“When you work through your partnerships, you want to make sure that it's mutually beneficial,” says Louisa Serene Schneider, Founder of Rowan, an ear-piercing boutique dedicated to providing safe piercings to customers around the country. While Louisa initially began attracting customers through word-of-mouth marketing and local partnerships, she has since grown her business on a national scale. Today, Rowan has a national partnership with Target, plus many of their own boutiques (with more popping up all across the country).

As a mother, Louisa was hard-pressed to find a safe alternative to piercing her daughters' ears. With a strong background in finance and a good eye for business opportunities, Louisa was inspired to start Rowan, a one-of-a-kind piercing service that offers hypoallergenic jewelry and piercings provided by trained nurses. Throughout her journey, Louisa has found incredible strength within her partnerships. Not only is she able to better spread awareness about her service, but she can return the favor.

Tune into this episode of Dear FoundHer… to learn more about the importance of building strategic partnerships, your network, understanding your customers, and word of mouth marketing so you can take actionable steps towards pursuing your business ideas.

Quotes

• “Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.” (10:47-10:50)

• “You really need to know your customer. You need to know where she is, what she reads, what kind of coffee she likes. You need to know everything about her so that you can provide her a solution that she might not even know she wants.” (16:37-16:50)

• “I think the biggest compliment is when people say ‘why didn't I think of that’?”  (16:56-17:00)

• “There's nothing more valuable than word of mouth.” (24:38-24:40)

• “The path to getting an investor is really challenging, and it requires a tremendous number of meetings.” (31:16-31:24)

• “You need to have a super tight elevator pitch on what you're doing and why it's amazing. Don't shy away from it, tell everyone.” (32:42-32:50)

Connect with Louisa Serene Schneider:

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/louisasereneschneider

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/heyrowan

Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Dear FoundHer on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Looking to up your social media game?  Join Lindsay for her FREE Social Media for Small Business Masterclass starting April 25th.  SIGN UP HERE.  Want even more resources for growing your business?

• Grab one of Lindsay’s FREE quick small business marketing guides: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/freebie

• Follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinch

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“There was nothing that I could hear from anybody that was going to make me turn back, I had to do this for myself and nobody else,” says Anne Grossman, Founder of Rebel Daughter Cookies. While being a mother has always been one of her greatest accomplishments, Anne had always dreamed of one day owning her own business.

What started as a small hobby, Anne has quickly grown Rebel Daughter Cookies into a nationally recognized brand. By incorporating both her creativity and experience as a mother, Anne has been able to perfect her recipes and provide customers with some of the best gourmet cookies on the market. Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, it has been her mission to advocate for and inspire all female entrepreneurs to relentlessly follow their dreams. Today, Rebel Daughter Cookies empowers women all over the country to indulge in sweets without feeling guilty.

Tune into this episode of Dear FoundHer… to learn more about the power of publicity, believing in yourself, and giving back so you can create a brand that gains notoriety on a national level.

• “I'm really passionate about looking back and extending a hand and helping out other women founders in any way I can.” (04:17-04:22)

• “There was nothing that I could hear from anybody that was going to make me turn back or say it wasn’t with it.  I had to do this for myself and nobody else.” (10:02-10:18)

• “The journey of being a founder of a startup feels like your hair's on fire constantly.” (11:58-12:05)

• “You have to figure out what your pain points are. What are the areas where you can pay someone else to do what you're doing so you can go out and make more money?” (23:08-23:18)

• “Rebel Daughter Cookies is all about women empowerment, and women helping other women.” (31:05-31:08)

• “As a founder and a CEO of a company, you have to put the business and your employees first and then give what you can out of that.” (32:15-32:25)

• “How I justify what I'm doing is that one day, I'm hopefully going to build a business that my daughter and my son can be proud of and say my mom built that.” (36:47-37:02)

Connect with Anne Grossman:

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rebeldaughtercookies

Website: https://www.rebeldaughtercookies.com/

Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Dear FoundHer on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Looking to up your social media game?  Join Lindsay for her FREE Social Media for Small Business Masterclass starting April 25th.  SIGN UP HERE.  Want even more resources for growing your business?

• Grab one of Lindsay’s FREE quick small business marketing guides: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/freebie

• Follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinch

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Does the price of traditional boutique shopping prevent you from finding the perfect pieces to add to your wardrobe? For many women, this is a constant struggle. In today’s episode, Lindsay Pinchuk and Ali Reff, Founder of Alice & Wonder discuss how she transformed her business from a home-based retailer to one of Chicago’s most sought-after affordable brick and mortar boutiques.

