In honor of International Women's Day, we decided to reach out to some of the most impressive women we know to hear about what they've learned during their entrepreneurial journey. These female business leaders of the health food industry have inspired us to produce the best quality products with the determination and pride only a true #girlboss can have. Read on to hear their stories and get their tried and true tips for becoming a successful female founder.
Elizabeth Giannuzzi (Siren Snacks)
What has been the biggest challenge and biggest reward you've faced in your entrepreneurial journey?
EG: Biggest Challenge -- The biggest challenges have been around hiring/finding the right people for our team and the process of learning as we go.
EG: Biggest Reward -- The biggest reward has been seeing our product on store shelves and hearing from happy customers who tell us that Siren Snacks have positively impacted their lives.
What advice do you have for hopeful future female entrepreneurs?
EG: Just go for it because you will never feel 100% ready. The sooner you get your idea or product out there, the sooner you can start getting feedback and enlisting others to help. Also, be willing to get out of your comfort zone and wear all different types of hats getting started -- everything from sales to ops to fulfillment typically falls on the founder in the first year or two.
What does "girl boss" mean to you? What are 3 character traits of a successful "girl boss"?
EG: "Girl boss" means paving your own path and building something new that does not yet exist. Three character traits are persistence, passion, and willingness to constantly be learning.
Vanessa Dew (Health-Ade)
What has been the biggest challenge and biggest reward you've faced in your entrepreneurial journey?
VD: Biggest Challenge -- Finding my voice. Starting out in this industry, we were faced with all types of unknowns and I constantly questioned if people were going to take me seriously or if I was good enough. Slowly but surely, I did find my own confidence but that took time and a whole lot of learnings along the way that ultimately strengthened my voice and allowed me to see that I do deserve a seat at the (metaphorical) table.
VD: Biggest Reward -- Seeing our company extend beyond us as founders to a team of 200 amazing people who are invigorated by the entrepreneurial spirit and exude the passion for the brand everyday.
What advice do you have for hopeful future female entrepreneurs?
VD: There will inevitably be speed bumps and curveballs that get in the way of the ‘grand plan.’ The important thing is to not let those things take away your sparkle or allow you to dwell on the 'what if.' Continue to move forward especially when it is out of your comfort zone. It is in those times that the most growth actually comes.
What does "girl boss" mean to you? What are 3 character traits of a successful "girl boss"?
VD: To me, a girl boss is strong yet vulnerable, fearless but aware and at the heart of it, unapologetically confident in one’s capabilities to get after her dreams. She is fierce (in her own way), collaborative and empowering.
Jessica Luengo (Naturally Clean Eats)
What has been the biggest challenge and biggest reward you've faced in your entrepreneurial journey?
JL: Biggest Challenge -- The biggest challenge would have to be the amount of work and energy that not only goes into building a brand, but getting it out there and explaining why it is healthier than a lot of the others people are already stuck on. I created this nutrition bar company not to compete with anyone else, but to give a cleaner, more wholesome real food product on the market that was convenient. Packaged foods get a bad rep for not being healthy or have the stigma of sacrificing taste for quality (or vice versa). I wanted to change that by making something as delicious when you ate it as any other bar, but with even more health benefits and over half the sugar.
JL: Biggest Reward -- is without a doubt seeing my product in a store or a customer's hand. The pure sense of accomplishment knowing I helped someone make a healthier choice, eat less sugar and omit supplement powders, artificial sweeteners and added flavors from their food products makes me feel proud.
What advice do you have for hopeful future female entrepreneurs?
JL: As a female, I think it’s more difficult to start a business because of many reasons. We have more guilt, we are traditionally known as homemakers/wives/mothers, and we're more emotional (which is very true in my opinion). However, as women we tend to think things through more thoughtfully, consciously and morally. We’re more balanced and know how to create a more efficient time management schedule. Women look deeper into how their business or idea is going to create a much needed change in our world -- and we get tied to the emotional outcome, which is a great attribute in business because it allows us to relate better to a bigger group of people.
My advice to all female entrepreneurs is to celebrate your strength and power you have as a woman and take whatever idea you have head on. It’s an amazing time to be a female entrepreneur. Don’t let any man in business (or a fellow woman) bring you down or make you not feel “big enough.” We all have different things going on in our lives, for me it’s also juggling being a mother to two little ones, but I NEVER see that as a hardship. I would say 90% of the female entrepreneurs I know are mothers too, and all are far surpassing those who are males or women without children yet. We’re already professional jugglers ;) .
What does "girl boss" mean to you? What are 3 character traits of a successful "girl boss"?
JL: Girl boss means someone who celebrates other women and never brings anyone down to prop themselves up. It’s about being kind, genuine and humble.
Kara Goldin (Hint, Inc.)
What has been the biggest challenge and biggest reward you've faced in your entrepreneurial journey?
KG: Biggest Challenge -- One of the biggest challenges was learning to trust my gut. I didn't have any industry experience when I started and I encountered a lot of naysayers. What I learned is that you can't let this fear hold you back. I've since embraced my role as an industry disruptor, and because of it, I've been able to help countless families lead healthier lives.
KG: Biggest Reward -- We recently launched our line of Hint Kids, and it's been deeply rewarding to see how grateful parents are that their kids are actually enjoying water at an early age.
What advice do you have for hopeful future female entrepreneurs?
KG: It can be scary to take a leap of faith, but if you have confidence in what you’re doing and the passion to make it a success, it will be. Big things can happen when you set your mind to it. So just wake up earlier, work a little harder, ask for help, give help, be grateful to those who support you, and don't be afraid to try and fail. Above all, you must love what you're doing.
What does "girl boss" mean to you? What are 3 character traits of a successful "girl boss"?
KG: A girl boss first and foremost has a purpose that is authentic to her and of value to her community. She leads with a solid set of values that she knows will guide the behaviors and values of her team. And she is always curious.
Lauren Mariel (Live Love Pop)
What has been the biggest challenge and biggest reward you've faced in your entrepreneurial journey?
LM: Biggest Challenge -- I think it’s a combination of knowing you have full responsibility for your business and the people who are in it and feeling alone sometimes. It’s a lot of pressure day in and day out. This is a baby of yours, and it’s the one thing you can’t keep off your mind because you have so much passion and love for it. Your brain is constantly reeling with questions and concerns which can be exhausting. I haven’t quite figured out where the "power-on, power-off" button is!
LM: Biggest Reward -- The biggest reward for me is that it’s forced me to become a better ME. I am forced every single day to learn, change (not easy, FYI 😊), adapt, get tough and innovate. It’s been fun to watch and experience!
What advice do you have for hopeful future female entrepreneurs?
LM: Do not be afraid to fail. You have to move outside of your comfort zone (which was difficult for me at the beginning). I was told this a million times and never truly believed it until I started experiencing it first hand. With failure…comes success!
What does "girl boss" mean to you? What are 3 character traits of a successful "girl boss"?
LM: Being a girl boss has given me more confidence than I ever could've dreamed of having. It’s created a whole new world for me to be honest. The fact that I get to wake up every day and do what I love is beyond rewarding. Those Sunday blues were VERY real pre-Live Love Pop. I love waking up knowing my company is not only making a difference…but knowing that wow…this is something I created… This was my vision that has actually come to life. It’s surreal!
A successful girl boss is confident, tenacious and positive.
