The Advice 20+ Female Founders Would Give the Next Generation of Leaders

Shai Eisenman, founder and CEO of Bubble Skincare

"You don’t need to rush or replicate someone else’s path. Take the time to build with intention, ask questions and trust your instincts while staying open to learning. Leadership doesn’t require perfection, it requires clarity, empathy, and consistency."

Amy Liu, founder and CEO of Tower 28

"Trust your lived experience. The thing that makes you feel different or sensitive or 'other' might actually be your greatest strength. My eczema used to feel like a limitation. It turned out to be the reason Tower 28 exists. You don’t need to follow someone else’s timeline, and you don’t need to harden yourself to succeed. You can build something meaningful while staying true to who you are."

Jaimee Lupton, founder of MONDAY Haircare, DAISE Beauty and being haircare

"Back yourself sooner than you think you are ready. You will never have every detail perfectly figured out, and waiting for the perfect moment usually means waiting too long.This generation has access, knowledge and connection like no other. Stay curious and adaptable, but be clear on the problem you are solving and what your brand stands for. Whether it is MONDAY Haircare, being haircare or DAISE, the brands that last are the ones that stay anchored to their core values while genuinely meeting an unmet need. Focus on that and execute well. There is real space to build something meaningful."

Tisha Thompson, founder of LYS Beauty

"Easy…build up your audacity. Especially to my women of color. If you’re scared of what if, you should be even more scared of what if not. Try. Try it scared. Try it publicly. Try it privately. Try it curiously. And most importantly try it with absolutely no ego. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and see where it leads you. You’d be surprised how many communities are out there waiting for your idea to finally come to life."

Alisa Metzger, cofounder of INNBEAUTY Project

"Lean into your superpowers and unique qualities to the extreme. The things that make you different are often the very traits that will set you apart as a leader and builder so don’t dilute them to fit someone else’s mold. Trust your instincts, and build in a way that feels deeply aligned with who you are. That authenticity becomes your competitive edge and your legacy."

Tina Craig, founder of U BEAUTY

"I would tell the next generation of women leaders and founders to stay curious and never be afraid to question the way things have always been done. The status quo is not unflinching and it takes visionary individuals to shift things in ways that matter. U Beauty began with the belief there had to be a smarter way. Innovation often starts with discomfort. If something doesn’t sit right with you, lean into that feeling. It may be pointing you towards opportunity. Trust your instincts. Your singular perspective is your power. No one else sees the world exactly the way you do, and that lens is your competitive advantage. And remember: collaboration over competition. The most meaningful growth happens when women support and elevate one another. There is more than enough room to build something extraordinary and to bring others along with you."

Dianna Cohen, founder and CEO of Crown Affair

"A message that I'd like to share with the next generation of women leaders and founders is: Do not give up. Be resilient, keep your vision, show up every day. The way that the magic happens is literally just showing up every single day and moving it a little inch. You cannot give up on your vision if you have a vision. Like, this is not easy, but I promise you, it is so worth it."

Lillian Tung, cofounder and CMO of Fur

"Don’t wait until you feel 100 percent ready as you likely never will. Instead, be confident that you can figure it out. So much of building a company is problem-solving in real time. You don’t need every answer at the start; you just need conviction, resourcefulness and the willingness to learn quickly."

Indie Lee, founder of Indie Lee

"Build boldly, but build sustainably. You do not have to burn out to prove you are capable. You do not have to copy someone else’s blueprint.Lead with integrity. Choose partnerships that feel aligned. Protect your health like it is sacred. And remember, success is not just revenue. It is freedom. It is impact. It is waking up excited to work on something you believe in. Be serious about your vision. Light with yourself in the process."

Sivan Ayla, cofounder of Lux Unfiltered

"Pursue your passions and don’t take no for an answer. I have to fight for almost every complicated choice I make in my business and it’s always worth it since those decisions ultimately lead us to stand out among the rest."

Lili Reinhart, founder of Personal Day

"Find that gap in the market and run with it."

Deepica Mutyala, founder and CEO of Live Tinted

"Your lived experience is not a weakness—it’s your blueprint. The thing that makes you feel 'other' is often the exact thing that will differentiate you. When I started Live Tinted, people told me inclusive beauty was niche. Today, it’s the future. Don’t wait for permission to build what you wish existed. And don’t just chase visibility—chase impact. Build something that solves a real problem, serves a real community, and reflects the world as it actually is. You don’t have to fit into an existing mold to succeed. Sometimes your job is to break it and build a better one."