Like so many other founders, Ali built her business brick by brick. Originally selling her products online from her apartment, Ali has recently taken her business to the next level. Whether you’re looking for the perfect statement piece or a personalized gift for a loved one, Alice & Wonder's mission is to bring unique yet affordable items to market. Throughout her journey, Ali's dedication to her core values combined with her relationship with her consumers has been the main key to the success of her business. Today, Alice & Wonder provides affordable shopping both online and in-person at either of their two storefront locations.

Tune into this episode of Dear FoundHer… for an honest conversation about bringing a business to brick and mortar. Learn more about the importance of connecting with your consumers, learning from your mistakes, and challenging yourself to step outside your comfort zone so you can take your business to the next level.

QUOTES:

• “That in-person experience in accompaniment with an online presence is super important because people want to feel like they're part of the experience, especially in clothing.” (09:44-09:54)

• “Life is all about how you react to the circumstances around you that happen. The pandemic put small businesses through hell, but for companies like Alice and Wonder, it also provided a lot of opportunities.” (13:47-13:57)

• “Social media is ever-evolving, but small businesses need to embrace it. Look at your following as your community, your family.” (19:29-19:51)

• “I am very similar to the customer that I am trying to attain. I have always wanted our brand to appear very approachable.” (23:43-23:54)

• “The best interaction between clients is getting to meet people in the store and see their reaction.” (24:23-24:29)

• “We would not be where we are today without making mistakes and hearing feedback.” (38:49-38:55)

Connect with Ali Reff

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/aliceandwonder

Website: https://aliceandwonder.com/

Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Dear FoundHer on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Looking to up your social media game?  Join Lindsay for her FREE Social Media for Small Business Masterclass starting April 25th.  SIGN UP HERE.  Want even more resources for growing your business?

• Grab one of Lindsay’s FREE quick small business marketing guides: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/freebie

• Follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk/

Use code FoundHer for 50% off your first month with both HiveCast and Fireside

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I remember my first hire for my first company as if it were yesterday. I had an amazing part-time, hourly employee who desperately wanted to work for me full time. I knew I needed her. So I worked my butt off to bring in the revenue so I could pay her....and I paid her before I ever paid myself.

When you first start your business hiring help seems like the most daunting undertaking there is. Often times you don't have the resources you need to hire the person you want. And you think that you can just do it all yourself. But NEWSFLASH...you can't. Investing in a team and in help for your business is only going to help you grow your company---far faster than you would think.

Even when you're bootstrapping, you can still find the help you need. Sometimes, you just have to get creative.  In today's episode I go into detail on these  SIX creative ideas and ways that you can get the help that you need to grow your business:

1️. Find a Co-Founder: This idea isn't for everyone. However it's something I often wished I had done when I started my first company. As someone who was a creative and marketing/sales oriented, having someone early on to handle finances and operations would have been a nice compliment to my skill set.

2. Go the totally opposite direction as above and hire a student or an intern. You have to remember though---you have to PUT TIME into an intern in order to get what you want out of an intern. (Also, make sure you look into labor laws, free Internships are a concept of the past in many states.)

3. In today's working world there are so many people who want flexibility or will work part-time. Today in my stories I'll talk about how I hired a part-time Controller. So many women want to come back into the work place after kids, or want to take a step away from the work place to be with their kids. FIND THESE PEOPLE and hire them to complete projects and tasks you cannot.

4. Find someone who you can trade services with. Help them with a project in exchange for them helping you.

5. Again, another idea not for everyone. But, if you're going to fundraise, or really scale your company, paying a team in equity from your company can serve multiple purposes. Not only will you get the help you need, but you also will have a team who is invested in your brand. Just make sure if you go this route you hire a lawyer to help.

6. Your community is already invested in what you are doing, start off trading your product or service, as you grow you can pay them increasingly more.

Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Dear FoundHer on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Looking to up your social media game?  Join Lindsay for her FREE Social Media for Small Business Masterclass starting April 25th.  SIGN UP HERE.  Want even more resources for growing your business?

• Grab one of Lindsay’s FREE quick small business marketing guides: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/freebie

• Follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk/

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Imagine if being a finalist on the hit TV series Top Chef was just one accomplishment on your long list of accolades. For Chef Adrienne Cheatham, this has become her reality. In today’s episode, Lindsay Pinchuk sits down with Chef Adrienne to discuss how to create a recipe for a successful brand.

