9 Purpose-driven Female Founders

Since its inception in 1987, Women’s History Month has been a celebration of the brave efforts, contributions and sacrifices of women who helped build a better world. Though, let’s not forget the women of the present who are unapologetically breaking barriers and forging the future for female empowerment. There are currently 114% more women entrepreneurs than there were 20 years ago. We are lucky enough to work with so many amazing female founders who contribute to this statistic and are passionate about empowering other women. Take a look at our nine favorite female founders to see how they are using their influence and their purpose-driven business to change the world for the better. 

1. Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse – R.Riveter 

Lisa Bradley and Cameron Cruse found themselves in a state of helplessness, wondering if they could be both a loving, supportive military wife and still build a career they had always dreamed of. On a journey to find fulfillment, they created a business together to generate sustainable, flexible work for military wives creating hand-made products. Now, nearly 11 years later, their handbag company, R.Riveter, employs over 45 military spouses and veterans across the nation. “A woman’s greatest superpower is her ability to draw strength from other women,” they said. “This is the essence of Women’s History Month. Talk about it, be about it. Teach each other and encourage each other that you can design a life you love. You can have success that is defined by you.” 

Website  •   Instagram

2. Regina Bond – The Confidence Coach

Growing up, Katherine Chancellor from “Young & The Restless” was one of Regina Bond’s biggest influencers. Chancellor was confident, loved helping people and built her own empire – all things Bond knew she wanted. Today, Bond shares her story to transfuse confidence into the lives of women around the world. She is committed to showing women that they deserve a life of unstoppable confidence! She continues to set herself apart by being her unique, authentic self in building a purposeful business that truly means something to her. Bond said one of the biggest things she has learned as a successful entrepreneur is “learning how to pivot, expecting change and being willing to grow. Learning the power of pivoting has transformed not only my business but my life. My motto is now if you’re not pivoting, you’re perishing.” 

Website   •   Instagram  •   Facebook

3. Cassie Sobelton – Wellness Collection 

In the early stages of her career, Cassie Sobelton was blessed to have a mentor who instilled the meaning of hard work, great leadership and masculine energy in the workplace. After his passing, Sobelton began balancing her own masculine and feminine traits to create a business model that could raise people up using her leadership skills and feminine-focused energy. “I wanted to make a difference in the lives of those with feminine energy,” she said. “I wanted to teach them how to lead, become financially independent and live the best lives available to them.” Sobelton has since written a number one bestselling book, “Back to Balance,” and started her own business, Wellness Collection. Wellness Collection which is a nationally-recognized brand aiming to bring clean, effective, science-backed products to consumers  to teach them  how to live healthier lives and cultivate their inner peace. Throughout her life and entrepreneurial journey, Sobelton learned “that no matter what happens in my career life, I can stay happy, balanced, and fulfilled as simply Cassie Sobelton. Not riding the waves of success and failure or letting it define me; instead, remembering that my happiness, how much joy I feel and being in harmony with myself and others is of utmost importance in my life.”  

Website  •   Wellness Collection 

4. Peggy Sullivan – SheCAN!

Peggy Sullivan’s father was her biggest supporter. After looking into buying a franchise that would focus on growing women personally and professionally, Sullivan realized her mission was different from every other group out there. In 2018, Sullivan founded the women’s nonprofit organization, SheCAN! in her father’s legacy. SheCAN! is a membership organization founded for women to grow, thrive and find their vibe with a community of caring, focused and supportive women. In 2021, Sullivan released her debut book called “Happiness is Your Responsibility” which includes step-by-step tips on self-reflection and living a happier, more productive life. “I have a theory: happiness is a muscle,” she said. “The more you flex it the stronger it gets. It is my mission to teach women that by practice and actionable steps we can train our happiness muscle to flourish, which will create a lifelong, positive mindset. And since happiness is contagious, this will create a more positive society.” The SheCAN! network has grown exponentially in just a few years, going from only the Western New York area to across the globe, including a new SheCAN! chapter in Dubai! Sullivan continues to inspire and influence women through public speaking and is currently working on her next book focusing on the art of surviving and thriving. 

Website  •   SheCAN!

5. Jacqueline Berg – Fresh Test LLC

After watching her parents work tirelessly year after year, Jacqueline Berg dreamt of having a life and a career that was just as passionate without the constant pressures and pains. Once experiencing stress, loss and complete burnout, Berg made the decision to start something that mattered – that is, after her time in Africa for Survivor. Berg’s first son, new responsibilities as a mother and quitting her international, dream job resulted in an identity shift. She realized she could still have her dream job, she just needed to create it first! That is when Fresh Test, a FemTech/FemPharma company was born. Fresh Test empowers and educates women through their stages of pregnancy, giving them options of products that serve as the only all-natural, non-GMO alternative to Glucola. “I created a product that I myself needed,” Berg said. “I never forget the consumer, the patient, the mom…because that was me.” Berg continues to fight for women’s healthcare rights, setting her product as the gold standard in the pregnancy space. 

