The answer may not surprise you: coworking spaces. They’re taking off around the country and for good reason. The Harvard Business Review says evidence points to a correlation between the use of coworking space and thriving employees.

“Having that professional presence is a game-changer. It has created a lot of momentum being in that environment,” Felena Hanson, believer in the power of coworking space and creator of her own, says.

By the time Felena turned 30, she had gone through three layoffs from sales and marketing positions. The entrepreneur-at-heart knew having control over her own destiny was the only way she saw herself thriving. So she started a marketing company out of her home and quickly realized what so many others do when it comes to doing business in the same space you shower and sleep.

“It was convenient and cost-effective, but I felt isolated.”

Felena sought out coworking space to give her what your at-home business couldn’t– a professional space to meet with clients. But, what she found was less than inspiring.

“It was all 22-year-old dudes,” she says.

Rather than settle into a space that didn’t fit her needs, Felena set out to create her own. She envisioned a coworking space specially designed for women doing business. With warm and inviting interior design, her space would include soft lighting and a spa-inspired feel. Felena believed women can work at home or they can thrive in her hub for networking and business development. Hera Hub was born.

In truth, it’s so much more than just a shared workspace. Hera Hub has mastered the science of building connections and gaining visibility for its members in the community through events, resources and partnerships. Felena, as founder and CEO of the company, makes education an important aspect of her business model. So, members get more than a space to do work. They get a built-in business accelerator.

“Our theory is community first, space second,” Felena says.

The model has been so successful in its original community of the San Diego, California region, it has now expanded around the world. Hera Hab has franchisees in Phoenix, Washington DC, and even Sweden. More locations are in the works. Felena says close to 4,000 women are benefitting from her revolutionary workspace and educational workshops.

“With Hera, you can see it and you can be it,” Felena says about the beauty of bringing successful women together with those just getting their feet wet.

As Hera Hub disrupts the “dude-centric” coworking model, Felena is enjoying the experience of helping more women realize their dreams and provide the space for it to happen. Along the way she has been pleasantly surprised to see how naturally women take to the model because, as she says, women are inherently talented at building a sense of community.

“I get to make the decisions I wanted to make. It’s such a great feeling to have control of my destiny.”

The post Felena Hanson’s better way to work from home appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

“At Naked Princess, we aim to erase the undeserved guilt of self-care and replace it with self-confidence,” Jordana tells HER Magazine.

She’s a fervent believer in the power of “me time.” It’s a time to pamper herself, to reflect on her day, to treat herself with kindness and love. She will spend the rest of the day anticipating the needs of her three children and worldwide lifestyle brand, but for one hour in the morning, she makes sure to give herself the attention she deserves.

Inspired by the example her mother set, Jordana says there is no space for guilt during that hour.

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“When I was a child, I remember watching her get ready at the little station in her bedroom, almost like she was on a movie set,” she says. “It was her uninterrupted time to herself, separate from her time with her family. I love that she always took that time and wasn’t ever ashamed of it.”

She recognizes that finding the time to spend alone can be difficult, especially while blending the roles of mom and CEO.

“I try not to take too much on, while also trying to tackle as much as I can. It’s always a balancing act.”

It’s a poetic tenet of business and motherhood. Sometimes reality demands the impossible, and somehow, we rise to the challenge.

In 2011, when the Filipino-born entrepreneur set out to build her business celebrating what she calls, “the art of dressing,” she knew the space would be a beautiful place for women to reconnect with themselves. Now with product lines in loungewear, lingerie, and fragrance, Naked Princess is inspiring women to honor themselves, to spend that time feeling comfortable in her own skin.

The concept is resonating with women, and Naked Princess products are now found in spas and luxury hotels across the world, including Four Seasons, Bellagio, The Ritz Carlton and Mandarian Oriental.

Her rapid rise to success is another story of balancing acts; that of spending her time getting to know herself and getting to know other powerful entrepreneurs who have a story to tell. Mentors, Jordana says, are critical to the entrepreneurial journey.

“No one is going to give you a roadmap to success. You have to forge your own way with the wisdom of others who have come before you acting as your compass,” she says.

As much as she aims to promote self-confidence, she says it is also necessary for business owners to learn from each other. And, having the confidence to admit you don’t have all the answers can give you a competitive edge.

Jordana was able to strike a balance between trusting her own voice and opening her eyes to others.

