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

"Knowing when to ask for help will play a key role in your growth and ultimately in your success." ---Lindsay Pinchuk

Look for the helpers. This is a notion that doesn’t just apply to catastrophic situations, but to business as well. And whether you’re just getting started, a year in or five years in—knowing when to ask for help will play a key role in your growth and ultimately your success. 

Today's conversation discusses the importance of not only asking for help in business, but it also provides examples of how to find and utilize helpers. The key takeaway is that asking for help can lead to growth and success in your business.

Takeaways

• Don't be shy to ask for help in your business.
• There are people out there who are willing to help you, especially other business owners.
• Different types of helpers include task-oriented helpers, brand awareness helpers, mentors, and those who can provide marketing assets.
• You can find helpers within your network, family and friends, your brand's community, and your target community.

ICYMI: Grab my JumpStart Your Business Blueprint from last week's episode:

https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/11stepsforbusiness

Join us LIVE at our networking events, Dear FoundHer... LIVE: https://www.dearfoundher.com/events

If you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundher

If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us here.

Don't forget to follow along @dearfoundher and @lindsaypinchuk.

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

While there is no such thing as an overnight success, your business can change at the drop of a hat. After years of hard work, this is what happened to Dana Lynn Kaye, Founder of Devotion Nutrition all thanks to a single, heartfelt endorsement from a passionate influencer. Today she shares her entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing passion, resilience, and the incredible transformation that happened in her business when she had the enthusiastic endorsement of key influencers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Dana discusses leveraging her family’s background in the flavor industry to create a unique protein powder for various dietary needs. She outlines her strategic growth approach, starting with direct-to-consumer channels before expanding into retail. Dana also reveals plans for a cookbook and an appearance on QVC to boost exposure and differentiate her product. Her story demonstrates the impact of sharing a genuine narrative and connecting deeply with an audience, fostering loyalty and empowering customers to become brand advocates.

Quotes

• “Never sacrifice quality. I could have cheapened all my ingredients and kept the price point the same. I couldn’t do that. I couldn’t do it to my customers… I kept the formula that everybody loved... I kept it exactly the same. (35:54 | Dana Lynn Kaye)
• “I kept quality and people saw that. It’s paid off in the long run because people are willing to buy quality. The people who really care about themselves and quality will buy it. They will. The ones who are like, ‘Oh, that’s too expensive for me.’ Okay, it’s not for you then. Not every brand, not everything is going to be for you.” (36:27 | Dana Lynn Kaye)  

Connect with Dana Lynn Kaye:

http://www.instagram.com/danalynnkaye

http://www.instagram.com/devotionnutrition

30+ Ideas for Partnerships: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/eaf29325-febb-4f33-8137-2bc1fbbe4fd5

RSVP for Dear FoundHer... Live: http://www.dearfoundher.com/events

If you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundher

Grow your business + bottom line with a simplified strategy and process for your small business with Lindsay's group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business. Check it out here: Use the code FOUNDHER for 20% off.

https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsspring2024

If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us:

https://form.jotform.com/230008245758152

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.

You have to start somewhere—and this week alone Lindsay Pinchuk was asked by FIVE PEOPLE: I have an idea for a business, how do I get started?

So she's dedicating today’s conversation to giving you tangible steps that you can take to get going. And even if you’ve started, this is a great place to listen and learn and make sure that you have dotted all of your I’s and crossed all of your t’s.

You will talk away with eleven tangible steps that will get your business off the ground, and will lay the foundation of what's to come. Start here. LFG...

You can also make sure to grab the guide that goes along with this episode here:

https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/11stepsforbusiness

Join us LIVE at our networking events, Dear FoundHer... LIVE: https://www.dearfoundher.com/events

If you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundher

If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us here.

Don't forget to follow along @dearfoundher and @lindsaypinchuk.

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

Kathrin Hamm, originally an economist at the World Bank, turned her chronic insomnia into an opportunity by creating Bearaby, a thriving business centered around a unique product: a weighted blanket made entirely from organic materials, without plastic beads. Her journey involved overcoming skepticism from manufacturers and the complexities of introducing a new, sustainable product category to the market. Kathrin's determination led to a brand that epitomizes comfort and eco-friendliness.