Website   •  Instagram

6. Daphne Hedley and Diane – Mekhala Living 

Sisters Daphne Hedley and Diane Wong started out in the finance and accounting spaces until realizing they were longing for something more. Growing up inspired by their father’s undeniable work ethic and enterprising nature, they wanted to make a positive difference in the world. Mekhala Living, Mehkala being the Thai word for “Goddess,” came into fruition and has since grown into a Singaporean/Thai whole foods brand that produces organic, all-natural, gluten and nut-free, vegan-friendly foods. Mekhala’s ranges of healthy and delicious pastes are in over 2,000 stores across five countries and continues to grow everyday in a post-pandemic market. They recently launched plant-based starter packs which focus on bettering both the planet and the lives of their customers. 

As they rely on each other to navigate the challenges that come with starting a business, Daphne Hedley and Diane Wong have never lost sight of their mission and purpose. According to the sisters, they empower women in their community and on their team “by giving them a positive work environment, acknowledging their contributions and their sacrifices, and listening to their feedback.” Globally, with a huge thanks to their loyal customers nationwide, Hedley and Wong have been huge advocates for children in the Shan community who are being persecuted in a country under military rule.  

Website  •   Instagram  •   Facebook

7. Alessia Citro – Theia Collection

After experiencing chronic burnout in the corporate world, Alessia Citro – mother, wife, podcaster, author and entrepreneur – created a business of her own helping women everywhere tackle challenges ranging from business planning, to mental health and everything in between. Realizing women are faced with countless contradictions both personally and professionally, Citro founded the Theia Collective, a community that grows the confidence and economic empowerment of female entrepreneurs. She is excited to introduce Theia’s giveback model which will donate 1% of all revenue to organizations that assist domestic violence survivors. Citro hopes that helping survivors create businesses and generate income will break the cycle of abuse because “money means choices and choices mean freedom.” Regardless of setbacks that come her way, Citro has never lost sight of her passion for making a difference and awakening “the goddess and lioness that’s living inside” of every woman. 

Website  •   Instagram  •   Podcast  •   Theia Collective 

8. Cayla Craft

From saving lives as an ER nurse to becoming a self-made millionaire, Cayla Craft has found her passion for teaching other women how to build and grow successful businesses of their own. At the start of her career, her children were what inspired her to take control of her earning power and create a career that best fit her lifestyle. Craft is now a best-selling author, successful business owner of multiple businesses and a top podcaster with her “Mommy Millionaire” podcast. She has grown her influence exponentially, showing thousands of women across the nation how to shamelessly flourish their health, relationships and finances. Craft emphasizes the importance of surrounding “yourself with other women who will lift you up and bring your name up in rooms you haven’t been invited into yet,” and hopes to continue helping women confidently pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions. 

Website  •   Instagram  •   Mommy Millionaire

1. Heather Holmes – Publicity for Good

Heather Holmes, formally known as DeSantis, has always had a passion for social impact and philanthropy. Her father was a hardworking entrepreneur and after losing him to lung cancer, she wondered if she could be both “a present parent and an entrepreneur?” Although Holmes was just a teenager, she found a deep desire to become an entrepreneur like her father. Holmes completely submerged herself in volunteer work, Girls Scouts, raising money for non-profits and intensive philanthropic programs. Once starting her career, Holmes “fell in love with the power and possibilities of public relations.” In 2016 she started her own counter-culture PR firm, Publicity for Good (PFG), in her mother’s basement before moving to San Diego, CA. Holmes remembers eating rice and beans for months in order to live in California and invest back into her business. She is incredibly grateful for her mother and biggest cheerleader for always being Holmes’ number one supporter in her ambitions of building the business. 

With lots to look forward to, Holmes is now 27 weeks pregnant and living on 22-acres of land with her Husband in the mountains of North Carolina. This spring will mark three years of Holmes working and scaling her business completely virtually through her 23-foot Airstream. Through the years, PFG has grown exponentially and continues to increase the authority, credibility and influence of entrepreneurs and their purpose-driven brands. Holmes has never lost sight of her passion for making a positive difference in the world and hopes to serve even more purpose-driven clients as Publicity for Good continues to grow. 

Website   •  Instagram  •   Publicity for Good