Startups in Stilettos

Like many Entreprenistas, motherhood changed the course of Pam’s life in a way she didn’t expect. She was happy living out her 20s dreams of being a TV correspondent until she became a mom of two, then she realized her priorities had shifted, so she started Hustle Like A Mom.In today’s episode, we sit down with Pam Pekerman, serial Entreprenista, author of Edit to Expand Planner, and creator of Hustle Like A Mom. She shares what inspired her to start her business, her lessons when starting out, why she created a planner, and so much more. “I can't be the only woman in her early 30s among my peers who was like, ‘Oh, I don't know what's going on here. I think there might be a different path.’ And so I started an interview series of women that I said were doing, creating, and redefining what it means to be a working mom. Everybody was excited. We had the interview series. But really, it wasn't until 2019, where I was like ‘I think this should be more.’” - Pam PekermanThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Pam shares how Hustle like a Mom came to be (2:00) Why knowing who your “one person” is is the most important thing (4:27) Pam gives some great tips for beginning Entreprenistas (6:30) Pam explains why she created her Edit to Expand Planner (12:29) Pam answers the question, ‘how do you know entrepreneurship is right for you?’ (22:00) Resources Mentioned: Trello Canva Excel Edit to Expand Planner Instagram TikTok Print Tech Our Favorite Quotes: “It's okay to not know, it's not okay to not ask questions.” - Pam Pekerman “Focus on your shot.” - Pam Pekerman “​​I think sometimes entrepreneurs can get really anxious because they hear the information from every direction. I always say, like, ‘you don't have to eat the whole menu at the restaurant.’” - Pam Pekerman Connect with Pam Pekerman: Hustle like a Mom on Instagram Pam Pekerman on Instagram HustleLikeAMom.com Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Stephanie Cartin on Instagram Stephanie Cartin on LinkedIn Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Sri-Lanka born, Australia raised Ginni has had quite the diverse career path. She had a broadcast radio show in Australia for years, she worked on airplanes, she started her own podcast, and currently she owns a podcast producing company that produces nearly 100 shows each year. And now, she’s here to help. In today’s episode, we sit down with Ginni Saraswati, founder and CEO of Ginni Media, the go-to all-in-one shop for podcast producing. She shares why she moved across the world with only five clients when she went full-time with her podcasting company, she gives tips for starting a podcast, she tells us about the exciting new original shows she’s producing, and so much more. “So I came to America with five clients, all based in the East Coast. And I thought, ‘Okay, what could change if I go all in?’ and I quickly found out that a lot changed when I went all in. And the company, we started off with five clients, and now we're up to over 80 that we've produced or currently produce for throughout the year. But we've launched over 300 podcasts. So it's been quite a journey.” - Ginni SaraswatiThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Ginni shares what caused her to start Ginni Media (1:42) Ginni talks about how she knew it was the right time to go full-time (4:39) When Ginni decided to invest in herself and a business coach (12:09) Ginni gives advice for starting a podcast (16:58) Ginni asks Stephanie three questions (20:34) Ginni shares how the Entreprenista League has helped her business (27:04) Ginni talks about the podcasting event she’s hosting for the Entreprenista League (27:56) Ginni gives a taste of the exciting things coming to Ginni Media in the coming year (28:52) Resources Mentioned: Asana Monday.com Tadam Our Favorite Quotes: “I was doing podcasting as a side hustle while I was building airplanes.” - Ginni Saraswati  “A lot of brown culture is predicated on what people think and ‘what will they think?’ But I'm like, Well, we know what people think I'm just gonna keep walking forward, like, ‘what else can you do at this point?’” - Ginni Saraswati  “What we forget about with audio media, or podcasting is just how intimate it is. Unlike video or reading or text or anything like that you're literally in someone's ear. So the impact or the influence is greater.” - Ginni Saraswati Connect with Ginni Saraswati: GinniMedia.com Ginni Media on Instagram Ginni Media on LinkedIn Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Stephanie Cartin on Instagram Stephanie Cartin on LinkedIn Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!

