Lady Startup Stories

Anna Grosman is a Melbourne-based mother of two and staunch advocate for women’s sensual empowerment. She’s recently launched Her Confidant - an elite male escort service that aims to satisfy a woman’s libido, body and mind.

Anna believes that putting a male escort on retainer will be one of the new trends of 2025 - as more and more women decide to go #boysober - rejecting the dating apps and more traditional methods of meeting a sexual partner - which all too often prove to be unsafe and unpredictable.

The men who work for her - who she calls ‘companions’ are rigorously vetted to ensure that her female clients have a safe, respectful and tailored experience.

In this taboo-smashing episode of No Filter, Mia Freedman asks every question you’d want to ask Anna - who sees herself as a feminist madam - and she also speaks with ‘Alexandria’ - one of Anna’s very satisfied customers.

You can hear part two of Mia's conversation here. 

Follow Anna on Instagram here.

You can find Anna Grosman & Her Confidant here.

BONUS - Want To Know What Beauty Products Mia Uses? Listen to You Beauty here.

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CREDITS:

Host: Mia Freedman

You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here.

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Audio Producer: Thom Lion 

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures

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It's been a while since our last Lady Startup Story, so we'd like to introduce Amy Liu, the CEO and creator of viral beauty brand Tower28. She's the business founder who did a full 360 on her rosacea and eczema-prone skin. She's here to share to teach us how she identified a niche gap in the market, and just went for it. 

This is an episode of another Mamamia podcast, You Beauty that we thought you would love. 

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CREDIT 

Hosts: Erin Docherty

Guest: Amy Liu

Producer: Cassie Merritt 

Audio Producer: Lu Hill

Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected]

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know Lady Start Up is all about speaking with some of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs to discover how they built their businesses from the ground up. And when it comes to beauty in Australia there's one name that tops that list: Zoë Foster Blake.

Zoë Foster Blake, a self-described perfectionist, doesn’t always see it as a positive trait.

In this conversation hosted by Clare Stephens, Zoë shares what she’s learned about embracing failure, recognising when she needs space to recharge, and the interviews and events she chooses not to do.

Is Zoë Foster Blake happy? You’ll have to listen to find out.

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Listen to more But Are You Happy? here.

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Check out Zoe's book here.

GET IN TOUCH:

Send us a voice message or email us at [email protected] to share your feedback about the show or to suggest a guest. 

CREDITS:

Host: Clare Stephens

Guest: Zoë Foster Blake

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Producer: Tahli Blackman

Audio Producer: Scott Stronach

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're dropping in your feeds with a special bonus episode! 

We learnt so much from each of our guests this season on Lady Startup Stories, so we wanted to put together our top 5 lessons and build a framework for getting started in business.

Today, we’re going over the most practical tips of the season and diving into some of our favourite moments with each of our incredible lady startups. 

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Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher.

CREDIT 

Host: Elfy Scott

Producer: Cassie Merritt

Audio Production: Madeline Joannou

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Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected]

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever had a brilliant idea that you thought could change the world? But inevitably due to life and circumstance, it stayed just that - an idea?

Enter lady startup Kristy Chong, who turned her game-changing concept into a multi-million dollar reality. She’s the founder of Modibodi, the company that has been redefining the way we think about period products since 2013.

This week, Kristy sits down with Elfy to share her story, from launching the business to selling it for millions and using her success to empower other female-founded, purpose-led businesses. This is a story about paying it forward and the powerful ways entrepreneurship can not only disrupt the industry but become a catalyst for social change.

This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb.

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Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher.

CREDIT 

Host: Elfy Scott

Guests: Kristy Chong

Producer: Cassie Merritt

Audio Production: Madeline Joannou

Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected]

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At twenty-nine, Jennifer Jones was on top of the world. She was the managing director of Diesel and spent her days overseeing a $40 million dollar brand account. But one week before her thirtieth birthday, she quit. 

Flash forward a decade or two and she's the creative mind behind Bondi cult-favourite ceramics and homewares brand Jones & Co.

This week, Jennifer (JJ) sits down with Elfy to lift the lid on her biggest career wins and mistakes as well as why quitting her day job was the best thing she ever did. 

This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb.

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Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher.

