Give Her Dollars

We're thrilled to be joined by Claire Wasserman, Founder of Ladies Get Paid — a platform and global community that champions the professional and financial advancement of women. Through Ladies Get Paid, Claire champions education, community, and conversation as catalysts for change. To her, it’s not just about making money; it's about redefining what we deserve and standing firm in our worth. Claire's anecdotes shed light on the internal battles many face when negotiating salaries, challenging societal norms, and overcoming imposter syndrome. Claire highlights the need to shed the toxic hustle culture and embrace self-compassion and sustainability. This candid discussion unveils the harsh realities Claire faced, including being sued for gender discrimination by men's rights activists—an experience that transformed setbacks into opportunities for growth.

This week we dive into the world of financial coaching with Amy Schultz, Co-founder of Bolder Money. Amy's own struggles with debt despite being financially literate, underscore the importance of understanding our emotional relationship with money. Through her own transformative experience with money coaching, Amy recognized a gap in the market. Bolder Money was born from her desire to provide accessible financial coaching that addresses the emotional side of money management. We also talk about what it's been like to start and operate company with a male Co-founder after realizing that the myth of the solitary, struggling entrepreneur was hindering Amy's progress. Amy's journey is not just about numbers; it's about breaking free from the emotional constraints that often accompany our personal finances, especially for women.

In this week's episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Rikki Kelly , the CEO and leader behind Ego Tequila. Rikki's journey from launching Ego Tequila in July 2021 to its remarkable growth, with distribution expanding to over 60 stores across Texas and aiming for over 300 by 2024, is nothing short of inspiring. Our conversation with Rikki delves into the intricate dynamics of entrepreneurship, particularly highlighting the challenge of unlearning societal norms that discourage vulnerability, especially prevalent among Black women. As Rikki shares her experiences, she sheds light on the unforgiving nature of the tequila industry, particularly for women, recounting instances of encountering sexism and adversity from male counterparts. Despite facing such challenges, Rikki emphasizes the importance of resilience and having a robust support system, acknowledging the invaluable support she received from fellow women in the industry. From bootstrapping initially, to navigating the complexities of landing angel investors and venture capitalists, Rikki reflects on the steep learning curve and highlights the need for a paradigm shift in the venture capital landscape, advocating for measures to ensure genuine support and commitment from investors towards underrepresented founders.

In today's conversation, we dive deep into the art of salary negotiation with the incredible Caitlin White. Caitlin is the Founder of Hera Invests , a one-of-a-kind personal finance platform designed for visual learners. Inspired by her passion for art and color, Caitlin has redefined saving and investing as a rewarding and enjoyable experience, empowering individuals to achieve their financial goals with ease. Caitlin's journey began with her realization that silence does not lead to reward, as she recounts her early experiences of accepting low offers without negotiation. However, her perspective shifted during her tenure at Bain Capital, where she learned the art of negotiation and observed the importance of asserting one's value with confidence. Drawing on her expertise, Caitlin encourages her clients to ask for more than they think possible, backed by a thorough understanding of company finances and market standards. She also shares practical tips for severance negotiations.

Eryn Schultz is the brilliant mind behind Her Personal Finance. After graduating from Harvard Business School, Eryn embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between corporate financial literacy and personal finance management. In our conversation, we talk about navigating student loans, investing with confidence, and redefining financial strategies for couples. By dissecting the nuances of combined finances, Eryn offers practical advice for couples seeking financial harmony while preserving individual autonomy. Listeners gain exclusive access to Eryn's perspective on hiring financial advisors and understanding the impact of fees on investment portfolios. With a focus on transparency and fiduciary responsibility, Eryn demystifies complex financial jargon, empowering individuals to make informed choices aligned with their long-term goals. This episode concludes with a deep dive into financial preparedness for parenthood, as Eryn shares personal anecdotes and essential tips for navigating the financial implications of starting a family.

This week, we delve into the inspiring journey of Marilynn Joyner, the Founder and CEO of Her Workplace. We explore Marilynn's journey from navigating the male-dominated commercial real estate industry to founding her own haven, Her Workplace. Lacking resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities herself as she was climbing the corporate ladder, Marilynn identified a profound need for a supportive community tailored to the unique challenges women face in their careers. Marilynn crafted Her Workplace with three core principles in mind: accessibility, affordability, and inclusivity. By leveraging innovative commercial real estate deal structures and embracing technology, she ensures that Her Workplace remains accessible to all, regardless of background or career stage. Marilynn's commitment to affordability sets Her Workplace apart, offering membership tiers tailored to accommodate women at every stage of their professional journey. She shares candid insights into the realities of building a startup from the ground up. Rejecting the traditional VC route, Marilyn embraces scrappiness and resilience, charting her own path towards sustainable growth and success.

