Startups in Stilettos

After being diagnosed with a rare disease, Lauren Makler was left uncertain about her chances of having children. This led to a passion for changing the fertility process and making it less “icky.” Thus, Cofertility was born.

In today’s episode we sit down with Lauren Makler, co-founder of Cofertility, a revolutionary fertility company aimed at making egg donation and egg freezing more accessible (and free!) for everyone. Lauren shares what led her to wanting to start Cofertility, how to go about fundraising and marketing, why a soft-launch made sense, and so much more. 

“I just had, like, this absolute immediate clarity that I wanted to build a company in the reproductive health space. Which brings me back to egg donation, right? In this whole journey, I had just started to think about, like, what people go through to have a baby. And what stuck out to me was just how antiquated this industry was, and how for lack of a better word, icky it was.” – Lauren Makler

This week on Startups in Stilettos:

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Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

When Carlyn stepped into Entrepreneurship to be closer to her four children, she thought it would be easy. After her first business came to an end, she realized her real passion was in helping other women grow their businesses, thus she created Carlyn Bushman Consulting. 

In today’s episode, we sit down with Carlyn Bushman, founder of Carlyn Bushman Consulting, a consulting firm that helps women grow their businesses and define their success. Carlyn shares why she switched business models, what her business looks like today, what helped her business explode, and so much more. 

“I work with women who are just starting out. And I typically do that through a workshop, POP Academy, it is very popular. And that is a workshop that I hold where it takes you from six steps, and we go through it together. And it really gets you grounded in your business.” – Carlyn Bushman

This week on Startups in Stilettos:

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Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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After a chance encounter with a recruiter led Lauren to one of the nation’s largest angel groups, she hit the ground running with the mission of helping Entreprenistas raise capital. Once her son was born, however, she decided to branch out on her own and created VC Worthy Business. 

In today’s episode, we sit down with Lauren Kane, founder of VC Worthy Business, a company that helps female founders create attention grabbing pitches that investors cannot say no to. She shares with us the challenges she has faced, the business tools she recommends, her plans for the Entreprenista Raising Capital group, and so much more. 

“You as a founder have all the power, you have all the power and control, you have the power to make those investors money. And without you, they’re not going to make that money, if they don’t invest in your company.” – Lauren Kane

This week on Startups in Stilettos:

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Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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Cynthia was happily climbing the corporate ladder, or so she thought. Then one night, she realized that her professional life had squandered her personal life. She knew she had to change, so she moved cross-country with only seven suitcases to her name, got hired at a new job, quit it, and started her own business instead.  

In today’s episode, we’re talking with Cynthia Ferngren, founder of CFC, an outsource CMO company whose mission is to create thoughtful and profitable brands. Cynthia shares with us why she chose to leave behind her corporate aspirations, how she figured out what to charge, the ventures she’s currently working on, and so much more. 

“Who my ideal target is–it’s that small business that’s at the place where they’re right about to scale, so they want to ramp up and they’re looking for figuring out what their brand strategy is, what their value proposition and their brand story is like. ” – Cynthia Ferngren

This week on Startups in Stilettos:

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Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

Are you struggling with organically growing the clientele for your business? Have you shared your 15 second elevator pitch with the people around you? Focusing on building relationships with other Entreprenistas may be exactly the solution you need to help move your business in the right direction. 

In today’s special episode, we sit down with Jess Milanes, founder of Smart Podcast Solutions. Jess and Stephanie share all the insider information about getting the most out of networking groups, how to grow a business online, and so much more. 

“My goal is to build this really powerful podcasting agency that is for women and by women, and helps to give women a voice in the podcasting space.” – Jess Milanes

This week on Startups in Stilettos:

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Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

After Amanda Hofman sold her first business (at 38 weeks pregnant!), she took some time off to focus solely on being a mom. When she decided to get back in the game, she thought about how to modernize the one thing every company needs–merchandise. And thus, Go To Market was born. 

In this week’s episode, we talk with Amanda Hofman, co-founder of Go To Market, a print-on-demand company that designs branded merchandise for businesses, entreprenistas, and everyone in between. She shares with us the lessons she’s learned from having multiple businesses, how to sell your company, how to decide if a co-founder is right for you, and so much more. 

