It’s Doone, your hype girl in business. Before we jump into the newsy today I want to start with a thank you to Sarah Williams, the founder of What Were You Wearing, for leading a massive protest of 100,000+ people around Australia this past weekend to fight for Women’s Rights. 32 women have been murdered by men in Australia so far this year and enough is enough - we need change. Thank you Sarah 🩷

Today we’re covering 👇

• A handy framework for the DTC vs. Retail playbook

• $10,000 SheaMoisture grant (May 31st)

• Sophia Amoruso is hiring a PA! + more job ops

• 3 success stories for women raising millions 💸

• TikTok Shop Q’s? Hit reply & drop into my inbox

THE DTC vs. RETAIL DILEMMA 🙋‍♀️

So, you’re at that pivotal crossroads in your entrepreneurial journey. You’ve got a great product, a killer brand, and now you’re pondering the age-old question: should I focus on DTC or retail? Don’t fret, here’s your no-BS guide to making that decision:

1. Define Your Goals ⭐ Get crystal clear on what you want out of your biz. Are you all about owning your brand and connecting directly with your people? DTC might be your jam. But if you dream of seeing your product fly off retail shelves, retail could be calling your name. Align your goals with your biz model.

2. Pros and Cons List ✍️ You know we love a good list. DTC gives you total control, from pricing to customer experience. But it also means you’re responsible for everything, from marketing to fulfilment. On the flip side, retail offers massive exposure, but you lose some of that control. It’s a tough call, but understanding the pros and cons will help you make the right choice.

3. Know Your Audience 👯 Who’s your ride-or-die customer? Do they live for online shopping or do they love hitting up their favourite store? Understanding your audience is key to choosing the right path. Dive deep into their shopping habits and preferences, then meet the customer where they’re at.

2. Are You Ready For It? 🎶 Take a hard look in the mirror. Is your product and brand ready for prime-time? Retail comes with its own very specific set of expectations, goals, and fulfilment criteria. Can your business model handle it right now? Don’t rush this step—your success depends on it.

5. Start Small, Test Big 🐌 Don’t dive headfirst into the deep end. Dip your toes in the water first. Start with a small-scale DTC trial run to test the waters. See how your audience responds, then adjust and iterate as needed. It’s all about starting small, testing big, and learning along the way.

So, my advice? Take your time & really cement that DTC side of the business before moving on to perfecting retail. By following these steps and staying true to your vision, you'll be well on your way to making the right choice.

Get to know Kelly on the podcast →

Let’s Get Loud:

I get really overwhelmed when I think about the systemic challenges women face in the world. More than ever we need to keep using our voices to advocate for real change. To call out the BS and the systems that are working against us. To take tiny, consistent action towards a more equitable world.

You can learn more about Sarah and her work with What Were You Wearing [here] 🩷

• 100,000+ rally for Women’s Rights around Australia

• Kic has officially entered their IRL running club era

• Emma Chamberlain x Kendall Jenner is the collab I’ve been waiting for

• In funding 💸 Pressed Roots raises $3.1M for salon growth; femtech startup Elvie raises £9.6M; & Home From College just raised 5.4$M

• Eep, The FTC is suing to stop Tapestry (Coach & Kate Spade) from acquiring Capri Holdings (Versace & Michael Kors) for $8.5B

• 23andMe CEO Anne Wojcicki may take the company private

• What we know about Billie’s post-acquisition growth

• Execs are wearing ✨ to the office and I’m here for it

• Katie Haun leaves Coinbase’s board of directors

• Soooo, is this really the end of TikTok???

• Kylie Jenner is doing a denim line with Natasha Zinko

• Shares in Ulta are falling as “beauty demand is slowing”

• TikTok Shop is rolling out sample centres across the US 👇

This week's grant...

Listen up, Canada! The SheaMoisture Dream Fund is awarding 5 black female entrepreneurs with $10,000 to turn your dream into reality | Apply by May 31st

This week on the show...

This week's recommendations...

REMOTE-ish

• The brand making parenting easier, Hearth Display, is hiring a Lifecycle and Product Marketing Manager | Apply directly here.

• At the intersection of HR Tech and decision making intelligence, SeenCulture is on the lookout for a Full Stack Engineer | Apply here.

LA ☀️

• Business Class (& by that, Sophia Amoruso) is looking to hire a Personal Assistant to help run her day | Something for you?

NYC 🗽

• Steph Miu, the founder of PIN, is hiring a Head of Operations to work with their communities of Angel Investors and founders | More here.

• Inclusive clothing brand Primary is on the hunt for a VP in Product Development and Sourcing to strengthen the team | Apply here.

That’s a wrap! For ✨fun✨ daily content come say hi @femalestartupclub 👋