My First Moves
Larabar's Founder Stocked Shelves at Whole Foods to Learn About Retail
By starting at the bottom, Lara Merriken got a quick education to food-product sales and marketing.
How This Founder Raised Venture Capital -- Before She Built Her Debut Product
Interior designer Nicole Gibbons knew she could create a better interior paint brand. She also knew she couldn't bootstrap the process.
She Sold Botox in Beverly Hills. Now She's Changing the Industry's Face
Nicci Levy wanted to create a better experience for women who got medical skincare treatments. Three years later, Alchemy 43 has locations on both coasts.
She Was Rejected On Shark Tank. Then She Used That To Her Advantage.
Melissa Butler knew her line of brightly colored lipsticks would be a hit. So when the beauty industry ignored her, she kept moving forward.
This Founder Built a National Business By Helping Kids Get Into College
Neha Gupta's College Shortcuts helps kids and parents navigate the paperwork and stress of college admissions.
When Their Investor Bailed, These Female Founders Launched Their Company Anyway
Riawna Capri and Nikki Lee bootstrapped a single hair salon in Hollywood. When a client requested a braiding style, the stylists decided to 'own' the trend.
How Coachella and an Old Postal Truck Helped Launch Ice Cream Brand Coolhaus
The founders of the beloved sweet treat started small and scrappy -- and now they're ready to take over the ice cream aisle.
How This College Dropout Created a Fast-Growing But 'Culture-First' Hollywood PR Agency
As founder and CEO of Metro PR, Tess Finkle has built a business that serves its clients and employees alike.
How This Founder Built a $90 Million Skincare Business With No Beauty-Industry Experience
To create Rodial, Maria Hatzistefanis threw herself into a crash course on beauty manufacturing.
'Fast' Furniture? This Founder Spent Years Forming Her Business Idea -- and Launched When the Timing Was Right
To create her on-demand furniture company, The Inside, Christiane Lemieux fused cutting-edge technology with the famously slow-moving interiors industry.
How Getting Laid Off Empowered This Entrepreneur to Start Her Own Award-Winning Marketing Agency
Katie Witkin co-founded AGW Group after working in traditional marketing roles -- and identifying opportunities that were being overlooked.
This Founder Ditched Investment Banking to Help New Moms -- and All Women -- Feel Confident
Shamanth Pereira was a young mom who struggled to regain confidence in her body after giving birth. So she built her own solution and launched Invisibelly leggings.