DiscoverDear FoundHer...
Dear FoundHer...

Dear FoundHer...

Author: Lindsay Pinchuk

Subscribed: 24Played: 601
Share

Description

Dear FoundHer… is more than a podcast—it’s a movement for women 40+ building businesses on their own terms.


Hosted by award-winning entrepreneur Lindsay Pinchuk, each episode delivers honest conversations, actionable strategies, and no-fluff insights from the most powerful female founders of our time.

From Bobbi Brown to Rebecca Minkoff, Dr. Becky Kennedy to Gail Simmons, these are the real stories behind the success: the lessons, the pivots, and the marketing strategies that actually work.


Because at Dear FoundHer…, there's no fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works---because we're better together.

Subscribe and join the women rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

307 Episodes
Reverse
Subscribe to The FoundHer Files. Practical advice for your small business. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works...because we're better together. SUBSCRIBE HERE Katie Rosen Kitchens didn’t set out to build a subscription box, she set out to build a community. What began as an online magazine with product recommendations grew into FabFitFun, a membership that millions of women see as a quarterly act of self-care.In this episode with Lindsay Pinchuk, Katie shares how a 24-hour sellout of the very first test box set the stage for everything that followed: full-size products, full customization, members-only sales, and a thriving community where feedback shapes each season. Storytelling still drives it all, making every product feel personal rather than transactional.She also explains how FabFitFun became a launchpad for brands, using influencers and editorial reach to turn products, like OUAI’s leave-in conditioner, into bestsellers. Flexibility is key—members can swap items or even entire boxes—building trust with every shipment.Katie doesn’t shy away from the hard parts either, from a million-unit product recall to the operational lessons that came out of it. Today, FabFitFun is expanding its impact with brand investments and 3PL services, proving that listening to your community and evolving with it is the foundation of lasting growth.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Meet Katie Rosen Kitchens Co-Founder of FabFitFun05:52 FabFitFun’s Origin Story15:44 Building Community and Listening to Customers26:55 From Media Company to Membership Model28:20 Outlasting the Subscription Box Trend43:11 Final Advice for Female FoundersConnect with Katie Rosen Kitchens:http://www.instagram.com/katieakitchenshttp://www.instagram.com/fabfitfunFollow Lindsay @dearfoundher on InstagramInterested in leveling up your marketing? Get on the waitlist for Marketing Made Simple for Small Business.Join the Dear FoundHer... Forum Networking CommunityFoundHers Mentioned today:October 22 MFactor Screening https://bit.ly/3Id2NoRTween Girls Summit https://chicagonorthshoremoms.com/tween-girls-empowerment-summit/The Small Business Owners HR Vault https://www.wellness-extension.com/sbo-vaultDear FoundHer on Tour: http://www.dearfoundher.com/tourTrailblazer Pod https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trailblazer-pod/id1773328946Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Subscribe to The FoundHer Files. Practical advice for your small business. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works...because we're better together. SUBSCRIBE HEREIn this episode, Lindsay Pinchuk shares actionable Q4 marketing strategies for small business owners. She emphasizes the importance of gratitude marketing, creating holiday gift guides, running flash sales, repurposing content, and leveraging email for conversions. Lindsay also discusses the significance of pitching for year-end press opportunities, sharing behind-the-scenes content, encouraging user-generated content, and planning for January momentum. The episode is packed with practical tips to help businesses finish the year strong and set the stage for the new year.Follow Lindsay @dearfoundher on Instagram.Interested in leveling up your marketing? Get on the waitlist for Marketing Made Simple for Small Business.Join the Dear FoundHer... Forum Networking Community Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get actionable strategies for your business delivered weekly to your inbox. Subscribe to The FoundHer Files. