F5 Collective Presents Women in Business

Vicky Pasche went from casino marketing director to fashion entrepreneur with zero fashion background. When she finally found clothes that fit her masculine-presenting body, everything changed. Now Dapper Boi—the inclusive clothing brand she co-founded with her wife—is saving lives. A parent once reached out to say their suicidal 14-year-old started smiling again after seeing a Dapper Boi ad, knowing she belonged on this earth.In this episode, Vicky shares:✨ Why a suicidal teen started smiling again after seeing their ad✨ The moment a friend gave her "permission" to shop in the men's department✨ Trying on her first pair of men's jeans: "I had never felt so confident"✨ Her wife's honest words: "You look like a hot mess"✨ Why men's clothes didn't fit her body (two sizes too big for her butt)✨ Launching on Kickstarter with zero fashion background✨ Getting hung up on by manufacturers: "Do you know what you're talking about?"✨ The VP who said her ideas were "terrible"—then promoted her the next day✨ Merging women's functional pockets with men's durability✨ Why Dapper Boi is their "third child"✨ Creating hotel uniforms so employees can feel confident at work✨ Building a gender-neutral brand without being "triggering"Whether you're LGBTQ+, masculine-presenting, or just tired of clothes that don't fit, Vicky's story proves that representation matters and confidence changes everything.About Vicky Pasche:Vicky Pasche is the Co-Founder and CEO of Dapper Boi, an inclusive clothing brand for everybody and every body. From Saratoga, NY to San Diego casinos to Valencia, Spain, Vicky is building a brand that helps people feel seen, confident, and like they belong.👔 Shop Dapper Boi at https://www.dapperboi.com/The growth engine for women who mean business. http://f5collective.com0:00 Opening: A 14-Year-Old Started Smiling Again1:11 Introduction: Dapper Boi Co-Founder1:53 Casino Marketing Director2:09 Growing Up in Saratoga, NY3:00 College & Early Career4:52 Your Ideas Are Terrible—Promoted the Next Day6:00 Moving to San Diego7:11 Felt Frumpy, Unseen, Unconfident7:51 A Friend Gave Me Permission8:31 Shopping in the Men's Department9:17 Never Felt So Confident9:50 Meeting My Wife10:18 You Look Like a Hot Mess10:50 Two Sizes Too Big for My Butt11:19 Dapper = Confidence, Not Suits11:58 Manufacturers Hung Up on Us13:04 Merging Men's & Women's Jeans14:00 Launching on Kickstarter16:00 Zero Fashion Background18:00 Building the Brand20:00 Marketing & PR Strategy22:00 The Community Response24:16 The Suicidal 14-Year-Old: Full Story25:00 Dapper Boi is Our Third Child26:16 Connect Early and Often28:00 Fundraising & Investors30:47 Free PR: Pitching Media33:00 Manufacturing & Supply Chain35:00 Product Development37:00 Inclusive Fashion Mission39:51 Hotel & Hospitality Uniforms42:00 B2B Opportunity44:00 Advice for Entrepreneurs45:03 Rapid Five Q&A

