5 Female Founders We Look Up To
They lead. They raise the bar. So much to learn from these boss ladies.
For raising the bar: Parisa Fowles-Pazdro @Maxbone
Maxbone as become the #1 platform for pet lovers looking for a timeless style, focusing on products that are both modern and functional. Boosted by an increase in dog adoptions during the pandemic, in the past year, the Los Angeles-based company grew sales 300 percent year-over-year and attracted more than 8,000 new customers.
2. For tackling the pandemic innovatively: Natalie Gordon @Babylist
In 2011, just two weeks after giving birth to her first son, Gordon created the first version of Babylist. While deciding between two strollers, one of the priciest items on any newborn’s registry, she felt the e-commerce experience for new parents needed a serious upgrade. While Covid-19 ended in-person baby showers, Natalie Gordon of Babylist helped ensure expecting parents could still celebrate their little bundles of joy. The gift registry founder says the pandemic forced her to reimagine the baby shower experience, which, one, ensured parents could still celebrate with friends and family, and, two, solidified her company’s survival.
3. For triumphing over adversity: Shai Eisenman @Bubble
Shai Eisenman launched Bubble at the end of 2020, and even amid the chaos of the Covid-19 pandemic she worked a deal with Walmart to put Bubble products in the aisles of more than 4,000 locations nationwide. Eisenman says, “One of the things I’ve learned was that, even though teens today are so different and a whole new generation, when it comes to skincare, they’re still using the Neutrogena’s, Clean & Clear’s, Mario Badescu’s of the world, which are brands that are very different than everything teens believe in and everything that teens are looking for.”
4. For Making the World Better - Phantila Phataraprasit @Sabai Design
Sustainability is the buzz word on all of our lips. As the climate crisis worsens with no universally supported plan to address it, the burden of saving the planet can feel like it's on the shoulders of individuals.
Sofas in good condition sell at a discount in Sabai’s pre-owned line, and any that are not resold after three months are donated. With Repair Don't Replace, the company sells individual sofa parts so customers can fix what they need instead of buying an entirely new product. "Our generation really cares about transparency when it comes to sustainability,” Phataraprasit says.
5. For Lifting Other Women - Noura Sakkijha @Mejuri
In 2015, Noura started Mejuri to change this narrative: A woman doesn't need a man to buy jewelry for her. She can buy it yourself. Noura was able to successfully raise over $40 million for her jewelry brand and shine in a competitive market. “Buy yourself the damn diamond” says founder Noura Sakkijha giving a message of women empowerment.
