Hey! It’s Doone, your hype girl in business. In honour of our fave day in the diary last week ✨International Women’s Day✨ we did something extra special to give back to the incredible women in our FSC community (you!): this is your last chance can access the whole Ecommerce Fundamentals Bundle for only $57 (usually $299) before we mix things up again.

Today we’re covering 👇

• The small business PR playbook

• Unpacking himpathy *major eyeroll*

• All the latest news you need to know

• BOTOX® x IFundWomen = $25K 👀 

PR Playbook for Small Business Owners 📸

Ever wondered if the PR game is your ace in the business-building deck? For early-stage, cash-strapped founders, PR might seem like a distant dream. Or just another task on your (never-ending) list of things to do. So priority number one is to get clear on your objectives: do you dive in or chart a different course?

If you chose to discover whether your brand thrives in the media circus, it begins with a simple yet powerful tool - the spreadsheet:

1. Start by defining your PR goals: Seeking credibility for your website? Or perhaps it's all about flexing that social proof muscle? Once you've got your goals straight, it's time for the Dream 100. Jot down a list of all the publications that you’d love to be featured in.

2. Now, the nitty-gritty: Collect contacts, find journalists in your niche, and weave captivating story hooks. Get to know which stories stand out in your industry, and see if there are any overlaps there.

3. Get your charm on: Now about building relationships, making connections, and telling your story in a way that captivates.

4. PR isn't a sprint; it's a marathon: Remember, with a pitch - the follow-ups matter. One email might not seal the deal, but consistent, strategic persistence over time will. Reach back out whenever cool things happen to your business and you have exciting updates to share.

It really comes down to consistent action over a long period of time. Because you’re building relationships with people, that’s the nature of the game! You’ve got to keep persisting, take consistent action & eventually you will get there.

Get all your PR tips on the podcast →

Exploring “himpathy” 👉

Let's talk about "himpathy". A new word I learned about this week that immediately got my interest.

Himpathy is the sympathy extended (disproportionately) to men, often at the expense of recognising and understanding the experiences of women.

In the entrepreneurial world, this looks like a male founder's challenges being met with understanding and support, while a female founder navigating the same (or let’s face it: greater) hurdles faces skepticism or minimised acknowledgment.

We've all seen it – a male founder's setbacks are met with a nod and an empathetic "it's tough out there," while female founders, despite resilience and innovation, are just not cut out for this.

Anyone else’s mind going straight to the Kiki Club situation (that was met with plentyyyyy of Himpathy)

Of course it got me thinking. This phenomenon doesn’t only affect individual journeys but also contributes to broader inequalities. Is this part of the reason women CEOs at Fortune 500 companies really do have shorter tenures than men?

So, as we forge ahead, I’m focused on actively challenging the himpathy narrative and using my voice to keep shouting about the insanely stupid challenges women face in business, in the VC world and in their careers. Our stories, struggles, and triumphs deserve equal recognition.

• Ouai and Barry’s have teamed up for a global partnership

• Venus Williams is entering the generative AI space

• The CEO tenure gender gap is a real thing

• Kylie Jenner launches her debut fragrance

• & a new booze brand (in the same week, casually)

• Yay, a big win for angel investment in the UK!

• France inscribes the right to abortion in its constitution

• Announcing the Forbes 30U30 local lists

• Diving into Olaplex’s comback strategy 

• Beware of the “Sheinification” of fashion

• Finally: a positive statistic on raising capital

• A moment to remember the iconic Iris Apfel 🩷

This week's accelerator...

THE BOTOX® Cosmetic x IFundWomen Grant Contest is live and awarding 5 groundbreaking female entrepreneurs $25,000 | APPLY NOW

This week's lineup...

This week's recommendations...

Ways I can help you this week…

REMOTE 🏝️

• Ready-to-serve non-alc cocktail brand Tilden is hiring for a couple of really cool positions: a full-time Sales Lead; part-time Sales Rep; & detail-oriented Interns to work across Sales, Marketing & Socials. All positions will report directly to the co-founders | MORE HERE.

NYC 🗽

• Billie, award-winning shave and body care brand, is hiring a best-in-class creative Brand Media Expert \ Know someone for the role?

LA 🌆

• Nourishing olive oil brand Brightland is looking for a dynamic Director of Sales to work on their natural channel | Apply directly here.

That’s all for today folks! For more daily inspo, follow us on the gram 💖