Let’s Work – Speaker Series

Woman with laptop at wooden table

The “Let’s Work” speaker series sponsored by The Laundress invites female entrepreneurs and thought leaders to share their thoughts during this unique time in our world. The speaker series is happening on different days over the next several weeks at noon (ET). The series is also exciting in that there are breakoff sessions (zoom rooms) for the attendees to network amongst themselves in addition to the keynote speaker. Click this link to register (for free!) for the session. Upcoming speakers include:

  • April 24, 12:00pm EST — Lisa Price: Founder of Carol’s Daughter @iamlisaprice
  • April 28, 12:00pm EST — Sophia Roe: Chef, Wellness Expert, Founder of Pillow Talk Sessions @sophia_roe
  • May 1, 12:00pm EST — Patty Rodriguez: Best-selling Author, Co-founder of Lil’ Libros and Patty Rodriguez Jewelry, Senior Producer for On Air with Ryan Seacrest @pattyrodriguez
  • May 5, 12:00pm EST — Renae Bluitt: Creator of She Did That (Netflix), Founder of In Her Shoes Blog @iamrenaebluitt
  • May 8, 12:00pm EST — Amani Al-Khatahtbeh: Founder of MuslimGirl.com, Congressional Candidate New Jersey 2020 @amani
  • May 12, 12:00pm EST — Jaclyn Johnson: Founder of Create & Cultivate @jaclynrjohnson + Lindsey Boyd: Co-founder of The Laundress @thelaundress
  • May 15, 12:00pm EST — Erin Patinkin: Co-founder of Ovenly & Seemore Meats and Veggies, Co-host of Start to Sale @erinpatinkin
  • May 18, 12:00pm EST — Cyndi Ramirez: Founder of Chillhouse & Chill Times @cyndiramirez + Gwen Whiting: Co-founder of The Laundress @thelaundress

Entreprenista Podcasts

microphone in sound booth

One advantage of sheltering in place has meant more time for walking outside (socially distanced, of course!). We recently became hooked on listening to Entreprenista podcasts as we get some fresh air. If you are looking for something entertaining and educational to inspire you on your entrepreneurial journey, check out some of their recent episodes!

  • Episode with Eboni K. Williams, co-host of “State of the Culture” on REVOLT TV
  • Episode with Rea Ann Silva of Beauty Blender
  • Episode with Connie McDonald and Pam Weekes, co-founders of Levain Bakery

Documentary “She Did That”

5 black female business leaders
She Did That – RENAE L. BLUITT

In early February, Netflix premiered “She Did That” a documentary by filmmaker Renae L. Bluitt that provides an inside look into how a four different Black women entrepreneurs are achieving success. The film highlights Luvvie Ajayi (author, speaker and digital strategist), Lisa Price (hair care expert and founder of Carol’s Daughter), Melissa Butler (founder of beauty brand The Lip Bar), and Tonya Rapley (financial expert behind My Fab Finance). To read more about the film, check out this article from Forbes.

Ten Successful Shark Tank Alumni Share Lessons Learned

three sharks underwater

While most entrepreneurs will never end up on the reality show Shark Tank, there are interesting lessons to be learned from those who have. From intellectual property protection to accepting feedback to envisioning your outcome to maintaining confidence to believing your gut, this piece on Medium shares important takeaways from ten women who pitched to the “sharks”.

Entrepreneurs Share Resolutions That Changed Their Careers

"2020" in gold

Happy 2020! As we head into a new year and new decade, we thought it would be useful to share this article from Fast Company that highlights four different women and how resolutions they made (ditching a business partner, creating a remote workforce, embracing the present and increasing prices) forever impacted their professional trajectories and businesses.

7 Black Women Entrepreneurs Share Advice at Essence Summit

seven black women sitting at conference room table

During Day 2 of the Essence + New Voices Voices Entrepreneur Summit and Target Holiday Market held in mid-December in Atlanta, ESSENCE UnBossed ESSENCE Podcast host Marquita Harris moderated a panel discussion with several successful women entrepreneurs. During the discussion, these women shared accomplishments and lessons learned. Click here to read the article.

Interview with Tristan Walker of Walker & Company

logo for "How I Built This" podcast

Guy Raz from the NPR’s “How I Built This” podcast sat down with Tristan Walker for an interview in front of a live audience. Walker was looking for an idea for a company and his answer ended up being in the mirror. Like him, many men of color were frustrated with the lack of shaving and beauty products for coarse or curly hair.

This led him to launch Bevel, a subscription shaving system built around a single-blade razor. His company grew to include 36 different hair and beauty products and was sold to Proctor & Gamble in 2018. Tristan Walker became P&G’s first black CEO. Check out the podcast here.

Missouri Quilter Turns Hobby To Multimillion-Dollar Business

multicolor quilt

After losing most of their 401K retirement savings during the 2008 financial crisis, the Doans needed to figure out a way to recover.  Jenny Doan, who had been a stay-at-home mom to her 7 children, found herself looking to enter the workforce at the age of 50 with little external work experience.  With help from the kids and some creative thinking, Jenny launched Missouri Star Quilt Company which ended up saving the family and the town of Hamilton, Missouri.  Listen to Jenny share her story in the “Without Fail” podcast here

Jenny mentions in the podcast how her YouTube tutorials (her first being from a wheelchair!) rapidly increased her company’s exposure. Read more about how YouTube made a difference for the Missouri Star Quilt Company in a January 2019 Forbes article.