Takin’ Care of Lady Business®

Denise Woodard is the Founder and CEO of Partake Foods, the allergy-friendly company that was inspired by her daughter’s experience with food allergies.

Created in 2016, Denise started the business by self-distributing (selling cookies out of her car around NYC) and self-funding (depleting her 401K and selling her engagement ring). To date, the company has raised more than $20M from investors including HER, Rihanna, Circle Up Growth Partners, FF2032 and Marcy Venture Partners (Jay-Z’s venture capital firm).

Partake was named #45 on the Inc 5000 list in 2022. Denise was the first Black woman to raise more than $1 Million publicly for a CPG food startup.

As a Black woman, Denise is passionate about raising awareness of Black and female entrepreneurship and increasing opportunities for underrepresented people seeking careers in the food and beverage industry. In 2020, Denise founded Black Futures in Food & Beverage, an annual fellowship program that mentors HBCU students and helps them secure internships and jobs at the program’s end.

Prior to launching Partake, Denise spent a decade in consumer-packaged goods at various Fortune 100 companies. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Jeremy, and daughter, Vivienne. She graduated with her BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from Arizona State University.

In this episode of Takin’ Care of Lady Business®, Jennifer Justice interviews Denise Woodward, the founder and CEO of Partake Foods. They discuss her nonlinear career path that ultimately culminated in a supermarket shelf staple that provides fun, safe treats for people with allergies. Denise recounts the shift from her corporate position at Coca Cola to pitching the idea of a new product in a contest and ultimately creating her own product and company. Hear about the process she followed and the changes she made after customer feedback and interactions with manufacturers and vendors.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

– Overcoming funding obstacles and challenges to launch and grow ventures.

– Impressive business growth through hard work and resilience.

– Investing in diversity and staying true to mission and values.

– The importance of focusing on strengths, understanding customer feedback, and unit economics.

Quotes:

“It took a long time to build the relationship, and I think that’s something that I’ve learned across my corporate career, but that’s also served me well in this role… And so just having patience and remaining consistent has been such a constant theme.” – Denise Woodward

“I try not to speak in the jargon, but I catch myself doing it and I think it’s one of those mechanisms that makes people feel like they don’t belong or that it’s so complicated and none of it’s like rocket science.” – Denise Woodward

“We’re really focused on doing good in the world, particularly around eradicating childhood food insecurity and increasing diversity in the food industry.” – Denise Woodward

This episode is sponsored by Medjet. Medjet is the top-rated air medical transport and crisis response membership for travelers. If you’re hospitalized while traveling or your safety is threatened abroad, they get you home. Join Medjet before your next trip at Medjet.com.

Tiffany Dufu is founder and CEO of The Cru. Their algorithm matches women in accountability circles to help them meet their life goals. She’s the author of the bestselling book Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less. According to foreword contributor Gloria Steinem, Drop the Ball is “important, path-breaking, intimate and brave.” Her writing has appeared in The Oprah Magazine, ESSENCE and the New York Times. Named to Entrepreneur’s 100 Powerful Women and Fast Company’s League of Extraordinary Women, Tiffany has raised over $25 million toward the cause of women and girls. She was a launch team member to Lean In and was Chief Leadership Officer to Levo, the fastest growing millennial women’s professional network. Prior to that, Tiffany served as President of The White House Project, which trained thousands of women across the nation to run for political office.

Tiffany is a Trustee of Simmons University, a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. and a Lifetime Girl Scout. She lives in New York City with her husband and two kids – but home is Seattle.

In this episode of Takin’ Care of Lady Business®, Jennifer Justice interviews Tiffany Dufu, the founder and CEO of The Cru. They discuss the importance of community and sharing knowledge among women in business and in life. Tiffany explains her mission to advance women and girls and introduces The Cru, a platform that matches women in accountability circles to help them achieve their life goals. They also discuss the importance of seeking help and asking for support to achieve success. Tiffany shares insights from her book, “Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less,” and discusses topics such as asking for help and managing household responsibilities.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

• The importance of empowering women in the business world.
• Emphasizing the significance of dedicating time and effort to personal and professional growth.
• Creating a supportive network and seeking help from others, especially for mid-career women, proves crucial for career advancement and success in the business world.
• Prioritizing tasks and seeking help instead of striving for perfection in everything.

