know When A Business Idea Is Not Working  22:46 The Cost Of Speaking Publicly And Staying Authentic  26:45 National Book Awards Decision And Defining Values In Business  29:05 Creating An Anthology And Stepping Into Advocacy  34:39 The Hard Realities Of Growth: Hiring, Events, And Monetization  40:58 Advice For Women Building A BusinessConnect with Zibby Owens:Follow Zibby on Instagram Follow Zibby Publishing on Instagram  Follow Zibby’s Bookshop on Instagram Follow Totally Booked with Zibby on Instagram  Visit Zibby Media Visit Zibby’s websiteJoin us for the Dear FoundHer... Forum Virtual Open House + Networking Event on January 28th to meet other amazing women business owners just like you. RSVP HERE to save yourself a seat, it's free. Subscribe to The FoundHer Files Follow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two simple, proven ways to get new clients in 2026, without ads, funnels, or burnout. Lindsay Pinchuk shares the email every entrepreneur forgets to send and the LinkedIn strategy that activates your network and drives real revenue. Perfect for women business owners over 40 building their next chapter.If you're a woman business owner over 40 and you’re wondering how to get more clients in 2026, without ads, complicated funnels, or burnout, this episode is for you.In this special teaser episode ahead of Season 5 of Dear FoundHer…, host Lindsay Pinchuk shares the two simplest and most effective client acquisition strategies she’s used at every stage of her career, from launching her first company to building a seven-figure business and scaling Dear FoundHer.You’ll learn:✔️ The one email every entrepreneur forgets to send — and why it’s your most powerful lead generator ✔️ How to activate your existing network to get new clients faster ✔️ How to use LinkedIn for business development (without cold pitching or awkward sales messages) ✔️ Why “doing great work” isn’t enough — and what actually creates momentum ✔️ The exact strategy Lindsay used when she woke up one January with zero clientsWhat You’ll Learn in This Episode:How to write THAT email — the announcement email that activates your network and generates referrals, clients, and opportunitiesWhy your existing network is your fastest path to revenueHow to use LinkedIn intentionally for business growthThe outbound strategy that landed multiple clients in weeksHow to create momentum when your pipeline is emptyWhy visibility is the real growth lever for women entrepreneurs over 40This episode is for:Women business owners over 40Female founders starting a business later in lifeCareer pivoters building a second actConsultants, coaches, service providers, and foundersEntrepreneurs who want more clients without relying on social media trendsWomen who want simple, proven marketing strategies that actually convertIf you're starting a business after 40, pivoting careers, or rebuilding momentum in a new season of life, this episode gives you a clear, simple roadmap to getting visible and getting paid. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just real strategies that work.Grab THAT email. Grab THOSE LinkedIn message templates. Follow Dear FoundHer... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you missed our holiday Dear FoundHer... Forum promo, you didn’t miss your chance. We’re offering one final opportunity to join the Dear FoundHer… Forum at a special rate before they go up in January. Use the code LASTCHANCE for 20% off through December 31st. CLICK HERE TO JOIN US.Momentum grows faster when you’re not building alone.Community is the difference.In the final episode of 2025, Host, Lindsay Pinchuk, reflects on a year defined by momentum—not hustle, but intentional business growth built through community.This solo episode looks back on the wins, challenges, and lessons that shaped the Dear FoundHer… ecosystem in 2025 and shares what it really takes to build a business that’s sustainable, aligned, and built to last. Lindsay breaks down what this year reinforced about growth after 40, the power of boundaries, and why community compounds faster than content.You’ll hear the lessons Lindsay is carrying into 2026—focused on sustainability, clarity, and future goals—along with a reminder that meaningful growth doesn’t come from doing more, but from doing what works.If you’re closing out the year reflecting on what’s next and craving momentum that feels steady instead of exhausting, this episode is for you.Make sure you follow Dear FoundHer... on Instagram and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The FoundHer Files.