Using Bearaby’s direct-to-consumer model, Kathrin leveraged user-generated content and established key retail partnerships with major players like Nordstrom and West Elm, helping to expand Bearaby’s market presence and confirming consumer demand for eco-friendly, health-centric products.

Kathrin discusses the crucial role of community and networking in her entrepreneurial journey. Connecting with other founders and mentors provided the support and insights needed to navigate the challenges of startup life. This sense of community is something Kathrin believes all entrepreneurs should tap into to drive their businesses forward.

Quotes

• “It was really a lot of Googling, a lot of reaching out to people, building that network early on. As a first time founder and someone who wasn’t in that field before, I didn’t have a lot of contacts. So for someone to start thinking about the business, think about who you know and who you can reach out to and build that network early.” (14:23 | Kathrin Hamm) 
• “I was in my mid-thirties and people thought I’m crazy to quit a solid job and then start selling blankets on the internet. I think it’s never too late to start, especially if you’re passionate about something. Give it a year. Don't look back. And if it doesn’t work out, you will have a great learning experience.” (37:43 | Kathrin Hamm) 

Connect with Kathrin Hamm:

Instagram: http://wwwinstagram.com/mybearaby

Grab Lindsay's e-book, The Partnership Blueprint: https://stan.store/lindsaypinchuk/p/get-your-ebook-now-the-partnership-blueprint

Grab Lindsay's guide: 30 Pieces of Content in Two Hours:

https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/fedimy6g3b

If you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundher

Grow your business + bottom line with a simplified strategy and process for your small business with Lindsay's group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business. Check it out here: Use the code FOUNDHER for 20% off.

https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsspring2024

If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us:

https://form.jotform.com/230008245758152

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.

On Tuesdays episode of Dear FoundHer, Suzanne Sitrin, Founder of Blue Birch Consulting talked about your offer and knowing how to price your product or services. Today, Host, Lindsay Pinchuk continues the conversation, sharing with you some of the tips she uses my own clients and for herself when shaping an offer that sticks.

Takeaways

• Write out all the tasks involved in the job and estimate how long it will take
• Use your desired hourly rate to set a retainer
• Have a low-end price in mind for negotiation
• Focus on the one or two things you excel at and be known for something specific
• Simplify your process and use templates to create proposals
• Understand your target customer and speak their language
• Test your offer and make changes as needed
• Stay true to your values
• Share your offer regularly

Join us LIVE at our networking events, Dear FoundHer... LIVE: https://www.dearfoundher.com/events

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss an offer again

If you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundher

If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us here.

Make sure you connect with both @lindsaypinchuk and @dearfoundher on Instagram!

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

Considering a shift from a corporate to entrepreneur? Suzanne Sitrin, founder of Blue Birch Consulting, shares insights on starting her consultancy from scratch, discussing key areas such as leadership culture, service pricing, time management, and the indispensable value of networking and sustaining client relationships.

Suzanne’s insights into pricing are particularly valuable—she discusses how understanding the scope of work, aligning with market rates, and standing firm in negotiation talks are key to developing a successful pricing strategy.

Suzanne also shares her future goals, which include expanding her role in leadership development and exploring opportunities like speaking engagements and board positions. She emphasizes the importance of aligning with a clear vision and mission, yet staying adaptable to the ever-changing business environment.