“Listening is key,” she says. “It could open up an entirely new perspective that could be key to your next steps. You just have to be open to hearing it.”

It took celebrating her inner beauty to help others find their own.

The post Fashion CEO Talks Inner Beauty appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

There is the mother who fought for hope, enrolling her daughter with Leukemia in a revolutionary gene therapy trial that saved her life. There’s the female Madagascan NASA engineer, literally shooting for the stars to shake up an industry historically dominated by men.

The details she recalls of pioneering business women, activists, actresses are strung together into a heroic story of the modern woman. That is Farbman’s inspiration; Modern Hero is her muse.

“All of them have their own unique point of view. I am the lucky one who gets to listen, learn, and be the messenger of their stories,” Farbman says.

Farbman is the co-creator of the digital video storytelling platform Modern Hero. She and partner Cindy Connors, who has spent more than 25 years in video production, accept nominations of women of all backgrounds, missions and ages who have a powerful story to tell. Then, they set out to do those stories justice by giving them an audience.

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“We want to build a community of inspired, intelligent, go-getting women.”

The Philadelphia journalist with an affection for fierce female protagonists got her start on the other end of the camera as a producer at the local ABC affiliate. There, she found a love for researching, interviewing and crafting stories of others.

“Stepping in front of the camera is a bit of a change for me,” she says. “Before I was asking questions behind the camera, now I’m a visible piece of the storytelling.”

But, Farbman describes the experience as nothing short of life-changing. Since launching the series in early 2017, she has been “humbled and excited by the response so far.”

Her interview subjects run the gamut of issues facing women today. From raising awareness about infertility to advancing social equality, Farbman, Connors, and their production team of predominantly females,  have helped to curate a lineup of voices that will help other women understand they aren’t alone.

It’s as if Farbman’s honest portrayal of each Modern Hero’s struggles and perseverance is a way of telling viewers that heroes aren’t as flawless as we might imagine. In fact, the presence of those flaws tend to make their successes that much more beautiful.

She admits it’s easy to find herself mesmerized in the company of such highly-acclaimed women, such as the 92-year old co-founder of Ronald McDonald House who’s single-handedly attributed for reducing mortality rates by 50% for a specific cancer.

“What drives me is a deep, genuine wanting to know what made them who they are,” she explains. “The common theme from woman to woman is deep sense of purpose, and a relentless determination to leave the world a better place than they found it.”

Yet, what Farbman finds again and again is a sense of normalcy. Women who have and will leave legacies on history explain just how human they are.

“Most of them have said, ‘I’m not any different from you or anyone else. I just choose to not let anyone or anything hold me back.’”

The online community Farbman is building is one of authenticity. She’s promoting an expectation among women to act on their passions, to celebrate each other’s voices, and to unapologetically challenge norms. She’s lifting the curtain on our role models, bringing inspiration to anyone with an internet connection.

In a time when social media can feel overrun with bullies and negativity, Modern Hero is a space of support and diversity.

Like what you’re reading? This content can be found in our October issue, available for FREE to all subscribers HERE.

The post Hero, Yet Human, with Julia Fisher Farbman appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

You may have the talent, but sometimes even that isn’t enough. If you’re hoping to break through in the entertainment industry, you need to know the right people.

Maureen Toth is one of those people to know. If you’ve seen Breaking Bad, Straight Outta Compton or The Walking Dead, you know her work. Toth is the owner of the biggest “below the line” talent agency in Hollywood, Eastern Talent Agency. Her clientele isn’t headlining the box office hits. Rather, she represents the gifted artists who designed the costumes, edited the video and sculpted the hair and makeup.

“Below the line refers to all the moving parts that execute the vision of each storyline,” Toth says.

Toth’s 15 years of experience networking creative minds to new opportunities is turning out award-winning movies and TV shows. She appreciates the recognition for her clients who literally work behind-the-scenes, but “helping people get to where they want to go” is really what drives her work.

That’s no simple task in such a highly competitive industry, where getting so much as a foot in the door can take some people their entire careers. But, Toth excels at it. How? And why would she be willing to share her advice? As a performer herself, Toth says “I know how hard it can be to sell myself and I understand some people don’t love to do that. That’s why I enjoy being a voice to the humble.”

Her secret to success

Drama queens, beware. Your part may have been written into the script, but there’s little chance producers actually want to work with a real one.

