From Side Hustle to Six Figures: Real Women Share Their Blueprint to Growth

Inclusivity is Key

As a female entrepreneur, so much of our success is connected to the success of other women like us. Centering inclusivity both internally, and in the community we serve. It also means using your power to always push the boundaries of what kinds of women are represented and centered. Just ask CEO and co-founder of Billie, Georgina Gooley. “From the outset, being an inclusive brand has been really important to us,” she says. “Especially as it pertains to expanding the many ways in which one can show up as a woman beyond the narrow definition that society has dictated.” 

Be a Problem Solver

Some of the most successful ideas are born out of a need — the key is spotting that void and filling it. For Jen Batchelor, the co-founder of Kinn Euphorics, her aha moment came when she really considered the relationship between wellness and alcohol. “I was part of a movement of women who were demanding more from the things they spent their time and money on, and I didn’t see why our social rituals had to be excluded from that conversation,” she says. “With alcohol being at the center of all ‘celebratory’ occasions, the cognitive dissonance seemed like a glaring problem to solve. 

Start From the Heart

The strength of your business is rooted in the passion you bring to it, and what inspires you to showcase it to the world. Don’t be afraid to look at life’s challenges and find strength in them – chances are the same resilience that got you through a difficult time will be your ally in founding your company. It will also ensure your business makes an earnest impression on your clientele: whether you’re selling a service, a good – consumers can sense when the person behind the endeavor is genuine. For Donni founder Alyssa Wasko, dedicating her brand to her late father was a conduit to finding meaning. “I started the brand a couple months after my dad passed away,” she says. “I wanted to be distracted so I channeled my grief into creativity. I had no intention of turning it into anything, but here we are!”

Your Team is Everything

No one does anything alone and as a female founder, the people you surround yourself with can make or break the success of your business. Blogilates and POPFLEX founder, and pilates icon Cassey Ho says that this can be one of the most challenging parts of being in a high growth stage of building a business. “I had a team previously that was extremely toxic, so [much] that when I stepped into the office, I felt like I couldn’t breathe,” she says. “My heart would beat irregularly—it was really bad. I’m grateful that the team we have today is full of passion. You should surround yourself with people smarter than yourself so you can accomplish more.”

Don’t Be Afraid of Doing Double Duty 

There is no one way to be a female entrepreneur. Not everyone quits their day job and dedicates their life 24/7 to founding a new company – whether it’s not financially feasible, or you’re just not quite ready, there’s no shame in keeping your day job. “A lot of folks are surprised to learn that my co-founder and I worked full-time jobs up until the beginning of 2023. However, it took time to get to that place because we’ve been bootstrapped,” says Camille Bell, the founder of Poundcake Beauty. “It's perfectly fine to work a 9-to-5 job while building your brand on the side.”

Pivot!

As cliched as it sounds, it’s never too late to change career paths. Maison Miru founder Trisha Okubo founded the uber-successful jewelry brand after being fired from what she calls one of the worst jobs of her life, and a “quarter life crisis.” Whether your pivot comes as the result of an untimely termination or a decision of your own accord, take it as an opportunity to learn more about yourself first, and the rest will fall into place. “To rebuild my life, I finally started listening to myself,” says Okubo. “I rediscovered my love of making things in a jewelry course at the University of Arts London, and with that, I took the first steps towards building Maison Miru.”

You Don’t Know it All (And That’s a Good Thing!!)

“What you don’t know can be your greatest asset,” says Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx and Sneex. When she started Spanx over two decades ago, she didn’t have any business or fashion experience – just a (brilliant) idea. And while she thought that lack of knowledge would be challenging, it actually gave her an edge. “I didn’t follow a playbook, I followed my intuition,” she says.

Don’t Forget Where You Came From or Who You Are

It’s happening. Your success is growing, you’re watching your business thrive. It’s the best feeling in the world. But remember to stop and take stock of what got you there: this will keep you grounded which is fundamental to being a good leader. “It’s crucial to remember the journey of how you got to where you are,” says Honey Pot founder, Beatrice Dixon. She says always thinking about the people who supported her along the way instructs how she treats her own team. “I want to embody these qualities with my team to be the best leader I can be.” And equally important as remembering where you came from? Knowing exactly who you are, what makes you unique, and never wavering on that. Just take it from Serena Williams: “Make sure you remain authentic to yourself and your vision for your brand without compromising on the things that are important to you,” she says about starting her beauty line WYN.