Growing up working in the restaurants that her mother managed, Chef Adrienne’s passion for culinary arts began at a young age. Always desiring a career as a chef, Adrienne reluctantly attended college where she studied journalism but catered on the side. After graduating, Chef Adrienne followed her passion and began pursuing a full-time career in the New York City culinary space with the hopes of one day opening a restaurant of her very own. To increase her chances of raising enough capital, Chef Adrienne has focused on expanding her brand awareness by putting together several proofs of concepts where she can showcase both her personality and her culinary ability. Today, she is the Chef-Founder of SundayBest, a pop-up series that illustrates cultural connections through southern-styled cuisine.

Tune into this episode of Dear FoundHer… to learn more about how creating proof of concept, seizing every opportunity, and appreciating the hustle along the way are the keys to manifesting your recipe of success.

Quotes

• “Don't underestimate having a solid resume and putting in the work while also growing your social media.” (12:18-12:25)

• “The only truly American cuisine is Southern food which was created by black people.” (13:47-13:51)

• “I started the pop-up series first so that I could have a better pitch deck to go to investors with. I thought the pop-up would be a good proof of concept.” (16:21-16:30)

• “You have to have a general manager to work with the front of the house to solve any issues, you have to have defined responsibilities and a team that you trust.” (23:18-23:30)

• “Don't waste time overthinking, put something in action like the proof of concept I did by starting the pop-up series.” (36:26-36:36)

• “There's always going to be self-doubt, especially when you're starting something new. Believe in yourself because once you've already put something in action, you've invested your time, energy, and money into it so prove it out.” (37:13-37:29)

Connect with Chef Adrienne Cheatham:

Order Adrienne's book "SundayBest": https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/667534/sunday-best-by-adrienne-cheatham-with-sarah-zorn/

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/chefAdrienneCheatham

Please don't forget to subscribe, rate and review Dear FoundHer on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Looking to up your social media game? Join Lindsay for her FREE Social Media Masterclass starting April 25th. Sign up HERE.  Want even more resources for your business?

• Grab one of Lindsay’s FREE quick small business marketing guides: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/

• Follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk/

Use code FoundHer for 50% off your first month with both HiveCast and Fireside

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Jenny Patinkin has proven that it’s never too late to start a business.  From a stay-at-home mom to a non-profit spokesperson, Jenny created a wildly successful career as a makeup artist after the age of 40.  She has gone on to become a leader in the clean-beauty industry with a full line of nationally acclaimed products.

Initially working as a makeup artist for high-profile clients, Jenny ultimately realized that her passion was to educate the average person on how to achieve their beauty goals. Through the pandemic, Jenny was able to expand her business by increasing her knowledge about effective eco-friendly products. Today, she is one of the industry’s leading experts known for her transparent approach to age-aware sustainable beauty.

Tune into this episode of Dear FoundHer… to learn more about the importance of transparency, taking risks, and starting conversations about your business so that you can build the confidence you need to follow your dreams no matter what your age is.

Quotes

• “I wouldn't call myself a makeup girl but I like the beauty industry and being able to convey in a transparent and clear way to my audience that you can find a way to interpret makeup to where it fits in with your lifestyle and makes you feel good.” (09:05-09:31)

• “For me, low-tech simplicity is the core of everything in my assortment of products.” (13:57-14:04)

• “Influencers and celebrities don't talk about the beauty treatments that they do, and by not talking about them, it creates this absolutely unattainable standard of beauty.” (23:27-23:40)

• “I want people to know that anybody can achieve the level of beauty that makes them happy.” (24:00-24:10)

• “It's not easy to ask for what you want, and sometimes it's not easy to even identify what you want. So having a consultant has changed everything for me in that regard.” (28:43-28:55)

• “I don't need people around me who do things the same way that I do because we would never make any progress.” (30:57-31:03)

Connect with Jenny Patinkin:

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jennypatinkin

Website: https://jennypatinkin.com/

Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Dear FoundHer on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

Looking to up your social media game?  Join Lindsay for her FREE Social Media for Small Business Masterclass starting April 25th.  SIGN UP HERE.  Want even more resources for growing your business?

• Grab one of Lindsay’s FREE quick small business marketing guides: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/freebie

• Follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk/

Use code FoundHer for 50% off your first month with both HiveCast and Fireside

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In today’s episode, host Lindsay Pinchuk is joined in conversation with special guest Allie Danziger, Founder of Ampersand to discuss how she is improving the future of hiring for companies across the country.