Quotes:

“It’s very simple and it’s focus. It’s only radical because on a day-to-day basis woman in the middle spend most of our time focused on taking care of other people.” – Tiffany Dufu

“I feel like women should have bios not that are about all the things that we’ve done and accomplished but like all the things we haven’t done.” – Jennifer Justice

“It’s really important in today’s world that we have clarity about why we’re here.” – Tiffany Dufu

“[The Cru is] basically a whisper in a woman’s ear to say, you’re loved, you’re smart, you’re beautiful, focus on yourself and the rest, you know, everything else will fall into place.” – Tiffany Dufu

This episode is sponsored by Medjet. Medjet is the top-rated air medical transport and crisis response membership for travelers. If you’re hospitalized while traveling or your safety is threatened abroad, they get you home. Join Medjet before your next trip at Medjet.com.

Kathryn Minshew is the CEO & Founder of The Muse, a career platform used by over 70 million people to find jobs at companies whose people, benefits, and values align with their unique professional needs. Under her leadership The Muse has pioneered the concept of values-based job search and was recently named one of Fast Company’s 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World.

In 2022, Kathryn led The Muse’s acquisition of Fairygodboss.com, the largest online career community for women. Fairygodboss serves over 10 million women with a supportive community, tactical advice, live and virtual events, and over 50,000 employee reviews on gender equity and womens’ experience inside thousands of companies.

Kathryn is the host of The Muse’s podcast, The New Rules of Work, and her first book, “The New Rules of Work: The Muse Playbook for Navigating Your Career” (Crown Business, April 2017), was a Wall Street Journal national bestseller. She has spoken at MIT and Harvard, contributed to The Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review, and appeared on TODAY and CNN. In addition, Kathryn & The Muse have been named to Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500, Marie Claire’s The New Guard, SmartCEO’s Future50 Visionary CEOs, New York on Tech’s Disruptors and Innovators, Inc.’s 30 Under 35 and Female Founders 100, One Young World’s Entrepreneur of the Year and many more.

Before founding The Muse, Kathryn was previously at McKinsey & Company and also worked on vaccine introduction and healthcare infrastructure in Rwanda and Malawi with the Clinton Health Access Initiative.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

• How female entrepreneurs face formidable challenges in Silicon Valley, navigating gender biases and stereotypes while establishing their businesses.
• Venture capitalists’ emphasis on high-risk, high-reward investments pushes founders to grow rapidly, secure significant funding, and heavily invest in growth-related activities.
• Risk Tolerance and Investment Decisions: Founders should carefully consider their risk tolerance when making decisions about offers from investors. Some investors may push entrepreneurs to turn down offers with potentially high returns due to the risk involved.
• Learn the difference between Venture Capital vs. Private Equity and their pros and cons.
• Why founders must comprehend their company’s potential outcomes in both favorable and challenging markets, guiding them to make well-informed decisions that match their risk tolerance.
• Why redefining personal definitions of success beyond financial milestones is important.

Quotes:

“The way people conceive of work and how it fits into their life has changed dramatically.” – Kathryn Minshew

“If you, as an employer, have this mindset that you’re lucky just to be paid, you cannot get great people to do your job.” – Kathryn Minshew

“There’s a lot of upside and a lot of downside to this approach [of venture capital]. The upside is they can take chances; they don’t have to bet on a sure thing… The flip side… is that most investors would rather increase the chance of you being a billion-dollar company a little bit, even if it massively increases the chance of you going bankrupt.” – Kathryn Minshew

This episode is sponsored by Medjet. Medjet is the top-rated air medical transport and crisis response membership for travelers. If you’re hospitalized while traveling or your safety is threatened abroad, they get you home. Join Medjet before your next trip at Medjet.com.

Gail is best known as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the Founder of CAULIPOWER, the most disruptive company in the better-for-you frozen food space. The company experienced hyper-growth, reaching over $100m in revenue in five short years. She has received recognition for her achievements in business from Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., and Ernst & Young.

