From SXSW to NYC: My Takeaways from Female Founder's Day at The Express

If you’ve ever tried to absorb a firehose worth of information while running on caffeine and ambition, you get what my past few days have been like. I flew straight from Austin, fresh off the whirlwind of SXSW panels, networking events, and happy hours (because let’s be real, deals happen over cocktails too), straight to New York City for Female Founder's Day at The Express. Let’s just say my brain has been on an Olympic-level mental sprint, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Female Founder's Day, put on by the Female Founder Collective, is the fast track for women entrepreneurs looking to scale, fund, and fine-tune their businesses. The event was packed with powerhouse speakers, tactical insights, and a serious dose of inspiration. And after soaking in all the knowledge, I’m here to share the key takeaways that had me furiously jotting down notes (and trying not to spill my third coffee of the day).

1. Innovation Starts with Asking the Right Questions

Sara Blakely, the genius behind Spanx, dropped wisdom left and right, but the one thing that stuck with me the most? “How am I different?” This isn’t a one-time question—it’s a daily gut check for entrepreneurs. Differentiation is innovation, and if you’re not constantly pushing yourself to see opportunities where others see roadblocks, you’re missing out.

She also emphasized that your customer should be your investor—an important reminder that success comes from delivering real value, not just securing funding. In fact, she highlighted that many founders raise money when they don’t actually need to, and that having less money forces you to be more creative. Constraints drive innovation.

Other gems from Sara:

Visualize a different life for yourself. The best entrepreneurs see possibilities others don’t.
Beauty is NOT pain. Ditch the “suffer for success” mentality and focus on building smart, sustainable growth.
Sell them a why, and you’ll have a champion. Customers buy the mission and the purpose, not just the product.
Your gut is your guide. Trusting yourself is a key entrepreneurial skill.

2. Entrepreneurs Get Caught Up in the ‘What’—But It’s the ‘Why’ That Matters

We obsess over what we’re building, but Sara reminded us that the most successful founders always focus on why they’re doing it. That’s what resonates with customers, investors, and even your own team. If you can articulate why your brand exists, you’ll build a much stronger business.

3. Be Willing to Be Wrong

Nell Diamond, founder of Hill House Home, summed up one of the hardest truths in entrepreneurship: You have to have the willingness to be wrong. Growth comes from experimentation, failure, and course correction. If you’re clinging too tightly to what you think should work, you’re closing yourself off to what actually will.

4. Follow the Data

Morgan DeBaun, founder of Blavity Inc., put it simply: You have to go where your data is showing you. Intuition is powerful, but data is what confirms whether a strategy is working. Successful founders don’t just make decisions on gut feeling—they back them up with real numbers.

5. Distinct Voice, Distinct Brand

Brigette Romanek, founder of Romanek Design Studio, shared that her business grew because she had a distinct voice and a distinct design. The takeaway? The most successful brands don’t blend in. They lean into what makes them unique.

Brigette also reminded us that nothing is bigger than you. Challenges will always come up, but no obstacle is insurmountable.

6. Get Comfortable Talking About Money

Morgan DeBaun also talked about the difference between being a great founder and being a great CEO. Founders dream big. CEOs manage resources effectively.

If you want to scale, you need to be comfortable talking about cash flow, funding, and financial strategy. Managing capital with eyes wide open is a non-negotiable skill.

7. Scrappy Marketing Wins Over Big Budgets

Melanie Duncan from Truvani gave a masterclass in smart, scrappy marketing. Instead of big, expensive campaigns, they focus on micro and macro influencer kits:

Micro kits (under $10 each) sent to brand-new potential customers with product samples and a guide to showcase different use cases.
Macro kits sent to influencers who have already engaged with the brand, to deepen the relationship and get the product in front of their audiences.
Laser-focused targeting: They started by sending kits to niche communities (e.g., ballet dancers) to create an organic sense of buzz. When multiple influencers in a tight-knit industry post about your product, it feels like it’s everywhere.
Let relationships develop authentically. Not every influencer relationship should be transactional. Focus on building genuine connections.
Allocate budget to paid content creation for big launches. When scaling, investing in high-quality content pays off.

8. Build a Scalable Ecosystem

Anne Mahlum, founder of Back on My Feet and [solidcore], emphasized the importance of scalability. You don’t just need a strong brand—you need a strong system that allows for growth. One of her best takeaways? Be the kind of leader that helps people realize they are capable of excellence. Empowering your team is key to scaling successfully.

She also shared this insight: You can’t have anything new in life if you’re not willing to let something go. Founders who struggle with delegation and change often end up bottlenecking their own growth. Letting go—of control, of old strategies, of outdated ideas—is the only way to evolve.

9. Play the Long Game

Bethenny Frankel, self-made entrepreneur and queen of brutal honesty, reminded us: “If you don’t know, yes, it’s a no.” If you’re unsure about a business decision, trust your instincts. Hesitation usually means it’s not the right move.

Another gem from Bethenny: “If you don’t love it, you don’t like it.” Passion matters. If you’re not obsessed with what you’re building, it’ll be hard to sustain the energy needed to grow it long-term.

Final Thoughts: A High-Speed Masterclass in Entrepreneurship

The Express was exactly what it promised—a fast track to learning, connection, and inspiration. After coming straight from SXSW, I thought I had already filled my networking quota for the month, but this event proved me wrong (in the best way).

Walking away from Female Founder's Day, my biggest takeaway is this: Entrepreneurship isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking the right questions, staying adaptable, and never being afraid to pivot. Oh, and of course, always trust your gut—because according it knows what's up.

Now, time to let all this knowledge marinate and reach out to everyone I connected with... all preferably with a glass of wine.