Happy Women’s History Month, Partake Fam! For us, this month is all about uplifting women-owned businesses, creators, educators, activists, artists, and leaders. To do that, we got together with a few inspiring female founders to talk about entrepreneurship, advice, and the people that help fuel these outstanding women. Keep reading to learn more about the founders of Healthy Roots Dolls, Copper Cow Coffee, and of course, Partake!

We’re kicking off this spotlight with Yelitsa Jean-Charles, who is the founder of Healthy Roots Dolls. Healthy Roots Dolls creates dolls and storybooks that empower young girls and represent the beauty of diversity. Their goal is to represent the voices of young girls in the toy industry with products that empower, educate and inspire self love.

Healthy Roots Dolls

Founder - Yelitsa Jean-Charles

 

What was the hardest part of starting a business? How did you overcome it?

Starting. I told myself not to say “no” before I could say “yes” and pursued every opportunity until I no longer could.

How do you deal with imposter syndrome in entrepreneurship?

I'm still dealing with it, but it's important to recognize what you don't know and be honest about what you do. I'm always learning and always growing. For me there's more power in acknowledging I'm not an expert in everything than pretending that I am. Because I know exactly what I am capable of everyday, no one can make me feel different.

What is the most rewarding part about starting a business?

Seeing all the positive experiences children have with our products and our amazing team members.

Any advice for young adults who want to build a biz?

Do it. If it fails, you learned something, but you have to at least try.

Who are your role models?

Women who say exactly how they feel and do exactly what they want to do.

 

Next up is Debbie Mullin, who is the founder of Copper Cow Coffee, a company that’s bringing sustainability and Vietnamese flavor to your morning cup with their signature lattes.

Copper Cow Coffee

Founder: Debbie Mullin

What was the hardest part about starting a business? How did you overcome it?

Committing to doing the business by actually vocalizing to my friends, colleagues, and family that I was going to do this was so terrifying.  Seeing people be so confused, worrying my parents, and all the feelings of setting myself for failure and embarrassment were so overwhelming.  The only thing that kept me moving forward was picturing my future self, always wondering what would have happened if I had tried.  I eventually figured I’d rather end up embarrassed for a couple years than to spend a lifetime wondering, “What if?”

How do you deal with imposter syndrome in entrepreneurship?

Showing up and putting one foot in front of the other everyday.  With a growing and changing business, I often show up to work confronting a problem I never expected and don’t know how to solve. I remember being in an incubator, and I thought everyone was more experienced, more confident, more connected. So, I just showed up everyday—first in and last to leave.  I took every meeting I could, I tried to hunt down advice for every problem I was experiencing, and I’m still doing that today. I don’t think there is an overnight remedy for imposter syndrome, but I know what showing up everyday to learn and solve problems has done and continues to do for my confidence.  

What is the most rewarding part about starting a business?

Getting to create a team and culture. I worked in a lot of bad environments before starting my business and have worked hard the past 5 years to build a company I would like to work for.  I love getting to be creative about how we communicate, or ask my team what would make them happier and more valued, and making a company and culture all our own.  I love that Copper Cow Coffee is a place where people take risks, but it’s also a place where you can expect to see babies and kids on video calls.

Any advice for young adults who want to build a biz?

Find a way to just press “play.” Is there any way you can get your idea out there to see if it will work?

Who are your role models?

My mother is such an incredible, hard working problem solver who has taught me when to appreciate what you have, and when to not take “no” for an answer.  She is where I’ve learned how you can always turn what you have into what you want if you are willing to be persistent and creative.

What does Women's History Month mean to you?

Being a woman is so central to my experience professionally and personally. I found my true network of women as an entrepreneur, and I’m so passionate about getting as many women as possible to consider it as a path. Taking time to appreciate women in our history that have made it easier for us is so humbling and exciting and a frequent reflection I do with women in my own life, particularly my mother and my grandmother who immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam.

We’re finishing off this spotlight with Denise Woodard, founder & CEO at Partake Foods. Partake exists to offer a selection of delicious, allergy-friendly foods that those with and without food restrictions can enjoy and share with confidence. 

Partake Foods

Founder: Denise Woodard

What was the hardest part about starting a business? How did you overcome it?

Though Partake has grown significantly since our seed round, getting to that point was not easy. Prior to that, a Black woman hadn't raised more than $1M publicly for a packaged food company. Breaking that glass ceiling required that I dig deep as I went through 86 "nos" before hearing "yes" from Marcy Venture Partners—who has since turned into a trusted and often-relied on strategic partner. Though that period of my life was challenging and stressful, it's absolutely the most satisfying because it solidified for me that I was on the right path.

How do you deal with imposter syndrome in entrepreneurship?

I deal with imposter syndrome head on, surrounding myself with other female founders while on this journey of entrepreneurship reflecting on how far we've come. I also give myself grace while making sure I celebrate both the big and small wins and everything in between.

What is the most rewarding part about starting a business?

Being a business owner is wonderful yet exhausting. It’s a marathon, not a sprint! Lots of ups and downs, but overall it’s rewarding because we are working toward a bigger mission to make a more inclusive food system and impact the food and beverage industry through mentorship. 

We are passionate about getting safe food into the hands of food insecure families, so a portion of our proceeds go to organizations, like No Kid Hungry, to provide access to the food, education and advocacy these families deserve.

Our Black Futures in Food & Beverage (BFFB) program that stewards HBCU students through an annual fellowship and our commitment to eradicating childhood food insecurity, we are committed to lifting as we climb. The Black Futures in Food & Beverage fellowship program welcomes active juniors and above enrolled in any Historically Black College & University (HBCU) interested in exploring a career in the food & beverage industry.

Any advice for young adults who want to build a biz?

Start small, learn as much as you can from everyone you can and ask for help every chance you get.

Who are your role models?

Oprah, Issa Rae, and Michelle Obama!