35 Female Visionaries You Need To Know

by David Garland

35 Female Visionaries You Need To Know Maybe it is the women’s studies major in me (yes, actual degree…up on the wall), but I feel like women just don’t get enough credit in the business/entrepreneurial world. As entrepreneurs. As business owners. As creative marketers. As big thinkers. As innovators. As world-changers. Their industries and roles are diverse: media, marketing, inventors, bloggers..and even a film maker. Some of the women below you might have heard of…others maybe not, but they all have similar qualities in common including success, drive and passion.

My advice? Get to know them. Look ’em up. Connect with them on Twitter. Visit their blogs and websites. Buy from them. Learn from them. It will be worth it.

In no particular order…

	1. Ali Brown – Ali International Why? Her story and teachings. Ali went from struggling to pay rent to now one of the most recognized and successful female entrepreneur personalities (with a multi-million dollar company to boot, including mentoring, training, and even a magazine). Interview with Ali on how she built her empire.
	2. Alexis Martin Neely – Family Wealth Planning Institute Why? Alexis has redefined an industry historically dominated by old white men: Law. She built a million-dollar practice by destroying the billable hour. Interview with Alexis on kicking the law industry in the pants.
	3. Patti Stanger – Millionaire’s Club Why? Not only can Patti find you a date, but her strong personality as The Millionaire Matchmaker has captivated men and women across the country as a result of her hugely successful show on Bravo. Interview with Patti on finding a niche and dominating.
	4. Dani Apted Schlottman – St. Louis Aces Why? As a sportspreneur, Dani has brought an interesting twist to the St. Louis Aces (professional team tennis team). Instead of marketing just to tennis fans, she has been able to bring in the big crowds by marketing the events as a high-class cocktail party. Sweet. Interview with Dani on creating a memorable experience.
	5. Stephanie Bagley – VaynerMedia Why? You have to love a woman in sports. Steph has been instrumental to the NHL’s success in social media. Also, you have to admire someone that has taken a deep passion (hockey) and turned it into a promising career. Interview with Steph on how the NHL is tapping into social media.
	6. Anita Campbell – Small Business Trends Why? Anita has created a small business empire (and started it before really anyone was paying attention to small businesses online). With partnerships with companies like HP and a viewership in the hundreds of thousands, Anita is one to admire. Interview with Anita on the rise of Small Business Trends.
	7. Maxine Clark – Build-A-Bear Workshop Why? The old saying is ideas are cheap, execution is priceless. Maxine took an idea for custom-made bears and has now turned it into one of the world’s most successful toy companies. Interview with Maxine on going from idea to product.
	8. Amy Cosper – Entrepreneur Magazine Why? Amy took a love for red pens and has turned it into a dream career. Not only has she revamped a brand, but she has brought it brand new life and appeal for the 21st century. Interview with Amy on her rise to the top.
	9. Gini Dietrich – Arment Dietrich Why? Some in the PR world innovate, while others fizzle. Gini puts the awesome in innovate (that doesn’t really make sense, but you know what I mean). As a leader in the public relations space, Gini has built a passionate following and booming business. Interview with Gini on the changing PR world.
	10. & 11. Mindee Doney and Julie Pickens – Little Busy Bodies, Inc. Why? From idea to over 3.4 million in sales, these two mompreneurs have modeled what it takes to raise a family AND launch a product. Interview with Mindee and Julie on the story of Little Busy Bodies, Inc.
	* Information combined with above
	12. Sarah Evans – Sevans Strategy Why? Sarah has the goal of one day owning the St. Louis Cardinals and if her rise to success is any indication of the future, it just might happen. A web 2.0 junkie and PR/marketing rock star, Sarah has become an online influencer, visionary, and rock star. Interview with Sarah on how she went from unknown to influential.
	13. Donna Fenn – Upstarts! Why? Donna took on quite a topic in her fantastic book, Upstarts!: Gen Y entrepreneurs. Through conducting hundreds of interviews, Donna has inspired many to create companies and also get in the head of the text-messaging generation. Interview with Donna on lessons learned from the Upstarts!.
	14. Dixie Gillaspie – Dixie Dynamite Coaching Why? She has coached some of the best (including “The Nametag Guy” Scott Ginsberg). Dixie is also the master of connections. She is just one of those people who REALLY seems to know everyone. (Very old school) interview with Dixie on building your network.
	15. Ishita Gupta – fear.less Why? Ishita is literally kicking fear in the face through her digital magazine start-up focusing on stories of overcoming fear. Knowing Ishita, it will be a smashing success. Interview with Ishita on starting a digital magazine.
