By Eroh K | Strong Female Leaders

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TIFFANY PHAM OF MOGUL AND OTHER TOP MILLENNIAL WOMEN CEOS

In today's business world, it is not shocking that many of the most powerful and effective CEOs are millennial women. In fact, the latest statistics show that 33 Fortune 500 companies are led by this group. Here is a look at seven of the most influential females who have provided important contributions to society.

1. Tiffany Pham Mogul

Tiffany Pham is one of the top women CEOs. She became an entrepreneur early in her life. In 2014, she launched Mogul, a website for millennial women. Currently, there are 18 million users across 196 countries. Her goal was to create a platform that brought women together on an intellectual level so that they could learn from each other.

As a graduate of Harvard Business School, Pham began working with various television outlets like HBO and CBS. She became an expert in the media industry so that she could turn her dreams into reality. She wanted to build a company that empowered women across the globe. Her most recent endeavor was publishing YOU ARE A MOGUL, a book that discusses her journey with her start-up. Her ultimate goal is to help other women find their true selves so that they gain the confidence to become great leaders. Her endeavors have truly empowered women, so it is not hard to believe that many people refer to her as "Tiffany Pham Mogul."

2. Alexis Irene STATIC NAILS

Alexis Irene is the founder and CEO of Static Nails, a company that produces fake nails that are reusable and that can be applied with a glue that does not damage natural nails.

In the early days of her business, she worked out of her home. Through forming strategic partnerships with Sephora and HSN, she was able to enjoy over $500,000 in sales in a short amount of time. Irene explains that she has always wanted to make a difference and introduce innovative products to the world. She encourages other entrepreneurs to always ask for what they want. Being afraid to do or ask for things will stall the process of growth.

"The only person who can hold you back is you." Irene explains that when a person wants to start something new, it is crucial to have a plan and to be brave enough to act on it.

3. Katie Fang SchooLinks

Katie Fang has gained great success in the tech industry. She is the CEO of SchooLinks, an Austin-based online education website. This platform is designed to help students choose a fulfilling career path and to select the best college. Started in 2014 with a $5,000 loan from her father, Fang set up the business in her house. Eventually, she moved to Texas and teamed with Capital Factor, a business accelerator. Also, she was backed by Charles Thounburgh, CEO of Citivan Learning, Inc.

What makes her website different is its user-friendly interface. It follows a Tinder-style where students swipe through an evaluation that helps them determine the best career paths. Fang's ultimate goal is to help teens comprehend what will make them happy and gain success.

4. Daisy Jing Banish

Daisy Jing began as a YouTuber who reviewed skincare products. She suffered severe acne and was looking for help. One day, she began experimenting on her own and created a unique acne-fighting solution. She started packaging and selling the items from her kitchen. Thanks to her online following, she grew her "Banish" line. Her all-natural products were quite successful, and she had enjoyed more than $3.5 million in revenue. She intends to keep growing her company and hopes to expand it on an international level.

Daisy Jing considers herself a success every time she witnesses happy users who experience positive transformations with the help of her products. She advises other entrepreneurs to identify a personal problem and to create a solution. It may make a difference to a large group of people.

5. Nina Tandon EpiBone

Nina Tandon is a successful biomedical engineer and entrepreneur. She co-founded Epibone, the first company to grow living human bones for skeletal reconstruction.

One of her earliest contributions to science and medicine was her involvement in the development of an electronic nose that was used to "smell" lung cancer. She is constantly looking to better herself and advises others to have faith in themselves. This keeps people on the right path, especially when they are facing challenges. She was inspired to enter this field so that she could help her siblings who had trouble with their vision. Her ultimate goal is to create a process where it is possible to grow whole human organs for implantation.

6. Carrie Hammer Carrie Hammer Clothing and Apparel

Carrie Hammer is a millennial CEO who has changed the meaning of beauty in the fashion industry. She began her clothing line with professional women in mind. During her first runway show, she replaced traditional models with powerful women, including executives, activists, and philanthropists. Her "Role Models, Not Runway Models" campaign transformed the fashion world by focusing more on internal body positivity than outward physical appearance. She expanded the definition of conventional beauty to include characteristics like passion, accomplishment, and purpose. She has empowered a new generation of females to feel comfortable and to embrace life in their own skin.

7. Heather Marie Shoppable

Heather Marie is CEO of Shoppable, a software company that enables mass product distribution between merchants and millions of customers.