Today, we have the incredible Caitlyn Kumi joining us. Caitlyn is a marketer at Google, a passionate advocate for women's empowerment, and a lifestyle and education content creator. Through her platform, Miss EmpowHer, Caitlyn aims to instill confidence and inspire women of all backgrounds. Caitlyn's journey began with a realization that traditionally "feminine" qualities, once deemed incompatible with leadership, are actually assets. She emphasizes the power of nurturing and supporting others in leadership roles, challenging traditional norms. Reflecting on her own experiences, Caitlyn underscores the pivotal role that supportive women have played in her life. From mentors in college to colleagues in corporate America, these relationships have shaped her personal and professional growth. Inspired by this support network, Caitlyn founded Miss EmpowHer to provide similar resources to women everywhere. Working at a big tech company while building her own empire on the side, Caitlyn advocates for workplace policies that prioritize employee well-being and support work-life harmony. She believes in the power of flexible work arrangements to foster creativity and innovation while promoting mental health. Disclaimer: The opinions of Caitlyn Kumi, Founder of Miss EmpowHer, and content creator are not those of her company or previous employers.

This week, we're joined by Cheryl Kellond, a trailblazing serial entrepreneur and investor with a track record of success in Silicon Valley. Cheryl has shipped over $750M in Version 1 products at startups and brands before founding her first startup. Her 2nd startup was a healthcare fintech where she raised $17M in Venture Capital funding and grew to $10M in annual revenue before exiting in 2021. Her latest endeavor, Play Money, combines the addictive engagement of TikTok with the savvy investment opportunities of AngelList. It's a game-changer in the world of startup investing, democratizing access by empowering everyday people to invest in early-stage companies through the retirement investment accounts (IRA). Angel investing, Cheryl explains, isn't just for millionaires. Cheryl sees angel investing as a catalyst for learning, networking, and shaping the future. By bringing people together around shared investment opportunities, Play Money isn't just a platform—it's a community, empowering the next generation of investors to make their mark on the startup world. Cheryl's mission extends beyond financial gains. She's challenging outdated norms in entrepreneurship, urging us to rethink how we talk about gender and inclusion in the startup world. For Cheryl, women are not the exception—they're the norm, and it's time we start treating them as such.

Interested in real estate investment? Then today's episode is for you as we welcome Sarah Miskelly, Founder of HYLEE Capital, to the show. Sarah's introduction to the world of real estate began at a young age, working alongside her father in acquiring and managing small multifamily properties. Despite facing the tragic loss of her father at age 16, Sarah's resilience propelled her to take charge of his multifamily portfolio, igniting a passion for real estate investment that would shape her future endeavors. With HYLEE Capital, Sarah wants to bridge the gender wealth gap, empowering women to navigate the intricacies of real estate investment with confidence. Dispelling misconceptions about real estate investment, Sarah highlights the myriad opportunities available beyond traditional property management, from passive syndications to multifamily investments, and shares advice on how to get started.

For our Season 3 debut, we're diving into the entrepreneurial journey of the remarkable Stephanie Cartin, Co-founder of Entreprenista, Markid, SocialFly and Pearl Influential Capital. Stephanie's story is one of courage, determination, and a commitment to helping others succeed. Stephanie's entrepreneurial journey began when she walked away from her corporate job in 2012 to launch SocialFly, a renowned social-first digital and influencer marketing agency, together with her business partner Courtney Spritzer. For two consecutive years, SocialFly was named to Inc. 5000's fastest-growing private companies and has been working with over 200 well-known brands. Stephanie is also a co-founder of Entreprenista, a media company and membership community dedicated to serving women founders and leaders. Stephanie's insights offer a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of intentional decision-making, community support, and mentorship in building a scalable business. She dispels myths surrounding success, urging listeners to define their own paths and prioritize fulfillment over conventional metrics of achievement. Drawing from her own experiences, Stephanie underscores the transformative power of networking and mentorship, highlighting the profound impact of genuine connections on personal and professional growth. Are you an (aspiring) entrepreneur? Then consider joining the Entreprenista League.

Our host Thamina Stoll wraps up Season 2 and highlights the incredible work of her 12 guests. We had inspirational and award-winning founders, venture capitalists, angel investors on this show. If you haven't listened to all episodes yet, maybe this brief overview helps you decide which episodes to prioritize. Thamina also reveals when we will be back for Season 3, AND she gives us a teaser on which guests you can expect next season. A big thank you to Elizabeth Galbut, Janvi Shah, Victoria Kennedy, Gigi Robinson, Bridgette L. Smith, Jasmine Anouna, Galia Gichon, Titilope Adedokun, Stacy Francis, Catherine Merritt, Joy Fan and Meggie Palmer for having been fabulous guests!