Gail is a frequent media guest, sought out for her opinions on the rise of female-owned businesses, healthy food trends, and building great brands. As the mom of two boys with celiac disease, Gail grew tired of searching for healthier alternatives that were easy to make and tasted great. Knowing she couldn’t be alone, she left her corporate job and launched CAULIPOWER in 2017.  

Today, CAULIPOWER is America’s #1 Cauliflower Crust Pizza, #1 Gluten-Free Pizza, and a top 10 frozen pizza brand in the total market. CAULIPOWER is recognized as the true disruptor of what was one of grocery’s most stagnant categories and, in 2022, was named one of the Top 10 World’s Most Innovative Food Companies by Forbes.

As the company continues to expand into various categories, including chicken tenders, pasta, riced cauliflower, and breakfast scrambles, it remains Gail’s mission to eliminate the need for consumers to ever have to choose between taste, health, and convenience.

In this episode of Takin’ Care of Lady Business®, Jennifer Justice and Gail Becker discussed the importance of taking risks and believing in yourself. Jennifer shared her story of starting her own food business, CAULIPOWER. Despite facing difficulties raising money, Gail launched her product in thirty Whole Foods stores in February 2017. She took a risk and bet on herself, maxing out her credit cards and selling her clothes online, eventually raising her needed money. Gail also discussed the need to redefine success and the worst advice Gail ever received. Listen to this episode for a coupon for a free CAULIPOWER product!

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

• Careers are not always linear but more like a jungle gym, allowing for multiple pivots and exploration.
• Sometimes, following a calling or intuition is more important than focusing on guaranteed success when making career decisions.
• Learning and education can play a crucial role in starting a business, with the ability to hire consultants and learn from industry experts.
• Taking risks and betting on oneself is essential, even when faced with skepticism or lack of support.
• Knowing when to hire a CEO or delegate responsibilities is crucial for personal growth and preventing burnout.
• Redefining personal definitions of success beyond financial milestones is important, and recognizing the courage and determination it takes to embark on an entrepreneurial journey.

Quotes:

“It’s okay to pivot, and it’s okay to pivot once, twice, and sometimes three or four times until you feel like you get it right.” – Gail Becker

“You should always bet on yourself. You should always take that bet. I can’t think of a better lesson for the kids that we raise and the women that we cheer on.” – Gail Becker

“It was probably easier than I thought it would be. I think that’s so true in life, right? So much about life is the anxiety that we sort of build-up and think, can I do this? It’s going to be horrible, whatever it is in life. And then you go through it, and you’re like, okay, well, that wasn’t so bad.” – Gail Becker

Social Media:

https://eatcaulipower.com/en/

https://www.instagram.com/caulipower/

https://www.facebook.com/caulipower/

https://www.pinterest.com/caulipower/

https://twitter.com/caulipower

This episode is sponsored by Medjet. Medjet is the top-rated air medical transport and crisis response membership for travelers. If you’re hospitalized while traveling or your safety is threatened abroad, they get you home. Join Medjet before your next trip at Medjet.com.

Lydia Fenet is the founder and CEO of the Lydia Fenet Agency, a boutique agency representing best in class charity auctioneers. Over her two-decade long career, Lydia served as the Global Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships for Christie’s and reshaped the fundraising landscape as the world’s leading charity auctioneer. She has single handedly raised over one billion dollars for more than 800 organizations and broken-down countless barriers for women in the auction industry. Widely recognized for her poise and power onstage, she has stood alongside celebrities including Bruce Springsteen, Hugh Jackman, Elton John, Matt Damon and Jerry Seinfeld to raise record-breaking donations for the most notable charities across the globe.

Lydia is the author of two best-selling books, The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You &Claim Your Confidence as well as the podcast host of Claim Your Confidence in collaboration with Rockefeller Center. Her first book was optioned by Netflix in 2022 for a series that will be produced by Chernin Entertainment starring Kiernan Shipka as the lead.

Lydia is represented by CAA and travels internationally to speak to companies about unlocking their sales potential, empowering people in the workplace and the art of public speaking. You can follow her auctions, antics, and anecdotes on Instagram @LydiaFenet.

