Empowering Insights for Women Entrepreneurs from Pioneers of SoulCycle, Poppi, and Halfdays

Earlier this month, a summit focusing on women entrepreneurs was hosted by Female Founder World. The event featured co-founders of well-known brands such as SoulCycle and Poppi, who shared valuable insights on navigating the challenging landscape of female entrepreneurship. These industry leaders provided guidance on the significance of social media, the power of product-centric focus, seeking assistance from the consumer base, and the importance of publicising one’s business idea.

Recent PitchBook data indicates that only 2.1% of total venture capital investments in the United States were allocated to startups founded by women in 2022, highlighting the enduring challenges faced by female entrepreneurs in accessing financial resources. In response to this disparity, Female Founder World, established by Jasmine Garnsworthy, aims to alleviate some of these obstacles by offering a supportive community that organises business workshops, networking events, and a dedicated podcast for women entrepreneurs.

The summit featured successful entrepreneurs representing companies such as SoulCycle, Halfdays, and Poppi, and delved into an array of topics, including responses to dismissive behavior from male venture capitalists and strategies for revamping product displays in major retail outlets.

Five key pieces of advice emerged from the summit for female entrepreneurs:

1. Emphasize the Product: Julie Rice, the co-founder and former CEO of SoulCycle, highlighted the importance of prioritizing the quality and appeal of the product itself, rather than relying solely on marketing tactics.

2. Leverage Social Media: Several founders highlighted the strategic utility of social media platforms such as LinkedIn and TikTok for purposes beyond traditional marketing.

3. Seek Customer Support: The entrepreneurs stressed the significance of reaching out to their customer base for assistance.

4. Publicize Business Ideas: The value of sharing business ideas with others and utilising word-of-mouth as a marketing tool resonated strongly among the entrepreneurs.

5. Reading Isn’t Everything: The founders expressed that reading extensive business literature is not obligatory for success.

In conclusion, the wisdom and experiences shared by these entrepreneurs provide valuable guidance and encouragement for women embarking on their entrepreneurial endeavours. By heeding these insights, aspiring female entrepreneurs can equip themselves with the necessary tools and strategies to navigate the challenges of the business landscape and foster their own success.