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you missed our holiday Dear FoundHer... Forum promo, you didn’t miss your chance. We’re offering one final opportunity to join the Dear FoundHer… Forum at a special rate before they go up in January. Use the code LASTCHANCE for 20% off through December 31st. CLICK HERE TO JOIN USCommunity isn’t a trend. It’s the business—and it always has been.As the year comes to a close, Host, Lindsay Pinchuk, reflects on the one thing behind every milestone inside Dear FoundHer…: community.In this solo episode, Lindsay shares why connection has always been the foundation of real business growth—long before algorithms, trends, or social media experts declared it so. From building a seven-figure company without a marketing budget to creating spaces where women truly support one another, this episode is a reminder that people don’t stay loyal to platforms. They stay loyal to people.You’ll hear why community isn’t a “nice to have,” but essential infrastructure for entrepreneurs—especially women in business—and walk away with simple, practical ways to start building (and deepening) connection right now.In this episode, we cover:Why community is the business—not a trendHow connection and trust fuel sustainable growthSimple ways to build community without overcomplicating itHow support and networking create resilience when things get hardFive strategies for creating connection with your community in order to sustain it. If you’re building a business and want more than vanity metrics—more connection, more support, and more people in your corner, this episode is for you.Make sure you follow Dear FoundHer... on Instagram and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The FoundHer Files. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're a woman business owner over 40, join the Dear FoundHer... Forum to find support, advice, resources and mentorship—JUST FOR YOU. It’s all inside, without the gatekeeping and without the overwhelm.Building a real business became possible for Dr. Lisa Klein when she stopped trying to do everything alone and chose to grow inside a community of women who understood the work.Lindsay Pinchuk talks with pediatrician and Turning Teen founder Dr. Lisa Klein about how a deeply personal idea grew into a legitimate business with national reach. Turning Teen began as a response to a need Dr. Klein saw in her medical practice, parents who wanted support talking with their kids about puberty, body image, emotions, and sex education but did not know where to start. What began as small workshops in living rooms evolved into structured programming for schools, community groups, and families across multiple cities.Dr. Klein shares how joining the Dear Found Her Forum and participating in Marketing Made Simple helped her move from treating Turning Teen as a side project to running it as a real business. Being surrounded by other women builders gave her clarity, accountability, and confidence as she learned marketing, partnerships, hiring, and systems. How different does growth feel when you are not figuring it out alone?The conversation points out how community relationships turned into real opportunities, from strategic partnerships to new offerings and large scale events. Dr. Klein’s story is a reminder that sustainable growth often comes from shared experience, steady action, and the right people in your corner.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Meet Dr. Lisa Klein and the Mission Behind Turning Teen03:18 Why Turning Teen Started and the Real Problem It Solves04:47 From Small Workshops to a Scalable Business Model08:58 When a Passion Project Became a Legitimate Business10:55 How the Dear Found Her Forum and Mentorship Drove Growth17:12 Partnerships Community and the Turning Teen Seal of Approval28:13 Advice for Women Building a Business and What Matters MostConnect with Dr. Lisa Klein:Follow Turning Teen on InstagramFollow Turning Teen on FacebookDearFoundHer… Links:Check out the Dear FoundHer... Female Founded Holiday Gift GuideJoin the Dear FoundHer... Forum Follow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holiday Special: Join the Dear FoundHer… Forum at 30% off our annual rate and lock in pricing forever. After December 19th, we will never offer this rate again. JOIN US HEREYou don’t need permission or perfect credentials to build a trusted brand in women’s health.Lindsay Pinchuk sits down with Kat Schneider, founder and CEO of Ritual, for a conversation about building a category-defining company without a science background or a perfectly mapped plan. Kat shares how Ritual began during her first pregnancy as a response to unanswered questions about trust and transparency, and how choosing a DTC model early allowed the brand to educate customers, show real proof, and earn credibility instead of asking for it. What changes when you build trust before scale? How do you move forward when you do not feel fully ready?Kat also reflects on how that DTC foundation shaped Ritual’s growth and made expansion into retail, including Target, feel intentional rather than reactive. She talks about leadership lessons learned along the way, from hiring mistakes to the pressure many women feel to be experts at everything, and why surrounding yourself with people who are stronger where you are not can change everything. Tune in to understand how intuition and decision-making become the real competitive advantage when you are building something meant to last.