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works...because we're better together. SUBSCRIBE HEREIn this episode, Lindsay Pinchuk shares her journey of building Bump Club and Beyond from scratch without a marketing budget. She emphasizes the importance of creating a marketing system out of necessity, which eventually became the foundation for her success. Lindsay introduces her marketing framework, SWEEP, which stands for Social media, Website, Email, Events, and Publicity/Partnerships. She discusses the significance of each component and provides actionable steps for entrepreneurs to implement in their businesses. The episode highlights the power of consistency, community building, and the importance of nurturing relationships through effective marketing strategies.00:00 Building a Business from Scratch02:53 The Importance of a Marketing System06:06 Introducing the Sweep Framework08:56 Social Media: Building Awareness11:50 The Role of Your Website14:59 Harnessing the Power of Email Marketing18:07 Events as Community Builders20:56 Publicity and Partnerships for Growth23:51 The Power of Consistency in Marketing27:11 Action Steps for Immediate ImpactCheck out today’s female founded brands:Jessica’s Natural Granola:  Use the code LINDSAYP15, first time customers save 15%. Seed Health Daily Synbiotic: Use the code FOUNDHER for 25% off your first month at seed.com. Can be used on DS-01®, PDS-08®, VS-01™. No expiration dateZodiac Medallion Necklace by Melinda MariaTween Girls Summit in Chicago on October 18th: FOR MORE INFORMATION Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get actionable strategies for your business delivered weekly to your inbox. Subscribe to The FoundHer Files. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works...because we're better together. SUBSCRIBE HEREFrom Starbucks tables to Taylor Swift’s spotlight to Nordstrom shelves, Melinda Maria Spigel has built a jewelry empire on vision, grit, and fearless self-advocacy. Joining Lindsay Pinchuk in this episode, Melinda shares how she turned handmade pieces into a multimillion-dollar brand by trusting her instincts, funding growth in unconventional ways, and pushing past rejection until doors opened. Melinda reflects on the viral moment Taylor Swift wore her “Julian Loves Diamonds” necklace during the Eras Tour, why persistence mattered more than luck when Nordstrom finally took a chance on her, and how a relentless belief in her product carried her through every stage of growth. Her story leaves entrepreneurs with three powerful reminders: keep betting on yourself even when no one else does, treat rejection as a doorway instead of a wall, and understand your numbers as deeply as you understand your craft.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Believing in Yourself and Your Business05:07 Early Passion for Jewelry08:07 Selling Jewelry at Starbucks10:09 Winning Game Shows for Seed Money16:37 Self-Advocating and Building Connections27:08 Persistence Pays Off with Nordstrom39:32 Melinda’s Actionable Advice for EntrepreneursConnect with Melinda Maria Spigel:Follow Melinda Maria on InstagramRegister for our FREE Sweep Workshop: The No Fluff Marketing Framework for Small Business Owners. Get on the waitlist for Marketing Made Simple for Small Business. Check out today’s female founded brandsJessica’s Natural Granola PvolveTaja CollectionEVEREVE Camp Jacket Parke Official Follow Dear FoundHer on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get actionable strategies for your business delivered weekly to your inbox. Subscribe to The FoundHer Files. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works...because we're better together. SUBSCRIBE HEREAra Katz never set out to build a probiotic company, yet a deeply personal turning point led her back to her passion for science and ultimately to the creation of Seed. In this episode, Lindsay Pinchuk talks with Ara about how her path through film, tech, and entrepreneurship came full circle when she discovered the potential of the microbiome and its deep connection to gut health, immunity, skin, and overall wellness.Ara shares how Seed developed its science-first approach to gut health, why customer experience is inseparable from scientific credibility, and how design and storytelling can make complex research feel human. She also reflects on the hardest part of scaling a values-driven company: holding fast to what must remain sacred while still making the compromises that growth demands.Ara leaves behind advice that feels both wise and lived: resist the urge to follow someone else’s recipe, ground your work in love, and hire operational support early so you can stay focused on the work that matters most to you.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Meet Ara Katz and the Story Behind Seed06:39 A Miscarriage That Changed Everything12:03 Understanding the Microbiome and Gut Health20:03 The Science and Innovation Behind DS0129:20 Why Customer Experience Builds Trust34:18 Challenges of Scaling with Integrity45:01 Actionable Advice for Female FoundersUse FOUNDHER for 25% off your first month at seed.com. Can be used on DS-01®, PDS-08®, VS-01™. No expiration dateConnect with Ara Katz:Follow Ara Katz on InstagramFollow Seed on InstagramRegister for our FREE Sweep Workshop: The No Fluff Marketing Framework for Small Business OwnersGet on the waitlist for Marketing Made Simple for Small BusinessCheck out today’s female founded brands:Hope Firsel Nourish & Gather Suzanne Scheer, J.D., CLTC®, Register for her webinar Ripley Rader Black Ponte Knit Wide Leg PantDara Astmann Coaching AI Her Way Follow Dear FoundHer on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get actionable strategies for your business delivered weekly to your inbox. Subscribe to The FoundHer Files. