In this episode, we explore Kristin Jacobson’s journey and discover how she transformed a passion project into a successful venture. Kristin Jacobson is the visionary founder behind Austin Flea, the city’s premier curated flea market experience. What began as a whimsical idea back in 07′, Austin Flea has blossomed into full-time operation celebrating the city’s vibrant community of vendors, artisans, …
In this episode, we highlight Elizabeth (Liz) Findlay’s story and gain insight into her journey of establishing Albion. Raised in Guatemala, her family owned and operated a clothing factory where they manufactured technical apparel for top U.S.-based fashion brands. However, Liz and her husband, Dave (Co-CEO), had to make a hard decision to close the factory and start their new …
In this episode, we dive into Maggie Brown’s Story and gain insight into how she turned a pandemic passion project into a successful business. Maggie is the CEO of Recess Pickleball, an innovative pickleball gear company aiming to elevate the game experience while fostering a community of passionate consumers. Maggie’s founding fearless approach serves as inspiration for aspiring women entrepreneurs …
In this episode, we dive deep into Samantha Leonard’s story and gain insight into how Samantha turned a passion project into a successful business. Samantha founded ATX Brunch Girls, a local Austin social group aiming to elevate the brunch experience while fostering a community of passionate women. Samantha has built a thriving business by founding fearlessly, inspiring future generations of …
This episode explores the journey of Emily Ramshaw, President and CEO of The 19th*, the nation’s first independent nonprofit newsroom at the intersection of gender, politics, and policy. Emily shares the mission of the news outlet, which aims to elevate the voices of women and LGBTQ+ people with daily journalism, newsletters, and live events. As a trailblazer in her field, …
Embark on an inspiring journey with the founder of COCO DE CHOM. Learn about the inception of the brand, born out of a passion for travel and influenced by the vibrant culture of Thailand. Explore the daily life of an entrepreneur, balancing studies with managing an online business and community involvement. Discover valuable lessons learned, from hustling daily to adapting …
Inspired by her struggles with pelvic organ prolapse after childbirth, she embarked on a mission to create supportive yet stylish garments. Balancing entrepreneurship with a full-time job and parenting, her days are infused with purpose and innovation. She learned the complexities of launching a technical apparel company and values the impact her products have on customers. Her parents’ entrepreneurial spirit …
In a Q&A, the founder of One Love Beads shares her journey. Inspired by a friend’s brain cancer battle, she started crafting bracelets for awareness. Balancing college, internships, and her business, she stresses staying authentic and seeking support. Her mother’s cancer experience fuels her entrepreneurial drive, aiming to honor her legacy through workshops. Negotiating sales at fourteen was a proud …
The founder of YouUnited shares their entrepreneurial journey. Inspired by pandemic challenges and disparities in education access, they founded the platform to democratize learning opportunities. Balancing entrepreneurship with studies and social life is demanding, but they prioritize time for grant applications and team meetings. Their key lessons include surrounding oneself with supportive allies and embracing diverse perspectives. Proud moments include …
StemEQ LLC’s founder noticed communication issues in workplaces, sparking her interest in group dynamics. She blends her passion for games with her aim to foster trust and openness within teams. Balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood, she appreciates the flexibility and productivity it offers. Learning to adapt and embrace feedback, she emphasizes the importance of community support.
Farm-to-Truck’s founder drew inspiration from Blue Zones and centenarians’ diets to address fresh food scarcity in college towns. Balancing studies with entrepreneurship, they dedicate time to research and developing the business. Lessons include embracing failure, understanding problems deeply, and leveraging strengths in teams. Immigrant parents instilled an entrepreneurial spirit. Despite initial setbacks, applying for the FoundHER Cohort was a proud …
HostHelpr’s founder initially focused on connecting hosts with local artists before expanding to the vacation rental market due to industry fragmentation. Balancing entrepreneurship involves prioritizing daily tasks and accepting setbacks. Lessons include embracing setbacks as progress and celebrating wins. Exposure to startup communities inspired the entrepreneurial journey. Proudest moments include acquiring the first paying customer and receiving positive feedback. Valuable …
HOUSE OF ZZ’s founder stumbled into swimwear design while seeking sustainable materials for an online boutique. Balancing various business tasks alone, each day brings new challenges and irregular hours. Lessons include embracing blind confidence, adaptability, and the value of collaboration. Admiration for female founders sparked the entrepreneurial journey. Achievements include featuring in British Vogue and seeing their swimwear worn abroad.
