Backstage Capital invests in founders that are traditionally underrepresented

Business &amp; Branding

Business &amp; Branding Archives

Stay ahead in business: strategies and insights for success

<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/sophia-bush-and-nia-batts/">Funding startups by underestimated entrepreneurs</a> is the mission of Backstage Capital. Arlan Hamilton, founder and managing partner, says, “<a href="https://backstagecapital.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">We invest in</a> the very best founders who identify as women, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-3-female-black-angels-are-working-to-close-the-racial-funding-gap/">people of color</a> or LGBT in the United States. I personally identify as all three.”



Christie Pitts, Backstage Capital’s general partner, talks about the early days of the Los Angeles-based company and how she got involved: Working in the music industry, Hamilton learned about startups and networked with investors and entrepreneurs. When she asked investors to consider new companies, she noticed a disturbing pattern: “Founders always got a meeting if they looked a certain kind of way and went to certain schools, but if it was, for example, a Black woman who had gone to the same schools, like Stanford and MIT, she wouldn’t get a meeting.”



Hamilton also noticed that since these underestimated founders were optimizing limited resources, backing them could lead to a sizable return on investment.



Working for Verizon Ventures, Pitts learned about Hamilton’s startup and met with her, thinking the fledgling company would be a perfect match for Verizon’s strategic focus on diversity. That didn’t work out, but in August 2017, Pitts left Verizon to become Hamilton’s full-time partner.



<h2 id="h-backstage-capital-s-portfolio">Backstage Capital's portfolio</h2>



“We see healthy performance from our portfolio companies,” Pitts says, praising Backstage Capital’s entrepreneurs as resourceful and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/6-creative-ways-to-solve-a-problem/">creative in meeting challenges</a>. “They don’t get the same amount of money that other startups get, so they have to come up with other strategies to be successful.” Currently, Backstage Capital “has invested in 200 companies led by underrepresented founders,” according to their website.



Interviewing founders while still raising funds, Pitts says, has given the partners “a unique sense of empathy because we know what it’s like to want to do something and not have the money to do it.… When she started Backstage, Arlan went all in on this idea. She changed careers without a safety net, to the point where she became homeless in the pursuit of starting Backstage.”



<h2 id="h-meet-one-of-backstage-capital-s-clients">Meet one of Backstage Capital’s clients</h2>



<a href="https://dawndickson.me/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dawn Dickson</a>, an African-American serial entrepreneur, is the founder of six innovative companies, including <a href="https://www.flatoutofheels.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flat Out of Heels</a> and <a href="https://www.popcom.shop/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PopCom</a>. She’s one of the founders Backstage Capital has <a href="https://backstagecapital.com/headliners/flat-out-of-heels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enthusiastically invested in</a>.&nbsp;



In 2011, while living in South Florida, Dickson got the idea for Flat Out of Heels during an event she was attending. After spending hours on her feet in increasing levels of pain, she thought comfortable, immediately available roll-up flats could meet a real need. She explains, “I wanted to sell the shoes in vending machines in places where women are actually experiencing the pain point,” like nightclubs, airports and concert venues. Traditional snack dispensers, however, wouldn’t do. Unable to find suitable equipment, she decided to design her own smart vending machines, which led to the founding of her fourth venture, PopCom. A few years later, the need to develop hardware and software led her to Backstage Capital.



Dickson had started Flat Out with $100,000 from her personal network, but realized she would need more money to produce vending machines that could take credit cards, track inventory, send emails and engage with customers via artificial intelligence <a href="https://www.popcom.shop/blog/popcom-brings-shopping-into-the-future-with-popshop-launches" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">and facial recognition</a>. Anticipating future possibilities, she says, she also wanted to use “technology with an opt-in to verify a customer’s identity to dispense a product that’s regulated, like alcohol, cannabis, tobacco or pharmaceuticals.”



<h2 id="h-a-success-story">A success story</h2>



An investor she contacted introduced her to Hamilton, who was just starting Backstage Capital. The new firm invested $95,000 in Dickson’s companies, which helped Flat Out acquire inventory and ramp up marketing efforts, and PopCom to develop their now-patented PopShop machine.



