Age: 34.
Business & location: The Midwest Girl, Dubuque.
Founded: 2015.
Female you look up to: My sister and Sara Blakely.
What inspired you to launch your business: My sister and our bond is what inspired the launch of The Midwest Girl. Being born and raised in Wisconsin, our love and deep appreciation for our Midwest upbringing was something we wanted to celebrate. We began with a few tees and big dreams, and here we are, nearly 10 years later.
Biggest thing you’ve learned or best advice you’ve received as a business owner: There is no one right way to define success, and every person has a different definition. For me, success would be the day my business wouldn’t need me to in the day to day operations and would operate nearly the same. I’m so grateful we have gotten to this point, and I am able to step away for my family and my business can thrive and serve our customers.
Your advice for other female entrepreneurs: Always remember your dream and your “why.” The amount of times I heard, “no” or “good luck” in the early days of business was defeating, but I showed up for this idea I loved so much and knew what I was capable of. That drive plus an incredible support system got us here. At the end of the day, you have to be your biggest fan in order for any of it to work.