Cur8ability’s founder was inspired to create adaptive clothing after assisting a disabled neighbor during the pandemic. Their day involves researching the clothing industry, designing, and managing production. Lessons include the importance of consistency and team motivation. Various female characters from media inspired their entrepreneurial journey. Proudest moments include creating the first piece of adaptive clothing and receiving their first customer …
Sophy Rosy Shop’s founder transitioned from creating art for family to turning it into a business during the pandemic. They aimed to curate a distinct vibe for their brand. Balancing entrepreneurship with full-time studies, weekdays are for creating and weekends for selling at artist markets. Lessons include embracing fluctuations in success and being inspired by their artist mother’s market sales.
Merge Conflict Studio’s genesis came from a group of AET students showcasing their game, Re:Fresh, at GDC and Develop:Brighton, receiving encouragement to commercialize it. Balancing entrepreneurship with personal growth, they emphasize collaboration and gratitude. Professor Tyler Coleman’s guidance was pivotal. P
The founder of FYDER LLC identified a problem in her family’s oatmeal manufacturing business: the disposal of plastic super sacks. This led to the idea of utilizing polypropylene plastic from these sacks for 3D printing pens, birthing FYDER. Learning to ask the right questions and seeking knowledge from others have been key lessons. Inspired by entrepreneurial parents, visiting an HEB …
Founder of Lettering by Sash, Sash initially started her calligraphy journey on Instagram, gradually receiving commission requests for personalized artworks. Balancing studies with her growing business, Sash dedicates time to completing orders, transforming her apartment into an art studio. Consistency, inspired by women leaders, drives her entrepreneurial journey, where donations to children’s charities and art workshops in rural India stand …
Founder of Saturday Silks, driven by the desire to create high-end collegiate accessories, starting with silk twillies and scarves. An entrepreneur’s day is versatile, involving illustration, photography, retail communication, and inventory management. Learning to accept imperfection is a key lesson. Inspired by entrepreneurial parents, proudest moments include creating custom products for the Houston Texans.
Founder of Hennariyaa, inspired by the cultural significance of henna from her upbringing in India. Embracing her entrepreneurial journey, she celebrates henna as an art form fostering confidence and human connection. Through freestyle henna designs, she shares stories and builds authentic relationships. SXSW EDU exposure and CBS news features propelled her advocacy for female entrepreneurship.
The founder of Collegiate is motivated by the complex college admissions journey and a commitment to addressing educational disparities. Their days are filled with brainstorming, honing pitches, and seeking input from high school students. They’ve recognized the importance of engaging with users and tailoring pitches to diverse audiences. Their entrepreneurial spirit stems from family influence and past endeavors. Notable achievements …
Motivated by the alarming rise in banned books, especially those reflecting diversity, the founder of Read Free initiated the podcast following a course on banned literature. Balancing it as a side project alongside their corporate role, they find solace in crafting podcast scripts. Learning the significance of seeking assistance, they credit KS WELI for igniting their entrepreneurial journey. Key milestones …
Alejandra Acosta, a sophomore at UT Austin, recaps the FoundHer Panel discussing entrepreneurs’ use of creativity to foster business growth. Panelists included Olivia Brasy of “Saturday Silks,” Marley Brownlow of “One Love Beads,” and Sophia Greenberg of “Sophy Rosy Shop.” They highlighted how creativity distinguishes their brands. Despite risks and challenges, such as financial constraints and time management, they emphasized …
Alejandra Acosta, a sophomore at UT Austin, recaps a FounderHer panel hosted by KS WELI, featuring Mohini Tellakat, Chomtale Chitsakul and Alex Steele. Tellakat’s STEM EQ fosters workplace community, while Chitsakul’s Coco de Chom celebrates oceanic joy. Steele’s Read Tree fights book bans, emphasizing storytelling’s power. They discussed networking strategies and community building. Sharing personal stories, they highlighted the importance …
Hear from the founders of pc: the davids, Collegiate, Hem Support Wear, and Get in The Path. Learn how to set achievable goals and focus on your future. Discover how each business is making a difference, from college prep to pelvic floor support wear.