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works...because we're better together. SUBSCRIBE HEREAI can feel overwhelming when you’re running a small business, yet it also offers a chance to simplify work and open new possibilities. In this episode, Lindsay Pinchuk is joined by Dr. Nici Sweaney, the founder of AI Her Way, to talk about how entrepreneurs can bring AI into their businesses in a way that feels intentional and aligned with their values. Nici shares the turning point that led her from academia to building a seven-figure company around AI and why she believes women need to engage with it now to stay competitive. She explains how to think of AI as a “blank slate intern” that can be trained to support your goals, why ethical use matters, and how keeping human values at the center ensures these tools work for you rather than the other way around.This conversation invites listeners to see AI not as a shortcut, but as a responsibility and an opportunity to shape the future of work in ways that are inclusive and sustainable. It also asks us to consider both the immediate benefits and the bigger picture: AI is here to stay, and the way we choose to use it now will influence the kind of businesses, communities, and opportunities we create in the years ahead.Episode Breakdown:00:00 AI for Small Business Success with Dr. Nici Sweaney,01:57 From Academia to AI Entrepreneurship06:55 What AI Her Way Offers to Businesses08:52 Understanding AI vs Generative AI13:19 Training AI Like a Blank Slate Intern18:24 Practical Ways Entrepreneurs Can Use AI22:43 Why Claude Is Dr. Sweeney’s Favorite AI Tool26:06 Best Practices for Using AI Confidently30:25 What Ethical AI Really Means35:12 Inside the AI for Impact Hub38:15 Building a Seven-Figure Business with AI41:35 Three Essential Tips for New Founders44:49 Use AI EthicallyConnect with Dr. Nici Sweaney:Access a free 14-day trial of Dr. Nici Sweeney’s Gen AI Essentials course: https://pages.aiherway.com.au/14-day-gen-ai-dear-foundherDr. Nici’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ai_herway/Get on the waitlist for Marketing Made Simple for Small Business: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/waitlistFollow Dear FoundHer on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearfoundherPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get actionable strategies for your business delivered weekly to your inbox. Subscribe to The FoundHer Files. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works...because we're better together. SUBSCRIBE HERE.In this episode, host Lindsay Pinchuk emphasizes the critical role of community in business, sharing personal experiences and insights on how a strong community can provide support, resilience, and connection. She discusses the importance of authenticity and standing up for one's values, especially in the face of adversity. Lindsay also offers practical steps for building a community that fosters trust and collaboration, ultimately highlighting that community is an essential asset for any entrepreneur.Female Founded Businesses We Love mentioned in this episode: ThirdLove Organic Cotton Cloud T-Shirt BraDo Be Fit LLCChicago Northshore Momsperfectwhitetee Ziggy SweatshirtResources + Links:SWEEP: How One Framework Helped Me Launch a Top 1% PodcastSubscribe to our weekly newsletter on Substack: The FoundHer FilesWant support, strategy, and a powerful network? Join the Dear FoundHer… ForumHave a question about growing without a budget or landing partnerships? DM Lindsay @dearfoundher on Instagram.If you enjoyed this episode:Please rate, review, and share Dear FoundHer... with another woman business owner who needs to hear this. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a no-fluff, all-strategy conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Subscribe to The FoundHer Files: No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works… because we’re better together.Heidi Zak took a bra that didn’t fit and turned that frustration into ThirdLove, a DTC brand that challenged an industry dominated by one player and proved that listening to women could transform everything about how a product is made, marketed, and sold.For Dear FoundHer’s 300th episode, Lindsay Pinchuk talks with Heidi about the decisions and risks that shaped ThirdLove’s growth, from introducing half-cup sizes that the industry said were impossible, to launching the “Try Before You Buy” program that asked women to truly live in the product before deciding if it was right for them. Heidi shares how customer feedback revealed insights far deeper than price or style preferences, and how those insights shaped both the brand’s identity and its ability to earn trust online. She shares about the missteps, the manufacturing roadblocks, and the moments where abandoning an idea saved time and money.Lindsay and Heidi’s conversation is about building in direct response to the people you serve, scaling in a competitive DTC space without losing sight of product quality, and staying committed to innovation even when the path forward is messy and uncertain.