“It’s cute to come in and bring a new brand, and that’s great—finding newness and all. But the reality is you’re competing with billion-dollar corporations, out of your parents’ garage, you know?” Katie Sturino recalls as she reflects on the early days of launching Megababe. As a body-positive influencer and CEO, Katie’s passion to solve everyday body concerns like chafing and sweat led her to make products that have truly resonated with a wide audience.

In this episode, Katie opens up about the transition from working in public relations to becoming an entrepreneur, taking Megababe from her parents’ garage to major retailers like Walmart. She talks about the importance of authenticity, community, and staying true to her mission of body positivity and empowering people of all shapes and sizes. Katie also shares insights into her strategic marketing efforts and how her viral series, #SupersizeTheLook, has strengthened her influence in the body acceptance movement.

As Katie shares practical advice for founders, she also stresses the value of hiring the right team and testing your ideas before going all in. What does it really take to push through when things don’t happen overnight? Katie’s story reminds us that persistence and finding the right audience are key. 

Quotes

• “I knew this was something people needed. I knew this product was going to do well, but no one else really did. I had to stick to my guns and follow my gut, even when people, including family members, were saying, ‘I don’t really see this as something people need.’” (11:17 | Katie Sturino) 
• “It’s cute to come in and bring a new brand, and that’s great—finding newness and all. But the reality is you’re competing with billion-dollar corporations, out of your parents’ garage, you know?” (15:28 | Katie Sturino) 
• “Our brand loyalists understand that we truly care, that we’re real people behind the brand, and that we listen to customer feedback.” (21:14 | Katie Sturino)
• “It’s hard to engage in some of those really straightforward ways of marketing because I’m not going to win against a big brand like that. So we have to get creative.” (27:25 | Katie Sturino)
• “Don’t quit your day job until you have proof of concept. I think oftentimes people think they’ve got to blow up their life, sit at their computer alone, and be like, ‘Logo: step one.’ Launching without a really differentiated point of view in today’s market is undoable.” (40:30 | Katie Sturino)

Connect with Katie Sturino:

https://www.tiktok.com/@katiesturino?lang=en

http://www.instagram.com/katiesturino

http://www.instagram.com/megababe

https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

Subscribe to the Dear FoundHer... newsletter: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

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Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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“I really wanted to give people a story and a journey they could understand, and simplify hair care, because throughout my career I’ve found it can be confusing for a lot of people,” shares Sarah Potempa, founder and CEO of The Beachwaver Co. Sarah joins Lindsay Pinchuk this week to share her path from celebrity hairstylist—working with clients like Rachel Zoe—to creating the Beachwaver, a rotating curling iron designed to make hairstyling at home easier. One turning point came at QVC, where, with just a prototype in hand, she pitched her product and secured a major order that propelled her brand forward.

Sarah opens up about the valuable lessons she’s learned on flexibility, authenticity, and building a strong community—particularly during the pandemic when she pivoted to direct-to-consumer sales and used TikTok to connect with her audience. How do you scale a business to meet growing demand while keeping that personal touch? Sarah tackled this by focusing on customer relationships and maintaining top-notch quality in her products. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, creativity, and staying true to your vision as an entrepreneur.

Quotes

• “I really wanted to give people a story and a journey that they could understand and simplify hair care, because what I’ve found throughout my career is that it can be a little confusing to a lot of people.” (23:48 | Sarah Potempa) 
• “I would do the website live and the TikTok live at the same time until I realized these are different audiences, and they need different experiences.” (34:05 | Sarah Potempa)
• “You also have to educate yourself and learn… It took me a really, really long time to get to where we are on TikTok because I wanted to be perfect, and I wanted to feel like we were this big, huge brand when we weren’t… I just learned that, ‘You know what, I have to deal with it.’ I have to learn every element of this business. I have to know who’s replying and how to the customers.” (47:26 | Sarah Potempa) 
• “While you’re live streaming, show the real you. And that’s okay because that’s something I struggled with. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and show that.” (53:59 | Sarah Potempa)
• “Enjoy the moment and appreciate the struggles, the hard times.” (56:19 | Sarah Potempa)