“Sometimes the entertainment industry has a reputation that bad behavior is rewarded. In my experience, you do have to have talent, but being a thoughtful, kind, pleasant person to work with goes a long way.”

Toth has struck deals with all the major networks and with countless film producers. No matter the stakes, she says she can always a sell a client who keeps up meaningful relationships.

“All my big deals have been assisted by these principals.”

Authenticity, she warns, is vital to building your contact list. The seasoned executives can detect networking for networking’s sake.

“I think the best way to network and sell yourself is not to do their overtly. Be careful about your goals when getting to know people. If you establish great relationships with great people, then you’re golden.”

Toth says this theory applies to other competitive industries, as well. But when it comes to executing a show or film, on which thousands of creative minds are converging, the value of collaborating with gracious people is extremely high.

“Of course, you won’t be able to befriend and please everyone. But, you do your best. If it doesn’t work out, you have to move on.”

Don’t let the competition get the best of you

This is where Toth shares an important lesson in surviving what can be cut-throat competition. As an agent, even she has to admit she doesn’t have “ultimate control.”

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The post Hollywood Talent Agent Says Drama Doesn’t Belong in This Business appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

There is no calling in sick in your line of work, no getting ahead on your endless to-do lists, but we know no salary in the world can compare to the value parenthood adds to your life.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says 70-percent of mothers with kids younger than 18 years old are employed. Most moms are working. Unfortunately, most women are making less than their male counterparts. Furthermore, state by state, the environment for working moms to succeed is far from equal. Certain areas of the country are drastically lacking support for this powerful division of the labor force, and WalletHub is calling them out.

WalletHub compiled a rank of the best and worst states for working moms, and ladies, it’s not pretty. After considering quality and expense of childcare, the gender wage gap and the representation of women in high level positions, to name a few factors used in their evaluation, it is clear progress is lagging in the South and on the West Coast.

Top states for working women

According to WalletHub’s report, the Northeast shows strongest support for working mothers. Eight of the top 10 best ranking states are in the Northeast, with Vermont topping the list. The other two states are in the Midwest, with Minnesota coming in second. Vermont has some of the best childcare options in the country, but its professional opportunities for women ranks number 7. New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Connecticut and Massachusetts also ranked high in the areas of childcare and work-life balance.

At the bottom of the list

Alabama is bringing up the rear for worst state in the nation for working mothers. Alabama’s wage gap is too high and proportion of women executives to male executives too low. Alabama ranks worst in the category of professional opportunities for women. Nearly every state in the bottom 10 lies in the southern or western parts of the United States, including Louisiana, Mississippi, Arizona and New Mexico.

The political factor

What role can legislation play in improving the plight of working mothers? Does one political party better serve progress? That’s a big question, which can’t be answered by one WalletHub report. However, their numbers do indicate an interesting trend. Based on votes cast in the 2016 Presidential Election, states that went blue rank twice as low as states that went red. In other words, blue states tended to be friendlier for working moms.

Now, consider this, California, while generally thought of as a more progressive state, is average on this list at the 22 spot. California’s work-life balance is considered the best in the nation, with strong parental-leave policies, short commute times and an ideal length of the work week. But, California fails in terms of childcare, where the quality, cost and assessment of school systems weighs harder on moms.

In these United States of Working Moms, opportunity is not created equal. Each factor considered in this report affects another; a cause-and-effect relationship that is affecting families from coast to coast. Are working moms where you live choosing lower paying skill sets because it provides them more flexibility to avoid sending their kids to subpar childcare providers? Is the lack of parental-leave policies deterring moms from seeking promotions in their fields? Whatever the path to progress may be, the working moms of America deserve better.

The post The United States of Working Moms – Not Created Equal appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

Can you believe there was a time when these were considered “indie” brands? When they came to Andrea Van Dam, at Women’s Marketing, they were. Then her team of talented media and marketing pros got to work, and, in the process, helped them flourish and become some of the world’s most beloved brands. But taking on indie brands requires innovation, iteration…and perhaps a little magic. How does she get her team to come along for this risky ride?

LOVING INDIE BRANDS BEFORE IT WAS COOL

Andrea, a 20-year veteran of one of the most successful indie marketing agencies in the country, opens up to HER Magazine on how she built her team and led them to growth opportunities. At Women’s Marketing, she has fostered a culture, steeped in passion, that embraces the evolution of brands.

