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Motherhood, Mentors, and Millions: Building as a Woman in Tech With Hagan Kappler
Welcome back, Trailblazers! Tiffany and Jordan, here and today’s guest is a serious force. Meet Hagan Kappler, founder of Daisy, and someone who knows exactly what it means to build something from scratch and mean it. This episode is all about doing business your way, even when the world tries to hand you a script.
We dive into Hagan’s wild and winding career journey from history major to McKinsey to CEO and how none of it was planned, but all of it mattered. She’s been in rooms where her ideas were dismissed until a man said them three weeks later, and she’s also raised 35 million as a first-time founder in a male-dominated industry. “I felt like I had to Google my way through half my roles,” she laughs, and honestly, we’ve all been there.
Hagan doesn’t shy away from talking about motherhood in business, but she’s also very clear that it’s often used against women in ways that are never applied to men. Her take, “Nobody asks my husband how he does it with four kids,” is the kind of honesty that makes this conversation so refreshing.
This episode unpacks what happens when you finally stop following someone else’s rulebook and decide to create your own. Hagan opens up about the moment she chose not to take another high-paying role and instead said yes to a risky idea with her co-founder. That risk paid off big, and it’s the reason Daisy exists today.
Here are the key takeaways:
(2:39) What authenticity really means at work
(4:29) The unexpected path to entrepreneurship
(8:25) Turning gender bias into negotiation strength
(12:23) Do you cook? And other gendered questions
(14:16) Mentorship that changed everything
(19:41) Saying no to the next obvious CEO role
(23:20) Kids, identity, and entrepreneurship
(24:46) The real cost of overthinking risk
(25:57) Laughter, friends, and staying balanced
(29:46) Don’t settle. Build your own thing
So if you’ve been questioning whether you’re ready to take the next step, this one’s for you. There’s no perfect time, no perfect playbook, just your gut, your experience, and your voice. Tune in and let Hagan’s story push you to think bigger about what’s possible.
About Hagan Kappler
Hagan Kappler is the co-founder and CEO of Daisy, a national company focused on smart home technology services. She previously led Threshold Brands, ServiceMaster Clean, and Merry Maids. Her background includes roles at Starbucks, Ingersoll Rand, McKinsey, and Goldman Sachs. She holds a BA from Williams College and an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.
Connect with Hagan:
About Tiffany Benitez & Jordan Franklin
Tiffany Benitez leads Data Governance at Compass Group USA, ensuring data quality, integrity, and compliance across all business units. She is passionate about driving data excellence and advancing women in tech and STEM.
Jordan Franklin, CEO of Gumption and Stratice, is revolutionizing the job market with behavioral AI, making talent acquisition efficient. For three years, she's been celebrated as a top staffing influencer.
Connect with Hosts:
Tiffany’s LinkedIn
Jordan’s LinkedIn
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only. The content should be taken as something other than professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding specific situations or concerns.
View all episodes
By Tiffany Benitez and Jordan FranklinWelcome back, Trailblazers! Tiffany and Jordan, here and today’s guest is a serious force. Meet Hagan Kappler, founder of Daisy, and someone who knows exactly what it means to build something from scratch and mean it. This episode is all about doing business your way, even when the world tries to hand you a script.
We dive into Hagan’s wild and winding career journey from history major to McKinsey to CEO and how none of it was planned, but all of it mattered. She’s been in rooms where her ideas were dismissed until a man said them three weeks later, and she’s also raised 35 million as a first-time founder in a male-dominated industry. “I felt like I had to Google my way through half my roles,” she laughs, and honestly, we’ve all been there.
Hagan doesn’t shy away from talking about motherhood in business, but she’s also very clear that it’s often used against women in ways that are never applied to men. Her take, “Nobody asks my husband how he does it with four kids,” is the kind of honesty that makes this conversation so refreshing.
This episode unpacks what happens when you finally stop following someone else’s rulebook and decide to create your own. Hagan opens up about the moment she chose not to take another high-paying role and instead said yes to a risky idea with her co-founder. That risk paid off big, and it’s the reason Daisy exists today.
Here are the key takeaways:
(2:39) What authenticity really means at work
(4:29) The unexpected path to entrepreneurship
(8:25) Turning gender bias into negotiation strength
(12:23) Do you cook? And other gendered questions
(14:16) Mentorship that changed everything
(19:41) Saying no to the next obvious CEO role
(23:20) Kids, identity, and entrepreneurship
(24:46) The real cost of overthinking risk
(25:57) Laughter, friends, and staying balanced
(29:46) Don’t settle. Build your own thing
So if you’ve been questioning whether you’re ready to take the next step, this one’s for you. There’s no perfect time, no perfect playbook, just your gut, your experience, and your voice. Tune in and let Hagan’s story push you to think bigger about what’s possible.
About Hagan Kappler
Hagan Kappler is the co-founder and CEO of Daisy, a national company focused on smart home technology services. She previously led Threshold Brands, ServiceMaster Clean, and Merry Maids. Her background includes roles at Starbucks, Ingersoll Rand, McKinsey, and Goldman Sachs. She holds a BA from Williams College and an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia.
Connect with Hagan:
About Tiffany Benitez & Jordan Franklin
Tiffany Benitez leads Data Governance at Compass Group USA, ensuring data quality, integrity, and compliance across all business units. She is passionate about driving data excellence and advancing women in tech and STEM.
Jordan Franklin, CEO of Gumption and Stratice, is revolutionizing the job market with behavioral AI, making talent acquisition efficient. For three years, she's been celebrated as a top staffing influencer.
Connect with Hosts:
Tiffany’s LinkedIn
Jordan’s LinkedIn
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only. The content should be taken as something other than professional advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with professionals regarding specific situations or concerns.