Julia Xu was always entrepreneurial, but she had no idea that she would one day run four businesses. However, each one started naturally after the previous one she started. Today, she runs a consulting business, a home office shop, an ecommerce shop, and an automated product sourcing platform. In today’s episode, we talk with Julia Xu–founder of USourced, ReSourcery, Multitasky, and Julia Xu Consulting–to find out how she balances it all, the importance of the right friendships, how to decide if fundraising is right, and so much more. “So I don’t feel like work is work, work is life in a way where I’m actually building something that I truly believe in, and I’m truly passionate about, and I wouldn’t be anywhere else, I would rather just be working on this.” – Julia XuThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Julia shares about each of her companies (1:06) Julia talks about her corporate background and how it led to her starting four businesses (2:05) Julia shares how she manages her time (6:05) Julia, Jessica, and Stephanie talk about the importance of finding the right romantic partner as business owners (11:34) Julia talks about how to decide if fundraising is right for your business (14:59) Jessica and Stephanie share how they decided to start their businesses (20:15) Resources Mentioned: CRON Superhuman Notion Air Table Our Favorite Quotes: “Now getting all those ‘dream jobs,’ I realized I actually lost an initial self who had more ambition and wanted to create my own thing.” – Julia Xu “By saying no, and by turning down things, you’re only opening up yourself to things that actually add value and positivity to your life.” – Julia Xu Connect with Julia Xu: Julia Xu on LinkedIn Julia Xu on Instagram Multitasky on Instagram ReSourcery on Instagram Julia Xu Consulting on Instagram USourced.com Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Stephanie Cartin on Instagram Stephanie Cartin on LinkedIn Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Grow Your Startup with Startups in StilettosThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

Dr. Najwa Javed was on a girls trip when the idea for her footwear business was born. Everyone but her had foot pain and it was then that she knew she had to do something. E’MAR was born soon after.In today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Najwa Javed, founder of E’MAR, a revolutionary footwear brand that blends luxury and comfort into one. She talks with us about raising capital, balancing everything, being an introverted Entreprenista, and so much more. ““​​So I decided that I was just going to use my medical expertise, and figure that like, okay, if you’re in a high heel, what should your foot do? What is your posture doing? Where are your pain points? How can I fix it?” – Dr. Najwa JavedThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Dr. Najwa talks about her background and where her idea for E’MAR came from (4:02) Dr. Najwa talks about raising capital (9:56) Dr. Najwa shares how she balances being a mom and running a business while being a doctor (15:15) Dr. Najwa talks about her team (18:26) Dr. Najwa shares how she got E’MAR in front of retailers (20:42) Stephanie and Dr. Najwa talk about being introverted Entreprenistas (25:12) Resources Mentioned: Shopify Google Suite Dropbox Notion Canva Photoshop Adobe Suite Our Favorite Quotes: “Everybody was in pain except me. And they were like, ‘this is ridiculous. How come you don’t have any pain?’ And I was like, ‘oh, it’s because like, I know how to buy heels from my feet.’ So they were like, ‘you have to teach us, you have to teach us, you have to teach everybody.’ It started like that. Just teaching somebody how to buy heels, how to wear heels.” – Dr. Najwa Javed “My company has been built on this ability to actually test my products on patients, which is just so amazing.” – Dr. Najwa Javed “So a no is always a yes to me. Because you can make it better.” – Dr. Najwa Javed Connect with Dr. Najwa Javed : E’MAR on Instagram ShopEMAR.com Dr. Najwa on Instagram E’MAR at Nordstrom Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Stephanie Cartin on Instagram Stephanie Cartin on LinkedIn Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Grow Your Startup with Startups in StilettosThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|Spotify|iHeart RadioBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

Diana Arango is a law graduate and self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur. She graduated from the University of The Andes with a Bachelor in Law before attending Fordham University School of Law where she completed her Masters of Laws in International Business and Trade Law. Diana then spent some time working in a variety of impressive roles, mostly within the real estate sector, before eventually starting her business, Chefpost. On this episode, Diana walks us through her experience in starting Chefpost. She shares a bit about the inspiration behind the business, what challenges she faced, and how she was able to overcome them. “I think it’s very important as a founder and a CEO, you do not need to know everything very well. But you need to understand different aspects of the business because that way you can outsource and delegate, knowing a little bit about what you’re delegating.” – Diana Arango This week on Startups in Stilettos: What it was that inspired Diana to start Chefpost (1:12) How Diana turned her dream of Chefpost into a reality (2:08) How Diana was able to balance her personal life with starting a new business (3:30) The ways in which Diana chose to finance Chefpost (6:23) Diana’s tips on fundraising for business (8:45) The biggest lesson Diana learned in starting Chefpost (13:47) How to build your PR strategy based on your type of business (15:54) What the Entreprenista League has meant to Diana and the ways in which she’s benefited from it (22:22) Resources Mentioned: Dream Ventures The Entreprenista League Our Favorite Quotes: “I like business, I’m entrepreneur-minded. And I am always business analyzing everything. So where there is a problem, I always try to find the business solution to it.” – Diana Arango “I think that happens to all entrepreneurs, that you’re so passionate about [your business] that you still work extra hours and it doesn’t feel that hard.” – Diana Arango “A lot of sacrifices, all of our savings, went into the business but we just believed so much that this was gonna work that it was the only option.” – Diana Arango Connect with Diana Arango: Chefpost Chefpost on Instagram Chefpost on Facebook Diana Arango on LinkedIn Diana Arango on Instagram Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Stephanie Cartin on Instagram Stephanie Cartin on LinkedIn Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Grow Your Startup with Startups in StilettosThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