In this episode of Takin’ Care of Lady Business®, Jennifer Justice and Lydia Fenet. Beginning her career as an intern at Christie’s auction house, Lydia Fenet has since become a renowned charity auctioneer, author, and podcast host. In her conversation with Jennifer Justice, Lydia shares her experience of becoming an auctioneer, leaving her ambassadorship at Christie’s to start her agency, and advocating for herself when negotiating deals. She also shares her experience of launching a Master Class during the pandemic and the worst advice she ever received. Lydia encourages readers to take ownership of their lives, stay open to opportunities, and take action when feeling scared. Her books, “The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You” and “Claim Your Confidence” are available on Amazon.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

• Why advocating for yourself is crucial in negotiations.
• How hiring skilled professionals can significantly impact success.
• Why confidence and adaptability are vital during challenging times.
• The importance of self-advocacy.
• How to take ownership, stay open to opportunities, and take action.

Quotes:

“As long as you’re playing on someone else’s chessboard, you’ll always be playing by their rules.” – Lydia Fenet

“I am very nice and very kind. But don’t mistake that for a lack of savvy. I know exactly what I want from you, and I am going to ask for it.” – Lydia Fenet

“A company will pay you whatever it takes to get you to walk in the door and not a penny more.” – Lydia Fenet

“Action leads to action. Whenever I get scared, I’ll sit down and be like, okay, so what can you do?” – Lydia Fenet

Founded in 2016, Pandia Health, the only doctor-led, women-founded, women-led birth control delivery company, is building the online health brand women trust. The brand improves women’s lives by providing a one-stop solution for prescription birth control and acne treatment. By providing online doctors’ visits for prescriptions and automating medication delivery, Pandia Health empowers women with convenient, confidential, and reliable access to expert women’s healthcare. The company was named to Inc.’s Best in Business: Health Services and its co-founder and CEO, Sophia Yen, MD, MPH, was named as one of Inc.’s Most Dynamic Women Entrepreneurs.

Pandia Health can deliver to the entire United States and can provide asynchronous online doctors’ visits in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming, with plans to expand in the United States in 2023.

In this episode of Takin’ Care of Lady Business®, Jennifer Justice and Dr. Sophia Yen discussed the founding of Pandia Health, a telehealth company providing birth control, acne, and menopause treatments. They discussed the difficulty of raising money for startups, the use of philanthropic dollars, and the companies Dr. Yen has invested in. They also discussed the different types of birth control pills available, the importance of estrogen for bone health, the effectiveness of emergency contraception, and the need for more training in menopause treatment. Additionally, they discussed the challenges of starting a company as a woman, the importance of building a community and finding mentors, the need for a diverse team, and the importance of preventative care in medicine.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show: 

• How women’s health extends beyond birth control and abortion, encompassing menopause treatments, acne treatments, and preventative care.
• Why building a community, finding a mentor, and having a team that understands the startup process are valuable pieces of advice for starting a company.
• How donor-advised funds can support companies, and only a small percentage of venture capital money goes to women.
• Why access to treatments for birth control, acne, and menopause, as well as preventative care, is crucial for women’s health.
• The importance of finding mentors, building diverse teams, and being mindful of financial decisions is highlighted for women starting a company.

Quotes:

“We will always tell you what’s best for your health, even if it’s not good for our bottom line.” – Dr. Sophia Yen

“We’re here for Acne. We’re going to do menopause, and we’re going to do other low-risk women’s health that we feel is safe on telemed.” – Dr. Sophia Yen

“I feel that women often control a lot of philanthropic dollars, and also women are hesitant to invest…If you want to see more women founders, women, we need your funding.” – Dr. Sophia Yen

Kathi Sharpe-Ross has been Reinventing her own life since she was eight years old when her parents pulled her out of school for six weeks and took the family on their first trip around the world. Having lived on three different continents, she learned at a young age how to adapt, try on new circumstances, make new friends, roll with the changes, create the tools to flourish in her world, and treat fear as an adventure. Her new cultures, languages, and environments ranged from living in Melbourne, Australia to Herzliya Pituach in Israel to Beverly Hills, CA.