In 2013, Dickson had <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEqbimMGwKg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">placed her first smart machine</a> for a beta test in a concourse of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where it would be highly visible to travelers with sore feet. In 2019, working with companies interested in using them, she began mass production of smart kiosks to roll out later the same year.



She encourages female entrepreneurs to continue to play on <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-women-are-rising-in-business/">women’s unique advantages</a>: viewing things holistically and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-a-compassionate-leader-gets-results/">being compassionate and understanding</a> rather than engaging customers on a purely transactional basis.



This article originally appeared in the Summer 2019 <a href="https://store.success.com/by-media/success-magazine-summer-2019-rachel-hollis.html">issue of SUCCESS magazine</a> and has been updated. Photo by Daenin/Shutterstock

Learn about Backstage Capital, which invests primarily in companies that are owned by traditionally underrepresented founders.

Learn about Backstage Capital, which invests primarily in companies that are owned by traditionally underrepresented founders. | SUCCESS

Backstage Capital Is Funding Startups by Underestimated Entrepreneurs

Comment

Backstage Capital: Funding Underestimated Founders | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/backstage-capital.jpg

Home

SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/success_opengraph_image.png

Smither is a writer and researcher based in South Florida.

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6c5d190df5e9c9b0cb7b7e1b765b62a785e67778eb594745d3eb940beb9d9a0a?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Suzanne Smither

Future of Work

Future of Work Archives

Future of Work | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

Women in business are reshaping the U.S. economy.



In 2023, <a href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2024/employer-businesses.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">women-owned businesses accounted for 22%</a> of all U.S. employer firms, generating over $2 trillion in revenue and employing more than 11 million people. These numbers highlight the growing economic influence of female-led businesses.



And their impact spans industries, from startups to STEM. Women are driving innovation, creating jobs, and redefining leadership. Their success highlights why diversity, inclusion, and forward-thinking strategies are essential for modern business..



This article explores how women entrepreneurs are shaping the economy. You’ll learn key stats, leadership strategies, and why supporting female-led businesses benefits both industries and communities, offering insight for professionals, investors, and business leaders.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-growing-presence-of-women-entrepreneurs-and-female-business-owners">The Growing Presence of Women Entrepreneurs and Female Business Owners</h2>



Women are increasingly taking the lead in entrepreneurship, shaping industries beyond traditional business metrics.



In 2023, women entrepreneurs made up <a href="https://gusto.com/resources/gusto-insights/womens-entrepreneurship-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">49% of new business owners in the U.S</a>., up from 29% in 2019. This 69% increase over five years shows not just more ventures, but the growing influence of female-led businesses across sectors.



Many women are driven by autonomy, flexibility, and the chance to build careers aligned with their passions. Others aim to create lasting assets for the future. <a href="https://gusto.com/resources/gusto-insights/womens-entrepreneurship-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">These motivations</a> show that today’s successful women are crafting ventures with purpose, innovation, and long-term impact.



The economic effect is clear. 



Between 2019 and 2023, women-owned businesses added <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.guidantfinancial.com/blog/women-business-owners-2024-small-business-trends-study/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1755533766143153&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Q59cWv9NhEFW9Kl9RacDn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">1.7 million firms</a> and generated over <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://newsroom.wf.com/news-releases/news-details/2024/New-Report-Finds-Growth-of-Women-Business-Owners-Outpaces-the-Market/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1755533766142048&amp;usg=AOvVaw1PlhMwAu-1cepHP4hJ0j21" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">$579 billion in revenue</a>. Beyond financial growth, these businesses create jobs, increase diversity in male-dominated industries, and demonstrate how inclusive leadership fuels innovation and growth. Each venture reflects the creativity, dedication, and problem-solving that define modern entrepreneurship.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-women-in-leadership-shaping-business-and-company-culture">Women in Leadership: Shaping Business and Company Culture</h2>



Women in leadership are also changing the way companies operate by prioritizing empathy, teamwork, and inclusion.



Compared to their male counterparts, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://hernewstandard.com/how-to-retain-women-leaders/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1755533766145960&amp;usg=AOvVaw1v6oHoSfk9CHmETOHrIZz0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">women in leadership</a> are more likely to check in on their team’s well-being and encourage flexibility. They may also push for a better balance between work and life. This approach keeps teams motivated and can boost employee engagement and retention.