Elisa Molina is the founder and CEO of COVEDOZA, a go-to marketplace for women to feel empowered, validated, and confident through art. Elisa is passionate about helping female artists and people of color bolster their artistic influence while generating passive income. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from the State University of New York College at Buffelo, a Bachelor’s degree in Business from the Florida International University College of Business, and has previously served in the Peace Corps in San Jose and Costa Rica.Elisa joins us today to share the humble beginnings of her company and how her experience in the Peace Corps inspired her to support and empower female artists and creatives. We discuss the challenges she faced while learning about import and export laws and how she developed a revenue-sharing model that supported the artisans she collaborated. Elisa shares how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted her business and her experience with crowdfunding and applying for small business COVID-19 relief grants. She shares tips for creating your first crowdfunding campaign and how she leveraged LinkedIn to promote her campaign. We also discuss PR strategies for increasing your brand awareness and the pros and cons of using H.E.R.O. as part of your PR strategy.“There are tons of opportunities and tools available for women entrepreneurs to apply for grants.” – Elisa MolinaIf you’re looking to take your business to the next level, join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!This week on Startups in Stilettos: What inspired Elisa to launch COVEDOZA From ideation to launch: How Elisa initially began collaborating with international artisans How Elisa educated herself on navigating import and shipping challenges with international suppliers How Elisa created a revenue-sharing model to support the artisans as well as her company What kept Elisa inspired and motivated to continue building COVENDOZA Applying for grants and creating a crowdfunding campaign Tips for creating your first crowdfunding campaign Marketing strategies Elisa used to promote her business Understanding how grants work and how Elisa used the grand funds to grow her COVEDOZA  How to find small business grants in your area and state Strategies to increase brand awareness and identifying the best ways to connect with reporters What’s next for COVEDOZA and the inspiration behind the “It’s Me Season” apparel collection Resources Mentioned: GoFundMe Small Business Relief Initiative iFundWomen iFundWomen of Color Shopify Google Drive Hello Alice Funded Help a Reporter Out Google Alerts Our Favorite Quotes: “Don’t focus on perfecting. Focus on getting started. Launch it and as you go – as you learn, as you continue to raise funds – you will have an opportunity to always update your campaign.” – Elisa Molina “I noticed that the more grants I applied for, the better I was getting at pitching my business and injecting passion and mission.” – Elisa Molina “If we do not prioritize ourselves, we cannot take care of others.” – Elisa Molina Connect with Elisa Molina: COVEDOZA Email: Elisa@covedoza.com COVEDOZA on LinkedIn COVEDOZA on Instagram COVEDOZA on Facebook COVEDOZA on Twitter COVEDOZA on YouTube Elisa Molina on LinkedIn Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts! Stephanie Cartin on Instagram Stephanie Cartin on LinkedIn Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here