Connect with Sarah Potempa:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahpotempa/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thebeachwaver

Register for Marketing Made Simple for Small Business: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsfall2024

Subscribe to the Dear FoundHer... newsletter: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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

“I am like a cheerleader in human form,” says Leslie Randolph, a self-confidence coach and founder of The Coach Chronicles. This week, she sat down with Lindsay Pinchuk to discuss how she went from being a new coach to fully booked in just two years, using marketing strategies she learned from Lindsay’s mentorship program, “Marketing Made Simple for Small Business.”

Leslie’s story serves as a powerful example to the value of perseverance and adaptability as well as the challenge of overcoming self-doubt. She shares how connecting with her ideal audience—moms of teenage girls—was often about silencing her “inner teen” voice and focusing on building meaningful partnerships.

Being adaptable has been essential to Leslie’s success. She tailored her services to meet client needs while cultivating trust through lead magnets, newsletters, and social media. What role does showing up, even when it’s tough, play in success? Leslie’s story shows how staying open to experimentation can make all the difference.

Lindsay and Leslie also dive into the emotional side of entrepreneurship. Their advice? Believe in yourself, don’t wait for perfection, and, most importantly, enjoy the process.

Quotes

• “My strategy has been a bit of spaghetti on the wall—what works? You won’t know what works until you try. And so I tried.” (09:23 | Leslie Randolph) 
• “It is the willingness to try. It is the willingness to fail. It is the willingness to see what happens because it could have been really easy to say, ‘Oh, that’s never going to happen,’ or ‘Oh, they’re not going to pick me? You have to believe in yourself, and you have to be willing to see what’s possible, even when you’re scared, even when you doubt.” (31:58 | Leslie Randolph) 
• “I think when you’re doing this, find as many ways as you can to reach your goal through things you love because there are some really hard days. And like I said, this is a beautiful problem to have right now, right? So, continue to do things that you love that also build the business and get your name out there.” (40:11 | Leslie Randolph) 
• “Believe in yourself and begin. Allow yourself to be bad at first, and enjoy the journey along the way. I think that’s a big one right now—enjoying the process because it’s a journey. It’s not an overnight, three-step process. It is a journey. Have fun while you’re doing it.” (44:14 | Leslie Randolph)

Connect with Leslie Randolph:

Follow Leslie on IG: @the_coach_chronicles

Listen to Leslie's Podcast: Why Didn't They Tell Us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-didnt-they-tell-us/id1656153036

Register for Marketing Made Simple for Small Business: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsfall2024

Subscribe to the Dear FoundHer... newsletter: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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

Host, Lindsay Pinchuk shares her journey of building Bump Club and Beyond through community-driven events. She emphasizes the importance of in-person connections, especially in a post-pandemic world, and discusses how hosting events can significantly enhance business growth. Lindsay provides practical strategies for organizing successful events, highlighting the need for community feedback and the potential for collaboration among attendees. She reflects on her experiences and the transformative impact of events on her business and community.

Takeaways

• In-person connections are irreplaceable, even in a digital age.
• Events can drive community engagement and business growth.
• Feedback from attendees is crucial for improving events.
• Simple, no-frills events can be highly effective---your events don't have to be grandiose to work.
• The right event strategy can lead to loyal customers for years to come. Lindsay's Bump Club and Beyond customers now come to her Dear FoundHer... Live events.
• Hosting events can transform your business model and your bottom line.

Grab Lindsay's E-Book: The Event Blueprint for Small Business and get the step-by-step instructions on how to execute an effective event for your business.

Lindsay's group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business is OPEN for registration for the last time in 2024. Use the code FOUNDHER for 30% off plus some great bonuses. Click here for more information.

https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsfall2024

Subscribe to the Dear FoundHer... newsletter: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk and Dear FoundHer... on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearfoundher

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Recently, Host, Lindsay Pinchuk, was approached for some advice by someone who was struggling to get new clients. With nearly a half a million Instagram followers, Lindsay was floored that this was even a possibility. But she asked a simple question, that uncovered the key to why this was happening. TUNE IN to hear the five SIMPLE tips that Lindsay shared with this female entrepreneur to help her turn around her business immediately.

