Billie Dragoo, Founder and CEO of RepuCare has been an entrepreneur for 23 years. Her list of accomplishments is nothing short of vast. She's been recognized as one of 10 female entrepreneurs chosen as one of Fortune's Most Powerful Women, and Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year.
She's been a strong and powerful advocate for women as CEO, Chair, and Emeritus Board Advisor of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), co-founder of the Invent Your Future Midwest conference, and co-founder of the Indiana Governor's Conference for Women.
In today's Jam Session, Billie and I jammed on the biggest barrier holding women back in entrepreneurship, what's happening in Silicon Valley with women, and women investing in other women. We riff on women playing in the same sandbox, and whether we do it well. Billie points the way to a number of resources, including resources for mentorship -- and enlightens us on her latest initiatives she's working on through NAWBO. We talk about why we need more women in leadership, and the greatest thing keeping them from 'leaning in' or 'playing big.'
We dig into the shift occurring toward what are typically considered more feminine features, such as empathy, in the arenas of entrepreneurship, the corporate world and innovation.
And we discuss how we need men -- the ways men have helped each of us in our careers personally, and ways they can walk alongside to advance and advocate women in leadership and entrepreneurship in the future.
We even mention the Oscars, Reese Witherspoon and the red carpet.
If two soul sisters took a break during a jam session to catch up over coffee to talk about women in entrepreneurship and leadership, this is what it'd sound like. (Emphasis on the sound since our video was a little one-way. Fortunately, it was the right way.) Chill out, hang out and join us for a while.
Jam Sessions
Jam Sessions is an interview series hosted by Deb Owen, founder of Percorso, intended to enlighten, empower, and equip you in your life and business. Interviews cover a range of topics from branding and business, entrepreneurship, and conscious capitalism to inspiring individuals who've overcome amazing obstacles in their lives. Inspiration + strategy + lots of love.