Her company stemmed from her frustration of not being able to buy certain products that she found on her computer. With Shoppable, a user can purchase anything that is found online through a "Universal Checkout."

Today, her company provides the opportunity to buy more than 20 million products. Thanks to the demand for retailers to grow their digital marketing strategies, Shoppable has enjoyed a high growth spurt. As the company continues to expand, Marie explains that her initial mission remains the same. She has created a platform where consumers can shop when they are inspired and to complete their purchases at the most convenient times.

Parting Words

Women are slowly closing the gender gap and are taking control of successful companies. The above top women CEOs are just a few examples of how female millennials have worked hard and climbed the ladder of entrepreneurial triumph. Their stories should inspire you and other women to follow in their footsteps. By watching these ladies turn hard work and aspirations into reality, you should learn that anything is possible. If you have a business idea that is a true passion, it is worth pursuing your dreams.

♥BOOKS WE LOVE♥

GIRL MOGUL BY TIFFANY PHAM



YOU ARE A MOGUL BY TIFFANY PHAM



#GIRLBOSS BY SOPHIA AMUROSO



The Harvard Business Review Entrepreneur's Handbook
(Everything You Need to Launch and Grow Your New Business)



THE ART OF THINKING CLEARLY

[ End of Article ]

[ Disclaimer: this article includes affiliate links.]

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Written by Nan Nan Liu | Researched by Matthew M | Strong Female Leaders

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How to be more assertive at work, and not aggressive?

There is a fine line between being assertive and being aggressive in the workplace. You want to be respected at work, increase your command presence, and speak up for yourself and for your team, yet you also want to avoid appearing hostile, putting others down, and making accusations. In high-stakes situations, being kind AND assertive at the same time is possible, as long as you put forth the effort to learn and practice this trait. When your natural people skills are sharpened to tackle tough conversations, they can help you become more influential at work, gain others' trust and respect, thrive in your career, and be seen as a true and deserving leader.
Below are some ways you can be more assertive at work, without being aggressive.

1. Be More Direct

Many women speak with passive language, in order to appear nice, only to appear soft. For example, instead of stating that "I need those documents completed by 5 p.m.," they say, "I was sort of hoping that you could finish this assignment soon."

Words such as "sort of," "I think" and "It would be great if" lessen the importance of the task at hand, as well as the importance of the person assigning the task. Setting specific deadlines, spelling out details and speaking with a firm tongue can only improve your image as a respectful female leader, and correctly communicate the assignment's expectations and your own significance.

2. Be Open Minded

When pushing for your own agenda, strike a balance between passion and empathy. It's great that your solution appears to be the most brilliant; however, other team members offer valuable insights too. Having an open mind gives you control over your emotions in situations that you don't have control over. You may not get your way all the time, but you will have more information to make a decision with, and do it with confidence.

3. Be Ready to Walk Away

During tough negotiations such as negotiating salary increase or contracts, be ready to walk away if the situation becomes combative. As great as it is to stay loyal to your organization or nab that contract from competitors, if you don't get what you are worth, then you should look for more attractive opportunities. You are better off focusing your energy on seeking new opportunities than selling yourself short.

Still can't walk away? One method is to separate your options into one of two categories: a must-have section and a nice-to-have section. If anything in your must-have section is not met, then ready yourself to walk away, respectfully, assertively and with your head held high.

4. Have Contingency Plans Ready

Let's face it: you will never get everything you want. In order to face disappointments with grace, you can stay confident by preparing contingency plans. A fear of failure exists in even the most successful individuals. To ease your own fear of failure, having Plan B in your back pocket, even if you don't need it, can help you be more assertive in tricky situations.

5. Overcome Imposter Syndrome

Many women suffer from Imposter Syndrome, which is "a psychological term referring to a pattern of behavior where people doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent, often internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud." Feeling like an imposter can paralyze you to speechlessness in high-stakes situations when you need to be heard the most. If you believe that you don't deserve the job that you have or the accomplishments you have worked hard for, then you will never assert yourself the way a successful female leader should.

One way to overcome Imposter Syndrome is to focus on the process, instead of how you feel and what others think about you. Focus on what you are doing, right now, and what you hope to accomplish, right now. Be action-oriented and not judgement-oriented. And just pretend that everyone wants to see you succeed. So, why shouldn't you?

6. Visualize Positivity

Being assertive in the workplace isn't all seriousness. You can be happy, smiling and still assert yourself confidently and respectfully. To do so requires having a positive mental attitude, full of affirming thoughts.