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Why This Conversation Matters for Women Founders02:20 How Ritual Started With One Pregnant Founder Asking Better Questions05:52 Quitting a Job While Pregnant and Challenging a “Niche” Industry07:39 Building Ritual Without a Science Background12:58 Launching One Product and Earning Trust Through DTC20:56 How DTC Education Enabled Expansion Into Target and Retail32:30 Leadership Lessons and Early Hiring Mistakes38:14 Three Core Lessons on Intuition, Rejection, and Decision-MakingConnect with Kat Schneider:Follow Kat on InstagramFollow Ritual on InstagramDearFoundHer… Links:Check out the Dear FoundHer... Female Founded Holiday Gift Guide! Join the Dear FoundHer... ForumFollow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You have just a couple more weeks to join THE networking community for women business owners over forty: The Dear FoundHer... Forum. Save 30% off your annual membership and lock in your rate before it goes in next year!A longtime HR leader sees how unprepared many young adults feel after college and turns that insight into a small business built to guide them through the realities of adulthood.Heather Redisch sits down with Lindsay Pinchuk to share how Adulting 101 Masterclass began, the early uncertainty that came with creating something in a wide-open space, and the small shifts that helped her clarify her offer. She talks about the moments that shaped her growth, the experiments that revealed what students and parents truly needed, and the point where things finally gained momentum once she focused on her core strengths.Heather also reflects on the role community played in her progress. The women in the Dear FoundHer Forum helped her push past discomfort, stay visible, and build confidence as she refined her idea. Their support reshaped how she approaches her work and the young adults she serves. Her story leaves listeners with a simple question: what becomes possible for your small business when you stay curious, keep learning, and surround yourself with a community that moves with you?Episode Breakdown:00:00 Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone for Small Business Growth02:20 From HR Expert to Founder of Adulting 101 Masterclass03:32 The Workforce Gap and Why Graduates Aren’t Prepared05:39 How Adulting 101 Shifted to a One-on-One Coaching Model09:42 The Breakthrough Moment After Narrowing Her Offer13:31 Community Support and Networking That Fueled Growth18:53 What’s Next for Adulting 101 Masterclass22:05 Heather’s Essential Advice for New FoundersLinks:Follow Heather Redisch on InstagramSubscribe to The FoundHer Files and check out our female founded holiday gift guide!Follow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holiday Special: Join THE networking community for women business owners over forty, The Dear FoundHer... Forum. From now until the end of the year, save 30% on your annual membership and lock in the rate forever. Jackie Kim shares how a personal obsession with sensitive skin turned into Maelove, a science led skincare brand whose viral vitamin C serum built loyalty before it made headlines. Joining Lindsay Pinchuk in this episode, Jackie traces the shift from New York attorney and startup investor to founder, driven by years of dry, reactive skin and frustration with clinical products that either caused irritation or came with a painful price tag. What do you build when every “solution” stings your face or empties your wallet? Jackie answers that question with Maelove’s approach to extra strength yet gentle formulas, a fully bootstrapped business, deep investment in R&D and long form educational content that customers and dermatologists now treat as a trusted guide. Along the way, she shares advice on knowing your strengths, hiring for your gaps and staying clear on who your skincare brand really serves, and she shows how viral growth can follow when you let the product, the science and your customers do the talking.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Why Building A Business Is A Marathon And Why Founder Community Matters02:23 Dear FoundHer Host Intro And Setting Up The Maelove Skincare Story04:35 Meet Jackie Kim And The Origins Of Maelove Skincare08:11 Solving Sensitive Skin Problems And Defining The Maelove Mission10:24 Bootstrapping Maelove And Building A Customer Obsessed Science Led Skincare Team14:25 Creating Glowmaker And How A Vitamin C Serum Became A Viral Skincare Hero20:15 How Glowmaker Went Viral Through Editors Influencers And Dermatologists24:27 Keeping Skincare Affordable With A Lean Direct To Consumer Business Model26:05 Becoming A Customer Obsessed Brand Through Deep Skincare Education And Content32:16 Staying Competitive Without Funding And Growing Maelove Through Word Of Mouth36:08 Jackie Kim’s Three Actionable Steps For Female Founders In Skincare And BeyondConnect with Jackie Kim:Follow Maelove on InstagramLinks:Follow Dear FoundHer on InstagramCheck out the Dear FoundHer... Female Founded Gift Guide!Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for the Dear FoundHer... Forum Virtual Open House + Networking Event on December 9th. Meet other women business owners, connect, and experience the support you’ve been missing. Sign up through the link in the show notes—it’s free to join us. Pearl and Rose began as Lisa Schneider’s search for honest conversation about menopause, aging parents, and shifting identity, and has since grown into a small business rooted in real community for women in midlife. Inspired by young moms’ groups and encouraged by Lindsay Pinchuk and the Dear FoundHer Forum, Lisa took her idea from “I wish this existed” to a branded platform with in-person events, resources, and support for women in their forties, fifties, and sixties.In this episode, Lisa shares how she built Pearl and Rose by listening first, starting with a simple dinner party that doubled as a focus group and evolving into ongoing programs on wellness, menopause, fitness, and the sandwich generation. She talks about learning to collaborate, ask for help, and show up face to camera to tell her own breast cancer story, which sparked powerful engagement and gave women language to advocate for themselves. Lisa shows how the Dear FoundHer community and her cohort have become a daily support system that fuels the growth of her small business and proves that when women build community with intention, everyone involved grows stronger.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Normalizing Midlife Conversations on Menopause Aging Parents and Identity01:30 From Burned Out Designer to Pearl and Rose Midlife Community Founder04:54 Validating the Idea with Instagram and a Midlife Focus Group Dinner08:29 Listening to the Community Wellness Menopause and the Sandwich Generation12:08 Growing Pearl and Rose Through Collaboration Events and Membership18:22 Vulnerability Breast Cancer and Showing Up on Social Media21:31 How Dear FoundHer Community Fuels Lisa’s Journey and Her Advice to New FoundersConnect with Lisa Schneider:Follow Pearl and Rose on InstagramLinks:Subscribe to The FoundHer Files and check out our female founded holiday gift guide! Follow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holiday Special: Join us for the Dear FoundHer... Forum Virtual Open House + Networking Event on December 9th. Meet other women business owners, connect, and experience the support you’ve been missing. Sign up through the link in the show notes—it’s free to join us. Two fashion insiders walk through how a single white tee became the core of a cult basics brand that now lives in both retail and direct to consumer channels. Lindsay Pinchuk talks with perfectwhitetee co-founders Jen Menchaca and Lisa Hickey about the years they spent in showrooms and retail stores, the gap they saw for reliable year round basics and the way a partnership with a fabric expert let them obsess over fit, fabric and how their pieces actually feel on real women. They describe fit tests on bodies of different ages and sizes and they show how feedback from boutiques and customers turns each tee and sweatshirt into a staple women reorder in multiple colors.When COVID hit, their independent retail partners served as a lifeline as supply chains stalled and boutiques turned to perfectwhitetee for product they could still put in customers’ hands. From there the direct to consumer side grew as shoppers sent DMs that asked for more colors and styles, which pushed Jen and Lisa to build a Shopify site and to treat lifestyle driven ads and email as key tools for connection and loyalty. Again and again they come back to a simple idea. Strong basics and strong businesses start with a clear customer, a clear edge and a community that trusts you in both retail and direct to consumer spaces.Episode Breakdown:00:00 How Listening To Customers Built A Cult Basics Brand03:12 Meet perfectwhitetee Founders Jen Menchaca And Lisa Hickey04:22 From Showroom And Retail Stores To The Perfect White Tee Idea06:50 Spotting A Gap In Basics And Building A Fabric First Fashion Brand08:24 What Makes A Perfect White Tee Fit Fabric Community And Confidence12:44 Launching Right Before COVID And Leaning On Retail Relationships18:25 Relationships Community And A “No Asshole” Policy For Business Growth24:23 From Wholesale To Direct To Consumer How Ads And UGC Fueled Demand33:43 Black Friday Inventory Fail Owning Mistakes And Fixing Operations41:37 What Is Next For perfectwhitetee Wovens Mens And Deeper Community43:07 Three Actionable Steps For Women Starting A Product BusinessConnect with Jen Menchaca and Lisa Hickey:Follow perfectwhitetee on InstagramLinks:Subscribe to The FoundHer Files and check out our female founded holiday gift guide! Follow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holiday Special: Join the Dear FoundHer… Forum and lock in special member pricing + exclusive bonuses for 2026 available for a limited time. If you’re ready for connection, clarity, and support in your business, now is the time to get inside. JOIN US HERE Ronna Belinky reveals how genuine community and intentional networking can transform a small personal system into a meaningful business that helps women create clarity, structure, and ease in their lives.Lindsay Pinchuk and Ronna take a closer look at how a simple planning method Ronna created for her own family eventually grew into a workshop and consulting practice that now supports women who want more structure in their days. Along the way, Ronna discovered that her greatest growth came from in-person connection. She built her business by showing up at events, leading workshops, and forming real relationships inside the Dear FoundHer Forum. Those experiences offered encouragement, referrals, and a sense of belonging that helped her move through self-doubt and step into visibility with more confidence.This episode encourages listeners to think about how community shapes their own work. What happens when you surround yourself with people who understand your goals? How does meaningful networking create opportunities that don’t appear through social media alone? Ronna’s story offers a reminder that business grows through connection, consistency, and the courage to keep showing up.