<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.gallup.com/workplace/404105/importance-of-employee-wellbeing.aspx.aspx&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1755533766109761&amp;usg=AOvVaw184gRBODGus_JQK78sPxSQ">Their leadership style</a> benefits customers, too. Supported teams work more effectively and deliver better service, which improves customer satisfaction. Research from the International Labour Organization shows that gender-diverse companies report higher levels of customer focus and innovation in products and services.



At the industry level, companies with more women in executive roles consistently outperform their peers. Firms with <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/diversity-matters-even-more-the-case-for-holistic-impact&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1755533766140426&amp;usg=AOvVaw11Bmwb1oLPM4Y9TCLsMnXm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">over 30% female representation in leadership</a> are more likely to achieve stronger financial results and long-term value. Inclusive leadership isn’t just good for internal culture—it drives growth across entire sectors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diversity-representation-and-women-in-stem">Diversity, Representation and Women in STEM</h2>



Successful women in business are bringing new ideas, challenging outdated norms, and driving innovation across industries.



Women in STEM are reshaping long-standing dynamics in science and technology. While historically underrepresented, they now make up <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/01/women-making-gains-in-stem-occupations-but-still-underrepresented.html&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1755533766116726&amp;usg=AOvVaw0AV7E6wOk1VuSLs9-g-PPx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">27% of the U.S. STEM workforce</a>. Programs like <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://girlswhocode.com/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1755533766146584&amp;usg=AOvVaw1_E-tS9LjD2lCxG5DpgJ4G" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Girls Who Code</a> are creating pathways for young women to enter tech and thrive in STEM careers.



This growing representation is transforming business norms. Companies that prioritize inclusivity see stronger innovation and better results. According to <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1755533766117429&amp;usg=AOvVaw2GJKZrdGc4GYMMSw5gXPCF" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McKinsey’s 2024 Women in the Workplace study</a>, more women in leadership—especially in tech and science—are setting new standards for impact and organizational success.



<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-ideas-for-fostering-an-inclusive-workplace-from-change-catalysts-melinda-epler/">Inclusive workplaces</a> where diverse voices are valued tend to outperform their peers. As more women take on leadership roles, they continue to drive innovation, elevate performance, and shape the future of business.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sidepreneurship-on-the-rise">Sidepreneurship on the Rise</h2>



Sidepreneurship is becoming a popular path for many women. It allows them to start businesses without leaving the security of a full-time job or other responsibilities. This trend is driving growth in women-owned businesses worldwide.



In Nigeria, a 2025 Mastercard report found that <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://businessday.ng/news/article/iwd-2025-90-of-nigerian-women-consider-entrepreneurship-for-financial-stability/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1755533766134390&amp;usg=AOvVaw3SPYbnNPP7lehH7o1RM6hA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">87% of women</a> are running side hustles. Many do it for financial independence, personal goals, or to turn creative ideas into real businesses. Nearly half (49%) started their ventures to follow their dreams, and 45% were motivated to bring something new to life.



In 2023, women-owned businesses saw a <a href="https://www.biz2credit.com/research-reports/annual-women-owned-business-study-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">15.5% increase in average annual revenue</a>, rising from $391,582 in 2022 to $452,446. This shows that side ventures are increasingly becoming substantial enterprises.



Sidepreneurship is also a smart way to test business ideas while maintaining financial stability. It helps women grow a customer base, refine their products or services, and set the stage to scale successfully.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overcoming-barriers-challenges-facing-women-entrepreneurs">Overcoming Barriers: Challenges Facing Women Entrepreneurs</h2>



Even with progress, women entrepreneurs continue to face significant funding challenges.



According to <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.blockadvisors.com/resource-center/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-State-of-Womens-Small-Business-Report-by-Block-Advisors-Executive-Summary.pdf&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1755533766104128&amp;usg=AOvVaw01x0sgSAkqymQWsmzUTahL" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Block Advisors’ 2024 report</a>, 42% of women who applied for bank loans were denied, and 15% didn’t even get a reason. As a result, 89% turned to personal savings and credit cards to fund their businesses.



Beyond financing, structural and cultural biases remain. These barriers can limit access to investor networks, leadership roles, and key decision-making spaces. Without intentional inclusion, many qualified women are overlooked or underestimated.