In this episode, we sit down with Meggie Palmer, an influential founder, speaker, and journalist on a mission to close the gender pay gap through her platform, PepTalkHer. Originally from Australia, Meggie now calls New York City home, and she shares her incredible journey from her career in journalism to founding her first business. Meggie's passion for supporting women in the workforce and promoting diversity is contagious. With PepTalkHer, Meggie and her team run corporate programming for brands including Salesforce, JP Morgan, and LinkedIn where they work in-house with companies to recruit, retain, and promote diverse talent. Meggie shares personal anecdotes about the power of collective success, offering valuable advice on navigating challenges and societal pressures, particularly around money. She talks about the importance of pay transparency and offers advice on how to ask for a raise at work. Get your Pay Raise Cheat Sheet here Check out Meggie’s Salary SOS online course here

Today, we're joined by the remarkable Joy Fan, Founder & CEO of re/tell, who is a visionary entrepreneur and two-time founder, often referred to as the “Queen of Experiential Retail”. Joy is deeply committed to celebrating women-owned DTC brands, increasing female founders’ visibility, and making retail spaces more accessible. She emphasizes the significance of consumers adopting local buying habits to strengthen communities. In a candid discussion about funding and the challenges of entrepreneurship, Joy shares insights on the fundraising landscape and the importance of staying true to your core strengths. She advocates for a nurturing and community-based mindset in building and growing companies, challenging the traditional "hire fast, fire fast" mentality. Join us in this engaging conversation with Joy Fan as we explore the intersection of real estate, entrepreneurship, and the power of women supporting women. If you are a founder who would like to place her product inside high traffic retail destinations, visit: https://www.retell.co/brands

Join us for an insightful conversation with Catherine Merritt, Founder & CEO of Spool Marketing and Spool Ventures. Catherine's distinguished career in PR and marketing saw her collaborating with influential brands like Mike's Hard Lemonade and White Claw. However, her true impact lies in her audacious move to address the shortcomings of the traditional agency model. In 2018, she founded Spool Marketing and Communications, an award-winning agency that thrives on partnership and innovation, consistently delivering extraordinary results while pushing the boundaries of convention. Spool was named the fastest-growing agency globally by PRovoke Media in 2021. In August 2022, Spool was listed as the 940 overall fastest-growing private company in the country, positioning it within the top 20% of the overall Inc. 5000 list Catherine is known for her unyielding commitment to empowering underrepresented communities and reshaping the workforce into a more inclusive space. With the launch of Spool Ventures, an investment arm, and Spindle, a marketing services provider for startups led by women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ founders, Catherine's work challenges biases and actively fosters diversity and innovation in the venture capital landscape. Her encounters with venture capitalists who questioned her potential only fueled her determination to rectify the imbalances in the venture capital space.

We're thrilled to welcome the remarkable Stacy Francis to the show. She's the President and CEO of Francis Financial, a boutique wealth management and financial planning firm specializing in divorce financial planning. Stacy is a certified financial planner, divorce financial analyst, grief recovery specialist, and certified estate and trust specialist, with over two decades of experience in the financial industry. Stacy is also the founder of the nonprofit organization Savvy Ladies, the host of the Financial Ever After podcast, and the author of "Financial Help for Widows" and "Unveiling the Unspoken Truth: The Financial Challenges Women Face During and After Divorce." Her expertise has earned her a place among the nation's leading wealth managers on CNBC's Digital Financial Advisor Council, a spot in the Forbes Finance Council, and recognition as an expert contributor to The Wall Street Journal. Stacy's passion is driven by her personal experiences. She witnessed her grandmother's abusive relationship with her grandfather, igniting her desire to empower women and ensure they have a strong financial foundation. Stacy also provides valuable insights into recognizing the signs of financial abuse and taking steps to protect yourself. The conversation delves into the significance of prenuptial agreements in marriages, dispelling misconceptions and highlighting their role in safeguarding both partners' interests. Her personal journey, from starting Savvy Ladies and Francis Financial with minimal resources to now being a successful social entrepreneur, is an inspiring testament to the power of resilience, sacrifice, and financial empowerment. Join us for an enlightening discussion with Stacy Francis as we unveil the unspoken truth about financial abuse and empower women to build secure financial futures. Resources mentioned include The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