Years later, she realized that perhaps she had a different perspective than others that enabled her to see the world through a particular lens. Kathi realized she had a passion for storytelling, an insatiable curiosity for others’ stories, and insights that could be shared with others, which is what her new book, RE: INVENT YOUR LIFE! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? and podcast – THE POWER OF RE: INVENTION, is all about.

As a female founder, 30-year entrepreneur, and brand & lifestyle marketing guru, Kathi is the president of THE SHARPE ALLIANCE and has been helping brands and businesses Reinvent what they do and how they grow in this ever-changing global economy. She has made a living by shaping and advising global corporations across many industries on how to forge their path and evolve their brands through strategic and practical business initiatives.

In this episode of Takin’ Care of Lady Business®, Jennifer Justice interviews Kathi Sharpe-Ross, CEO and founder of THE SHARPE ALLIANCE, about how to reinvent your life. Kathi talks about her book, “Reinvent Your Life: What Are You Waiting For?”, her podcast, and the Reinvention Exchange website and platform, which hosts content, conversations, stories, and links to other inspiring people and companies. Kathi also discusses her own journey of starting her own company, THE SHARPE ALLIANCE, which focuses on marketing, branding, business development, and event production. Listeners are encouraged to recognize and pat themselves on the back for their accomplishments and to seek inspiration for what they could be doing with their lives.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

• How entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for creating the life you want
• The importance of listening to your inner voice and paying attention to moments of dissatisfaction or yearning for change
• Power tools and exercises to help people gain clarity on your values and goals to take action and not just talk about change
• Why prioritizing self-care activities can prevent burnout and enhance overall well-being, leading to increased productivity and success

Quotes:

“I’m a connector. I collect people, and I connect people and put together incredibly creative and fun campaigns and initiatives with all of our clients.” – Kathi Sharpe-Ross

“When you’re attached to a company title, and you leave, and you are no longer that title, does the phone stop ringing? Did the invitation stop coming? Does your identity come into question? Yes, to all the above, right?” – Kathi Sharpe-Ross

“If it really means something to you, know you’re entitled and lean into action, something that you’re going to do differently because then you will get different outcomes.” – Kathi Sharpe-Ross

Dr. Noor is a Bangladeshi-American medical doctor turned health insurance expert from NYC. She currently runs her own health insurance consulting practice out of Tampa, Florida offering healthcare insurance strategy to female founders all over the nation. When she’s not working on her health insurance company, she is hosting events for Think Like A Woman, a platform designed to amplify the aspirations and ambitions of female founders, worldwide. She lives with her toddler son and husband in sunny Tampa, Florida.

In this episode of Takin’ Care of Lady Business®, Jennifer Justice and guest Dr. Noor Ali delve into the complexities of healthcare coverage, discussing everything from the challenges foreign-trained doctors face to the benefits of private versus public insurance. Dr. Noor, a healthcare expert, shares her knowledge of the industry and offers guidance on how to navigate the sometimes-confusing world of health insurance. Dr. Noor introduces listeners to Think Like a Woman, a platform empowering woman in business to reach their full potential and make meaningful connections.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

• Why working with a health insurance advisor can help in choosing the best plan by conducting a needs-based analysis and finding coverage tailored to individual medical needs and budgets.
• How insurance brokers play a crucial role in the healthcare industry, providing ongoing support, advice, and policy writing expertise.
• Ways “Think Like a Woman” aims to empower career-driven women by offering curated business networking events and a private Slack community for connecting with like-minded individuals.

Quotes:

“Don’t give up hope. There are options out there for small business owners, and it’s important to keep exploring until you find the right one for you.” – Dr. Noor Ali

“Remember that obstacles and challenges are part of the journey, but they don’t define you. Keep pushing forward and never give up on your dreams.” – Dr. Noor Ali

https://drnoorhealth.com

https://thinklikeawoman.co

https://www.instagram.com/think.likeawoman/

Cindi Leive is the CEO and co-founder of The Meteor, a new media company for audiences interested in modern feminism. She is also the cohost of the award-winning podcast Because of Anita, about the 30th anniversary of Anita Hill’s testimony. Leive is the former editor in chief of both Glamour and Self magazines, roles in which she won multiple National Magazine Awards and an Emmy, and the author and producer of bestselling books including Together We Rise, about the making of the Women’s March.