Stronger support is essential. Organizations like the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://nawbo.org/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1755533766150231&amp;usg=AOvVaw37NNWegxvSbxEayTqBlySl" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)</a> and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ifundwomen.com/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=docs&amp;ust=1755533766150635&amp;usg=AOvVaw1oXdyjwHLMpMSfig8PLgXx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IFundWomen</a> provide funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities. But lasting change also depends on allies, institutions, and investors stepping in to advocate and create opportunities.



Support can take many forms: equitable funding practices, inclusive workplace policies, mentorship pipelines, and ensuring women have seats at decision-making tables. When allies champion women’s advancement, they help build a more innovative and inclusive business landscape.



With intentional backing, women entrepreneurs will continue to lead and transform the business world for long-term impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-women-owned-businesses-and-leadership">The Future of Women-Owned Businesses and Leadership</h2>



The future of women in business is stronger than ever. As more female-led businesses and women entrepreneurs emerge, their influence is reshaping industries, creating jobs, and driving innovation across the economy. Their growth underscores the importance of supporting women-owned businesses, fostering inclusive leadership, and investing in opportunities that enable women to thrive.



Maintaining this momentum requires intentional action. Communities, investors, and organizations can help by amplifying women’s voices, providing mentorship, and ensuring access to resources and funding. Supporting <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/10-things-successful-women-do-differently/">successful women</a> in business isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s essential for building a resilient and innovative business landscape.



By recognizing and backing the next generation of women leaders, we can create an economy that works for everyone. Inclusive growth, diverse leadership, and strategic investment in female-led businesses promise a future where women’s impact continues to expand across every sector.







Photo by PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock

Adebola Ayinde

Female entrepreneurs are reshaping industries through leadership, innovation, and growth. The following stats showcase their impact.

Women in business are making waves across various sectors and reshaping traditional norms. This article highlights their impact. | SUCCESS

Women in Business: Driving Innovation, Leadership, and Economic Growth

Women in Business: Leading Innovation & Growth | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2.jpg

Heather Sanders began her journey of self-empowerment with a 26-hour drive in her Ford Fusion. The leap of faith came in 2012, when at age 19 she moved from her hometown of Dallas to Los Angeles.

It wasn’t really about self-empowerment at all in the beginning.

“I just wanted to be with my cool boyfriend,” she says of rapper King Trell, now her fiancé. “But God knew why I was coming out here.”

Now 29, Sanders says she enjoyed traveling with Trell on tour and following his lead, but it wasn’t long before she felt a strong need to create something of her own. She decided to launch an online boutique selling fashion by many different designers. Trell gave her $500 startup cash to begin buying items at a local swap meet and sell them online.

Enter Brittney Turner, who had been selling her original designs on Etsy. “We met through social media,” Sanders says. “Brittney reached out about her custom denim. Then she moved in with me and became my partner.”

Together the women founded <a href="https://www.sosorella.com/pages/about-us">Sorella</a> (Italian for sister) in 2012, describing their combined fashion sense as “comfy, flash, sexy–a cool tomboy girl, but we can do a dress, too, or sweats with heels.”

Sanders was already an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/heathersanders_/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a> pro with 1 million followers, so social media became <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sorellaboutique/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Sorella’s</a> driving force for marketing. “I believe I was an influencer before there were influencers,” Sanders says. “I posted a picture a day for a month on Instagram. I’d dress up, wearing Sorella clothes, and take photos to build the brand.”
<blockquote>Related:<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/6-powerful-personality-traits-of-influencers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> 6 Powerful Personality Traits of Influencers</a></blockquote>
It didn’t take them long to grow their tiny online store into a million-dollar enterprise with an internationally known brand and a thriving brick-and-mortar boutique on posh Melrose Avenue.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-37238 size-large" src="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/14-1024x690.jpg" alt="Heather Sanders" width="1024" height="690" />

It worked, big time. Within its first few years, Sorella branched out to occupy a warehouse, overcoming the challenge of shipping orders from Sanders’ home. Successful pop-up shopping events at the warehouse led to opening a brick-and-mortar location, which did so well that the partners were able to open a boutique on posh Melrose Avenue. Sorella has won influential fans such as Kylie Jenner and Khloe Kardashian.