What are you grateful for today? Who makes you happy? When was the last time you really laughed? What are your happiest childhood memories?

Point is: there are many ways to fill your head with positive thoughts. During tense times at work, you may need to look harder, so start practicing, and practice often. And, if all else fails, just stand tall, pull your shoulders back, and smile.

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By C.J Renolds | Strong Female Leaders

Best Shark Tank Inventions Made By Women

1) CitiKitty and HoodiePillow

In 2005, after moving into a tiny New York City apartment, Rebecca Rescate had no space to keep a litter box for her cat, Samantha. Instead of being frustrated with this challenge, Rescate put her design background to work and developed a system to train her cat to use the toilette.

On the show, several Sharks laughed at the product, questioning whether it was too ridiculous to market. Barbara Corcoran, Shark Tank's most seasoned female shark, saw something special in the CitiKitty system, and offered Rescate $100,000 for 15%, but with contingencies from outside partners' agreement. Eventually, Kevin Harrington negotiated the same amount of investment for 20% of the company.

In a short time, CitiKitty became a runaway success. At one point, it held the top selling spot on Amazon for the Home and Garden department.

Because of CitiKitty's success, Rescate received another invitation to Shark Tank to demonstrate another invention, the HoodiePillow. Again, the Sharks, this time including Barbara Corcoran, expressed skepticism, Robert Herjavec stepped up to give Rebecca the exact deal she requested, $90,000 in exchange for 20% of the business.

Today, Both of Rebecca's products are successfully selling.
Website: https://www.citikitty.com/ and https://www.hoodiepillow.com/.

2) SmartGurlz

Founded by Sharmi Albrechtsen in 2016, SmartGurlz appeared on Shark Tank with their line of educational robotic dolls that taught young girls to code through an integrated app. Frustrated by how robotics toys in stores all seemed to target boys, Albrechtsen marshaled her MBA-trained business acumen to create a product to fill the much-needed market of STEM toys for girls.

Each SmartGurlz doll has its own personality and back story. For example, Maria the math genius and Zara the tech wizard. Albrechtsen ensured that her dolls represent diverse interests and appearances, just like the girls she created the dolls for.

During her pitch to the Sharks, Albrechtsen received a $200,000 investment for 25% of the company from Daymond John. Within a year, the product launched in mega-retailer, Walmart, and sold over $1 million units. What's most amazing about SmartGurlz is that the company continues to focus on giving young women fun, confidence-building tools to succeed.
Website:https://www.smartgurlz.com/

3) Grace and Lace

Grace and Lace, run by wife and husband team Melissa and Rick Hinnant, appeared on Shark Tank in 2013. With a winning pitch that showcased one of their most successful products, a line of stylish boot socks, the company emerged from difficult circumstances and is now a shining success.

In 2010, Melissa took up crocheting to make a baby blanket for the expecting couple's baby, but the couple faced tragedy when their daughter was stillborn. Desperately needing a new focus, Melissa began knitting beautifully-decorated boot socks and leg warmers. They became an immediate hit online.

Barbara Corcoran immediately recognized something special about Melissa's company, and offered Grace and Lace $175,000 for 10% of the company. Under Corcoran's guidance, the company has since sold over $20 million worth of their products. The Hinnats then partnered with several charities to provide shelter and resources for orphans and sex trafficking victims overseas.

With help from Barbara and Shark Tank, The Hinnants turned tragedy into triumph, and is now helping others as well.
Website: https://www.graceandlace.com/

4) Simply Fit

Simply Fit, a balance board used primarily for abdominal fitness, appeared on Shark Tank in 2015. The equipment cost very little to make, is easy to use and requires little room. Its Co-founders, Linda Clark and Gloria Hoffman, secured an investment from Shark queen Lori Greiner with a $125,000 offer in exchange for 20% equity in the company. Greiners' connections and marketing expertise helped Clark and Hoffman move fast. With Greiner's help, the Simply Fit boosted their sales from half a million dollars to over $9 million, starting from infomercial to retailing at stores internationally.

Today, Simply Fit continues to help people improve their fitness.

Website: https://www.simplyfitboard.com/

5) Stasher

Arguably one of the most eco-friendly everyday products ever to appear on the show, Stasher is a self-sealing, food-grade silicone reusable storage bag. It aims to replace disposable plastic bags in home kitchens. The product's inventor, Kat Nouri, spent years perfecting the product before approaching the Sharks for an investment in a 2018 episode.