Lindsay's group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business is OPEN for registration for the last time in 2024. Use the coe FOUNDHER for 30% off plus some great bonuses. Click here for more information.

https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsfall2024

Subscribe to the Dear FoundHer... newsletter: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk and Dear FoundHer... on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearfoundher

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

“When it comes to business, I have zero fear,” says Julia Haart, entrepreneur and star of Netflix's “My Unorthodox Life.” This week, Julia joins Lindsay Pinchuk to share her remarkable journey from an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community to becoming a self-made businesswoman.

Julia recounts the key moments that gave her the courage to leave her restrictive upbringing at the age of 42 and pursue a career in fashion. Despite having no formal education, she launched a groundbreaking shoe collection and became the creative director at La Perla, where her fresh perspective and creativity played a key role in shaping La Perla’s direction during her time as creative director.

In this episode, Julia dives into the power of self-belief, sharing how her personal struggles now fuel her desire to uplift others. What role does self-confidence play in changing your own path? For Julia, it was essential, and she’s dedicated to empowering women to achieve financial independence. Her latest venture, Body by Julia Haart, is a continuation of her mission to improve women’s lives by combining style and comfort.

Julia Haart’s resilience and the influence she’s had on both the fashion industry and beyond serve as a powerful reminder: with enough courage and determination, it's possible to break free from societal expectations and design a life that’s truly your own.

Quotes

• “I’m an extremely proud Jew and am fighting on behalf of the Jewish people, especially since anti-Semitism has exploded since October 7th. I’m not a fan of ultra-Orthodox religion of any kind or any form of extremist behavior.” (05:13 | Julia Haart)
• “Something that most women have tremendous difficulty with is acknowledging they’re not happy and giving themselves permission to choose a different life.” (14:18 | Julia Haart)
• “People always ask me, ‘Oh my God, how do you walk in those high heels?’ My answer has always been, ‘One step at a time.’ And that is really an answer for how to build a business—one step at a time.” (26:25 | Julia Haart) 
• “I built a billion-dollar business in two years through COVID. Why? Because I took a modeling agency, transformed it into a media conglomerate, and started selling data and packaging media deals in a way that, for the first time in history, made your ad dollar quantifiable and trackable… I changed the way people market. So, it’s always about not just looking at what is but finding the spaces in between and identifying what isn’t. That’s how you build a business.” (33:37 | Julia Haart) 
• “We have to tell our stories and we have to tell them truthfully. We have to show the bumps and the bruises. Otherwise, we just make women feel worse about themselves, not better.” (39:26 | Julia Haart)

Connect with Julia Haart:

https://www.instagram.com/juliahaart/

Join Lindsay's group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business:

https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsfall2024

Subscribe to the Dear FoundHer... newsletter: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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

“I need to show other women how to do this,” says Carrie Kerpen, founder and CEO of The Whisper Group, as she reflects on the challenges of scaling, selling, and leading a business in a male-dominated industry. In this episode, she joins Lindsay Pinchuk to explore a critical but often overlooked topic: exit strategies for female entrepreneurs.

Carrie highlights the disparities in exit values for female-led companies, which inspired her to create The Whisper Group. Her advisory practice is dedicated to helping women-owned businesses prepare for successful exits, using a unique approach known as the Whisper Way. How can female entrepreneurs ensure they maximize their business’s value during negotiations? The Whisper Way provides the tools and strategies to achieve this.

The episode also explores the emotional aspects of selling a business. Carrie underscores the importance of taking your time, being vigilant for potential red flags, and conducting thorough due diligence. She and Lindsay discuss the importance of finding the right acquirer and the value of having an exit coach for support.

