#147: Female founders, purpose-led startups, "getting unstuck" in order to grow your business, recharging and recovery with Julie Perkins

Julie Perkins is an accomplished entrepreneur, business owner, purpose-led coach, and growth advocate. She founded Wyseminds after spending 20 years growing Specsavers Opticians in the Netherlands. Through her experiences, both good and bad, she discovered the transformative power of a purpose-driven approach to business growth. This insight inspired her to establish Wyseminds, a platform dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs, helping them achieve growth with greater joy and freedom.We cover the following:00:00 Introduction01:53 Julie’s career journey: From Specsavers to Wyseminds, cancer diagnosis, and finding purpose04:15 Emotional journey: Loneliness, transition from corporate to founder, and the importance of mentorship06:49 Passion to purpose: How founders can reconnect with their vision and values11:12 Value-based recruitment: Building the right team and letting go of misaligned people13:31 Lessons from Specsavers: Purpose-led growth, partnership, and culture16:18 Funding and credibility: When to raise money, bootstrapping, and financial confidence19:22 Stakeholder mapping: Communicating with family, friends, and supporters22:24 Strategy vs. purpose: Diagnosing founder frustration and the importance of realignment24:93 Letting go: The founder’s journey, growth, and the power of release27:33 Mindset shifts: Freedom, release, and realigning with purpose29:53 Personal energy & recovery: Routines, rest, and sustaining long-term entrepreneurship43:33 Final advice: Vision, growth, guardrails, and support for female founders.***