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Introducing Heidi Zak06:19 Heidi Zak’s Founding Story of ThirdLove14:01 Launching the First Product Line and Market Strategy19:35 Creating Half-Cup Sizes and Disrupting the Bra Industry24:08 Building Trust and Driving Customer Acquisition32:01 How Customer Feedback Shaped ThirdLove’s Growth36:17 Lessons Learned from Failed Experiments38:56 ThirdLove’s Current Status and Future PlansConnect with Heidi Zak:Follow ThirdLove on InstagramFollow Heidi Zak on InstagramSubscribe to The FoundHer Files: No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works… because we’re better together.Join our online networking community, the Dear FoundHer... ForumFollow Dear FoundHer on InstagramDon’t forget to follow Lindsay on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get actionable strategies for your business delivered weekly to your inbox. Subscribe to The FoundHer Files. No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works...because we're better together. SUBSCRIBE HERE.In this episode, Lindsay Pinchuk reflects on the journey of her podcast, Dear FoundHer..., as it approaches its 300th episode. She shares the evolution of the podcast into a supportive community for women entrepreneurs over 40, highlighting key lessons learned from her interviews with inspiring female founders. Lindsay emphasizes the importance of trusting one's intuition, staying true to one's mission, and the power of community in building successful businesses. She also offers personal reflections on her growth and the impact of the community on her life.Female Founded Businesses We Love mentioned in this episode: Odele Beauty: You can check out Founder, Lindsay Holden on the podcast, and make sure you show them some love.Shop Chunky:  Check them out and show her some love.Adulting 101 Masterclass: Show her some love here.Rebecca Minkoff Frankie Mini Woven Tote: You can check out our conversation on the podcast here. Don’t forget to show her some love.The Write Stop: Show her some love here.Resources + Links:SWEEP: How One Framework Helped Me Launch a Top 1% PodcastSubscribe to our weekly newsletter on Substack: The FoundHer FilesWant support, strategy, and a powerful network? Join the Dear FoundHer… ForumHave a question about growing without a budget or landing partnerships? DM Lindsay @dearfoundher on Instagram.If you enjoyed this episode:Please rate, review, and share Dear FoundHer... with another woman business owner who needs to hear this. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a no-fluff, all-strategy conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Subscribe to The FoundHer Files for weekly no-fluff business tips for women 40+ building on their own terms. Erica Groussman went from zero sales and deep debt to getting TRUBAR into Whole Foods, Target, and thousands of stores across North America, all by staying committed to a vision she wasn’t willing to give up on.In this episode, Lindsay Pinchuk talks with Erica about how a simple desire for a clean, delicious protein bar led to one of the fastest-growing plant-based snack brands on the shelf. Erica shares what those early days really looked like, driving around with samples in the backseat, asking salons and yoga studios to take a chance on her product, and putting marketing expenses on her personal credit card. She also opens up about the moment everything nearly fell apart after bringing in a partner who mismanaged the business, and what it took to take back control and keep going.Where do you draw the line between persistence and letting go? How do you rebuild when trust is broken and the money has run out? Erica talks through those moments with honesty, alongside the decisions that helped her move forward, building supplier relationships, testing in-store demos, and staying close to the product every step of the way. Her story is a grounded look at what it really takes to grow something from nothing and keep it alive through the hard parts.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Introduction04:15 How TRUBAR Got Started08:44 Recovering from Financial Failure11:08 Breaking Into Whole Foods14:51 TRUBAR’s Retail Expansion19:05 From Three People to a National Team20:40 Scrappy Marketing and Product Trial24:18 Getting Acquired by a Public Company27:31 The Long-Term Vision for TRUBAR33:43 Advice for Aspiring FoundersConnect with Erica Groussman:http://www.instagram.com/ericatrubarhttp://www.instagram.com/trubar.brandsSubscribe to The FoundHer Files: No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works… because we’re better together.Join our online networking community, the Dear FoundHer... Forum:https://www.dearfoundher.com/dear-foundher-forumFollow Dear FoundHer on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearfoundherDon't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchukPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lindsay Pinchuk is re-launching her newsletter, The