In this episode of Takin’ Care of Lady Business®, Jennifer Justice as she interviews Cindi Leive, the CEO and co-founder of The Meteor, a media company committed to using the power of journalism, art, and live experiences to tell stories that matter now to women, girls, and nonbinary people. In this episode, Leive discusses how The Meteor produces podcasts, live events, film, television, and newsletters that cover important topics for women, non-binary people, and allies. From the falling of Roe v. Wade to issues that are often neglected by mainstream media, Leive shares how The Meteor aims to provide crucial storytelling and journalism.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

• How media can shine a light on underreported stories, give voice to marginalized communities, and create a platform for important conversations that might otherwise be overlooked.
• Ways The Meteor utilizes narrative techniques to shed light on complex topics, engage listeners, drive meaningful discussions, and inspire action for positive change.
• The importance of providing a platform for voices that are often unheard or underrepresented, the impact of centering these perspectives, and the role it plays in fostering inclusivity and promoting social justice.

Quotes:

“We’re not a magazine. We’re not trying to drive anybody to a website, but we are a home for what we think is really crucial, really engaging, and often kind of neglected storytelling and journalism around that that really matter to women right now.” – Cindi Leive

“The gender gap is too big. The wealth gap is ridiculously big, way bigger than the pay gap. And, our rights are being taken away, and I wanted to be an advocate for women.” – Cindi Leive

“I’m always looking for something that’s gonna be, you know, a new challenge, a new chapter, a new way of thinking. And I think that keeps you fresh and also, you know, it’s just exciting.” – Cindi Leive

Christine Grimm has over 25 years’ experience helping executives grow organizations and lead meaningful change for themselves, their people, and their company. As a practice leader in the area of alignment, she guides major endeavors to grow, merge and restructure organizations, blend and improve the performance of leadership teams and move organizations forward, ensuring that individuals and teams perform better, sustainably. Her client list includes: Microsoft, Endeavor (WME-IMG), Lagardére Sports and Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, Amazon Consumer Payments, The Motion Picture Association, TMobile, RGP, TiVo, AGICOA (Geneva), Northrup Grumman, AEG, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW), Witco Vinyl Additives Group GmbH (Germany), The Children’s Cancer Association, The Office of Homeland Security, The US Environmental Protection Agency, and many others. She received her undergraduate degree from Pepperdine University where she also earned a Secondary Teaching Credential for the State of California. She attended graduate programs at University of California, Santa Barbara, is a member of Forbes Coaches Council and is a regular contributor to Forbes.com. Christine is a past President of the Pepperdine Alumni Leadership Council and serves on advisory boards for BoomCloud 360, Live! Official, and Society5 Innovating for Pediatric Healthcare.

In this episode of Takin’ Care of Lady Business®, join Jennifer Justice as she interviews the brilliant Christine Grimm, founder of Aria Consulting. With 27 years of experience, they discuss how Aria sets themselves apart from other coaches, particularly in the context of diversity. They share valuable insights on leadership and problem-solving, highlighting the challenges women face in patriarchal systems and the need for more diverse voices in leadership positions. The discussion covers practical advice for founders and leaders, such as delegating, navigating politics, and creating alternative structures to bring about change.

Here is what to expect on this week’s show:

– Ways coaching can help you adapt to the dynamic business world, providing new strategies, skills, and perspectives

– Identifying what you want to achieve through coaching and ensure that the coach has relevant experience and expertise

– How to look for coaches with a proven track record and experience in their field

Quotes:

“I see at least my own purpose in being a coach is, you know, bridging the old world and the new world.” – Christine Grimm

“The only way for women to succeed in patriarchal systems is to act like them. Otherwise, they’re fired.” – Jennifer Justice

“For the old system to change, it may have to collapse. The way the change will happen is that we will be creating alternative structures.” – Christine Grimm

https://www.ariacx.com/