In this inspiring episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Audra Lawlor, the founder of Girl Meets Dirt, a renowned jam company based on Orcas Island. Audra shares her remarkable journey from the fast-paced world of banking in New York City to the serene, community-driven life on Orcas Island. She discusses the pivotal moments that led to her decision to leave her high-powered career, the challenges and rewards of starting a business in a close-knit community, and the deep personal connections she found through her work with heritage orchards. This episode is a must-listen for anyone dreaming of making a bold life change and finding fulfillment in unexpected places:

• Welcome to Orcas Island: Audra describes the beauty and unique location of Orcas Island, and Monica shares her personal experiences visiting the island.
• The Big Move: Audra recounts her life in New York City and her career in banking and the decision-making process behind moving to Orcas Island with her husband.
• Settling on the Island: Early days on Orcas Island: adjusting to a slower pace of life, plus Audra's initial steps in gardening and preserving food.
• Finding Inspiration in the Soil: The story behind the name "Girl Meets Dirt", and Audra’s first experiences with jam-making from her own fruit trees.
• Discovering the Island’s Orchard Legacy: Audra learns about the rich history of orchards on Orcas Island, and the pivotal moment that inspired her to start Girl Meets Dirt.
• Building a Business with Community Support: Learn about the role of community in Audra’s entrepreneurial journey, and all the early challenges and successes in establishing Girl Meets Dirt.
• The Unique Climate of Orcas Island: Monica and Audra discuss the island’s rain shadow effect and its impact on agriculture - including the benefits for growing fruit.
• Embracing Island Life: Learn about the vibrant food community on Orcas Island and its influence and importance of the support of the community on Audra's business.
• Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead: Learn about the personal and professional challenges Audra faced in her journey, plus future aspirations for Girl Meets Dirt and continuing to honor the island’s heritage.

Resources:
- Girl Meets Dirt: https://www.girlmeetsdirt.com
- Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce: https://orcasislandchamber.com
- Monica + Andy: https://monicaandandy.com

In this inspiring episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Jesse Draper, founding partner of Halogen Ventures, to dive deep into the world of venture capital and the unique challenges and successes of investing in female-founded companies. Jesse shares her journey from actress to venture capitalist, her approach to reshaping the future of family through strategic investments, and the importance of changing the narrative for the next generation of female entrepreneurs. Join us as we explore the landscape of funding, the progress being made for women in business, and the personal stories of managing a thriving career alongside motherhood.

Episode highlights:

• Introduction to Jesse Draper, Halogen Ventures, and Jesse's background as a fourth-generation venture capitalist
• Jesse's transition from Hollywood to investing
• Jesse explains her initiative to interview women in tech and how it led to investing on female-founded companies.
• The Venture Capital landscape and the inequality in access to capital for women.
• The importance of the early stage investment
• Instilling confidence in the next generation
• Motherhood, family life and entrepreneurship
• Jesse reveals a life-changing tip for managing family and work communications and the significance of planning and structure in a busy household
• The importance of supportive partners and family in entrepreneurship

If you're inspired by Jesse's story and want to learn more about investing in women-led startups, visit halogenvc.com. Don't forget to subscribe to The Mentor Files for more insightful conversations and follow us on our social media channels to stay updated on upcoming episodes. Share this episode with anyone who believes in the power of female entrepreneurship and wants to be part of the change. Join us next time for another episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer!

In this episode of The Mentor Files, Monica Royer sits down with Kara Goldin, the founder of Hint Inc., the company known for its delicious fruit-infused water. Kara shares her remarkable journey from cutting soda out of her diet to creating a multi-million dollar business while balancing the roles of CEO and mother of four.

Episode highlights:

• [03:00] The Birth of Hint Water: Kara discusses her early influences, including her father's work in the health food industry and her own career in tech, which led her to seek out brands with a purpose.
• [06:00] From Idea to Product: Kara's transition from tech to the beverage industry was driven by her desire to create a product that she herself needed, and the challenges of entering a new industry and the process of getting Hint Water onto Whole Foods shelves.
• [09:00] Overcoming Industry Hurdles: Kara explains how she navigated the beverage industry with no prior experience and how she managed to convince Whole Foods to stock Hint Water.
• [12:00] The Launch of Hint: The story of how Kara managed to get Hint Water on the shelves the day before giving birth to her fourth child, plus the unexpected success of Hint Water's initial sales and the challenges of meeting this demand
• [15:00] Scaling the Business: Kara shares the struggles of scaling production and the importance of perseverance in the face of industry skepticism.
• [18:00] Financing and Growth: Discussion on the early financial decisions, including whether to bootstrap or seek funding, and how Kara financed the growing demand for Hint Water.
• [21:00] Entrepreneurship and Motherhood: Kara reflects on how motherhood influenced her efficiency and drive as an entrepreneur.
• [24:00] The Future of Hint and Lessons Learned: Kara shares her vision for the future of Hint and the key takeaways from her entrepreneurial journey.

Resources

• Hint Water: https://www.drinkhint.com/
• "Undaunted" by Kara Goldin: https://karagoldin.com/undaunted

If you're inspired by Kara's story and want to learn more about how to turn your own ideas into reality, don't forget to subscribe to The Mentor Files for more episodes like this. Share your favorite takeaways from today's episode on social media and tag us to join the conversation. And check out Kara's book, "Undaunted," for an in-depth look at her entrepreneurial journey.