23. The Case of “Keith Mann”
Hey there, Risers & Thrivers!
In this episode, Janine sits down with Conny to unpack the unique challenges that female founders encounter in the startup landscape. We dive into the compelling story of Penelope Gazin and Kate Dwyer, who, back in 2016, invented a male co-founder named "Keith Mann" to navigate gender biases that often blocked their path. With "Keith" in the mix, they saw firsthand how doors that were previously closed to them suddenly opened, and respect came more readily.
We discuss:
The obstacles Penelope and Kate faced and how the invention of "Keith" helped them level the playing field while building Witchsy
Insights from Janine’s own research and interviews with other founders about creative strategies to combat bias
Practical tips and tools for women entrepreneurs to help navigate and mitigate bias in their journeys
This episode is a powerful reminder of the resilience required of underrepresented founders and the urgent need for systemic change in the business world.
Tune in and get inspired! Happy Listening 🎧
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Acknowledgments
Intro/Outro & Interlude Music: Music by oussama arichi from Pixabay
Timestamps
Introduction and Context (00:00:00)
The Witchsy Story (00:01:32)
Challenges Faced by Witchsy’s Founders (00:07:16)
Bittersweet Triumph (00:18:40)
Research Insights on Gender Bias (00:21:13)
Understanding Prevention vs. Promotion Questions (00:26:58)
The Importance of Leaning into Strengths (00:28:47)
Closing Remarks and Future Topics (00:33:45)