Quotes

• “Successful organizations recognize that if [they] don't invest in people, it doesn't matter what [they] are here to try to do, [they] will not be successful in accomplishing it. So I help organizations place value in people, build leaders, individual leaders and leadership teams to really help optimize the people within an organization.” (16:23 | Suzanne Sitrin) 
• “Anytime you’re in business for yourself, it's feast or famine. You eat what you kill. All those expressions that people talk about. And anyone who knows me and has worked with me knows that I would go through this cycle of I'd be so incredibly busy. And I'd almost be stressing about how I could find enough time in the day to get what I need to get done. And then, that project would inevitably end, as projects do.” (20:13 | Suzanne Sitrin) 
• “I have this passion about longevity and kind of researching what makes a meaningful, purposeful life. And it is to feel purposeful and connected and have a sense of community. Those are really important to me. I want to be intentional about continuing to carve the path that I want for myself at this stage of life. (48:25 | Suzanne Sitrin)

Connect with Suzanne Sitrin:

http://www.instagram.com/bluebirchconsulting

http://www.bluebirchconsulting.com

Grab Lindsay's guide: 30 Pieces of Content in Two Hours:

https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/fedimy6g3b

If you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundher

Grow your business + bottom line with a simplified strategy and process for your small business with Lindsay's group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business. Check it out here: Use the code FOUNDHER for 20% off.

https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsspring2024

If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us:

https://form.jotform.com/230008245758152

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.

In this conversation, Lindsay Pinchuk shares the success stories of women in her online community and group mentorship program, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business. These women have achieved significant wins, such as landing TEDx talks, securing TV segments, launching new businesses, and increasing reach and engagement on social media. Lindsay emphasizes that these wins were not the result of shortcuts or hacks, but rather the outcome of consistent effort and following a simple process. She outlines five foundational basics for marketing a business: identifying the problem you solve and who you solve it for, telling your story, creating a consistent social media plan, building an email list, and creating a clear offer.

Takeaways

• Consistency and commitment are key to achieving success in business.
• There are no shortcuts or quick fixes; success requires putting in the work.
• The foundational basics for marketing a business include identifying the problem you solve and who you solve it for, telling your story, creating a consistent social media plan, building an email list, and creating a clear offer.
• Your story is your hook and helps humanize your brand and connect with your target audience.
• Building an email list is essential for direct communication with your community.
• Clearly communicate the problem you solve and how people can transact with you.
• These foundational basics provide a solid foundation for future growth and expansion strategies.

Quotes:

• "Building and growing your business is definitely a marathon. It is not a sprint."
• "There was no shortcut. There was no hack. There was no quick fix that led to these wins."

Grab Lindsay's E-Book:

THE PARTNERSHIP BLUEPRINT FOR SMALL BUSINESS: Your step-by-step guide to putting your brand in front of thousands of new customers.

If you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundher

Grow your business + bottom line with a simplified strategy and process for your small business with Lindsay's group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business. Check it out here: Use the code FOUNDHER for 20% off. Register here.

If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us here.

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

“It's valuable to not have a perfect plan,” advises Gail Simmons as she shares how she manifested her dreams into reality—from penning restaurant reviews in college to becoming a renowned figure in the culinary world. 

Working under food critic Jeffrey Steingarten at Vogue and alongside chef Daniel Boulud, Gail gained invaluable lessons that paved the way for her role at Food & Wine Magazine. It was here that Gail's involvement with the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen would eventually lead to her television debut on Bravo's “Top Chef,” bringing her into the spotlight and influencing the culinary industry at large.

Beyond television, Gail discusses her venture into entrepreneurship with Bumble Pie Productions, aiming to elevate diverse voices in the culinary space. She reflects on the challenges and rewards of balancing a high-profile career with being a present parent, sharing personal anecdotes about integrating family life with her professional endeavors.

This episode shows how passion, when pursued diligently, can lead to fulfilling and successful careers. Gail Simmons reminds us that with the right ingredients, anyone can cook up their dream career.

