#so608 Recycle: On Not Being a Girlboss, Raising Capital & NYC Startup Life with Recently Acquired FEST biz Bow & Drape

Spirit of 608: Fashion, Entrepreneurship, Sustainability + Tech

Hot on the sparkling, sequined heels of FEST biz Bow & Drape's recent acquisition news, we're bringing back a popular conversation with co-founder Aubrie Pagano, who helped lead the company from its early days as a custom women's apparel startup to its current life as the go-to for punny casual wear featuring phrases like Goal Digger, You Had Me at Merlot + more. In this #so608 Recycle episode, Aubrie and I talk NYC startup life, fundraising, microfunds for female founders and a lot more. Whatever the size of your company, Aubrie brings a perspective that not only highlights how entrepreneurial paths shift, change and evolve in the most surprising ways, but also points to a future where more women-led businesses have a chance to thrive.

Sign up for the PressDope weekly email to get DIY PR tips and The Dope List of media opps, calls for pitches, FEST events and more ways to raise your visibility.

<3 <3 <3 Oh hey there! Please help the podcast out and leave us a rating and review on iTunes.

This stuff is key to the show's success, and I appreciate you helping me play the game. <3 <3 <3

HOW TO LISTEN:

Listen online: Just press play above or subscribe via RSS to receive all new episodes.

iOS, iPhone, iPad: Subscribe via iTunes or download the Apple Podcast app and subscribe by searching for Spirit of 608 in the app.

Android: Download the free Stitcher app and search for Spirit of 608 in the app.

What you need to know:

Bow & Drape was recently acquired, an event that may point to a wider shift in the direct-to-consumer ecommerce space, according to Forbes. Along with that, we just love what Aubrie has to say, so we thought it was the perfect time to bring her back and share her wisdom again. In this conversation, Aubrie shares that, even though so many startup founders today think they've got to secure venture capital, choosing that route for outside funding is not for everyone - nor is it right for every company (which, btw, is not necessarily a bad thing). Aubrie lets us in on her tips for any founder planning to approach venture capital firms or individual investors in the future. From networking your way to the right people to bringing solid stats to the table, her advice will make you want to take notes. Plus, she's kind of a unicorn: one of a handful of female investors in venture capital who's built her own company while still having fun and turning out ridiculously good puns.

Linkage:

Website: bowanddrape.com / xfactor.ventures

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BowAndDrape

Twitter: @bowanddrape / @XFactorVentures

Instagram: @bowanddrape

Mattermark

inDiniro

Flybridge

Captio

Howie Liu's company Airtable

Conscious Coconut

120: Investing in the Next Billion Dollar Female-Led Businesses with Aubrie Pagano of XFactor Ventures and Bow & Drape

37: Making it Custom, Cool & Customer-Led with Aubrie Pagano of Bow & Drape

Inside the New Footwear Venture of Two Former Zappos Execs

Bow & Drape Is Latest Brand Snapped Up By An E-Commerce Holding Company

Find more episodes featuring women at the forefront of FEST online at www.Spiritof608.com.