Womansplain

Ilay Karateke is the co-founder and CEO of BEZI—that makes labneh, a Mediterranean dairy dip, in plain, everything, and red pepper flavors. BEZI launched in September 2024, retail first—starting with local favorite grocery stores in NYC.. BEZI dreams of making labneh a thing here in the US.She is an Istanbul-raised, New York-based, ex-McKinsey consultant turned labneh lady. She grew up in a large family, with their lives punctuated by big family-style meals shared with friends and neighbors. Labneh was ever-present in her upbringing, alongside homemade breads and seasonal produce.Once she moved to New York, Ilay longed for a taste of home and was inspired to introduce labneh she grew up with to not just friends and family but to the US grocery stores in her Turkish New Yorker way. She partnered with Hasan, her friend and the heir to Bahçıvan Dairy, her childhood favorite cheese company. So they took it upon themselves to bring BEZI—the labneh that labnehs better than any other labneh out there… familiarized enough for the American consumer, everything and red pepper flavored, rich in protein, and low in tang.Within 8 months of operations, BEZI currently sells all around NYC, recently expanded to SF and LA, and growing!

Maddie recently took the leap to launch Steer, the first affiliate marketing platform built specifically for consumer services—think ShopMy or LTK, but for experiences like fitness studios, wellness services, hospitality, and live events. Through Steer, creators can share their favorite experiences with followers, while brands can easily track performance, offer perks, and pay commissions—making it seamless for both sides to collaborate and drive sales.While this is Maddie’s first time as a founder, she’s no stranger to the world of startups and business building. She was one of the earliest employees at Bumble while still in college, and later worked in investment banking and private equity. Maddie holds a Bachelor’s in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin.With Steer, she’s merging her experience in brand building, deal-making, and growth strategy to empower creators and experiential brands alike—and she’s just getting started.

Veronica Panzardi is the founder of edggies, a veggie brand making it radically easier to eat your vegetables with USDA organic kale sprinkles. After 4.5 years in investment banking, Veronica launched edggies veggies to support busy professionals—especially women like herself—who want to eat better without overhauling their routines. With a background in corporate hustle and a passion for food systems, she’s on a mission to fight food waste and make nutrition feel effortless.

Aurelia (Ray) Biebuyck is the founder of Hurray, a Los Angeles-based beverage company known for its flagship product, Girl Beer—a playful brand challenging traditional gender norms in the beer industry. Launched in 2024, Girl Beer has quickly gained traction across Southern California, securing distribution in Whole Foods and BevMo stores. Before founding Hurray, Biebuyck served as Director of Operations at Shacksbury (2020–2022), was an Associate in Strategy at WeWork (2018–2020), and began her career as an Investment Banking Analyst at JPMorgan Chase & Co. (2017–2018). A graduate of NYU's Stern School of Business, she leveraged her extensive experience in operations, strategy, and finance to create Hurray during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to disrupt traditionally male-dominated markets through humor and bold, unconventional branding.

Riddhima Kapoor is the founder of Veggie Vice, a vegetable chip brand made with simply dried vegetables and seasonings. She's on a mission to make veggies your new vice. After starting her career in investment banking and spending 6 years in startups, Riddhima launched Veggie Vice to offer a simple, guilt-free snack option that makes it easy to enjoy a savory snack that delivers on flavor and nutrition.

Negotiating for a raise or promotion can feel daunting, especially for women navigating workplace biases. Brooke and Sola break down actionable strategies to get what you deserve—balancing warmth and assertiveness, preparing with data, and negotiating beyond salary. Tune in to learn how to advocate for your value and tackle compensation talks with confidence!

Dive into the biggest beauty trends of 2025 with Brooke and Sola! From fragrance layering and K-beauty innovations to the return of glam makeup and the rise of men’s grooming, Womansplain unpacks what’s shaping this dynamic industry. Tune in for insights, tips, and inspiration!

This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck in a corporate job and afraid to take the leap toward something new. Kiki's story is a powerful source of inspiration and courage.

Kirsten (Kiki) recently jumped ship to co-found Beny Yogurt, a high-protein, low-carb yogurt packed with the probiotic benefits of a supplement—no pills required. And the best part? It tastes amazing. Though this is Kiki's first foray into the food CPG space (prior she worked in private equity at Alpine Investors), it is by no means a surprise to anyone who knows her. Kiki grew up in Northern California and comes from a family of dairy farmers. She holds a Bachelor's from Stanford University in Human Biology. In building Beny Yogurt, Kiki is merging her love of health, science, and her agricultural roots to create something truly special - and she's excited to bring it to a grocery store near you soon!

Anna is a dating coach and matchmaker based in NYC helping people globally overcome their dating obstacles to meet high-quality matches for long-term relationships. As seen on Good Morning America, Nightline, and Bravo, Anna uses her decade of experience to give real advice on how to get offline and meet people in real life again. Her love for the dating industry started with helping her friends for years to ditch the bad boys and start dating more intentionally. With several marriages under her belt, Anna began coaching and matchmaking to create a safe place for both men and women to date.

If you are looking for love in the New Year - this is a must listen!

In this episode of Womansplain, Brooke and Sola tackle the complex world of women’s health, fertility, and reproductive rights. From the rise of egg freezing and IVF fueled by corporate benefits to the challenges returning mothers face in workplace culture, they explore the intersection of technology, societal pressures, and systemic gaps. They also discuss the paradox of expanding fertility options amid threats to reproductive rights and emphasize the need for broader solutions—paid family leave, affordable childcare, and flexible work policies. Tune in to learn how empowering women’s choices is not just a moral issue but a business imperative for equity and success.