Having already secured retailers like Target for her product before appearing on the show, Nouri negotiated a $400,000 investment from Mark Cuban, and an additional line of credit, for 15% of her company. Since the show aired, Stasher has generated significant online buzz and secured a small army of fans on platforms such as Instagram, indicating strong momentum.

Website: https://www.stasherbag.com/

6) Wicked Good Cupcakes

Family business, Wicked Good Cupcakes, started with mother-daughter duo, Tracey Noonan and Danielle Desroches. What makes these Wicked Good Cupcakes amazing is that they are delicious cakes packaged in jars, ready to be scooped and devoured. These jarred cakes also comes with almost 20 different flavors, all made with no preservatives. Shark Tank's most tough shark, Kevin O'Leary, offered them a royalty-based deal, agreeing to an investment of $75,000 for a $1 royalty on each cupcake sold for the first 75,000 units, then a $0.45 royalty in perpetuity.

The deal proved highly profitable as Wicked Good Cupcakes has sold over $14 million worth of cakes and cupcakes since appearing on the show. Kevin later helped Tracey and Danielle expand the business by connecting them with his wedding-based businesses, inspiring the pair to propose other gift-based selling opportunities, and new products such as cookie jars and cheesecake jars.

Today, Wicked Good Cupcakes sells nation wide, and its success continues to skyrocket. Website: https://www.wickedgoodcupcakes.com/

7) Delighted by Hummus

Another delicious product that appeared on Shark Tank is the much-raved-about Delighted by Hummus. Founder Makenzie Marzluff used her background in nutrition to create a healthy cookie-flavored dip that combines hummus with chocolates. Many sharks offered to invest in the company, but Cuban was so enticed that he offered Marzluff a shocking $600,000 for 25% of her company.

Since debuting on Shark Tank, Marzluff has been growing her culinary creativity into a nationally-distributed brand, with over half a dozen flavors.

Website: https://delightedbyhummus.com



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As 2019 approaches, so do our goals and resolutions.  And if you are like any of the inspiring and motivating female leaders we write about at Strong Female Leaders, you are actively seeking examples to look up to.

Today, we have assembled five rags-to-riches stories of famous women entrepreneurs who faced hardship, took a chance at their dreams, and succeeded.  We hope their stories inspire YOU to be brave, stand up for what you believe in, and turn your dream into reality.

Happy New Year to you!

1. Zhou Qunfei - CEO Lens Technology 

A Chinese entrepreneur named Zhou Qunfei is the founder of Lens Technology. Her business became a major hit and produces millions of lenses for different companies up to this day. Her net worth reached 10 billion USD back in 2015, making her one of the richest women in China.

Qunfei was born in Xiangxiang, Hunan province in China of a family with inadequate and limited means. At the age of five years, her mother died and as her father lost his sight, she decided to quit school and worked in a factory in Shenzhen where she learned the trade of making watch lenses. Despite working for more than 12 hours, she still managed to study accounting and completed some courses from Shenzhen University. 

Qunfei saved each and every hard-earned penny at the age of 22. After years of hard work, she set up a silk-screen printing unit with the help of some relatives in 1993 with an investment of approximately 20,000 Yuan.

Winning her contract from TCL Corporation was her first breakthrough. Motorola reached out to Qunfei back in 2003 and asked her to design a scratch-proof glass for the Razr V3 phone. Afterward, mobile companies such as HTC, Nokia, Apple, and Samsung called her to produce phone lens at the Hunan-headquartered Lens Technology. Apple and Samsung brought around seventy percent of her company’s revenue.

Lens Technologies employs more than 75,000 people. She is from a very few self-made richest women the world has ever seen and is one of the top female entrepreneurs. As of 2018, her net worth is 3.5 billion USD.

2. Olivia Lum - CEO Hyflux 

A woman of talent and determination, Olivia Lum was raised in poverty with an adopted family, yet managed to work while attending school. 

After birth, Lum never knew her biological parents. She spent her childhood living in a shack selling several fruits on the streets and this became her source of income. Lum moved to Singapore and started to earn by tutoring children while pursuing her studies. She started her first job at Glaxo Pharmaceuticals after graduating with honors in Chemistry. 

Lum's ambition became her key to success. Eventually, she has decided to start her own business by selling her possessions to gather money. With $20,000, she started a water treatment company called Hyflux. With enough support from her lecturers at the National University of Singapore, Lum has built a membrane-based pilot water plant back in 1992.