“We really think about the clients and the brands that we’re working with. And we translate it into branded merchandise so that they have beautiful items that their customers, fans, partners, and employees really want to wear and are excited about.” – Amanda Hofman

This week on Startups in Stilettos:

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Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

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Julia Xu was always entrepreneurial, but she had no idea that she would one day run four businesses. However, each one started naturally after the previous one she started. Today, she runs a consulting business, a home office shop, an ecommerce shop, and an automated product sourcing platform. 

In today's episode, we talk with Julia Xu–founder of USourced, ReSourcery, Multitasky, and Julia Xu Consulting–to find out how she balances it all, the importance of the right friendships, how to decide if fundraising is right, and so much more. 

"So I don't feel like work is work, work is life in a way where I'm actually building something that I truly believe in, and I'm truly passionate about, and I wouldn't be anywhere else, I would rather just be working on this." - Julia Xu

This week on Startups in Stilettos:

Julia shares about each of her companies (1:06)Julia talks about her corporate background and how it led to her starting four businesses (2:05)Julia shares how she manages her time (6:05)Julia, Jessica, and Stephanie talk about the importance of finding the right romantic partner as business owners (11:34)Julia talks about how to decide if fundraising is right for your business (14:59)Jessica and Stephanie share how they decided to start their businesses (20:15)

Resources Mentioned:

CRONSuperhumanNotionAir Table

Our Favorite Quotes:

"Now getting all those 'dream jobs,' I realized I actually lost an initial self who had more ambition and wanted to create my own thing." - Julia Xu"By saying no, and by turning down things, you're only opening up yourself to things that actually add value and positivity to your life." - Julia Xu

Connect with Julia Xu:

Julia Xu on LinkedInJulia Xu on InstagramMultitasky on InstagramReSourcery on InstagramJulia Xu Consulting on InstagramUSourced.com

Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts:

Stephanie Cartin on InstagramStephanie Cartin on LinkedInJessica Abo on InstagramJessica Abo on LinkedInLearn more about Jessica Abo here

Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get ...

What started out as a search for the perfect gift for her secretary led Annabelle DeGrazio to quit her dream job. Annabelle had always been creative, so she decided to blend the creativity that flowed in her with her analytical skills and that led to the start of Taja Collection.

In this week's episode, Annabelle DeGrazio, founder of Taja Collection, a Florida candle company, shares why she doesn't have a business plan, her must-have resources for businesses, why she loves Instagram, and so much more. 

"So I said, 'You know what, let me try it out. I have my law degree, I passed the bar, I have everything I need. I can always come back to this.' And I haven't had to come back. And it's been five years." - Annabelle DeGrazio

This week on Startups in Stilettos:

Annabelle shares how Taja started (1:22)Annabelle shares if Taja has a business plan (3:15)What marketing looked like in the beginning of Taja (7:38)Annabelle talks about her hiring process (10:00)Annabelle shares the benefits she offers her employees (12:43)How to find interns and new hires through Instagram (16:07)Annabelle, Stephanie, and Jessica talk about marketing strategies (17:35)

Resources Mentioned:

20% off discount code - ENTREPRENISTA20QuickBooksShopifySalesforceKlaviyoAttentivePaychexJazzHR

Our Favorite Quotes:

"I've always had that entrepreneurial spirit. But once the idea came about, I couldn't get it out of my mind. And it was something I needed. So I said, 'You know what, let me try it out.'" - Annabelle DeGrazio"I'm able to offer a 401k and be able to offer health benefits, which was really important to me, because I don't want to have a revolving door. I really treat everyone at the company like they're in my family because this is. So I really want to make it advantageous to them." - Annabelle DeGrazio"Google is the best resource out there and it's free." - Annabelle DeGrazio

Connect with Annabelle DeGrazio:

Annabelle DeGrazio on InstagramAnnabelle DeGrazio on LinkedInTajaCollection.comTaja Collection on InstagramTaja Collection on LinkedIn

Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts:

Stephanie Cartin on InstagramStephanie Cartin on LinkedInJessica Abo on InstagramJessica Abo on LinkedInLearn more about Jessica Abo here

Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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Picture this: You love art. You're an artist and you work in the art world. Then you leave your job to start an art business. A pandemic comes about, rocks the world, and explodes your business overnight. What would you do? 