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Introducing Ronna Belinky And The Mission Behind Workflows By Ronna01:40 How Ronna Helps Women With Personal And Professional Time Management07:15 Creating The Notebooks With Ronna System And Validating It Through Focus Groups10:40 Why In Person Networking Drives Ronna’s Business Growth16:10 Using Presentations To Explain A Unique Service And Attract Clients20:05 Marketing Strategies That Actually Work For Service Based Businesses22:09 Building Confidence And Overcoming Imposter Syndrome As A New Founder26:43 Ronna’s Top Advice For Women Starting A BusinessConnect with Ronna Belinky:Visit Workflows by RonnaFollow Ronna on InstagramLinks:Join the Dear Foundher... Forum Follow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See what happens when women founders build together. RSVP and join us for the Dear FoundHer Forum Virtual Open House + Networking Session on December 9th!Natalie Holloway reveals how a simple idea sparked during a frustrating yoga class grew into a fitness brand that reshaped an entire category.Joining Lindsay Pinchuk, Natalie traces Bala’s beginnings from a gut-level insight to a Kickstarter launch and then to the turning point that came with Shark Tank. She talks openly about rapid growth, the reality of running out of inventory, and the tough moment when she realized their team had grown faster than the business itself. Natalie explains how scaling back helped Bala regain clarity and why a lean structure now drives their strongest year yet. She also offers practical direction for early founders who want a business that can last. How do you know when to trust an idea that feels small? What protects a young company when momentum hits faster than expected? Natalie’s answers land with experience and honesty, and this episode will leave you with a clearer sense of what sustainable growth really looks like.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Why Community And Support Matter For Women Founders Over 4005:17 Who Is Natalie Holloway And What Is Bala Fitness06:11 Leaving Advertising Burnout, Traveling Asia And Discovering The Bala Bangles Idea11:34 From Side Hustle To Kickstarter Funding Bala’s First $40K Production Run14:19 Grassroots Marketing On Shopify, Social Media And In Studios To Prove Product Market Fit17:43 Shark Tank Appearance, Pandemic Fitness Boom And Bala’s Explosive Growth21:47 Building Then Shrinking The Team: Lessons In Hiring Fast And Scaling Smarter26:44 Expanding Beyond Bangles: Volifying Dumbbells, Power Rings And The Fitness Category27:50 Best Year Yet: How Bala Became A Lean Profitable Business With Trusted Agency Partners30:51 Natalie’s Top Three Lessons For Female Founders On Profit, Hiring And Passion35:33 Three Immediate Action Steps For New Entrepreneurs: Research, P&L And Documenting On SocialConnect with Natalie Holloway:Follow Natalie on InstagramFollow Bala on InstagramLinks:Check out our gift guide!Join us for our virtual networking and Forum Open HousePodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See what happens when women founders build together. RSVP and join us for the Dear FoundHer Forum Virtual Open House + Networking Session on December 9th Growth takes on a new shape when a social media manager realizes her own brand no longer reflects the business she wants to run and chooses to rebuild it with the clarity of a small business owner who is ready to move forward with intention.Shane Shaps sits down with Lindsay Pinchuk to reflect on the turning points that reshaped her work as both a social media manager and a small business owner. She talks about the moment she noticed her brand no longer felt like hers and how rebuilding it helped her reconnect with her voice and her values. She also shares how her role evolved from handling every task herself to offering strategy and coaching in a way that supports clients without stretching her thin. Their conversation explores the reality of building a small team, the relief that comes with delegation, and the steady sense of direction that grows when you surround yourself with a community that understands the challenges of running a business.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Introduction to Shane Shaps and Big Voice Social03:09 The Turning Point That Sparked a Rebrand06:48 How Big Voice Social Evolved Its Services08:47 Building a Flexible Team as a Small Business Owner12:01 Marketing Strategies That Actually Supported Growth14:54 Launching a Podcast as a Brand-Building Tool21:06 Shane’s Advice for Small Business OwnersConnect with Shane Shaps:Follow Shane on InstagramLinks:Subscribe to The FoundHer FilesFollow Dear FoundHer on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.