“We go after companies we want to work with because we love them. That’s our attitude. We’re passionate about helping smaller brands compete with market leaders, and that passion pays off,” she says of the company that has helped lift Paige Denim, Urban Decay and OGX  to market dominance.

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SHE’S OKAY WITH HUGGING 

Andrea credits much of her success as CEO to the strong women leaders who came before her at Women’s Marketing. From their example, she says she learned to value courtesy, as well as acumen, in business.

“I’m a lover. I’m a hugger,” she laughs when she explains this also applies to investment bankers. “It’s kind of fun to see how they react.”

To Andrea, this does not mean retreating or being soft.

“You can be a powerhouse and still be polite. I think that’s part of our ‘magic.’”

She says clients appreciate her style, which makes interacting with her team a pleasant experience, as well as her expertise, which sets them up for greater success in the marketplace. After all, women are the largest group of U.S. consumers, and she and her team deeply understand what women want.

“The more emotional intelligence a brand has, the better they will do,” she says. Luckily, she adds, “there has never been a better time for marketing to get to the heart and soul of a consumer.”

A VISIONARY

Andrea had a strong urge to understand the market early on. One of her first decisions as leader of Women’s Marketing was to gain more insight into consumers, using best-in-class tools—as well as a bit of that ‘magic’ to analyze habits and understand decision-making. What we call ‘magic’ is actually well-earned knowledge across the consumer and brand marketplace, says Andrea.

“When I became CEO in 2014, I focused on investing heavily in strategists and analysts. I knew if we didn’t make that move, then we’d fall behind.”

Falling behind is not an option for an independent agency in the constantly changing world of advertising and marketing. From one quarter to the next, researchers are tracking shifts in trends, gauging interests and swiftly seeking new opportunities to connect. It keeps the work interesting and challenging; it takes a leader who is hungry to keep learning and iterating.

“Your business is constantly in transformation mode. Serve your clients where they’re going, not where they are.”

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The post Andrea Van Dam: The Power of Courtesy in Turbulent Times appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

Patrice Banks did.

The engineer at DuPont, one of the biggest science and engineering companies in the world, was living the professional life of any college graduate’s dreams.

“I had a great career. I made great money. But I had no passion for my job,” Banks says.

A daughter to a single mother, Banks says she was raised to be an empowered woman. She sought and achieved success in her life, and yet, she still felt powerless: every time she sat behind the wheel of her car.

Navigating her happy place

“My story starts out with me being an auto airhead,” Banks laughs.

The automotive industry, in addition to being one of the last frontiers of the male-dominated workplace, remains largely a mystery to many women. Women admit to knowing less about cars than men, according to a study by USA Today, despite making 85 percent of the car purchases in the country.

Unwilling to accept her position among that majority, Banks set out on a path to empowerment, which coincidentally enough, meant giving up her hard-earned career, high-paying salary and company-provided healthcare.

“I was a smart girl, but I didn’t know how to be a smart consumer.”

Banks went back to school, enrolling in introductory auto-mechanic classes. She bought an old car, “just for the experience of fixing it up again.” The only girl in her class, she gained the support of her peers, but wasn’t being taken seriously with local shop owners. Though Banks offered to work for free, three mechanics turned her services down. She eventually found a place to put her lessons into practice and grow her confidence, at Guys Auto Clinic in Philadelphia.

So, the idea was born.

An auto clinic for women, by women

“I’m creating a company for myself, one I would have liked to use.”

Girls Auto Clinic opened in 2012. The following year, Banks began holding workshops for women on basic skills needed to understand and maintain a vehicle. They were instant hits, selling out within hours. Demand for Banks and her insight into this mysterious world of automobiles went from 0 to 60.

In the city of brotherly love, Banks is showing women some much needed attention. The women and men who work at Girl’s Auto Clinic are providing the resources that were hard to find when Banks went looking just a few years prior. An important part of teaching women what they’re capable of, is showing them they can do it.

“You have to hire women when your number one customer is a woman,” she says, passionately.

Empowering drivers everywhere

Now, Banks is about to launch a book to reach women across the country with empowering lessons under the hood. The Girls Auto Clinic Glove Box Guide, a pocket-sized do-it-herself reference to cars, is now available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. So, by the time the holidays arrive, her advice is sure to be riding shotgun with women from coast to coast.

