Welcome to my first ep of Female Startup Club where I chat to a very talented (read: boss) woman I’m lucky to be able to call a friend, Gen George.
Gen’s successfully exited two businesses in the last 8 years, she runs a Facebook community called LMBDW for women in business that’s grown to more than 120k women worldwide AND she’s working on a third brand that’s disrupting the men’s skincare space (HOLY SMOKES... I know, right.) listen to this episode to see the 6 Q’s I asked Gen and hear more about her story.
The Birth of a Movement
With her background in startups, Gen found herself on a mission to connect with like-minded women who wanted to roll up their sleeves, sip some wine, and tackle business challenges head-on. Together with Jane Lu from Showpo, they created a community that now boasts over 120,000 women strong. Their first-ever conference, Bitch Con, is set to happen in Sydney this February. If you’re a woman in business, you absolutely have to be there!
Sustainability Is Key
When asked about her why, Gen emphasized the importance of sustainability in all their endeavors. “Whatever we do, it’s about how we make sure it has a lasting impact,” she said. For her, it’s essential that the initiatives continue to thrive, even if she were to step away. That’s the core of the Bitches movement — making sure it keeps replicating across cities and empowering women everywhere.
Gen and Jane have partnered with The Hunger Project to focus on micro-financing for women starting businesses in their local communities. It’s all about providing women with the tools they need to create sustainable impacts in their lives and the lives of those around them.
Reflecting on Impactful Moments
Reflecting on her journey, Gen highlights a pivotal moment when she decided to drop out of university. Her parents encouraged her to explore her passions, which led her to a gap year working on super yachts in France. It was during this time that the seed for One Shift was planted.
“Everything seems to happen for a reason,” she shares, pointing out how one decision led to another. After returning to Australia, she found herself on A Current Affair just six months later, which opened the door to valuable partnerships and opportunities she had never imagined.
Winning the Day
So, how does Gen manage to stay on top of everything? Her secret sauce includes quality time with loved ones and physical activity. Whether it's a swim in the sea or simply grounding herself by walking barefoot on the grass, Gen knows that taking care of herself fuels her success.
“I believe in making time for the people who matter and keeping active,” she says. It’s a reminder that even the busiest entrepreneurs need to find their balance.
Learning from Failure
Like any entrepreneur, Gen has faced challenges along the way. One major lesson came from her experience with Tammy, where a crucial infrastructure choice didn’t pan out as expected. The team had to deal with significant delays and client concerns, which taught them the importance of resilience and adaptability.
Her approach? “Just take a step back, write down what needs to be done, and tackle the first three priorities,” she advises. It’s all about keeping that forward momentum, no matter the setbacks.
Spending Smart
If Gen found herself with only $1,000 left in her business bank account, she wouldn’t panic. Instead, she’d focus on creating meaningful content and building partnerships. “I’d interview women about their businesses and get them to share it with their networks,” she explains. It’s all about leveraging relationships and maximizing impact without breaking the bank.
Final Thoughts
As Gen wraps up her six questions, it’s clear that she’s not just building businesses — she’s creating a movement. Through her initiatives, she’s helping countless women find their footing in the business world while emphasizing sustainability, resilience, and community. So if you’re in the business scene or just starting out, keep an eye on what Gen is doing. She’s definitely someone you want to learn from!