Peggy Curry spent 17 years searching for answers. She had severe panic disorder and agoraphobia. Her husband had debilitating migraines. All four of their kids were chronically sick. No doctor could help them. Then one client said, "Get tested for gluten intolerance." Within a month, their entire family's lives changed. Now Peggy is the Co-Founder of Curry Girls Kitchen and author of "Damn Good Gluten Free Eating," on a mission to help others discover food is medicine.In this episode, Peggy shares:✨ 17 years of searching before discovering gluten intolerance✨ Managing severe panic disorder and agoraphobia from ages 18-28✨ Teaching special ed while friends drove her to work✨ Four kids all chronically sick—no doctor ever mentioned food✨ Her daughter Megan's debilitating symptoms from birth✨ The moment everything changed: "We're all gluten intolerant"✨ Creating Eva's Garden Organic Marinara after her mom died of breast cancer✨ "I no longer wanted to raise money for disease—I wanted to teach prevention"✨ The Curry Girls Method: Bio-individuality in food✨ Why "Damn Good Gluten Free" took 12 years to write✨ Growing Great: Teaching kids where food comes from✨ "Happy cells, happy body, happy life"Whether you're struggling with chronic health issues, food sensitivities, or just want to feel better, Peggy's story proves that when doctors can't help, food can heal.About Peggy Curry:Peggy Curry is the Co-Founder of Curry Girls Kitchen, Co-Founder and Board Member of Growing Great, and author of "Damn Good Gluten Free Eating." From special ed teacher to food-as-medicine advocate, Peggy is transforming lives by teaching people that food is medicine.📖 Get the cookbook: "Damn Good Gluten Free Eating"🥗 Learn more at https://currygirlskitchen.com/The growth engine for women who mean business.http://www.f5collective.com0:00 Opening: 17 Years of Hell0:26 Introduction: Curry Girls & Growing Great1:00 Damn Good Gluten Free Eating1:30 Growing Up in West L.A.2:30 Mom's Business: Lily's of Beverly Hills3:30 Met Her Husband at 154:20 Getting Sick: Panic Disorder5:00 Becoming a Special Ed Teacher6:37 Teaching in Culver City7:30 Friends Who Took Care of Me8:30 Starting a Family9:41 Megan Was So Sick from Birth10:30 All Four Kids Were Sick11:29 Never Giving Up11:45 17 Years of Hell12:17 Get Tested for Gluten Intolerance12:43 We're All Gluten Intolerant12:56 Within a Month, All Our Lives Changed13:54 Mom Died of Breast Cancer15:00 Eva's Garden Organic Marinara16:00 No Longer Raising Money for Disease17:00 Teaching People How to Eat for Health19:00 The Food Cleanse & Reset21:57 Curry Girls Kitchen24:00 Growing Great: Kids & Food27:00 The Cookbook Journey30:00 Make Life Delicious Every Day31:02 Bio-Individuality: What Works for You31:07 Happy Cells, Happy Body, Happy Life35:00 Damn Good Gluten Free: 12 Years in the Making40:00 Refine Your Mission45:00 Community & Support50:00 Advice for Entrepreneurs55:28 Rapid Five Q&A

Erica Keith spent 18 years at Hallmark Cards, collaborating with Dr. Maya Angelou and Jill Scott. Then she took a leap of faith into entrepreneurship. When her seven-year-old son Kingston ran crying to the backyard after seeing George Floyd's death, everything changed. That moment sparked Black Forward—a brand celebrating Black culture, representation, and positive messages for the Black and brown community.In this episode, Erica shares:✨ Why her son's tears became the catalyst for Black Forward✨ Leaving the security of corporate America with three kids and a new house✨ Her husband's powerful words: "You should do you"✨ Creating Juneteenth t-shirts when no one was really talking about Juneteenth✨ 18 years at Hallmark collaborating with Maya Angelou and Jill Scott✨ Starting with a portfolio that "lacked" and returning years later: "You're in"✨ The intersection of design and activism✨ Opening a pop-up shop on historic Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia✨ Building community while being a solopreneur, mom, choir director, and volunteer✨ Why knowing our history helps us have a stronger futureWhether you're in design, building a purpose-driven brand, or making the leap from corporate to entrepreneur, Erica's story will inspire you to create something meaningful.About Erica Keith:Erica Keith is a creative strategist, art director, and CEO & Founder of Black Forward, a brand celebrating Black culture through apparel, home goods, and positive messaging. From Cincinnati to Philadelphia to 18 years at Hallmark, Erica now uses design to shape culture and community narratives.🖤 Shop Black Forward at https://www.ericakeith.com/blackforwardThe growth engine for women who mean business.http://f5collective.com0:00 Opening: My Son Asked Why Police Killed George Floyd0:30 Introduction1:30 From Cincinnati to Philadelphia2:24 Extremely Quiet Child Observing Beauty3:06 Drawing from Jet and Ebony Magazines4:00 Applying to Tyler School of Art4:44 Portfolio Lacking—Come Back5:00 Community College of Philadelphia5:45 Falling in Love with Graphic Design6:20 Portfolio Review: You're In6:53 Hallmark Recruiting at Tyler7:19 Moving to Kansas City9:45 Collaborating with Dr. Maya Angelou10:49 The Jill Scott Collection12:30 18 Years at Hallmark13:07 Becoming an Adjunct Professor15:00 Teacher, Counselor, Therapist16:00 Moving Back to Philadelphia16:36 Director of Diversity & Inclusion17:20 The Call to Become an Entrepreneur17:35 My Husband Said: You Should Do You18:18 Everything Fell Into Place20:49 Design as Activism23:21 Kingston Was Seven Years Old25:13 The First Juneteenth T-Shirts26:20 Black Forward: The Name28:00 Print on Demand Model30:09 Knowing Our History = Stronger Future32:14 Pop-Up Shop on Germantown Avenue34:00 Balancing Black Forward & Client Work37:00 The Importance of Community40:00 Youth Choir & School Volunteer42:00 Boundaries & Self-Care45:00 What's Next: 5-10 Year Plan45:35 Rapid Five Q&A51:08 Advice: Take a Mini Business Course