	16. Kelly Hamilton – ALIVE Magazine Why? Media visionary Kelly Hamilton co-founded the unique ALIVE Magazine the way any good entrepreneur does it: With zero experience. Now revamped for the digital age, ALIVE has become a staple to St. Louis’ young and fabulous. Interview with Kelly on the magazine publishing industry.
	17. Tara Hunt – The Whuffie Factor Why? Anyone that talks about whuffie (defined as social capital) has to be on this list. Tara’s book is a fantastic glimpse into the social media world…before it became a buzzword. Interview with Tara on The Whuffie Factor.
	18. Shama Kabani – The Marketing Zen Group Why? Success couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. Shama has built an incredible personal brand in the marketing industry and also has built a booming online marketing business (as well as authoring a great book: The Zen Of Social Media Marketing). Interview with Shama on how she built her brand.
	19. Jessica Kim – BabbaCo Why? You won’t find the bubbly Jessica Kim wearing “Mom jeans.” Jessica has instead made a name for herself through a line of clothing and accesories for the chic mom. Interview with Jessica on her rise as a mompreneur.
	20. Amber MacArthur – MGI Media Why? Amber has built a huge name for herself (as a speaker, author, show host and more) in the extremely-male-centric world of tech. From Canada, the northern entrepreneur continues to build an incredible brand. Interview with Amber on her new book Power Friending and becoming known in the tech world.
	21. Amy Martin – Digital Royalty Why? Trivia question: Who was responsible for teaching Shaq how to tweet? How about the driver of the massive social media presence of the UFC? Answer: Amy Martin. Interview with Amy on becoming digital royalty.
	22. Kate McEachern – Cupkates Why? Now it seems everywhere you turn, there is a food truck selling everything from pasta to hot dogs. While we might not be able to pin down the very first food truck, Kate McEachern was certainly one of the early ones with Cupkates, her mobile cupcake truck in San Francisco. Kate on the creation of her truck.
	23. Dafna Michaelson – 50 in 52 Journey Why? Her incredible journey going to 50 states in 52 weeks to find America’s problem solvers and idea generators (wow!). Dafna on her journey.
	24. Amber Naslund – Radian6 Why? The Radian6 marketing queen and online influencer is now an author (The NOW Revolution just hit bookshelves with co-author Jay Baer). Amber is proof you can still be a rock star while working for a company. Interview with Amber on her crazy journey.
	25. Kim Overton – SPIbelt Why? From fitness trainer to entrepreneurial fitness maven, Kim not only took action on an idea for a unique product, but is thriving and growing. The story is just amazing. Interview with Kim on the story of SPIbelt.
	26. Melissa Pierce – Life In Perpetual Beta Why? Experience…overrated. Melissa, with no film experience, set out on a quest that combined technology and living an unplanned life. Her documentary is now being released to the world. Interview with Melissa on Life In Perpetual Beta.
	27. Laura Roeder – Roeder Studios Why? Laura couldn’t get in with the big corporations, so the young entrepreneur has now turned to small businesses (her true passion) by helping small business owners become rock stars. Interview with Laura on how she built her business.
	28. & 29. Suzanne Tucker & Ria Sharon – My Mommy Manual Why? In a crowded marketplace, Ria and Suzanne always find a way to stick out…even if it means putting on their PJs on camera. Some quick social media tips from Ria.
	30. Pamela Slim – Escape from Cubicle Nation Why? Escaping your own cubicle and then teaching others to do the same? Brilliant! Interview with Pamela on the keys to escaping the cubicle.
	31. Liz Strauss – SOBCon Why? Not only is Liz one of the most influential (non-celebrity, as she says) bloggers, but also the founder of the largest business blogging conference: SOBCon. Interview with Liz on her rise to success.
	32. Vanessa Van Petten – Radical Parenting Why? You might have caught her as the Youthologist on The Real Housewives of Orange County, but Vanessa’s story goes much deeper. No need to imagine writing a parenting book from a teen’s perspective, that is one of many things on Vanessa’s impressive resume. Interview with Vanessa on publishing, blogging and more.
	33. Elena Verlee – Cross Border Communications Why? She has created a dream situation for herself in the great white north: multiple six-figure businesses…all from the comfort of her home. Say bye-bye water cooler. Interview with Elena on how she built her business.
	34. Tamar Weinberg – Techipedia Why? Another lady in the tech game. Author, writer, blogger and awesome human being, Tamar Weinberg has a knack for building community (and she can teach you how to do it too). Interview with Tamar on the keys to a successful blog.
	35. Jenni Pulos – Flipping Out Why? Because Jenni rocks and little known fun fact: Bravo’s popular Flipping Out was actually her idea. Jenni on the story of Flipping Out.