FoundHer Files on Substack! No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works… because we’re better together. Make sure you subscribe for simple business and marketing tips designed for actual growth. SUBSCRIBE HERE. Two former Lululemon insiders took a conversation in a Vancouver hot tub and turned it into a multi-million dollar DTC swimwear brand built on real product expertise, trust in their partnership, and a clear vision of what women actually need in a swimsuit.In this episode, Lindsay Pinchuk talks with Laura Low Ah Kee and Shannon Savage, the co-founders of Left On Friday, about how they pulled from over a decade of product experience at Lululemon to rethink what swimwear could be. Why were there still no suits that worked for movement and looked good too? What would happen if they applied everything they knew about fit, fabric, and function to a category that had barely evolved? That spark of an idea eventually became a focused product line, a growing team, and a brand that’s now seen on Olympic athletes and Gwyneth Paltrow alike.Laura and Shannon share what it looked like to build their DTC business from the ground up using their own money, the value of starting small and negotiating smart, and how they’ve stayed committed to growth that’s intentional and sustainable. You’ll hear how they used their own networks, leaned on past experience, and figured out what to outsource along the way. They didn’t just chase hype. They built something they wanted to last.If you’ve ever wondered how to turn deep experience into a brand with staying power, or how to balance vision with execution, this is the kind of conversation that makes you stop and think. What would you build if you fully trusted what you already know?Episode Breakdown:00:00 Meet the Founders of Left On Friday03:22 The Hot Tub Conversation That Sparked a Brand07:48 From Lululemon to DTC: Using Experience to Fill a Market Gap15:15 Bootstrapping with $150K and Building for Longevity22:24 Profitability, Growth, and Staying Power in DTC33:35 Advice for Female Founders Ready to StartConnect with Laura Low Ah Kee & Shannon Savage:https://www.instagram.com/lowaks/https://www.instagram.com/shansavage/https://www.instagram.com/leftonfriday/Subscribe to The FoundHer Files: No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works… because we’re better together.Join our online networking community, the Dear FoundHer... Forum:https://www.dearfoundher.com/dear-foundher-forumFollow Dear FoundHer on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearfoundherDon't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchukPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lindsay Pinchuk is re-launching her newsletter, The FoundHer Files on Substack! No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works...because we're better together. Make sure you subscribe for simple business and marketing tips designed for actual growth. SUBSCRIBE HERE.We're rerunning this episode as Katie Sturino's debut novel, "Sunny Side Up". hits bookshelves adn the best-sellers list nationwide. Host, Lindsay Pinchuk shares that this is one of her favorite episodes of the podcast, and as she's currently on vacation, she chose to share this in celebration of Katie's big news.In this episode, Katie opens up about the transition from working in public relations to becoming an entrepreneur, taking Megababe from her parents’ garage to major retailers like Walmart. She talks about the importance of authenticity, community, and staying true to her mission of body positivity and empowering people of all shapes and sizes. Katie also shares insights into her strategic marketing efforts and how her viral series, #SupersizeTheLook, has strengthened her influence in the body acceptance movement.As Katie shares practical advice for founders, she also stresses the value of hiring the right team and testing your ideas before going all in. What does it really take to push through when things don’t happen overnight? Katie’s story reminds us that persistence and finding the right audience are key. Connect with Katie Sturino:https://www.tiktok.com/@katiesturino?lang=enhttp://www.instagram.com/katiesturinohttp://www.instagram.com/megababehttps://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridaysSUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER, The FoundHer Files on Substack and check out today's edition on repurposing your content. Make sure you follow Dear FoundHer... on InstagramPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Do you want more simple marketing strategies? Lindsay Pinchuk is re-launching her newsletter, FoundHer Files, this week on Substack! No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works...because we're better together. SUBSCRIBE HERE.Episode Summary:In this episode, Lindsay Pinchuk pulls back the curtain on how she built her first company, Bump Club and Beyond, from a $500 personal investment into a 7-figure, nationally recognized brand — without a marketing budget, a big team, or going viral.Lindsay shares the scrappy, strategic, and community-first approach that led to 3 million monthly impressions, six-figure brand partnerships, and eventually, a successful acquisition. If you're a woman over 40 starting or scaling a business and wondering if it's too late or too costly — this is your permission slip to build it your way.Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow smarter, you'll walk away with real, actionable takeaways that don't require ad spend or hype — just intention, connection, and consistency.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why showing up as yourself is your best marketing strategyHow to build a community first — and let the revenue followWhy value beats vitality (and how to deliver it consistently)The power of trade partnerships and organic growthHow integrity builds trust — and trust builds long-term successWhy you don’t need a big audience or big budget to growThe importance of email, feedback, and scrappy momentumWhat most people get wrong when they focus only on revenueResources + Links:Grab Lindsay’s free download: The FoundHer’s Blueprint for Building a Business Without Burning OutSubscribe to our weekly newsletter on Substack: The FoundHer FilesWant support, strategy, and a powerful network? Join the Dear FoundHer… ForumHave a question about growing without a budget or landing partnerships? DM Lindsay @dearfoundher on Instagram.If you enjoyed this episode:Please rate, review, and share Dear FoundHer... with another woman business owner who needs to hear this. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a no-fluff, all-strategy conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you're a woman business owner over 40, join the Dear FoundHer... Forum to find support, advice, resources and mentorship—JUST FOR YOU. It’s all inside, without the gatekeeping and without the overwhelm.Ashley Thompson transformed cold oatmeal into a powerhouse brand sold in over 12,000 retail locations, scaling MUSH from a farmers market stall to a national favorite with the help of a pivotal Shark Tank deal. Joining Lindsay Pinchuk in this episode, the MUSH founder shares how she left a fast-track finance career at Goldman Sachs at 24 to build a mission-driven business from the ground up, without a business plan, outside funding, or prior food experience.Ashley recounts the early hustle of handmaking oats in her kitchen, demoing at local shops, and delivering products herself, all while using direct customer feedback to refine the brand. She explains how MUSH landed on Whole Foods shelves, survived a Shark Tank-fueled surge that nearly shut down the business, and ultimately scaled through smart automation and a disciplined, capital-efficient approach.This episode shows what shaped Ashley’s choices as MUSH grew, from holding off on new products for years to building a team that could support large-scale growth across Target, Costco, and Kroger. She explains what helped her stay focused, how she made decisions with limited resources, and what she’s still learning about leading a brand at scale. If you’re building something from the ground up, there’s a lot here to sit with… and you won’t want to miss it!Episode Breakdown:00:00 From Farmers Markets to 12,000 Retail Locations04:20 Quitting Goldman Sachs to Build MUSH from Scratch14:45 Getting into Whole Foods and Landing a 10-Store Trial19:25 Shark Tank Deal with Mark Cuban and Sudden Growth24:35 Surviving the Post-Shark Tank Chaos29:25 Why MUSH Focused on Retail Over DTC34:05 Launching Protein Bars and Expanding the Product Line39:00 Marketing Strategy Behind a National Health BrandConnect with Ashley Thompson:https://www.instagram.com/mushWe’re re-launching our newsletter this summer! Sign up here to have it sent straight to your inbox.Join our online networking community: Dear FoundHer Forum: https://www.dearfoundher.com/dear-foundher-forumFollow Dear FoundHer on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearfoundherPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Do you want more simple marketing strategies? Lindsay Pinchuk is re-launching her newsletter, FoundHer Files, this week on Substack! No fluff. No gatekeeping. Just what works...because we're better together. SUBSCRIBE HERE.The year 2025 is officially HALF OVER. BUT, there is still a lot of runway left in front of us. In this episode, Lindsay Pinchuk shares 20 practical strategies for entrepreneurs to effectively achieve their business goals by the end of 2025. The conversation emphasizes the importance of reflection, planning, and taking actionable steps to ensure a successful finish to the year. Key strategies include checking in on goals, automating tasks, enhancing marketing efforts, and prioritizing personal well-being.Everyone listening can do every single one of these strategies---none of them are complicated. Take a listen and then try to implement one or two per week for the rest of the summer.Join the Dear FoundHer Forum to build and grow your business alongside other women entrepreneurs 40+, just like you: https://www.dearfoundher.com/dear-foundher-forumDon't