Jill Apgar is the founder of Coco Beans, a luxury bedding and sleepwear brand offering luxurious silk crib sheets and pillow cases using the world’s softest, most innovative fabrics that families can trust. The company is best known for their machine-washable, 100% silk crib sheets. Following a forced layoff from her corporate career in 2020, Jill launched her company with a desire to source the best crib sheet fabrics that not only felt luxurious to the skin, but also helped reduced tangled hair for children and adults. Jill holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University and is a member of the Board of Directors for Harper’s Corner Foundation, Inc. She has over 12 years of experience in the corporate retail merchandising industry with some of the most iconic brands, including Abercrombie & Fitch and Victoria Secret.Jill joins us today to share what it was like to launch a luxury bedding and sleepwear company during a worldwide pandemic. She shares the initial steps she took to launch her company and why it’s important to learn from your mistakes and failures as well as your successes. We discuss how her personal painpoint led to launching the company and the value of networking and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Jill shares her experience with crowdfunding and how her products have evolved over the last two years. We also discuss tips for being ‘media-ready’ and ‘camera-ready’ as a new startup founder and how to craft your startup story to have the most impact.“For 30 to 45 days, you’re selling. If you want to be successful at that – you need a strategy and marketing plan.” – Jill ApgarIf you’re looking to take your business to the next level, join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!This week on Startups in Stilettos: How a painpoint in Jill’s personal life led to launching the Coco Beans company What it was like to launch a new business during the pandemic The importance of learning from your mistakes and failures as well as your successes The initial steps Jill took to launch her business The value of networking, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, and keeping yourself accountable Bootstrapping the product development costs and how Jill financed the launch of her business The lessons Jill learned while raising money to launch her business What kept Jill going despite facing challenges and setbacks The process of creating the Coco Beans brand How the Coco Beans products have evolved over the last two years Embracing and understanding your inherent strengths as an entrepreneur The PR journey and how Jill promoted her product The value of joining a business community of like-minded entrepreneurs Tips for being media and camera ready as a new startup founder How to craft your startup story and identify what to include and what to leave out What’s next for Coco Beans Resources Mentioned: Columbus College of Arts & Design Shopify Klaviyo Email Marketing Our Favorite Quotes: “You have to start somewhere.” – Jill Apgar “Have a day-by-day marketing strategy to get you through that crowdfunding campaign.” – Jill Apgar “Understand what you are inherently good at as an entrepreneur, and find people to fill the gaps.” – Jill Apgar Connect with Jill Apgar: Coco Beans – use Promo Code: Entreprenista15 to get 15% off your first order! Coco Beans on LinkedIn Coco Beans on Instagram Coco Beans on Facebook Coco Beans on Twitter Jill Apgar on LinkedIn Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts! Stephanie Cartin on Instagram Stephanie Cartin on LinkedIn Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here

When Carlyn stepped into Entrepreneurship to be closer to her four children, she thought it would be easy. After her first business came to an end, she realized her real passion was in helping other women grow their businesses, thus she created Carlyn Bushman Consulting. In today's episode, we sit down with Carlyn Bushman, founder of Carlyn Bushman Consulting, a consulting firm that helps women grow their businesses and define their success. Carlyn shares why she switched business models, what her business looks like today, what helped her business explode, and so much more. "I work with women who are just starting out. And I typically do that through a workshop, POP Academy, it is very popular. And that is a workshop that I hold where it takes you from six steps, and we go through it together. And it really gets you grounded in your business." - Carlyn BushmanThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Carlyn talks about her background and what made her start her business (1:40) What made Carlyn switch to a different business model after 2 years in business (6:51) Carlyn shares what her business looks like today (10:42) What helped Carlyn fast-track her business (12:32) Stephanie and Carlyn talk about managing social media (22:12) Stephanie and Carlyn discuss adspend (26:57) Resources Mentioned: AirTable DashLane Klipfolio  Smart Cue Our Favorite Quotes: "You have to be very intentional with your schedule when dropping into entrepreneurship as well." - Carlyn Bushman "So I would advise anybody who's in a partnership, definitely drop in and make sure you have a tight exit agreement." - Carlyn Bushman "So if I think about your business, I'm figuring out what comes next, then what's next, then what's next and how to put it all together. It's the visual that I've come up with lately, because I cannot not think about your business. And it really matters to me." - Carlyn Bushman Connect with Carlyn Bushman: CarlynBushmanConsulting.com Carlyn on LinkedIn Carlyn on Instagram Carlyn on Facebook Carlyn on TikTok Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Stephanie Cartin on Instagram Stephanie Cartin on LinkedIn Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Grow Your Startup with Startups in StilettosThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.