0:00 Opening: The Algorithm is Bullshit0:30 Introduction: Creative Director to Handbag Designer1:30 Growing Up Creative: Movies & Family2:06 The Bangkok Buying Trip2:45 Finding the Sparkly Recycled Material3:21 The Sustainability Story4:00 Deciding to Make Bags, Not Suits5:00 Late Night Birthday Conversation5:37 Creating Film Scripts for Each Bag7:00 Storytelling Over Product Shots8:30 Naming Le Sept: The Seven10:52 The Seven Bag Personalities13:00 Building the Brand Without Money15:00 Who You Know vs What You Know17:38 When Mistakes Become Wins18:30 Working with Suppliers in Thailand19:43 The Algorithm is Bullshit: Full Story21:31 Customers Don't Know What They Want22:00 We're Going Into a Clone Society23:06 Find Your Own ThingFrom creative director in advertising to handbag designer, Alex Antoniou is building Le Sept on her own terms—and rejecting the algorithm-driven sameness of modern fashion. Her bags have personality, her brand has story, and her approach to business is refreshingly rebellious.In this episode, Alex shares:✨ Why the algorithm is bullshit and makes everyone look the same✨ How a random buying trip in Bangkok turned into a business✨ Building a brand through storytelling and film, not product shots✨ Why you should be your own number one customer✨ The power of pulling in favors and collaborating with creative friends✨ How a manufacturing mistake became her best design✨ Going against the Instagram template culture to stay true to your vision✨ Why customers don't know what they want (and why that's okay)Whether you're in fashion, creative industries, or building any kind of brand, Alex's approach will inspire you to trust your instincts and create something that actually stands out.About Alex Antoniou:Alex is the Founder of Le Sept, an Australian handbag brand built on storytelling, sustainability, and serious style. With a background in creative directing for major brands, Alex is now channeling her experience into building something uniquely her own—bags with personality and a brand with soul.👜 Discover Le Sept and the stories behind each bag at https://www.lesept.com.auThe growth engine for women who mean business.http://www.f5collective.com

0:00 Opening: I Declined Celebrity Clients0:44 Introduction: DeyThaMUA & Shine by Dey1:53 Growing Up: Always Into Art2:08 Drawing on Her Shirt at Age 42:39 Creating Shine by Dey Cosmetics4:00 Chi Arts: Chicago High School for the Arts6:33 Imposter Syndrome Still Exists8:39 Discovering Makeup Through YouTube10:58 Charging the First Client11:41 Starting Makeup in Her Dorm Room12:42 When I First Started, I Would Cry15:30 Building a Client Base18:00 Service-Based to Product-Based Business22:00 Art as a Collage25:00 Working with Elite Clientele27:42 My Heart Has to Be In It30:25 Your Prom Girl Matters Just as Much35:00 Boundaries & Non-Negotiables40:00 The Importance of Community42:28 Going to DePaul University45:00 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs49:34 Rapid Five Q&ADeja Blackwell started doing makeup in her college dorm room, crying about who would pay her. Now she's the Founder and CEO of DeyThaMUA and Shine by Dey Cosmetics—working with elite clients while staying true to her values. When celebrity requests started coming in, she did something most artists wouldn't: she said no.In this episode, Deja shares:✨ Why she declined celebrity clients who wanted her to cancel on regular clients✨ Starting her business crying in her dorm room, wondering who would pay her✨ The imposter syndrome that persists even after achieving your dreams✨ How she went from service-based (makeup artistry) to product-based (cosmetics line)✨ Learning your non-negotiables and staying true to your values✨ Why your prom girl and wedding client matter just as much as any celebrity✨ Building a business where your heart is always in it✨ The moment she realized she needed to create her own cosmetics lineWhether you're in beauty, service-based business, or building a brand, Deja's story will remind you that integrity and authenticity matter more than any opportunity.About Deja Blackwell:Deja Blackwell is the Founder and CEO of DeyThaMUA, a makeup artistry business, and Shine by Dey Cosmetics. From her Chicago roots and Chi Arts High School training to working with elite clientele, Deja has built a business grounded in art, integrity, and keeping her word.💄 Learn more at https://www.deythamua.com/The growth engine for women who mean business.http://f5collective.com