forget to follow Lindsay and Dear FoundHer... on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you’re a woman business owner over 40, join the Dear FoundHer... Forum to find support, advice, resources and mentorship—JUST FOR YOU. It’s all inside, without the gatekeeping and without the overwhelm.Jennifer Meyer went from walking into jewelry shops with a sketch in hand to building a fine jewelry brand worn by Jennifer Aniston and sold at Barneys New York. She joins Lindsay to talk through the moments that shaped her twenty-year journey, from saving $7,500 over six months to cold-pitching jewelers and learning everything through trial, error, and curiosity. Jen shares how a last-minute decision to show her pieces to Aniston’s stylist helped launch her brand, and how a quiet meeting at Barneys turned into her first major order. She talks honestly about what it means to build something on your own terms, why she’s never taken outside investment, and how she’s stayed grounded as trends and platforms have changed around her.You’ll hear Jen reflect on the emotional weight jewelry can carry, the challenges of raising prices in a shifting economy, and what still drives her to keep creating. How do you build a business that can evolve as you do? How do you stay focused when it feels like everyone else is racing ahead? And how do you know when it’s time to celebrate a win? Jen’s story is a reminder that starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. And that consistency and a little bit of nerve can take you further than you think!Jen is celebrating 20 years of Jennifer Meyer Jewelry this year and is giving YOU an exclusive discount for the next week. You can use the code Foundher15 to save on her website: https://jennifermeyer.com/Episode Breakdown:00:00 Jennifer Meyer’s Journey from PR to Jewelry Design10:33 The Breakthrough: Jennifer Aniston and the Barneys Order14:29 Building a Brand Through Transparency and Hustle21:20 How Social Media Changed the Game27:49 Inspiration from Women and Celebrating 20 Years35:19 Real Advice for Aspiring Female FoundersConnect with Jennifer Meyer:http://www.instagram.com/jenmeyerjewelryhttps://jennifermeyer.com/We're relauching our newsletter this summer! Sign up here to have it sent straight to your inbox. Join our online networking community: Dear FoundHer Forum: https://www.dearfoundher.com/dear-foundher-forumFollow Dear FoundHer on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearfoundherPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Do you want more simple, no-fluff marketing strategies? Lindsay Pinchuk created a new FREE download: CLICK HERE to grabThe FoundHer’s Blueprint for Building a Business Without Burnout.In this episode, Lindsay Pinchuk discusses the common challenges faced when launching offers, particularly the importance of building anticipation and community before a launch. She emphasizes the need for effective storytelling, engaging with one's inner circle, and utilizing various marketing strategies to ensure success. The episode provides actionable advice for entrepreneurs looking to improve their launch strategies and build trust with their audience.TakeawaysLaunching an offer without community leads to failure.Building anticipation is crucial for a successful launch.You must advocate for your own offer.Storytelling connects you with your audience.Engage your inner circle for support.Email marketing is vital for business success.Regular communication builds trust with your audience.Your community should be nurtured before launching.People buy from those they trust.Success comes from consistent engagement and value.Join the Dear FoundHer Forum to build and grow your business alongside other women entrepreneurs 40+, just like you: https://www.dearfoundher.com/dear-foundher-forumDon't forget to follow Lindsay and Dear FoundHer... on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you’re a woman business owner over 40, join the Dear FoundHer... Forum to find support, advice, resources and mentorship—JUST FOR YOU. It’s all inside, without the gatekeeping and without the overwhelm. Julie Wainwright knows what it’s like to be underestimated, and to prove people wrong. She built The RealReal into a billion-dollar luxury consignment business, then watched from the sidelines as a board she no longer trusted forced her out. But that’s only part of the story.In this episode, Julie sits down with Lindsay to talk about what it really means to lead. From the ashes of Pets.com to the early days of The RealReal, Julie explains how she saw an opening in the e-commerce space and moved fast, testing, iterating, and winning customers city by city. She didn’t wait for investor buy-in. She mailed postcards. She knocked on doors. She made it work.What convinced early customers to trust her with their Chanel and Prada? What does it take to scale a business from $10 million to $500 million when most investors don’t even understand your category? And what do you do when the company you built is no longer yours?Julie shares how strategic partnerships, like an early collaboration with Neiman Marcus, helped put The RealReal on the map. She reflects on the power of in-person experiences, like pop-up stores, and why human connection can drive business in a way digital never fully replaces.Now leading her second venture, Ahara, Julie is focused on precision nutrition and on helping other entrepreneurs find their footing. Her new book, Time to Get Real, is both a memoir and a playbook for anyone building something that feels personal.If you’ve ever doubted yourself, or felt like others have doubted you more, Julie’s story will remind you what’s possible when you trust your vision and keep going.