In this episode of Where Do I Start? A Young Woman's Guide to Business Basics, hosts Ann Dorgan and Natalia Ochoa sit down with Fran to break down what real business strategy actually looks like when you're building from scratch, not the neat, linear version from a business textbook, but the messy, test-and-learn version. Fran walks through how TomboyX pivoted its entire product line because customers demanded it, the humbling lesson she learned when a merchandiser explained why a "70% sell-through rate" was actually a five-alarm fire, and why she believes strategy has to stay dynamic while your values stay locked in stone. Along the way: the brutal truth about fundraising as a woman (spoiler: women get less than 2% of VC funding), almost quitting mid-Kickstarter, and why staying uncompromising on your values, even when investors push back, is what actually builds a legacy.
The Strategy Nobody Teaches You: From Fran Dunaway’s Car Garage to TomboyX
EPISODE 3
PinkGenius Podcast
Skylar Sorkin is still in her 20s and building her company, Regardless, in real time, this isn't the polished, decade-later version of a founder story, it's the real thing as it's happening. She grew the podcast to 36,000+ listeners while working full-time in corporate, and then learned the hard way that burnout isn't the price of success. Skylar gets real about losing her period, hitting a wall, and a co-founder who showed his true colors, and how she came out the other side clearer, stronger, and more herself than ever. She also shares why your first corporate job might be the best MBA you'll never pay for, why "access" beats money every time, and the "shower meetings" ritual she swears manifests her next move. Proof that the hard seasons don't get the last word, you get to keep building.
Building Regardless: Skylar Sorkin, GenZ Founder in Real Time
EPISODE 2
Ever wonder what it actually takes to look like you've got life on lock? Courtney Bass Sherizen, former Chief People Officer at the Wikimedia Foundation and former Director of People at Google, is proof it's built, not born, still practicing the same things she talks about in this episode after 20+ years in her career. In episode 1 of Where Do I Start? A Young Woman's Guide to Business Basics, hosts Natalia Ochoa and Ann Dorgan get Courtney to open up about learning to trust her own voice, living with anxiety in her 40s, and why real networking is about vulnerability, not clout. Oh, and she studied the fall of apartheid at Harvard, which is basically why she thinks about power (and HR) the way she does.
Your Network is Your Networth: Courtney Bass Sherizen on Why Vulnerability Beats Business Cards
EPISODE 1
01. People w/ Courtney Bass Sherizen/Wikamedia
Understand why People are your greatest asset and how to attract them wtih Courtney. Shel'll give insider tips on how to build and cultivate the talent that will make your business thrive.
02. People w/ GenZ Skylar Sorkin/Founder Regardless
Founder Skylar Sorkin shares how she built her company REGARDLESS of all the challenges and along with her peeps!
03. Strategy w/ Fran Dunaway, Founder/TomboyX
Hear how Fran's vision, mission, and strategy built the dream business, TomboyX!! And learn how you too can turn vision into reality.
Understand why People are your greatest asset and how to attract them wtih Courtney. Shel'll give insider tips on how to build and cultivate the talent that will make your business thrive.
02. People w/ GenZ Skylar Sorkin/Founder Regardless
Founder Skylar Sorkin shares how she built her company REGARDLESS of all the challenges and along with her peeps!
03. Strategy w/ Fran Dunaway, Founder/TomboyX
Hear how Fran's vision, mission, and strategy built the dream business, TomboyX!! And learn how you too can turn vision into reality.
04. Cash w/ Pam Bergeson/Tailwind FP
Money matters, and you can grow your money with a few fundamentals. Pam will talk about the basic money habits you can start practicing now!
05. Leadership w/ Jaq Bernhelm/Meta Biz AI
Having a great idea isn’t enough. Leading is your job! Jaq talks about unique leadership styles and how to inspire and guide others.
06. Execution w/ Patti Folconner/Parties on the Terrace
There is a big difference between leading and execution. Here is where the rubber meets the road. Patti talks about how she executed to make her dream a reality.
07. Spirituality w/ Leah Dean/Conduit International
So, you think you can do it on your own? Not so fast! Not necessarily a religion, but a spiritual practice is essential for the long haul. Build resilience and purpose that sustains success.
What We're Covering...
08. Parents' Corner w/ Kate Nasuti/Parent Coach
Worried about your daughter not being confident and capable enough to venture out in the world on her own? Wondering how you can actually help and not hinder her?
09. What's Coaching & How AI Can't Substitute w/ Annie / Founder of PinkGenius
Ever wonder what the term 'coaching' really means in the world of business, and how AI can never substitute for it completely?