Allie has worked as long as she remembers, moving to New York City after college and starting a career in PR. After founding her own PR agency at 24, selling it, and exiting years later, Allie had ample experience in the hiring process and often relied on interns.  The gap in hiring qualified interns is ultimately what inspired Allie to found Ampersand, an internship recruiting and training platform dedicated to upskilling a diverse group of young professionals and connecting them with the right job opportunities. Through her program, Allie is providing hard-working young professionals everywhere with the opportunity to find their dream job by increasing their competency in the basic skills needed in entry-level jobs.

Tune into this week’s episode of Dear FoundHer… for a conversation about the future of hiring. Learn more about the importance of hiring a diverse staff, learning from your mistakes, and being open to change so that you can recruit, hire, and retain the best-qualified employees for your company.

Quotes

• “From the professional side, we're focused on democratizing access and getting that first internship. And on the business side, we are really focused on increasing diversity in corporations.” (16:32-16:44)

• “Right before a call with an investor, I would make sure that there was something good on my Instagram or my LinkedIn so that when they went to go look me up, there was something there. I was getting PR coverage on myself.” (29:56-30:07)

• “I truly want to change the way that young professionals get their first internship and how businesses hire interns.” (34:08-34:18)

• “Some of the things that the young professionals are asking for today are driving managers crazy, and they're not changing the way that they work and because of that, it's hard to hire and it's hard to retain. But if we could just make some quick and easy changes to the way that we communicate and assign projects, you can make a lot of headway.” (38:17-38:38)

• “You have to make mistakes and you have to test things. You cannot be afraid to fail because the greatest moments of growth are from those failures.” (41:26-41:36)

Connect with Allie Danziger:

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/ampersand_pro/

Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe. Want even more resources for growing your business? For more lessons on founding, growing and selling a business, join the FoundHer Confidential Community.

Subscribe to Dear FoundHer on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

• Grab one of Lindsay’s FREE quick small business marketing guides: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/

• Follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk/

Use code FoundHer for 50% off your first month with both HiveCast and Fireside

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In today’s episode, host Lindsay Pinchuk sits down with Magda Rauscher, Founder of My Modern Dom to discuss how she started her home design business with no prior experience.

After purchasing a fixer-upper in the suburbs of Chicago, Magda fell in love with everything interior design. She started posting her project on Instagram, gaining followers in the meantime.  Magda knew in her heart that this was her passion so she began to teach herself everything she needed to know about design, garnering experience from a client who let her manage and take on the design of their renovation project.   Soon after, Madga left corporate America and turned her passion into a full time career. Today, Madga is the founder of a wildly successful interior design company where she works on a variety of projects including renovations, new builds, and interior decorating. While starting something new was scary, Madga’s choice to follow her passion has been the best thing that has ever happened to her and her family.

Tune into this week’s episode of Dear FoundHer… for a candid conversation about building a business from an Instagram account. . Learn more about how to harness the power of referrals and social media marketing so you can take a leap of faith and start working on building the business of your dreams.

Quotes

• “It's easy once you get going, but starting is really hard.” (09:42-09:48)

• “The way that you make it work is you just do it. There's not any secret to it.” (17:14-17:21)

• “It's fairly easy to find people and experts that you can lean on to guide, help, and teach you the things that you don't know.” (21:32-21:39)

• “I felt like I had to prove myself to people so I started off pricing really low and just started taking on jobs  locally and also doing a lot of e-design.” (24:47-24:59)

• “Without Instagram, I don't know if I would have really formed a business. It was the one thing that showed me that people were interested in what I was doing.” (34:34-34:43)

• “The trick to Instagram is consistency. It's one of those things where you need to set a schedule for yourself. I feel like I grew to where I am now because I was posting every single day. Yes, it can be super time consuming, but if you don't do it then your business isn’t going to happen.” (36:43-37:09)

• “I think the biggest lesson is to just start doing it because there’s never going to be a perfect time.” (45:01-45:09)

Connect with Magda Rauscher:

Instagram | http://www.instagram.com/mymoderndom

Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe. Want even more resources for growing your business? For more lessons on founding, growing and selling a business, join the FoundHer Confidential Community.