Lindsay Silberman, founder of Hotel Lobby Candle

"Don't wait for 'perfect' to launch. If I had waited until I felt like every aspect of my brand was exactly the way I wanted it, I never would have launched. Everything is a work in progress. If you have a clear point of view and passion for your product, you have everything you need to start."

Courtney Shields, cofounder of DIBS

"To the next generation of women leaders and founders: Spend the time to find and really dig into your why. When things get tough—and they will—or when you feel burnout, stress or discouragement, lean into that why. I’ve found that reconnecting with the reason you started is the way through. Once you’re clear on why you do what you do every day, you can rediscover your inspiration and motivation to keep going. Your why will carry you—so make sure it’s powerful."

Christina Zilber, founder and CEO of Jouer

"Trust your instincts and stay connected to your vision. There will always be opinions and outside noise, but the most powerful thing you can do is build something that feels authentic to you. Also remember that success is rarely overnight. The real magic happens when you keep showing up, learning and growing over time."

Ashley Tisdale, founder of Being Frenshe

"Create a culture where no one is too embarrassed to ask a question. Questions bring clarity, they spark creativity, they keep you and your whole team curious and growing. They can also save you from making some big, expensive mistakes! The way you build that environment is by asking questions yourself—often. Nobody has all the answers. The moment you let go of pretending you do, you give everyone around you permission to do the same."

Dr. Julie Chung, cofounder of T3

"Support one another. When one woman rises, we all rise.Over the past few years, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when founders truly show up for each other—sharing insight, opening doors and even offering honest, constructive feedback.Community isn’t just emotional support; it’s strategic strength. We grow faster, and better, together."

Jordan Harper, founder of Barefaced

"Trust yourself and your instincts. Don’t wait for permission or the perfect moment. Start where you are with what you have. Surround yourself with people who challenge you, support you and help you grow. Remember, every challenge is an opportunity to learn and get stronger. Your resourcefulness and persistence are your superpowers."

Carina Chaz, founder and CEO of DedCool

"Trust your instinct, even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else yet. You don’t need to follow a blueprint to build something meaningful."

Kristina Orlic, cofounder of Qure

"One thing I hope the next generation of women leaders understands is that you don’t have to suppress your feminine energy to be successful. For a long time, leadership was associated with traditionally masculine traits—being aggressive, unemotional, always pushing.But some of the most powerful qualities in leadership come from what we often call feminine energy: intuition, empathy, creativity, emotional intelligence and the ability to build strong relationships. Those are strengths, not weaknesses.The future of leadership isn’t about women becoming more like men. It’s about embracing the qualities that make us different and realizing they’re incredibly valuable in building meaningful businesses and communities."

Millie Blumka, cofounder of Stakt

"My biggest piece of advice is to celebrate the small wins. As founders we're always chasing the next milestone, but you are accomplishing something every single day. Don't let those moments pass you by because something that feels routine now may have once felt impossible!"

Dr. Victoria Veytsman, celebrity cosmetic dentist and funder of Rose Code

"My message for the next generation of women leaders is to stop waiting for permission to lead or to create something new. You already belong in that room and you should never underestimate the massive impact you can make. Whatever your idea is, I challenge you to constantly ask yourself how you can make it even bigger. Don't be afraid to play with the scale of your own ambition."

Ksenia Zaytseva, cofounder of BUR BUR

"Do not shrink your ambition. You are allowed to want impact, leadership, stability, all of it. This is a rare moment in history where women can truly build at scale. Take that opportunity seriously. At the same time, build from values, not ego. Create something that would still matter to you if trends disappeared tomorrow."

Lindsey Ip, founder of Vio2 Tape

"Own your equity. Own your voice. And build something you’d be proud to explain to your children. Trends fade. Integrity compounds."

Amy Peterson, Aesthetician + Founder of Lenox + Sixteenth

"Build something that reflects your real values, not just what the market says is trending. The strongest brands and careers come from depth, experience, education and staying connected to the people you serve. Don't rush your timeline or compare your chapter one to someone else's chapter 10. Focus on longevity, take care of your reputation and remember that leadership is less about perfection and more about consistency."