0:00 Opening: I Got Funded 3 Weeks After I Quit My Job0:46 Growing Up: Always Interested in Math & Science1:09 Seeing Math Come Alive in Science1:53 Rocket Engineer Cousin & Choosing MIT2:21 Plasma Physics: Energy from the Sun3:27 How Food Became the Focus3:52 NASA & The Apollo Space Program4:09 How Do You Feed Astronauts on Long Space Journeys?4:43 Using Cultures Like Yogurt to Make Food4:53 Feeding 9 Billion People: Where Will the Land Come From?5:25 Meeting John Reid & Starting the Journey6:12 The Business Plan Competition6:41 Kiverdi to Air Protein: The Evolution7:05 Dad the Entrepreneur: 55 Hair Salons7:49 Family of Entrepreneurs Following Dad11:27 NASA Technology Transfer Program12:36 Raising Capital & December 202022:32 Lisa, You're Taking Too Much Risk31:23 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs31:43 Watching Dad's Highs & Lows32:13 Many Entrepreneurs Sprint for Too Long33:06 Product-Market Fit: It May Take 4 Iterations36:25 Go For It & Put Your Whole Self In37:00 The Commitment Story: 3 Weeks After Quitting37:40 Rapid Five Q&A38:02 What Did You Want to Be When You Grew Up?38:46 What Always Makes You Smile?39:11 What You Know Now: Embracing Failure & Iteration39:50 Iterate Faster, Get Further40:14 Guilty Pleasure: Half a Cheesecake for Dinner41:13 Cat or Dog: Buddy the Australian Yorkshire Terrier41:43 How to Avoid Founder Burnout42:08 Non-Negotiable Boundaries42:54 Be Optimistic AND RealisticDr. Lisa Dyson is solving world hunger with space-age technology. As CEO and Co-Founder of Air Protein, she's using NASA-inspired science to create protein from elements in the air—no farmland, minimal resources, maximum impact. Her journey from MIT physicist to climate tech entrepreneur is proof that when you commit fully, everything shifts.In this episode, Lisa shares:✨ Why she got funded 3 weeks after quitting her job (the power of full commitment)✨ How NASA's Apollo space program inspired a solution to feed 9+ billion people✨ Transitioning from physics PhD to climate tech entrepreneur✨ Why iteration beats perfection (and how she learned this in grad school)✨ Growing up with an entrepreneur dad and 55 hair salons✨ The non-negotiable boundaries that prevent founder burnout✨ Celebrating small wins when you're building something massive✨ Being optimistic AND realistic as a founderWhether you're in climate tech, biotech, deep tech, or just building something ambitious, Lisa's story will inspire you to think bigger and commit harder.About Dr. Lisa Dyson:Dr. Lisa Dyson is the CEO and Co-Founder of Air Protein, a company making sustainable protein using elements from the air. With a PhD in Physics from MIT and a passion for solving climate change through innovation, Lisa is building the future of food—inspired by 1960s NASA research.🌍 Learn more at http://airprotein.comThe growth engine for women who mean business.http://f5collective.com