Titilope Adedokun is a lawyer, content creator, and passionate social impact leader & entrepreneur. She's the force behind Sisterly HQ, a platform dedicated to empowering Nigerian women through digital storytelling. A LinkedIn Top Voice and recipient of numerous awards, including the Common Purpose’s 25 Under 25 Global Legacy Award and being recognized as a 30 Under 30 social impact leader by Global Governance Initiative, Titilope is a vocal force in the social impact space. In this conversation, Titilope stresses the importance of offering young women equal access to opportunities and resources, citing her own experiences with women who opened doors for her. We talk about Sisterly’s HQs mission of positively impacting the lives of 20% of all Nigerian women by 2030, and how Titilope found her voice, built a strong personal brand, and learned how to put herself out there. Titilope’s story is a testament to embracing a multi-faceted identity and portfolio career, and reminds us to embrace our diverse passions, support worthy causes, and stay authentic in our journeys to make a meaningful difference in the world.

This week, we welcome Galia Gichon to the Give Her Dollars podcast. Galia is a Wall Street veteran and financial expert with over two decades of experience in the industry. As Founder of “Down to Earth Finance” and active angel investor, Galia has dedicated much of her life to promoting women’s financial literary and supporting women-led startups. She has been quoted in Newsweek, CNN, The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Glamour, MSN Money and more. In this conversation, we talk about the need to break the taboo surrounding discussions about money. Galia highlights the critical role that financial independence plays in providing women with the freedom to go after opportunities and advocate for gender equality. Galia's most recent venture, the Tidal River Fund, is as a member-driven angel fund designed to support early-stage companies promoting diversity and equity. She discusses the journey that led to the fund's creation and how her story highlights the importance of bringing financial opportunities to smaller communities and inspiring women to take control of their financial destinies.

This week, we chat with Jasmine Anouna, a strong advocate for women's rights and intersectional social impact. After receiving a Master’s degree in Gender Studies from Oxford University, Jasmine’s path led her to the United Nations Office of Human Rights in Geneva, where "The Bloom" was born. What initially started out as a small community of 20 friends, has since organically grown into a global network of over 40,000 social impact professionals. The Bloom's mission is to empower change-makers by providing a comprehensive resource hub and membership community featuring social impact news, interviews, uplifting stories, and job listings across areas such as climate justice and gender equality. Jasmine has partnered with some of the most well-known organizations in this space including UNICEF, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy, Google, MIT, and many more. In this conversation, Jasmine and Thamina talk about The Bloom’s impressive founding story and the importance of taking practical actions to uplift peers. Jasmine’s own journey from an aspiring international human rights lawyer to recognizing the power of community in social impact is both inspiring and thought-provoking. Additionally, this discussion highlights the critical need for accessible resources in the social impact space, and the pivotal role of joy as a counterbalance to the weighty issues social impact professionals face. Jasmine also shares insights on The Bloom's monetization journey, reflecting on her evolution from reluctance to charging for services to a multifaceted approach catering to both business-to-business and business-to-consumer models.

Are you new to the world of startup investing? Then this episode is for you! In this episode, Thamina sits down with Bridgette L. Smith, the CEO of Investor Playbook and Founder Playbook. Bridget's mission is to empower underrepresented founders to access capital and grow their businesses. Bridgette's journey into startup investing began with curiosity and a desire to learn. A few short years later and she is now invested in over 150 startups and is hosting workshops to make startup investing more accessible, especially for minorities. Bridgette sheds light on the evolving landscape of accredited investors, the different stages of startup investment, and the distinctions between angel investors and venture capitalists. She also shares valuable insights on creating a personalized investment thesis, finding diverse investment opportunities, and the importance of asking the right questions when evaluating startups.

Today, you are getting a behind-the-scenes look into the world of being a content creator. Our special guest is Gigi Robinson who is known for many things. From being a finalist in the Sports Illustrated Swim Search, to her advocacy in the chronic illness and body positivity spheres, Gigi embodies being a multi-passionate solopreneur. Having been diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome at a tender age, she understands firsthand the difficulties of being different. Gigi recently authored "A Kid's Book About Chronic Illness." This heartwarming book encourages readers to embrace life with a chronic illness and find the confidence to express their needs. In an era where the creator economy is flourishing, it's essential to understand that success doesn't come without its share of challenges. Gigi, a leading voice in the Gen Z content creation space, offers an unfiltered view of how difficult it can be to achieve financial stability in this industry. Her journey, marked by resilience and determination, provides invaluable lessons for both budding and seasoned content creators. Gigi opens up about the unpredictable nature of income streams, and the urgent need for comprehensive financial education within the creator community.