As Carrie shares her journey in building The Whisper Group, she reinforces her commitment to empowering women to achieve successful business exits. Join Lindsay and Carrie in this episode of Dear FoundHer… for valuable insights into the complexities of exit strategies, the preparation required, and the emotional journey of entrepreneurship for women.

Quotes

• “Overall, my exit was great—the acquirer was great. But the biggest thing I would have changed was calming myself. You really need an exit coach for that, and that’s what I hope we can provide for other female founders. People can tell you, ‘Slow down. It’s okay. It’s going to get done.’ If I had slowed down a bit, it would have turned out even better.” (17:45 | Carrie Kerpen) 
• “The thing I wish most female founders knew is that the more money you’re able to figure out how to pull out, the more you’ll be worth at exit.” (20:56 | Carrie Kerpen) 
• “It’s really mission-based, and I want this business to make a lot of money because I want to show women what can be done.” (42:39 | Carrie Kerpen) 
• “Ideas are great, but executing on that idea is really important, and there’s no better demonstration of execution than a strong focus on generating revenue.” (49:01 | Carrie Kerpen) 

Connect with Carrie Kerpen:

http://www.instagram.com/carriekerpen

Report on female founded exits: closetheexitgap.com 

Join Lindsay's group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business:

https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsfall2024

Subscribe to the Dear FoundHer... newsletter: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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

“I saw firsthand how food can really, I hate to say ‘bridge cultures’ because it’s overused, but it’s true. It brings people together,” says Crystal Ung, founder and CEO of Bowlcut. In this episode, Crystal joins Lindsay Pinchuk to talk about the inspiration behind Bowlcut, a brand that grew out of her passion for healthier, authentic Asian sauces and her desire to challenge common misconceptions about Asian cuisine.

Crystal shares her entrepreneurial journey, explaining how she spotted a gap in the market for nutritious sauces and the hurdles she faced in manufacturing and supply chain management. How does grassroots marketing influence a brand’s growth? For Crystal, it’s been essential. By connecting directly with customers, Bowlcut has expanded steadily, now available in 500 independent retailers, including Sur La Table and World Market, with even more growth on the horizon.

Offering valuable advice to aspiring female founders, Crystal highlights the importance of building a strong support network, choosing the right partners, and making self-care a priority. Lindsay wraps up their conversation with a key takeaway: understanding when to seek help and using freelance or project-based support to drive business growth.

Quotes

• “What I observed working in my dad’s restaurant was that, yes, there was hate and negative comments, but I also saw a beautiful side of humanity. Food really brought communities together and sparked curiosity about our culture and heritage.” (06:49 | Crystal Ung)
• “I saw firsthand how food can really, I hate to say ‘bridge cultures’ because it’s overused, but it’s true. It brings people together. I thought there was no better time than now for a brand like Bowlcut to exist because, hopefully, one day we can scale that impact—bringing people together through food. Being inclusive is a core element of our brand.” (07:24 | Crystal Ung) 
• “When we think about our mission, it’s very much rooted in our origin story. But what really excites me and keeps me dreaming about the future is that we’re redefining what eating well tastes like for a new generation.” (09:42 | Crystal Ung)
• “As a small brand, you’re often seen as disposable, like, okay, there will be another small brand tomorrow. Who cares? So, finding the right partners who believe in you and in your future growth is really, really important.” (31:10 | Crystal Ung) 
• “I think it’s really important to carve out time for yourself. Even if it’s literally just five minutes, you need a moment to take a step back because there’s going to be so much going on. Your mind will be split in a million ways, and you’ll feel overwhelmed and stressed. To make better decisions, you need that moment for clarity.” (39:40 | Crystal Ung)

Connect with Crystal Ung:

https://thebowlcut.com/

https://www.instagram.com/getbowlcut/

RSVP for Dear FounHer... LIVE events: http://www.dearfoundher.com/events

Subscribe to the Dear FoundHer... newsletter: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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

“Just as I carefully choose my outfits and accessories every day, I put the same thought into how my room would look,” shares Amanda Zuckerman, co-founder and president of Dormify, a leading retailer specializing in college dorm and apartment essentials. This week, Amanda joins Lindsay Pinchuk to dive into the importance of truly listening to the community around a brand—a practice that has been central to Dormify’s success.