As a life-long teacher, Caitlin knew from a young age that her calling was helping children. So she started tutoring, then that turned into educational consulting. Once the pandemic hit, business exploded as more schools needed her consulting for remote learning. Today, she’s about to take her business nationwide. In today’s episode, we sit down with Caitlin Meister, founding director of The Greer Meister Group, a New York City based private tutoring and educational consulting practice. She shares tips for helping children learn, how she navigated the rapid growth from the pandemic, what she is most proud of, and so much more. “Then something really amazing happened because it became bigger than just being about my son, because I started to talk to other parents. And I was helping them figure out how their kids learned best when I realized that this was something I could give to other moms.” - Caitlin MeisterThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Caitlin shares where the idea for The Greer Meister Group came from (1:52) Caitlin gives tips to help children learn (4:10) Caitlin explains the hardest part of rapidly growing (9:02) Caitlin’s top business tool tip (15:06) What Caitlin is most proud of (16:48) Caitlin discusses her ideal clients (17:44) Stephanie and Caitlin discuss scaling and marketing businesses (20:43) Resources Mentioned:WhatsAppOur Favorite Quotes: “Never dismissing them and saying, ‘Oh, you're too young to know the answer to that,’ right? A five year old is not going to be ready for the same answer that a 15 year old might be ready for but there's always a developmentally appropriate way to answer a child's question.” - Caitlin Meister “The biggest thing that makes it all feel worthwhile is every time another mom tells me that we're changing her family's lives, it doesn't get more fulfilling than that.” - Caitlin Meister “I mean, that kind of external recognition feels really good. I mean, I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna say that it doesn't. And also, there was a part of me that couldn't really stop and enjoy it and focus on it. Because we were running full steam.” - Caitlin Meister Connect with Caitlin Meister: JoyfullyLearning.com Joyfully Learning on Instagram Caitlin on Instagram Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Stephanie Cartin on Instagram Stephanie Cartin on LinkedIn Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Grow Your Startup with Startups in StilettosThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|Spotify|iHeart RadioBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.

After two decades as a successful attorney, Leslee decided to branch out with a partner. Once that partner left, she was left as a business owner with no business experience. So she did what every person in her shoes would: she took a course to learn how to lead. And lead she has.  In today's episode, we sit down with Leslee Cohen, founder of AllRise, a law firm that helps small businesses with their early fundraising. Leslee shares important legal information, how she helps founders, her unique way of billing clients, and so much more. "’I am Leslee Cohen, I represent companies that are raising money.’ It's just floodgates opened after that. Everyone could go back and remember exactly what I do––one thing––and do I do other things? Yeah, mergers and acquisitions, day to day contracts, all that, but that is my entry point. It's my differentiator..” - Leslee CohenThis week on Startups in Stilettos: Leslee discusses how she learned to run a business (1:42) Leslee shares important legal information for new business owners (7:11) Leslee talks about what she helps founders with through AllRise (11:44) Leslee explains how she bills clients (16:42) What Leslee is most proud of (21:13) Leslee gives advice for networking (23:39) Leslee shares what is next for AllRise (26:44) Resources Mentioned: QuickBooks Clio Apochromatik Google Sheets Google Drive Google Calendar Our Favorite Quotes: "So the number one thing is to form an entity of some kind to protect you. If you're a sole proprietorship, you have the potential of personal liability, and you don't want someone to sue you and come after your home. So you really need to have some type of entity.” - Leslee Cohen “It is that hand holding that I love and that I was passionate about.” - Leslee Cohen “I think there were, at least the first two years, I did two networking, either a meeting or a one-on-one coffee, or that kind of thing per day, seven days a week for two years.” - Leslee Cohen Connect with Leslee Cohen: AllRiseLawyers.com Leslee on LinkedIn LCohen@AllRiseLawyers.com Connect with your Startups in Stilettos hosts: Stephanie Cartin on Instagram Stephanie Cartin on LinkedIn Jessica Abo on Instagram Jessica Abo on LinkedIn Learn more about Jessica Abo here Get Featured on Startups in StilettosWant a chance to be featured on Startups in Stilettos? We’re currently accepting applications from our Entreprenista League members to be featured on the show! Think of the Entreprenista League as your team members in what can be a lonely startup founder’s journey. You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded female startup founders who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website, social channels – and, of course, the Startups in Stilettos podcast – and so much MORE!Join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!Grow Your Startup with Startups in StilettosThanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Startups in Stilettos, powered by the Entreprenista PodcastNetwork. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.Apple Podcasts|TuneIn|GooglePlay|Stitcher|Spotify|iHeart RadioBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more startup founders, like you, and have a chance to win a one-on-one mentor and strategy session with Stephanie Cartin.Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And for even more exclusive content and information – and to get access to the 8 Secrets to Success in Your Business video course and worksheet – visit our website.