Hey there, Risers & Thrivers!

In this episode, Janine sits down with Conny to unpack the unique challenges that female founders encounter in the startup landscape. We dive into the compelling story of Penelope Gazin and Kate Dwyer, who, back in 2016, invented a male co-founder named "Keith Mann" to navigate gender biases that often blocked their pathwhile building Witchsy. With "Keith" in the mix, they saw firsthand how doors that were previously closed to them suddenly opened, and respect came more readily.

We discuss:

• The obstacles Penelope and Kate faced and how the invention of "Keith" helped them level the playing field

  
  



• Insights from Janine’s own research and interviews with other founders about creative strategies to combat bias

  
  



• Practical tips and tools for women entrepreneurs to help navigate and mitigate bias in their journeys

  
  

This episode is a powerful reminder of the resilience required of underrepresented founders and the urgent need for systemic change in the business world.

Tune in and get inspired!

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Acknowledgments

Intro/Outro & Interlude Music: Music by ⁠⁠oussama arichi⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠

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Timestamps

Introduction and Context (00:00:00 )

Discussion of a meeting where a female CEO was overlooked, setting the stage for gender bias in entrepreneurship.

The Witchsy Story (00:01:32 )

Conny reflects on the significant events of 2016 and introduces Keith Man, a fictional male co-founder created by female entrepreneurs to navigate biases.

Challenges Faced by Witchsy’s Founders (00:07:16 )

Exploration of the challenges faced by Keith’s co-founders, such as how external partners often dismissed the female founders due to their gender.

Bittersweet Triumph (00:18:40 )

The success of the platform is overshadowed by the need for a male figure to gain respect.

Research Insights on Gender Bias (00:21:13 )

Janine shares insights from her research and narratives of female founders facing biases during investor meetings and their coping strategies.

Understanding Prevention vs. Promotion Questions (00:26:58 )

Explanation of different types of questions and strategies for female founders to navigate them.

The Importance of Leaning into Strengths (00:28:47 )

Encouragement for women to embrace their unique strengths and assertiveness in professional settings.

Closing Remarks and Future Topics (00:33:45 )

Teasing future discussions on unconventional fundraising methods for women founders.