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Introduction to Julie Wainwright and The RealReal05:04 From Pets.com to The RealReal: Julie’s Founder Story11:29 Building Trust in Luxury Consignment17:43 Raising Capital and Finding the Right Investors22:37 Scaling E-Commerce Through Strategic Partnerships28:14 How Resale Impacts Luxury Markets29:17 Leadership Changes and Boardroom Challenges32:58 Lessons from Entrepreneurship and Gender Dynamics36:48 Starting Over: New Ventures and Growth39:24 Why Nutrition Became Julie’s Next Mission43:34 Advice for Aspiring EntrepreneursConnect with Julie Wainwright:http://www.instagram.com/realrealjulieGrab a copy of Julie's new book: bit.ly/JulieGetsReal Get on the Marketing Made Simple Waitlist: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/waitlistDear FoundHer Forum: https://www.dearfoundher.com/dear-foundher-forumFollow Dear FoundHer on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearfoundherPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you're a women business owner over 40, join the Dear FoundHer... Forum to find support, advice, resources and mentorship—JUST FOR YOU. It’s all inside, without the gatekeeping and without the overwhelm.No amount of business success is worth sacrificing your integrity, and Rebecca Minkoff has the receipts to prove it.Lindsay Pinchuk sits down with the iconic fashion designer to talk about what it takes to build a brand with staying power. From sewing her own bat mitzvah dress to creating a handbag that became a cultural moment, Rebecca traces the early hustle and the breakthrough wins that helped her build a fashion empire. She shares the story behind the unexpected challenges that came with scaling, and why she eventually sold her company, along with the rights to her own name.They talk about the rise and fall of influencer marketing, how COVID nearly crushed her business, and why The Real Housewives of New York City ended up testing her values more than she ever expected.This episode is a reminder that building a business isn’t about one big break, but about what you do next.Episode Breakdown:00:00 Why Rebecca Minkoff Inspires The Dear FoundHer... Community03:11 Rebecca Minkoff’s Story: From Apparel to Iconic Bags16:09 Rejection, Networking, and Asking for Help22:26 Inside the Rebecca Minkoff Brand Today26:38 Selling Her Company: What Rebecca Learned36:39 How Rebecca Balances Business, Family, and Creative Work39:00 Rebecca’s Real Housewives Experience and Its AftermathFollow Rebecca:http://www.instagram.com/rebeccaminkoffhttp://www.instagram.com/beckyminkoffGrab a copy of Rebecca's book.Check out Rebecca's Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/superwomen-with-rebecca-minkoff/id1426026971Dear FoundHer Forum: https://www.dearfoundher.com/dear-foundher-forumDon't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchukFollow Dear FoundHer on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dearfoundherPodcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you're a women business owner over 40, join the Dear FoundHer... Forum to find support, advice, resources and mentorship—JUST FOR YOU. It’s all inside, without the gatekeeping and without the overwhelm. Use the code GIFT at checkout for $200 off your Annual Membership. In this episode, Lindsay Pinchuk shares ten simple yet effective strategies for business owners feeling stuck or overwhelmed.Lindsay shares 10 simple things—no fluff, no gimmicks—that you can do right now to create momentum in your business. These aren’t revolutionary tactics—they’re simple, overlooked steps that lead to real movement. Here’s what I want you to try this week...She emphasizes the importance of storytelling, consistency in sharing offers, and the power of asking for help. Lindsay also discusses reconnecting with past clients, simplifying offers, optimizing online presence, following up on opportunities, repurposing content, providing value without selling, and the significance of testimonials. These tactics are designed to create momentum and drive results in business without requiring extensive resources.Join the Dear FoundHer Forum, use the code GIFT to save nearly 45% on an Annual Membership during the month of May: https://www.dearfoundher.com/dear-foundher-forumDon't forget to follow Lindsay and Dear FoundHer... on Instagram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
loading
Comments