Hey! It’s Doone, your hype girl in business. With halloween behind us and Mariah Carey official declaring that she’s defrosting, what better time to start thinking about the festivities shopping. We're putting together a list of all your fave female-founded brands to shop from this BFCM ready to be released very shortly - and if you’d to be featured just hit reply and drop into my inbox.

Today we’re covering 👇

• Key lessons from losing $1M a month

• Facebook Groups are back, back again

• Your guide to prepare for BFCM weekend

• This $20,000 might help with your career change

• & our Sydney Meetup is Nov 30th. Limited to 20 people - email [email protected] to secure your spot.

From losing $1M a month to getting back on top 🔝💫

Have you ever faced the kind of challenge that made you wonder if your entrepreneurial dream was about to crumble? We all know (too well) that the road to business success isn't always a straight line, and that can suck. Just ask Lezlie Karls, the co-founder and creative mind behind Mid-Day Squares.

When we last spoke with Lezlie, Mid-Day Squares was on the brink of facing a crisis. In order for the business to survive, they had to make a big product format change: cutting down from two squares down to one square. What followed was an unforeseen series of blunders that left them haemorrhaging $1 million a month. The weight of all that financial stress, coupled with the relentless pressure of leading a team, was, as Lezlie puts it, "f**king hard.”

As with any disaster, the good that came out of it was a new framework for dealing with stress, that has since become her secret weapon for those moments when life gets tough. This is the kind of stuff you wish you could learn without going through the hard stuff, but better late than never right?

✨THE TRIGGER & ACTION FRAMEWORK✨ for moments of self-doubt:

1. What are your fears? What is driving your negative thoughts? 👻 It starts with really addressing what’s bugging you. Get it all out there.  

2. You’ll see yourself that engaging in those thoughts, is what’s feeding that negative cycle. So it’s really important that you stop doing that at all costs ✋ It’s really hard but that’s will-power. The moment you catch yourself spiralling into negative territory, remind yourself that you have the power to change that direction.

3. Ask yourself: can I action anything on this? 🎬 If what’s bothering you is out of your control, you have to let it go. The brain needs action in order to process negative emotions, otherwise they're just poison.

The type of person that decided to take on a business, just also happens to be the type with a "take charge" attitude. But sometimes, in situations beyond our control, the best action is to stop your thought spiral and redirect your focus to areas where you can really make a difference. Feel the fear, and let it go.

Subscribe to get notified when Lezlie’s episode goes live → 

Hey there old friend, Facebook ✨

FACEBOOK?! I know. But, hear me out: We’re bringing a good thing back.

Are you a fan of the Female Startup Club podcast? Have you ever thought about meeting other women who listen to the show? Or wanted to ask certain questions about an episode you heard or a challenge that you’re facing in your business. 

We realised our community is missing a hub (read: CLUB!) to gather, connect, learn & chat. So we’re reviving our Facebook group and we want you to join us.

Every Monday I’ll be sharing who I’m interviewing that week so you can ask very specific questions you’d love answered. You’ll also be able to ask general questions or share challenges that we can dive deeper into in our new content series AND also find any feature opportunities we have going on across the podcast and our other channels. 

Join our club of 3700+ female founders, I can’t wait to meet you →

• Female Startup Club is now part of the Acast Creator Network 💅

• Kim is clearly on a mission to become a billionaire with this deal

• TBH landed into Coles and take note of their launching party

• Founders are opening up over the struggles of DTC right now

• These food brands are creeping into beauty (and making bucks)

• LADbible’s owner buys betches for a potential $56M

• This BMO survey highlights the gender gap among biz owners

• Forma Brands has made some signification layoffs 

• Goop is going accessible and launching skincare in Target & Amazon

• There’s a new tequila brand on the scene

• Charli and Dixie D'Amelio are on to the next brand: Happy Snacks

• Sheryl Sandberg sets up a venture partners firm with her hubby

• Oprah released her iconic list of fave things in 2023, swoon

This week's grant...

AAUW annually provides one lucky woman (who holds a bachelor degree) with a chance to win $2-$20,000 to advance or change their career. Apply by 11/15.

This week's event...

If you’re a female founder, join One Roof’s morning tea panel, ‘Venturing into the Future: Empowering Women Founders’ on Friday, 10 Nov at the Hall & Wilcox office in Melbourne (and use code ONEROOF for your discounted ticket, they’re limited to the first 100 people!)

This week's lineup...

This week's recommendations...

Ways I can help you this week…

REMOTE 🌴

• Soon-to-be wellness app for young women BMoxi is looking for a Co-Founding Expert Marketer to join the ride on sweat equity. Read more.

• Primary Clothing, making brilliant basics for baby & kids, is hiring a Senior Growth Marketing Manager with some great perks. More here.

• This e-commerce startup is looking for an experienced product manager with superpowers in BD and idea generation to jump on board as a co-founder/CEO, could be a cool opportunity!

NYC 🗽

• Digital women's health company Femality Health is looking to hire a Digital Marketing Intern to work alongside the founders. Apply here.

That’s all for this week folks! If you made it all the way down here, I’d be delighted if you screenshot & share the love 💖