Quotes

• “I am not an expert in parenting. We're all just trying to do it. And also just in navigating the challenges of life in general. I love that I love my job. That doesn't mean that it's all awesome. It's still called work for a reason, right? I make it sound very glamorous, but I assure you I'm not just going to 12-course tasting menus and jetting to Aspen every day.” (44:00 | Gail Simmons) 
• “The goal of running a business, no matter how big or how small, is to do less for the most cost. It's not to do 100 things for $5, to do five things for $100.” (49:03 | Gail Simmons) 
• “I think it's valuable to not have a perfect plan. I don't believe in the five-year plan because inevitably the world will trip it up. You don't know where the world will be in five years. How can you possibly know where you will be? I always say, have the foresight to walk ahead confidently. But make sure to keep looking to the left and the right because that's where the opportunities are." (53:03 | Gail Simmons) 

Connect with Gail Simmons:

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

Grab Lindsay's guide: 30 Pieces of Content in Two Hours:

https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/fedimy6g3b

If you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundher

Grow your business + bottom line with a simplified strategy and process for your small business with Lindsay's group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business. Check it out here: Use the code FOUNDHER for 20% off.

https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsspring2024

If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us:

https://form.jotform.com/230008245758152

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.

You've heard Lindsay Pinchuk say on so many occasions: Your community is your greatest asset. User Generated Content is one of the many reasons why.

User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful marketing tactic that small business owners can utilize to drive awareness and build trust. It's cost-effective, provides fresh and diverse content, and fosters a sense of community and engagement. Small business owners can leverage UGC through customer testimonials and reviews, offering incentives for community members to post, hosting photo contests, sharing community stories, and using interactive quizzes, polls, and comments.

In today's conversation Lindsay will take you through the benefits of using UGC, ideas for UGC, how to execute a UGC campaign in your own marketing strategy and a case study showcasing how Lindsay used UGC for her own benefit with the Dear FoundHer... brand.

Grab Lindsay's guide: 30 Pieces of Content in Two Hours:

Grab Lindsay's E-Book:

THE PARTNERSHIP BLUEPRINT FOR SMALL BUSINESS: Your step-by-step guide to putting your brand in front of thousands of new customers.

If you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundher

Grow your business + bottom line with a simplified strategy and process for your small business with Lindsay's group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business. Check it out here: Use the code FOUNDHER for 20% off. Register here.

If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us here.

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

Diagnosed with stage four cancer at age two and a half years old, Gretchen Witt’s son's condition highlighted the critical need for increased awareness and funding for pediatric cancer. Drawing on her PR expertise, she organized a cookie bake-a-thon fundraiser that laid the foundation for Cookies for Kids' Cancer. The nonprofit she founded has since raised over $21 million, funding critical research and treatment options for pediatric cancer.

Gretchen shares the realities of running a nonprofit, from staying true to its mission to managing the challenges of fundraising and community engagement. She outlines practical ways businesses can support her cause, such as hosting bake sales or customizing cookies for corporate purposes. This demonstrates how for-profit initiatives can effectively contribute to philanthropic efforts.

Throughout the discussion, Gretchen emphasizes the importance of authenticity, a clear mission, and the courage to embrace new challenges despite the fear of failure. Her belief in grassroots involvement highlights her conviction that everyone has the power to make a difference regardless of their resources.

This episode is a reminder of the importance of clarity in both mission and communication, which is essential for anyone looking to make an impact through their work. Gretchen turned her grief into a global campaign against pediatric cancer, proving that from the deepest sorrow can come the greatest strength.

Quotes

• “I know my son inside and out and I know that his expectation of us who were left behind is that if there was something we could do to make it better for somebody else, we should do it. No matter what it is.” (22:12 | Gretchen Witt)
• “You have to be doing something for the right reason and the right purpose. And it has to be something that you believe in.” (24:39 | Gretchen Witt) 
• “Starting an organization, whether it's a for-profit or a non-for-profit business, is not for the faint of heart. You better believe in what it is that you are doing without a shadow of a doubt. You have to have an idea of what it is that you're doing, why you're doing it, why it's important and why it's needed.” (24:45 | Gretchen Witt) 

Connect with Gretchen Witt:

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cookies4kids

Grab Lindsay's guide: 30 Pieces of Content in Two Hours:

https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/fedimy6g3b

If you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundher

Grow your business + bottom line with a simplified strategy and process for your small business with Lindsay's group mentorship, Marketing Made Simple for Small Business. Check it out here: Use the code FOUNDHER for 20% off.

https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsspring2024

If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us:

https://form.jotform.com/230008245758152

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.