Empowered to Lead: Insights from Female Founders on International Women’s Day 2025

As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we spotlight the voices of female founders who are shaping industries, challenging biases, and redefining leadership. Their journeys offer valuable lessons in resilience, creativity, and perseverance. Here, three inspiring women—Natalie Holloway (Bala), Jules Miller (The Nue Co.), JJ Walsh (Formula Fig) and Jessie Inchauspé (Glucose Goddess) — share their experiences, challenges, and advice for the next generation of female entrepreneurs.

The Women Who Inspire

For many female founders, the support of other women has been a driving force in their success.

Natalie Holloway looks up to powerhouse entrepreneurs like Sara Blakely (Spanx) and Kendra Scott, who have built strong brands from the ground up.

Jules Miller credits her first hire and now best friend, Flo Glendenning, as a key influence in her journey: “We built The Nue Co together, side by side, and now both have two children the same age—we can message each other at 3 AM when neither of us is sleeping ahead of a busy day at work!”

Jessie Inchauspé expresses gratitude for the incredible women in her life: “My agent, my manager, and the women who work at Glucose Goddess—they are absolutely amazing, and I am inspired by them every single day. And of course, I can’t discount the support that I have received from my female founder friends over the years. Oh—and my sister, who is way more bad-ass than me. I feel very lucky.”

Challenges & Myths About Female Founders

Despite their successes, these women have faced unique challenges in the startup ecosystem.

JJ Walsh reflects on the pressure to constantly prove herself: “Over time, I’ve learned to let my results speak for themselves—and that’s been incredibly liberating.”

Jules Miller recalls a particularly harsh comment from an investor: “Your business will be over the day you have kids.” She debunks this myth by highlighting how mothers are some of the most efficient and focused workers: “They have no time to waste, no office politics. They are there to get the job done.”

Natalie Holloway points to a systemic issue: funding inequality. “It’s 10x harder for women to raise money or take on debt to run a business,” she says, emphasizing the need for better access to capital.

Jessie Inchauspé shares that being underestimated has been one of her biggest challenges—but she’s learned to use it as a strategic advantage: “I actually like it now. I think it’s a powerful position to be in when people don’t know the scale of the business you have or the punch that you pack.”

The Strengths Women Bring to Business

While challenges exist, women bring unique strengths to leadership and business.

JJ Walsh believes empathy and relationship-building are superpowers in the business world: “Some people mistake kindness for weakness, but behind that warmth is a steely reserve that drives female founders forward.”

Jules Miller adds that women tend to have less ego, which helps them stay adaptable and open to collaboration.

Natalie Holloway highlights the ability to iterate quickly, something she sees as essential in entrepreneurship: “Don’t overthink every detail. Just launch and refine as you go.”

Jessie Inchauspé sees persistence and resilience as game-changers for success: “Women expect adversity and juggle it with a smile. That mindset is a competitive advantage.”

Advice for Aspiring Female Founders

For women looking to start their own businesses, these founders share one common piece of advice: Just start.

Natalie Holloway: “Avoid analysis paralysis. If you overthink everything, you might never launch. Take action, then iterate.”

Jules Miller: “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable—because feeling comfortable is the death of creativity. Also, just keep going. Don’t sweat the small (or even big) stuff.”

JJ Walsh: “Trust your instincts. There’s no perfect time, so don’t wait for permission. Believe in yourself, even when others doubt you.”

Jessie Inchauspé offers a structured approach:

1. Ask yourself: Is the pain of failing at my business greater or smaller than the pain of waking up in 10 years and realizing I never even tried? If the latter is more painful, start now.

2. Commit one hour a day for six months to your idea. Regardless of the daily outcome, keep at it. Then, after six months, assess your progress.

3. Start a business diary. Write weekly reflections on your progress and challenges. This can serve as motivation when you feel discouraged.

Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Looking back, each founder has insights they wish they had known earlier.

Natalie Holloway: Profit margins matter more than you think. “If you don’t get your pricing right from the start, you’ll always be chasing profitability.”

Jules Miller: Small teams can outperform big ones. “A lean, nimble team gives people the opportunity to step up and drive the business forward more than a bloated one ever could.”

JJ Walsh: Trust yourself. “I used to doubt my own opinions, but over the years, I’ve realized my instincts are generally spot on.”

Jessie Inchauspé: Consistency is key. “Small, consistent efforts—like committing an hour a day to your idea—compound over time and lead to major progress.”

What Needs to Change?

To truly level the playing field, these founders agree that the startup ecosystem needs to do better.

More funding for women founders, especially minorities. “Access to capital remains a major barrier,” says Jules Miller, who points out the additional challenges faced by Latina and other minority women.

Greater mental health awareness, especially for mothers balancing startups and family.

Stronger support networks from seed to scale, ensuring women-led businesses aren’t just started but also sustained and scaled successfully.

Looking Ahead

The stories of Natalie, Jules, JJ and Jessie reflect the resilience, adaptability, and strength of female founders everywhere. While challenges remain, their experiences prove that women are not just participating in the entrepreneurial space—they are redefining it.

This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the power of women in business, amplify their voices, and push for the changes that will ensure the next generation of female founders has the support they deserve.

What advice would you give to aspiring female founders? Join the conversation on our instagram and celebrate #IWD2025 with us. 💜