Amanda’s entrepreneurial journey began in her own college dorm, where she identified a gap in the market for stylish, functional decor. This insight sparked the creation of Dormify, a thriving business now partnered with nearly 900 colleges and universities and supported by a vibrant community of over 1,000 student ambassadors. But what really drives Dormify’s growth? Amanda emphasizes the critical need to understand and connect with Generation Z, the company’s primary customers.

Reflecting on Dormify’s early days, Amanda recounts how they built their brand from the ground up, starting with a WordPress blog that engaged college students and their families. This focus on content and community laid the foundation for their success and allowed them to seamlessly transition to emerging social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. A pivotal moment came when they embraced a TikTok strategy, inspired by advice from Gary Vaynerchuk, leading to a significant boost in their following and engagement. 

Amanda shares practical advice for aspiring female founders, emphasizing the power of networking, finding the right strategic advisors, and staying in tune with your customers. 

Quotes

• “As our customers and their content consumption habits changed and evolved, we followed suit. We were very much the type of brand that jumped on every social platform as soon as we learned about it. We had to just experiment and gain traction.” (12:56 | Amanda Zuckerman) 
• “If you have something you want to talk about and content you want to put out there, just start doing it, no matter what is holding you back.” (16:59 | Amanda Zuckerman)
• “Community is really important to the brand. As I mentioned, we position ourselves as a big sister to all of those college students. That means going above and beyond, with customer service at a really high level… I often refer to our customer service team—or rather, our customer experience team—as therapists in a way.” (39:02 | Amanda Zuckerman)
• “Staying close to our customer is probably the number one thing that differentiates us from any of the competitors in our space. No other competitor understands the customer like we do, and that’s because we’ve made it a priority.” (41:11 | Amanda Zuckerman)

Connect with Amanda Zuckerman:

https://www.dormify.com/

http://www.instagram.com/dormify

Connect with your target customer! Grab Lindsay's free checklist: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/g35aa3xnrm

Subscribe to the Dear FoundHer... newsletter: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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

Last week host, Lindsay Pinchuk shared how to cultivate and build your brand's community. Today in this episode she shares how to monetize it. This episode was originally recorded as a bonus episode for her email list, but today, Lindsay's sharing this incredibly important and insightful episode of Dear FoundHer... with everyone.

In these forty-five minutes, Lindsay Pinchuk shares her insights on how to monetize your community. She discusses various strategies, including selling products, offering coaching and consulting services, hosting workshops and events, creating content partnerships, using affiliate links, offering memberships with exclusive content, and selling merchandise. Lindsay emphasizes the importance of building trust and engagement with your community before asking for sales, and she shares her own experiences with monetizing her community at Bump Club and Beyond. She also highlights the need for trial and error, knowing when to pivot, and the value of partnerships in monetization efforts.

Takeaways

• Building trust and engagement with your community is crucial before asking for sales.
• Trial and error is necessary to find the right monetization strategies for your community.
• Partnerships can play a significant role in monetizing your community.
• You don't need millions of followers to make money from your community.

Sound Bites

• "Building trust and engagement with your community is crucial before asking for sales."
• "Trial and error is necessary to find the right monetization strategies for your community."
• "Partnerships can play a significant role in monetizing your community."

Get on the Dear FoundHer... email list for more: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

Do you need ideas for partnerships (as Lindsay discusses in this episode?) Grab her free guide: 30 Ideas for Simple Partnerships to Grow Your Business.

Grab some time with Lindsay to build and grow your business. Set up a 1:1 Accelerator Call today: https://calendly.com/lindsaypinchuk/1-1-marketing-strategy-session-with-lindsay-pinchuk

Don't forget to follow Lindsay https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk and Dear FoundHer... http://www.instagram.com/dearfoundher on Instagram.

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