Subscribe to Dear FoundHer on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

• Grab one of Lindsay’s FREE quick small business marketing guides: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/

• Follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk/

Use code FoundHer for 50% off your first month with both HiveCast and Fireside

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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In today’s episode, host Lindsay Pinchuk sits down with special guest Lara Heimann, Founder of LYT Yoga to discuss how she is empowering movement by redefining the modern practice of yoga.

Ever since she was young, Lara has been enthusiastic about movement. As a physical therapist and a certified yoga instructor, Lara wanted to bridge the gap between the two to make yoga more accessible for all people, no matter their skill level. Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, Lara had to rely on help from those around her, but because she was always clear on her mission, Lara was easily able to get the support she needed to grow her business to where it is today.

Tune into this week’s episode of Dear FoundHer… to learn more about the importance of asking for help, understanding your purpose, and being kind to yourself so you can successfully share your vision with the world.

Quotes

• “I think what happens when you're onto something and you're passionate, but you don't necessarily have the skill set, is that people want to come in and help you.” (11:17-11:25)

• “I always had the ingredients to be a successful founder. I had the passion and I didn't have any kind of bias that things had to be a certain way. I really wanted a studio and a brand that served as many people as possible.” (13:04-13:24)

• “To me, yoga is this way of moving and living your life with as much awakeness as possible.” (19:05-19:12)

• “Whatever form of movement that is going to make you feel clearer, more vibrant, happier, and more energized, go for that.” (19:37-19:47)

• “I want to elevate every woman that comes my way. And so my job is not just to make them move better, it's to make them actually believe in themselves” (23:33-23:47)

• “I have not always been the best friend. If you’re starting a business, you're going to make decisions and people in your life might not like that you're working all the time.” (44:44-44:52

• “If you don't have a lot of money don't be afraid to ask for help because there's always something you can give back.” (46:16-46:24)

•“Be tender with yourself. It might not turn out the way you want it to, but if you're passionate about it, you need to take care of yourself.” (49:14-49:20)

Connect with Lara Heimann:

Instagram for Lara | http://www.instagram.com/lara.heimann

Website |  https://lytyoga.com/lyt-daily-yoga/

Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe. Want even more resources for growing your business? For more lessons on founding, growing and selling a business, join the FoundHer Confidential Community.

Subscribe to Dear FoundHer on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

• Grab one of Lindsay’s FREE quick small business marketing guides: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/

• Follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk/

Use code FoundHer for 50% off your first month with both HiveCast and Fireside

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In today’s episode, host Lindsay Pinchuk sits down with special guest Gia Lee, Founder of Hot Box Sushi to discuss her transformation from stay-at-home mom to successful business owner.

Like many entrepreneurs, Gia accidentally stumbled upon a business opportunity during quarantine. What started as a small side hustle in her kitchen, has quickly transformed into Chicago’s latest food trend. Although she had given up her career to be a stay-at-home mom, Gia always dreamed of one day finding her passion and would encourage anyone with a passion to follow their heart.  It’s never too late to do what you love.

Tune into this week’s episode of Dear FoundHer… to learn more about the importance of word-of-mouth marketing, flexibility, and starting small so you can create the business of your dreams no matter where you are in life.

Quotes

• “I never thought I could do this, but anybody can do anything. It's just about doing one thing every day to get to where you want to be.” (14:07-14:17)

• “You can pivot. You don't have to choose one thing and stick with it. You can do whatever you want and change your mind and be successful.” (15:23-15:34)

• “From the beginning when we launched the product, I really wanted to focus on the experience. I wanted our product to be very pretty and Instagramable.” (20:10-20:24)

• “We have not paid for a single thing of marketing, everything has just been really through word of mouth.” (22:37-22:41)

• “Nothing is going to go how you intended or how you planned. We've had to pivot so many times, and I think just learning to roll with the punches is super important in any business.” (29:29-29:40)

• “I don't think you need a lot to get started. You can start really small.” (31:30-31:33)

• “Time with your kids is so precious, and it's so fleeting.” (33:35-33:39)

Connect with Gia Lee:

Instagram for Gia | http://www.instagram.com/@gialee80 

Instagram for Hot Box Sushi | http://www.instagram.com/hotboxsushi

Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe. Want even more resources for growing your business? For more lessons on founding, growing and selling a business, join the FoundHer Confidential Community.

Subscribe to Dear FoundHer on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts!

• Grab one of Lindsay’s FREE quick small business marketing guides: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/

• Follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk/

Use code FoundHer for 50% off your first month with both HiveCast and Fireside

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.