Women INVESTING in Women and GIRLS

In this episode, we featured Sharon Lechter, a best-selling author, inspirational speaker, and financial literacy extraordinaire. Through her book, Think and Grow Rich for Women, Sharon aims to enforce the importance of “changing to dialogue” from one of criticizing and complaining about what still needs to happen for women to be successful in male-dominated businesses and in leadership positions, to one of celebrating the progress that has been made. She also provides insight on how women can effectively juggle both a prospering career and family without feeling guilt or regret. Lastly, Sharon outlines an exciting way for teens to learn the essentials of financial literacy and the importance of saving and spending wisely with the interactive game “Thrive Time for Teens”, created by her company Pay Your Family First.

In this episode we interviewed Deborah Jackson of Plum Alley. After having worked on Wall Street for Goldman Sachs for 20 years in a predominantly male-dominated workplace, Deborah realized that there was a lack of programs trying to make access to capital easier for women. Her solution was to create a crowd-funding platform to help bring exposure and raise money for the inspiring businesses that women were creating. Plum Alley, besides acting as a crowd-funding platform, sells these women’s products and offers support and advice to the owners of the businesses to ensure more success for its participants. Deborah also talks about the need for more female investors in order to achieve equality in female business owners seeking capital. With a global mindset, financial expertise, and a passion for helping women achieve their dreams, Deborah truly embodies what it means to invest in women.

In this episode we interviewed Candice Klein on her involvement in SoMo Lend, Bad Girl Ventures and DealStruck. Candice Klein created the company Bad Girl Ventures, a crowd-funding platform that held a 9-week intense training program that gives women the entire tool and resources they need to receive loans from a bank and talk to investors. From this, she went on to create SoMo Lend (Social Mobile Local Lend) that teaches business owners hoe to receive money from family, friends, and supporters and help make it bankable in the future. We also discussed the differences in men and women raising and investing their capital. Her newest company is DealStruck that has no blind investments and is a direct lender but also offers peer-to-peer lending. Overall Candice Klein has been an enormous advocate for the underdog and has helped so many people along the way.

In this episode we interviewed Deborah Jackson the creator of Plum Alley. Deborah worked on Wall Street in New York for Goldman Sachs for 20 years in a predominantly male-dominated workplace. From this she wanted to create a crowd-funding platform to help expose women, and help them raise money for their small businesses or projects. This company sells these women’s products and gives them the right information and offers mental and economic support. This amazing company is 80% funded by women for women and is helping them achieve their dreams.

In this episode we spoke to Barbra Bry on being an entrepreneur and women in the workplace. She told us about her involvement in ATCOM and its importance in the 1980’s and 90’s. We learned of her involvement in GLOBAL CONNECT and its help in linking young entrepreneurs with successful mentors (ie. capital, connections, etc.) With the Internet still being very new when Barbra Bry was in these companies, she helped create ProFlowers.com, this went along perfectly with another new website BlueMountain.com. We discussed ATHENA, a San Diego based company that helps level the playing field to give woman a better chance to succeed in an executive position in the workplace. Run Women Run is another brilliant idea of Barbra Bry’s. It is a political action committee that promotes women in the office and endorses voting participation in women and young voters not just in presidential elections. Finally we discussed Black Bird Ventures, she and her husbands Investment firm. From company to company Barbra Bry’s involvement in women’s empowerment is truly inspiring.

In this episode, we featured Lisa Thorén, an inspiring Swedish woman who gives a look into life in Sweden, as well as her involvement in business. Lisa Thorén studied communications, culture and cultural anthropology. Her studies facilitated networking of her family’s company, Baby Björn. She also gave us insight on what it was like to switch from being part of a large company, to starting a new company on her own. This highlighted her power of endurance. We also discussed parental leave in Sweden versus in America. Another amazing creation from Lisa Thorén’s family was the Ártipelag of Sweden, and how art and nature go hand in hand. She informed us of her involvement in Cash is Queen, a branch of CONNECT SVERIGE. Her skateboarding company, PROSK8, helps girls generate self esteem and challenge them to not only skateboard but to also take these skills with them into their adult lives and apply them to their work ethic.

In this episode, we featured Katarina Bonde, who shared with us her journey from scientist to CEO to investor in various positions she has held in the United States and the Royal Kingdom of Sweden. Through her ability to help businesses achieve their maximum potential, Ms. Bonde succeeded in taking two companies public. We also learned about Katarina’s new “project” in starting her own wine label based out of California as well as her advice for young women & girls in pursuing their entrepreneurial careers.

In this episode, we featured Suzanne Fallender and her innovative work focusing on the empowerment of women & girls at once of America’s largest corporations, INTEL. Other topics covered include Intel’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), their Women & Girls Global Initiative that is addressing the need for 66,000,000 million girls not receiving an education, and their involvement in being an anchor partner and sponsor in the documentary film, GIRL RISING. Suzanne also shared details from Pearson Foundation’s making of the film and the curriculum they designed for schools while screening Girl Rising. We also learned about recent research findings from INTEL’s –“Women & Web Global Report,” INTEL’s commitment to getting more girls into STEM Careers through their global commitment to SHECONNECTS, their sponsorship of both GIRLS WHO CODE, the National Center for Women In Technology’s Program “AspireIT,” and INTEL’s collaboration with the Half the Sky Movement. To learn more, please log on to http://www.intel.com/women & http://www.girlrising.com

In this episode, we featured Janet Amador, who shared her insight on the work involved in college admissions. Many are familiar with what the application journey is like from a student’s standpoint; however, knowing what takes place behind the scenes is a rare treat! Janet also informed us of the many opportunities available to college students in the California school systems.

In the second part of this episode, we had the opportunity to speak to a newly graduated college student who took her learning experiences across the globe. Over the course of a few years, Melissa was able to visit numerous countries, partaking in amazing service projects. Melissa also talks about her latest project, Sravel, which allows students to experience the wonders of travelling the world.

In this episode, we featured Janet Amador, who shared her insight on the work involved in college admissions. Many are familiar with what the application journey is like from a student’s standpoint; however, knowing what takes place behind the scenes is a rare treat! Janet also informed us of the many opportunities available to college students in the California school systems.

In the second part of this episode, we had the opportunity to speak to a newly graduated college student who took her learning experiences across the globe. Over the course of a few years, Melissa was able to visit numerous countries, partaking in amazing service projects. Melissa also talks about her latest project, Sravel, which allows students to experience the wonders of travelling the world.