Having turned her leap-of-faith road trip at age 19 into a million-dollar business, Sanders is now focusing on how she can encourage other young women to do the same.
<h3>#GirlsTour</h3>
Sanders and Turner started Sorella with no experience in the fashion business; they simply did whatever was necessary to grow their fledgling brand. Having succeeded on their own terms, they began to look for ways to spread their independent streak to others, and give birth to the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/girlstour/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">#GirlsTour</a> campaign, which they describe as “representing strong women, working women, and independent women of all ages, colors, and sizes.” #GirlsTour is about “[e]mpowering women all over the world to not only be confident and have a vision but to also be a dope girl with style and hustle.”

It began simply enough as a slogan on a T-shirt. Then, Sanders says, “a guy came in and said he wanted to paint something on our wall, and we said ‘paint GirlsTour.’ ” After the artist adorned one of the store’s exterior walls with a huge white-on-pink GirlsTour mural, women and girls from around the world started coming to take selfies in front of it.

<hr />

<h3 style="text-align: center;">“I’m always learning and growing. Even though I’m a success in most people’s eyes, I still have a lot of work to do.”</h3>

<hr />

But the selfie site was just a beginning. This summer, Sanders held a competition to choose 10 fashion-forward girls in their late teens and early 20s as <a href="https://www.sosorella.com/collections/girlstour" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GirlsTour</a> ambassadors for a mentoring program that blends apprenticeship with community engagement. The goal is to “connect girls from different cities and states and have them help hands-on with new ideas and clothes,” she says. “We’ll teach them how to be an entrepreneur and provide them with tools in their cities, like <a href="https://www.shopify.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Shopify</a> and <a href="https://www.shipstation.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ShipStation</a> and ways to get designs made, and we’ll introduce them to our manufacturers.”
<blockquote>Related: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/7-ways-to-be-the-best-mentor-ever/">7 Ways to Become the Best Mentor Ever</a></blockquote>
Following a two-day workshop in Los Angeles, these “ambassadors of fashion and philanthropy” return to their hometowns to start their own businesses and give back to their communities, partnering with local charities and nonprofits in monthly activities like back-to-school giveaways held in September and upcoming Thanksgiving turkey drives and holiday toy giveaways.
<h3>Consistency Is Key</h3>
While helping girls to attain their goals, Sanders keeps a keen eye on her own. “My current goal is to become one of the biggest women’s fashion brands in the world,” she says. “I’m <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-keep-learning/">always learning</a> and growing. Even though I’m a success in most people’s eyes, I still have a lot of work to do.”

Sanders is a big believer in consistency. She advises would-be entrepreneurs, “Figure out what you want. If you want to be an influencer, put something out on Instagram every day. If you want to start a business, do something for your business every day. It might be research or a meeting.”

The important part is to keep going.

“Work hard,” Sanders says. “Every day.”

&nbsp;

This article originally appeared in the <a tabindex="-1" title="https://store.success.com/patchworks-imported-products/success-magazine-nov-dec-2019-marie-forleo.html" href="https://store.success.com/patchworks-imported-products/success-magazine-nov-dec-2019-marie-forleo.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">November/December 2019 issue of SUCCESS magazine</a>.
Photos by ©Dom Hill

After building an influential style brand, Heather Sanders has set her sights on helping young women.

After building an influential style brand, Heather Sanders has set her sights on helping young women. | SUCCESS

Heather Sanders: Mentor on Melrose

Heather Sanders: Mentor on Melrose | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Heather-Sanders.gif

“<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-self-sabotaging-behaviors-you-should-avoid/">Don’t hold yourself back</a>, and make sure to embrace it if it’s something that you’re passionate about,” advises Justine Lee, DVM, the co-founder and CEO of <a href="https://vetgirlontherun.com/who-we-are/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VETgirl</a>, an online service she started to deliver “clinically relevant, practical continuing education via a tech-savvy, multimedia experience through podcasts, webinars, videos and blogs.”