“Now I’m waking up every morning with passion,” she says of the gutsy move to leave her stable life, one she worked hard to earn, only to start all over from scratch. “That’s what we should all be working for.”

The post She traded career and salary for an old car and female empowerment appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

After all, owning a business is like having a baby. How could a parent possibly spend just 60 seconds bragging about how awesome her baby is?

Maybe you’ve done the dirty work: prioritized the strongest chapters of your company’s story and shaved off the details you can bare to leave off. Now that pitch is practically tattooed on your brain; you can recite it in your sleep. But, is it helping you open the doors to achieve the results you want?

It might just be time to sit down, shut up, and plug those earbuds in. The new podcast Pitch Makeover is bringing you expert feedback on the pitches from entrepreneurs who are doing incredible things.

Take it from the experts

Created by Natalia Oberti Noguera, one of Inc. Magazine’s “Most Impressive Women Entrepreneurs of 2016,” the podcasts are applying the concept of a fashion makeover to the pitch. Imagine sorting through your closet for the statement pieces and necessities that will help you carry yourself with confidence. Oberti Noguera and executive producer Gina Delvac want to do the same for your pitch. With advice on what to keep, delete or add, you can hear the transformation as entrepreneurs refine their pitching skills.

“At a time when more voices are being erased, it’s up to us to see each other, support each other, and amplify each other,” Oberti Noguera, who is also the founder and CEO of Pipeline Angels, says about the release of the podcast.

Pipeline Angels, an investment network of women creating capital for women and non-binary femme social entrepreneurs, is backing the podcast. It’s a match made in pitch perfect heaven, as Oberti Noguera provides valuable insight that can also help entrepreneurs succeed with the Pipeline Angels. The firm has invested $4 million in companies lead by women.

Here’s how it works

Since Season 1 of Pitch Makeover premiered on iTunes and Google Play this spring, entrepreneurs have appeared on the show to work on their pitches.

Bonus: many of them have a fascinating focus in social change. So, as you get thoughtful insight in forming the perfect pitch, you also get inspired by real change-makers.

The entrepreneurs get one minute to pitch, then comes the feedback: what to keep, delete and add. Oberti Noguera skillfully probes for more information on the burning questions investors are likely to have. She offers insight into the most important things your audience needs to know. It’s far more than understanding what your business does; it’s getting excited about getting involved in your company’s growth.

Then, listeners get to hear entrepreneurs refine their pitch and incorporate the feedback. It will get you thinking about what you can apply to your own pitch.

Make your best pitch

“Guess what, personal is business; business is personal. If you make your business personal, that’s a way you can really connect, engage and reach potential customers,” Oberti Noguera advised one entrepreneur on the show this season.

It’s a delicate balance of selling personality along with business. This podcast provides a guide to mastering the best of both worlds.

Got 20 minutes? That’s all you need for a crash course in selling your business. Add Pitch Makeover to your podcast playlist on your way to work, during your morning workout or while taking a lunch break.

The post Keep this, not that: making over your business pitch appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

It seems the American Dream is indeed attainable for hard-working women. Now, a new report by online lending marketplace Fundera shows chances of success may be higher in certain states. This spring, Fundera calculated the top 10 states for women entrepreneurs.

The report considered factors including annual revenue growth, number of women-owned businesses, number of Small Business Association’s Women’s Business Centers and number of paid employees.

For women considering a location change to build their businesses, experts suggest they look for a bustling economy, a strong pool of talent to employ and room for growth. So, would it surprise you that North Dakota ranked number one on the list?

Only three states have fewer residents than North Dakota. Vast stretches of relatively flat and unpopulated terrain support the energy and agriculture economies. And over the course of the year, temperatures can rise or fall by more than 100 degrees.

That might be how many people think of North Dakota.

But, if you ask a local, you’ll get a different picture. They’d probably start by telling you how the economy has exploded with the oil boom and neither schools nor roads can be built fast enough for the rapidly growing population. Job opportunities abound and a college education isn’t necessary to make $80,000 a year here, where the unemployment rate is tied for lowest in the country.

To some, the prairies are a faraway place, too desolate to find innovation and success. To us, it’s the land of opportunity. The difference is entirely a matter of perspective.

On Fundera’s ranking criteria, North Dakota passed with flying colors when it comes to the health of its economy. The average woman-owned business brings in $200,000 in annual revenue and the average five-year revenue growth is nearly 120%.

