The Female Founders Alliance didn’t exist when I started Simplicity Consulting in 2006.
When I stepped away from a successful, 14-year career in corporate America, some people thought I was crazy. I wasn’t sure if I’d be successful out on my own, but I knew that I needed something different.
I had a track record of building businesses for companies and wondered if I could build my own. I loved working and with the birth of my second son, I realized that I needed to find a new, flexible way to work — something that seemed elusive as a corporate employee. Could I create a life where I had the best of both worlds: motherhood and a successful business? The answer, I learned, was yes.
I saw that companies were starting to explore alternatives to the traditional full-time employment model. And I realized that my desire to deliver impact coincided with their need to find and retain people with the expertise to strategize and execute impactful programs and initiatives.
So I pitched a project to my former VP—as a consultant. One successful project led to another, and soon my peers wanted to follow suit.
And while things have turned out all right for me—today, Simplicity is a $34M business that works with our region’s top companies, including Microsoft, Sonos, and Alaska Airlines—I would have benefitted greatly from the resources, access, and community that FFA provides to this next-generation of female founders. There weren’t many women-owned businesses when I was starting out, and I didn’t have many women in my network who’d successfully done the thing that I was trying to do.
Actions speak louder than words
I became involved with Female Founders Alliance as a mentor last year for its inaugural Ready Set Raise accelerator. This year, I’m honored to be a member of the Champion Awards selection committee.
But that didn’t feel like quite enough, because supporting women entrepreneurs is a cause that is near and dear to my heart and core to my life’s work.
That’s why I’m putting my money where my mouth is and stepping up as a Gold Sponsor of the Female Founders Alliance.
At Simplicity, our marketing, communications, and business operations experts help our clients tell their stories, engage their networks, and reach new audiences. To pay it forward, we are funding a marketing resource for 2019 to help FFA amplify its message and grow its reach. I’m excited to see how this contribution will accelerate FFA’s impact.
I’m committed to FFA’s success because its mission is SO vital: enabling female founders to make their mark and literally change the world.
Pay it forward—again and again
I truly believe that societal change starts with businesses, and I consider it my responsibility and privilege to empower women to live the lives they want to lead.
I’ve spent the better part of my career helping women (and men!) find their personal definition of success. I love adding value to people’s lives and helping others find their inner confidence, recognize their self-worth and personal brand, and integrate all aspects of their lives.
As we find success in our careers and learn from the inevitable failures along the way, it’s the responsibility of us all to pay it forward, again and again. Take the meeting. Lend a hand. Teach a lesson. Share your expertise. Those little actions add up to big change in our community.
Vote!
I’m proud to serve on the selection committee for this year’s Champion Awards. And you didn’t make easy work for us: the nominees represent the best of our region’s advocates and allies.
Now that the finalists have been selected, it’s your turn.
Vote for your Champions! I promise you’ll be inspired as you read about these incredible individuals and companies who are advancing women’s causes in our community.
Then, get your tickets for the Champion Awards on April 4 at the Pacific Science Center. If it’s anything like last year, it will be an incredibly inspiring celebration.
See you there!
Lisa Hufford is the founder & CEO of Simplicity Consulting—a $34M business consultancy that helps innovative companies accelerate growth, add a fresh perspective, and increase capacity with on-demand access to marketing, communications, and business operations experts.
Simplicity is a five-time Inc. 5000 honoree. Lisa is an Inc. Top 10 Female Entrepreneur, an E&Y Entrepreneurial Winning Woman, and the author of Navigating the Talent Shift.