Embracing her passions has taken Lee, the world’s only veterinary specialist board-certified in both emergency critical care and toxicology, on an exciting, nonstop professional and personal journey. In addition to leading her company, she works part-time in an emergency clinic and is a devoted wife and mother, an award-winning speaker and the author of two chuckle-inducing pet reference books, <a href="https://amzn.to/2u51LBD" target="_blank" rel="noopener">It’s a Dog’s Life … but It’s Your Carpet</a>, and <a href="https://amzn.to/2W2ZuTw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">It’s a Cat’s World … You Just Live in It</a>.
<blockquote>Related: <a class="row-title" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-women-are-rising-in-business/" aria-label="“How Women Are Rising in Business” (Edit)">How Women Are Rising in Business</a> </blockquote>
The idea for VETgirl came to her one day in 2003 when the Cornell-trained veterinarian was running off stress and wishing she could learn at the same time. But she had never thought of herself as an entrepreneur, so she put that wish off for years. In 2012, Lee teamed up with Garret Pachtinger, DVM, whom she remembered as a technologically proficient student when she was a resident at the University of Pennsylvania. “By finding the right business partner and putting our dreams together, we were able to get it off the ground,” she says, adding that they self-funded the business with $10,000 each plus a lot of sweat equity.

When she wasn’t launching VETgirl or handling veterinary emergencies, Lee, who married at 40, was ardently pursuing another startup—motherhood. She and her husband “instantly started trying to have kids,” she writes in her blog. “Several pregnancies and losses later, we decided to try in vitro fertilization.” After learning about the slim chances of successful IVF for women in their 40s, however, they decided against it.



Meanwhile, Lee’s brainchild was thriving. She says her original goal was “to allow veterinary professionals to have what I call ‘time property’... so if you have a long commute, if you’re running on a treadmill, you can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-techniques-to-never-stop-learning/">learn</a> while you’re doing something else.” After about three years of charging for access, VETgirl started offering free podcasts to increase brand recognition. “They’ve been downloaded over 2 million times in 170 countries,” she says.

As the podcasts were attracting a worldwide audience, Lee’s dream of becoming a mother unexpectedly came true. Thanks to what she calls “God’s crazy timing,” she got pregnant at 43, and gave birth to a son in November 2016.
<blockquote>Related: <a class="row-title" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/motherhood-and-solopreneurship/" aria-label="“How I Make Motherhood and Solopreneurship Work Together” (Edit)">How I Make Motherhood and Solopreneurship Work Together</a></blockquote>
Motherhood hasn’t slowed Lee down at all. She says her husband “is amazing in that he’s very supportive of my career.… I’m a stay-at-home mom two days a week, and he’s been very supportive of that also.”

VETgirl continues to thrive and expand, recently hiring a “chief happiness officer” to promote wellness for veterinary professionals, who are often overwhelmed by compassion fatigue.

Lee advises women <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-start-a-business-in-a-day/">starting small businesses</a> to consider online options, including social media; not to let perfectionism delay the launch of a product or service that can be revised as it’s released; and to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-leaders-need-to-make-time-for-self-care/">schedule time for self-care</a>.

“We as women often have great ideas, but we rationalize too much,” Lee notes, adding that owning a small business can often provide the financial freedom that finally leads to that elusive <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/stop-feeling-guilty-about-work-life-balance/">work-life balance</a>.
<blockquote>Related: <a class="row-title" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/15-traits-of-unabashedly-successful-women/" aria-label="“15 Traits of Unabashedly Successful Women” (Edit)">15 Traits of Unabashedly Successful Women</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;

This article originally appeared in the <a href="https://store.success.com/by-media/success-magazine-summer-2019-rachel-hollis.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Summer 2019 issue of SUCCESS magazine</a>.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LESLIE PLESSER

Justine Lee says owning a small business can often provide the financial freedom that finally leads to that elusive work-life balance.

‘Don’t hold yourself back, and make sure to embrace it if it’s something that you’re passionate about,’ says Justine Lee, a veterinary entrepreneur. | SUCCESS

The CEO of VETgirl Masters Work-Life Balance (and You Can, Too!)

The CEO of VETgirl Masters Work-Life Balance (and You Can, Too!) | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Rising-Tide-Small-Business.jpg

Suzanne Smither

Latest Articles

Backstage Capital Is Funding Startups by Underestimated Entrepreneurs

Women in Business: Driving Innovation, Leadership, and Economic Growth

Heather Sanders: Mentor on Melrose

The CEO of VETgirl Masters Work-Life Balance (and You Can, Too!)