CREDIT 

Host: Elfy Scott

Guest: Jennifer Jones

Producer: Cassie Merritt

Audio Production: Thom Lion

Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected]

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Laura Thompson & Sarah Sheridan didn’t intend to build a fashion brand. But with a knack for marketing and a fire in their bellies to make a difference in the world, they created Clothing The Gaps.

Their dynamic fashion label aims to challenge racial stereotypes, promote cultural awareness, and start conversations about reconciliation.

This week, Laura and Sarah sit down with Elfy to discuss how their purpose drives profit - not the other way around - and the core reasons behind their success.

This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb.

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Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher.

Wherever you're at in your business journey, Ladystartup.com has the tools, resources and education to help you launch and grow your business right now.

CREDIT 

Host: Elfy Scott

Guests: Laura Thompson & Sarah Sheridan

Producer: Cassie Merritt

Audio Production: Thom Lion

Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected]

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Melanie Grant's story starts 12 years ago when she opened her first clinic in Sydney, called Melanie Grant Skin. Since then, her business has expanded all over the world, with clinics in Melbourne, Los Angeles, a residency in Paris, and plans of expanding into the UK.

She transforms the skin of celebrities, models and A-listers alike. But even beyond her star-studded client list, Melanie has built a fiercely loyal global following of people who just love her clinics.

Today, Elfy's sitting down with Melanie to find out how Melanie Grant Skin got to where it is today. Melanie shares the secrets at the core of her business model that helped her cut through the noise of the skincare industry and propel her to international success.

This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb.

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Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher.

Wherever you're at in your business journey, Ladystartup.com has the tools, resources and education to help you launch and grow your business right now.

CREDIT 

Host: Elfy Scott

Guest: Melanie Grant You can check out Melanie's book here.

Producer: Cassie Merritt

Audio Production: Thom Lion

Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected]

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twin sisters & co-founders Sali Sasi and Julie Stevanja are dominating the tech business space. But when they first started out, the pair say building their platform was like learning Mandarin. 

The twins founded Stylerunner back in 2012, the first online retailer of its kind globally. A few years ago, Sali tapped Julie on the shoulder with an idea for a new business. She wanted to do it all over again...Enter Wrapd (previously Her Black Book) a premium online shopping app designed to save money on the world's biggest brands. 

On the show today, Sali & Julie sit down with Elfy to share how they learnt the language of tech, jumped on the AI bandwagon and used automation to completely reimagine how they do business. Plus, they share their number 1 tip for women in business.

This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb.

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All Resources Mentioned: 

Tech Ready Women

Girls In Tech Australia

Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher.

Wherever you're at in your business journey, Ladystartup.com has the tools, resources and education to help you launch and grow your business right now.

CREDIT 

Host: Elfy Scott

Guests: Sali Sasi and Julie Stevanja

Producer: Cassie Merritt

Audio Production: Thom Lion

Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected]

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the early 2000s when Melbourne local Linda Hammond and her husband first came up with an idea for their business, it was just that - an idea. With nothing but $165 in the bank, the pair made the decision to pack up their lives and fly 3,000 km away to Bali, where they set up Quay Australia as a musical festival merch tent. 

Fast forward to 2018. The Hammonds were breaking the internet with record sales, opening international locations, rubbing shoulders with The Kardashians and securing a a multi-million dollar deal where they sold the majority share of the business. Yes, you read that right.

So how did they get there? On the show today, Linda sits down with Elfy to discuss how she used the power of social media to turn her "little idea" into an Internationally acclaimed fashion empire. Plus, she gives us the inside scoop on what her life looks like now and her new business venture, Otra.

This episode of Lady Startup Stories is made in partnership with Airbnb.

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Subscribe to Mamamia

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Have your say! By completing our survey, and to say thank you for your time, you’ll go in the running to win a $50 gift voucher.

Wherever you're at in your business journey, Ladystartup.com has the tools, resources and education to help you launch and grow your business right now.

If you'd like to find out more about Linda's charitable venture TLC Ambulance, and all the incredible work they're doing for seriously ill children, click here.

CREDIT 

Host: Elfy Scott

Guest: Linda Hammond

Producer: Cassie Merritt

Audio Production: Madeline Joannou

Feedback? We’re listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at [email protected]

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.