She Designed Fierce Female Action Figures. And Surprise! Her Customers Are Men
Julie Kerwin launched I Am Elemental to combat all those hypersexualized girl superheroes. She didn’t anticipate her newfound fans.
Original Video Profiles of Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs
Watch business videos of successful founders who are busting the myths of female entrepreneurship and starting and running companies that fill their lives with meaning, purpose and passion. If you run your own business, or think you want to, these inspiring business stories will help you grow. There's advice for entrepreneurs in all different industries, and inspiration for startups. We've also included successful nonprofit stories for those seeking to make a difference.
Meet the Plastics Engineer Who’s Raised $1 Million to Make Prosthetic Legs
Erin Keaney of Nonspec is on a mission to make prosthetics affordable around the world — and that means using medical-grade plastic.
This Texas Bakery Makes 26,000 Poundcakes a Year – and Survived a Vanilla Bust
Janie’s Cakes operates out of a small city in East Texas. But its production is impacted by severe weather around the world and other unexpected challenges.
Disrupting the Stereotype of ‘Scholarship Kids’
Cindy Laba and Marsha Feinberg of Beacon Academy want kids from low-income backgrounds to thrive at the best private high schools.
A Successful Entrepreneur Shares What It’s Really Like to Be an Immigrant
Claudia Mirza came to the U.S. to reunite with her father. While she’s found success, she says immigration is painful.
How a ‘Champion of Change’ Stays Inspired, Even on Soul-Crushing Days
Deborah Shore of Sasha Bruce Youthwork has worked with homeless young people for 45 years. The work is not easy.
JJ Ramberg on the End of ‘Your Business’ and What’s Ahead
The former MSNBC TV host, who also runs socially conscious company Goodshop, talks about her career and what excites her.
Working With Kids
Thanks to This Musical Disrupter, the Chorus Is No Longer a ‘Uniblob’
Dianne Berkun Menaker’s Brooklyn Youth Chorus is tackling everything from race and identity to gender and sexuality — and making students’ voices heard.
Education
After the Sandy Hook Shooting Took Her Son, a Mom Finds a Mission
What do you do when loss upends your life? Scarlett Lewis’s nonprofit aims to prevent school shootings by bringing social and emotional learning to schools.
Health & Wellness
When Pain Derailed This Doctor’s Career, She Started a $5 Million Nonprofit That Saves Pregnant Women’s Lives Around the World
Laura Stachel co-founded We Care Solar, which makes solar suitcases that light deliveries in health centers where electricity is scarce.
Environment
An Insect Lover Builds an $18 Million Natural Pest Control Company
After setbacks and scandal, Pamela Marrone of Marrone Bio Innovations is staging a comeback developing alternatives to dangerous pesticides.
Animal Business
How to Seriously Make a Difference Through Your Work
Sure, you could have a safe and secure job in any old profession. But if you’re looking to make an impact, consider starting a social enterprise.
Animal Business
This Minneapolis Beekeeper Is Building a Thriving Business
Kristy Allen is no hobbyist beekeeper. Her Beez Kneez has multiple sources of revenue, and a pedal-powered invention is up next.
Nonprofit Founders
Feeling Lost, She Quit Her Corporate Job, Started a Social Enterprise and Reinvented Her Life
Kate Curran took a series of calculated steps to make a midlife career change and rediscover her purpose.
Working With Kids
Why a Jordanian Scientist Is on a Mission to Get Kids to Read for Pleasure
Rana Dajani has raised millions of dollars, trained thousands of volunteers, and worked with an estimated 100,000 kids to foster a love of reading.