Singapore’s first water desalination plant in 2005 was because of Lum's company. Hyflux was awarded the "Water Company of the Year" at the UK Global Water Awards last 2006, and as of 2007, Hyflux was worth $1 billion SGD.

Lum has been awarded as the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2011, Financial Times ArcelorMittal Boldness in Business Award 2011 for Entrepreneurship, and Nikkei Asia Prize for Regional Growth 2006. Lum earned her place on Forbes' Southeast Asia Rich List and had a net worth of over $240 million US as of 2015. 

Considered as one of the successful women entrepreneurs, Lum is one of the richest people in Singapore with a net worth of over $325 million dollars. The revenue of Hyflux is more than S$445 million and increases every single day.

3. Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel - Founder of Chanel

Born in 1883, Chanel was raised at an orphanage in France. At the age of 12, her mother died and her father abandoned her by sending her to the Aubazine convent in central France. The nuns from the orphanage taught her how to sew, and she was able to use her skills as a seamstress which eventually changed her life.

Chanel moved out of the convent at the age of 18 and worked as a seamstress and a singer at a bar for income. She dreamed of becoming a professional singer. It was during this time that she met the wealthy man named Etienne Balsan at the bar. At the age of 23, she began living with him and this helped her learn how to speak and act like a woman in high society. However, they did not end up together and she met an English man named Arthur "Boy" Capel. 

Boy Capel helped her finance her first boutique in 1910. Chanel opened her first shop at 21 Rue Cambon in Paris creating simple and elegant styles that were intimidated by all of Paris. Chanel was able to reimburse Capel's initial investment within the first year.

Women wore corsets and heavy fabrics back in the 1900s. Chanel began creating hats that were favored by famous French actresses. On the other hand, Chanel was the first woman to introduce casual wear to women’s fashion.

By using men’s fabric, Chanel popularized comfortable sportswear, woman's pants, and simple dresses that became a total hit. She opened more boutiques using her own money after establishing a firm reputation. Her designs in Paris greatly influenced the fashion industry for Chanel is a woman who changed the face of women’s fashion.

Today, the current owners of Chanel are worth $19 billion and Chanel continues to be a symbol of total luxury.

One of the famous women entrepreneurs and French fashion designer like Coco Chanel had a net worth of $100 million.

4. Sara Blakely - CEO Spanx

The founder of Spanx was born in 1971 and raised in Florida.

Blakely graduated with a degree in communication studies at the Florida State University back in 1993. She wanted to become a lawyer, however, she failed the LSAT twice. After scoring poorly on the LSAT, she ended up becoming a fax machine salesperson for 7 years and auditioned for jobs at Walt Disney World.

While working in sales back in 1998, Blakely came up with a new business idea. 

She came up with the idea while wearing a pair of white trousers, however, she was not satisfied with any undergarment that she would wear under them. Blakely then created her own solution. With only $5,000 in her life savings, she took the risk of starting up her own business.

Successful women entrepreneurs like Blakely had no background in creating a product yet she was able to create a design concept, packaging, and other materials using her vision and goals.

Before selling the product, Blakely asked help from owners of different garment mills, but they all turned her away. Until one of the mill owners agreed to help her for they thought the concept of Blakely was outstanding. In order to get her product in stores, she contacted Neiman Marcus. Shapewear brand known as Spanx started on the sales floor at various Neiman Marcus stores.

After spending two years working on her new business venture, Spanx is now a multi-million dollar undergarment company. She built Spanx entirely on her own through the use of her savings. 

As of today, her net worth is $1 Billion USD. Sara Blakely is considered as the World's Youngest Self-Made Female Billionaire.

5. Indra Nooyi - CEO PepsiCo

Nooyi was born in Madras, India back in 1955. 

In 1976, she graduated from Madras Christian College with a degree in Chemistry. She also earned her master's degree in business administration from the Indian Institute of Management. She was able to pay her college tuition by working in night shifts.

Nooyi also received an additional master’s degree in public and private management from the Yale School of Management in 1980 after moving to the United States. Nooyi worked at Johnson and Johnson after graduating, she also worked as a consultant for the Boston Consulting Group for six years and held an executive position at Motorola. In 1994, she joined PepsiCo.

It is very inspiring that she was held among many top companies. Because of her dedication to her work, she finally became the CEO of PepsiCo, one of the largest food and drink company worldwide.

Top female entrepreneurs like Indra Nooyi has a net worth of $80 million dollars. 

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By Steph W.

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