For this week's guest, that's exactly what happened. This week we hear from Alix Greenberg, founder of Art Sugar, a company that strives to bring art to the everyday person. In this episode, Alix shares what caused her to start Art Sugar, how Covid actually helped her business, how to find the perfect investor, and so much more. 

"I realized there wasn't a great accessible place for people to buy art at a certain price point where the artwork looked cool and on trend. So I wanted to create that." - Alix Greenberg

This week on Startups in Stilettos:

Alix shares how and why she started her company, Art Sugar (1:09)Where the name 'Art Sugar' came from (3:17)How Covid exploded Art Sugar overnight (5:34)Alix talks about how to raise capital for a business (9:24)The apps that help Alix run Art Sugar (10:30)Alix talks with Jessica and Stephanie about pivoting off of Instagram (11:34)Are discount codes worth it? (15:01)What is next for Alix and Art Sugar (17:05)

Resources Mentioned:

ShopifyKlaviyoAttentiveStampedFoursixty

Our Favorite Quotes:

"​​Overnight, the business grew 80%. And I was like, 'What the hell is going on?'" - Alix Greenberg"And it's like everything I always wanted happened overnight. And I took everything to heart. If a customer didn't like something, it was just, like, so painful." - Alix Greenberg"I think people were stuck inside and wanted to make their homes really happy. Everything on the site, pretty much, is in that category. You know, it's sort of like, elevated, but joyful." - Alix Greenberg

Connect with Alix Greenberg:

Art Sugar on InstagramArt Sugar's [email protected]

Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts:

Stephanie Cartin on InstagramStephanie Cartin on LinkedInJessica Abo on InstagramJessica Abo on LinkedInLearn more about Jessica Abo here

Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Apple Podcasts|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|Spotify|iHeart Radio

Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Ever run into a problem that you just know there has to be a solution for, only to find out there really isn't? If you're like most Entreprenistas, maybe you decide just to create the solution yourself. Most people freeze with analysis paralysis, not Julie Stevens.  

This week's guest is Julie Stevens, founder and CEO of the pre-made cocktail company, BeTini. Julie shares how her business was born out of hosting necessity, how she just dove in, and why she thinks it's important to choose your team wisely. She also shares what it feels like to be one of the only women in the room and how she made sure her voice was heard. 

"I wanted to have really yummy, proper cocktails, that you could just chill and pour and spend more time bonding with your friends. So that's where the brand came out of." - Julie Stevens

This week on Startups in Stilettos:

Julie shares what it's like to be a female founder in a male-dominated industry (3:12)What Julie was doing before starting BeTini (5:36)Julie discusses the early challenges BeTini faced (6:28)The importance of PR to Julie (8:59)The reason for BeTini's design (12:22)Julie, Stephanie, and Jessica share tips for engagement on social media (13:59) 

Resources Mentioned:

SmartSheetBeTini discount code: ENTREPRENISTA - 10% off valid through to September 6th

Our Favorite Quotes:

"When you create something and you put it out to the world, it's like a little piece of your soul that you're putting out there, right? And to have someone reject it over and over is kind of soul-crushing. So I highly recommend finding a good person who's willing to just, you know, field all of those and only tell you about the wins." - Julie Stevens "I'm very competent, my design skills. That's my expertise. I know that I can bring forth packaging that will attract attention. And then if you fill it with something yummy, it's a win-win, and people will pick it up because it's pretty and they'll buy it again if it's good." - Julie Stevens"I'm not sure I was even smart enough to think it through that far. I just kind of went for it." - Julie Stevens

Connect with Julie Stevens:

BeTini Spirits Website BeTini on Instagram

Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts:

Stephanie Cartin on InstagramStephanie Cartin on LinkedInJessica Abo on InstagramJessica Abo on LinkedInLearn more about Jessica Abo here

Get Featured on Startups in Stilettos

Want a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!

Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Grow Your Startup with Startups in Stilettos

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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