Learn from the founders of Saturday Silks, One Love Beads, and Sophy Rosy Shop. Discover how their creative passions fueled the success of their businesses. From officially licensed game day silk scarves to philanthropy-focused jewelry and whimsical products, learn how these entrepreneurs are making an impact.
This episode explores the journey of Liz Matthews, Senior Vice President of Dell Technologies Global Brand and Creative. Navigating through roles at Johnson & Johnson, Sun Microsystems, and now Dell Technologies, Liz shares how each experience shaped her leadership style and approach to personal branding. With insights gleaned from navigating both the startup scene and global corporations, she emphasizes the …
“Founding Fearless means just not giving up on your dreams!” 💛 New episode out now! This episode explores the journey of Olivia Brady, a 2020 graduate from the University of Texas at Austin. She is the Co-Founder and Designer behind Saturday Silks, a game day silk scarf brand that merges the elements of Texan roots and tradition. She hand illustrates …
A new episode is out now! ✨ This episode explores the journey of Gabriela Bucio, co-owner of one of the city’s most popular and fast-growing restaurant management groups, Gabriela’s Group. Gabriela initially worked behind the scenes at several restaurants after moving to Austin more than 20 years ago from Mexico. Over time, Gabriela learned the business inside and out and …
A new episode is out now! This episode explores the journey of Bryn Carter-Brown and Emily Salberg, CEO and COO of What She Said. From growing vibrant communities in Denver to revolutionizing referral networks for women entrepreneurs nationwide, Bryn and Emily are the visionary duo behind What She Said. Today, they are working on building a platform for women in …
“Go after things and don’t be afraid of sucking” ~ Natalie Franke in ‘Gutsy.’ 🤘💛✨ This episode explores the journey of Natalie Franke, a bestselling author of “Gutsy,” community builder, neuroscience nerd, and “mama bear” for small businesses. As the Head of Community at Flodesk, she empowers tens of thousands of business owners worldwide. During her time at school to …
In this episode, we have Christy Carlson Romano, actress, host, and co-founder of PodCo. From being a Disney icon and best known for her roles as Disney’s “Kim Possible,” and roles in “Even Stevens,” and “Cadet Kelly,” to bringing Disney princess Belle’ to life in the highly acclaimed Beauty and the Beast on Broadway, as well as ‘Kate Monster’ in …
In this episode, we sit down with Marisa Garza, Founder of KEFI by MG. Fresh out of college as a UT Alum, Marisa found herself navigating the corporate landscape while simultaneously framing uniqueness. KEFI by MG is a unique and fashionable eyewear brand where Marisa fused her passion and profession together to create art for any wearer. The episode also …
A new episode is out now! This episode dives into the journey of Fernanda Sampson-Gómez, CEO of Celzo. Leading the way with the first vitamin-infused agua fresca in the USA, she’s an innovator and an equality advocate. Recognized with the Rising Star Award from Latino Leaders Magazine, Fernanda stands as a trailblazing Latina leader shaping the future. 🤘💛✨ Her determination, …
In this episode, we sit down with Carla Taylor, Photographer, Entrepreneur, and Beauty MUA. We delve into Carla’s inspiring journey to becoming a makeup artist who doesn’t limit herself to conventional paths. Instead, she seamlessly combines her creative talents to reshape the landscape of entrepreneurship. 🤘💛✨ Carla emphasizes the values of creativity and uniqueness that have defined her entrepreneurial venture, …
A new episode is out now! In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Adriana Carrig, the Founder and CEO of Little Words Project, an incredible entrepreneur and advocate for kindness. Adriana shares her remarkable journey, starting from her struggles with childhood bullying and finding solace in crafting bracelets. Her story of resilience and determination unfolds as …
A new episode is out now! In this episode, we sit down with Chelsea Kramer, founder and designer of Parke. We delve into Chelsea’s inspiring journey of starting Parke, a woman-owned business that has a mission to create high-quality clothing that can elevate your closet, and live with you forever. Her company has been extremely successful and her clothing has …
A new episode is out now! In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Lindsay, author, attorney, media personality, podcaster, and speaker. We delve into Rachel’s inspiring journey, from initially pursuing a law degree, to making history as the first Black lead in the reality TV franchise, specifically on the thirteenth season of ABC’s “The Bachelorette”. She hasn’t stopped there; …