But the number of women who are actually taking advantage of this economic climate in North Dakota is drastically low. Only 30% of the total businesses in the state are owned by women, putting North Dakota second to last in that category. Perhaps this, too, requires a change of perspective.

Samantha Swanson, new mom to an adorable little girl, is also the owner of a sweet little boutique called Lily Valley Baby in the center of Bismarck, North Dakota.

“It was always kind of in the back of my mind. Nothing ever came out of it, but it was always something I wanted to do,” she says, pausing to say hello to moms pushing strollers into her bright, airy shop.

Tiny dresses hang on tiny hangers. Soft stuffed animals sit, watching. Sam buzzes from customer to register, as she tells HER Magazine the story of how this little dream of starting a baby boutique turned into a huge leap of faith- one that would change the way she thought about her position in the world.

“I was just thinking the other day, ‘What would I do if I was still in that type of environment?’”

Just six months ago, Sam was working in human resources in Bismarck- in an office, with a newborn and an 8-to-5-schedule.

“That wasn’t me,” she says.

So, while adjusting to the lifestyle changes of having a baby at home, Sam set out to build and open a baby fashion business in just a few short months.

“I just started reaching out to these companies, thinking maybe they’ll respond to me, maybe they won’t. I don’t really know how all of this stuff works.”

As she found her way, Sam was beginning to find out her dream wasn’t so far out of reach. She describes the feeling as “a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.”

In some ways, entrepreneurship can feel like taming the wild west: pioneering through new territory, being resourceful, having the courage to weather the storms. Maybe that’s why women find such success in North Dakota, a place a where the American Dream thrives.

The post The Land of Opportunity for Women Entrepreneurs appeared first on HER Magazine ™.

Take Ali Edwards for example, a photographer at heart with 50,000 Instagram followers. When Edwards partnered with Inked Brands, the two collaborated to design the right products she could start sharing on her blog and social channels. A personalized and inspiring collection of memory keeping tools followed and a multi-million-dollar brand was created. In short, April is turning followers into customers.

Entrepreneurs can think of social media as the “sweet spot” of marketing, with 86-percent of women saying they’re more likely to buy a product after engaging with the brand on social media.

So, “going big,” is kind of her motto. She’s been doing just that since 2015, when Inked Brands’ reported annual revenue exceeded $9 million and was named Kentucky’s seventh fastest growing company.

Now, as business is heating up this summer, April has just secured $4 million in venture capital funding with the help of investment firm BIP Capital. The added investment will allow Inked Brands to take on more influencers per year, each with their own sizeable share of the social media community, which will allow for even more exponential growth.

Making it to the table

Raising Series A funding from a venture capitalist was a new process to April, who shares the same humble roots as the entrepreneurs she helps develop.

“A long time ago, I was a blogger,” the Kentucky native said. “Then, a friend asked me to develop products. It was the beginning of solving the problem of micro-influencers.”

The experience, she says, primed her well to grow the business quickly. Making mistakes on her own dime made her that much hungrier to learn what was going to work for her business. She would soon find out that VCs are thinking along the same lines: if they’re going to invest a hefty sum, they want a high return on that investment.

“The revenue was key to getting my foot in the door,” April says of wooing a multi-million-dollar investor.

April had already proven her concept many times over. Then, as VCs consider the size of the market for Inked Brands, they could see high revenue potential.

Knowing what’s out there

From Inked’s Bowling Green office, April describes her close-knit, creative team members as “being out of the hub.” Their culture allows them the peace to let creative juices flow while also putting their head down and “getting to work.”

But entering into BIP Capital’s network of strategic partners, April says she was “pleasantly surprised to see how welcoming people were.”

To forge the right partnership, she says chemistry is key. She recommends to other entrepreneurs looking for funding that they seek out investors who align with their brand’s goals. They may just be surprised at what’s awaiting them.

“I didn’t realize how much money was available to invest in solid ideas and solid people.”

Having patience

Though April is a master at reading the wants and needs of social media audiences, which are often looking for instant gratification, the process of raising VC funding is likely going to be very different for most entrepreneurs.

You won’t have a couple million in the bank as soon as your next Instagram post hits 10k likes.

“Everything takes longer than you think it’s going to take,” she laughs.

So, buckle up and have faith.

The post What one CEO learned by raising $4 million in VC funding appeared first on HER Magazine ™.