From Laid Off to Business Launch Over 50,000 Layoffs have been announced recently—and while that number is alarming, it’s also the beginning of something we don’t talk about enough. Layoffs don’t just create job seekers. They create Founders. Another interesting statistic is that the highest growing rate of Founders are Women aged 45 to 54. When talented capable people are pushed out of systems they didn’t design, many of them finally ask: What if I built something for myself?
Not everyone impacted will become an Entrepreneur—and that’s okay. But at least 30% will Launch consultancies, Start service-based businesses, Build tech-enabled solutions and or create brands rooted in lived experience. The next wave of small businesses and startups are already forming. If you were impacted by a recent layoff or you are preparing behind the scenes just in case you are impacted, please book a time to chat here. I would be happy to help anyone who plans to start their own business.
Client Spotlights 🔦🔦🔦
📲 Congratulations to our client Sabeen Khan, Founder of Khoobi on enrolling into Columbia University’s MBA Program where she will incubate & grow her business. Khoobi is a beauty-tech platform that connects consumers with salons and spas while helping those businesses grow and retain loyal customers. The app emphasizes price transparency and personalized loyalty programs, making it easier for users to discover services and for providers to build long-term relationships with clients. Go Sabeen!
🎨 Cheers to our client Deeksha Gulati of Lilas Wellness on a full rebrand! The beautiful colors and fonts are a thoughtful evolution that highlights the brand’s mission to create women-first, natural pain relief solutions with clarity and care. The refreshed aesthetic and messaging showcase clean design, elevated storytelling, and a stronger emotional connection to their audience while emphasizing products that are FDA-registered, clinically tested, and plant-based, crafted specifically for women’s everyday pain needs. You can find Lilas pain patches on their Website, Amazon & Local Stores!
🧳 Special shoutout to our client Allison Salmonese of Fora Travel who was been awarded & rated as a “Pro Level Travel Advisor” within the organization for her commitment to excellent customer service, client satisfaction and high volume of travel bookings. Allison’s deep global travel experience and personal touch help make planning seamless and stress-free, with thoughtful recommendations, prompt communication, and attention to every detail. Looking to escape the cold or plan a once in a lifetime trip? You can chat with Allison here!
📈Bootstrapping an Emerging Brand & Need a Marketing Plan? Our Friends at SLT have you covered! 📧
SLTC partners with emerging brands by providing strategic, performance-driven marketing services that help them grow their audience, increase conversions, and strengthen customer relationships through channels like email, SMS, and social media. They build custom marketing strategies tailored to each brand’s goals, including campaign planning, automation setup, and ongoing optimization to boost revenue and retention.
SLTC also supports brands with organic social media management, crafting content and engagement plans that foster authentic community growth and loyalty. In addition, they offer performance advertising across paid platforms to attract targeted customers and scale efficiently, balancing acquisition with brand storytelling. Overall, SLTC’s approach blends creative strategy, data insights, and execution across owned and paid channels to help emerging brands compete and grow in competitive markets. Want to learn more? You can see their list of services here and speak to a member of their team here.
Upcoming Events 🗓️
February 27th Girls On The Run NYC 20th Anniversary Fundraiser Cocktail Charity Reception at 2 Manhattan West.
March 5th Female Founders Collective presents Female Founder’s Day at Industry City, Brooklyn, NYC. Plan on attending? Message me to meet up & say hi 👋🏼
March 11th - 18th SXSW Austin, Texas multiple events - who’s going?? Let’s chat!
Sip & Shop Every Sunday in March at the Kendra Scott Soho Store.
March 25th Female Founders Co-working & Cocktails at Talea Brewery Bryant Park with Kendra Scott & The Enthuse Foundation RSVP here!
Save the Date:
March 30th United Women in Business Panel in NYC - I will be speaking! 🎤
Event Recap: 35th Annual Women in Business Conference at HBS 🏫
Some rooms don’t just inspire you — they recalibrate how you think. The Women in Business Conference at Harvard Business School was one of those rooms. It's a few weeks later and I’m still reflecting on the conversations, the caliber of leadership, and the energy of a community deeply committed to building what’s next. One standout moment was the consumer panel, featuring founders behind brands I genuinely admire like Ilia Beauty and Crown Affair. Hearing how the Founders approach product, brand, and growth with intention was a powerful reminder that enduring consumer companies aren’t built by accident.
They’re built at the intersection of:
• Empathy for the customer
• Strategic clarity
• Relentless execution
The highlight of the day for me was hearing from Corie Barry, CEO of Best Buy. Her perspective on leading through complexity and change at scale was refreshingly candid and yet so relatable. She spoke about decision-making with conviction, accountability at the highest level, and the resilience required to guide organizations through transformation. It was the kind of leadership insight that stays with you and I now have many quotes in my notes app to reflect on including her lessons on stewardship.
What stood out most, though, was the community. Women supporting women. Lessons shared openly. Doors held open for the next generation of Founders and Leaders. When rooms like this exist, progress accelerates.
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