0:00 Opening: From Front Runner to Bottom of the Pile0:28 Introduction1:25 Three Elite Sports: Trampoline, Beach Volleyball, CrossFit1:39 Parents Met on a Trampoline2:17 17 Years of Trampoline: 12x National Champion2:37 Making a List of Sports You Can Peak in at 30+3:16 Starting Beach Volleyball from Zero3:38 Tragically Awful with All Balls4:29 How CrossFit Happened Accidentally5:17 100 Pull-Ups, Push-Ups, Sit-Ups & Squats5:46 Number One in Australia, Top 10 in the World6:02 What Draws You to Elite Sport: The Sense of Progress6:57 Transition from Player to Coach12:28 Starting Over: The Hardest Part of Career Change29:42 Confidence vs Self-Doubt in Competition37:32 Rapid Five Q&A38:02 What Did You Want to Be When You Grew Up?38:44 What Makes You Smile: Hiking & Type Two Fun39:20 A Month in Patagonia39:36 What You Know Now: Putting People First40:22 Guilty Pleasure: Chocolate40:38 Working in a Chocolate Shop41:36 Cat or Dog: Pet-Sitting Across America42:44 Travel is Cheaper Than You Think43:19 60+ Countries & Why Americans Should Travel MoreChristie Jenkins was #1 in Australia and top 10 in the world across three elite sports—trampoline, beach volleyball, and CrossFit. Then she retired and had to start over at the bottom. As an elite athlete turned keynote speaker, investor, and Co-Founder of FC32 (a multi-club football ownership group), Christie knows what it takes to rebuild when your identity shifts.In this episode, Christie shares:✨ Why starting over at the bottom is hard when you've been #1 your whole life✨ How she made a list of sports you can peak in at 30+ (strategic career planning)✨ Going from "tragically awful with all balls" to Australian beach volleyball team✨ The moment you retire: when you stop feeling progress✨ Why all things get done by people (relationships > tasks)✨ Transitioning from athlete to coach to investor and speaker✨ The mindset shifts required when you change careers entirely✨ How to travel the world on a budget (60+ countries, pet-sitting across America)Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or high achiever facing a major transition, Christie's story will inspire you to embrace starting from scratch while leveraging everything you've learned.About Christie Jenkins:Christie Jenkins is an elite athlete, keynote speaker, investor, and Co-Founder of FC32, a multi-club football ownership group. 12-time national trampoline champion, Australian team member in three sports, and top 10 in the world across all three. Now she's bringing the athlete's mindset to business and investing.🏐 Learn more at https://www.christiejenkins.com.au/The growth engine for women who mean business.http://f5collective.com

0:00 Opening: Only 10% of Your Time is Your Passion1:31 Growing Up Creative: Grandmother, Opera Singer Mom2:46 Learning Art from Grandmother3:13 Fashion: The Perfect Mix of Art & Engineering4:23 Navigating the Intense Apparel Industry5:18 Finding Your Unique Strengths in Fashion6:06 Fantasy Erotica: Discovering a Hidden Passion7:06 Luis Royo & The Cambrian Explosion8:19 She-Ra & Creating Warrior Women11:11 Transitioning from Art to Business17:52 Sacred Geometry in Textile Design21:05 Opening the Boutique Store27:52 Staffing Challenges & Finding the Right People30:06 The Reality: Only 10% is Passion30:48 You Cannot Do It By Yourself31:16 Falling Flat on Your Face & Getting Back Up32:05 Law of Reciprocity: There's Always an Audience33:29 Sacred Geometry & Mathematical Precision in ArtArtist and fashion designer Lulu Zagame shares the unfiltered truth about turning creative passion into a thriving business. From learning watercolor from her grandmother to running her own boutique, Lulu opens up about the realities of entrepreneurship that nobody talks about.In this episode, we dive into:✨ Why you only get to spend 10% of your time on your actual passion✨ The truth about falling flat on your face (multiple times) and why it's worth it✨ How sacred geometry and mathematical precision show up in her textile designs✨ Balancing motherhood, staffing challenges, and creative calling✨ Why you absolutely cannot do it aloneWhether you're an artist, designer, or entrepreneur building something from the ground up, Lulu's story will inspire you to keep going—even when it gets hard.About Lulu Zagame:Lulu is an artist, fashion designer, author, and owner of Lulu Zagame Clothing Store. Her work blends textile illustration with nature-inspired designs, creating wearable art that tells a story. https://www.luluzagame.comThe growth engine for women who mean business.http://www.f5collective.com

0:00 Opening: You Have to Be Comfortable with Not Knowing0:43 Introduction2:10 Entrepreneurial Background & Family3:40 Landing in TV Production6:03 How Yoga Changed Everything7:36 The Decision to Teach Yoga8:15 Opening the First Studio10:51 Expanding to Multiple Locations13:01 Managing 26 Teachers17:55 Work-Life Balance & Setting Boundaries20:06 Writing "Finding Home" & The Journal21:04 Different Types of Yoga Practices23:59 Pivoting During COVID25:27 The Difficult Decision to Close27:25 Teaching Online vs In-Person30:09 Staying Connected with Students49:55 Rapid Five Q&A1:06:43 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs1:08:57 Five Things to Start a BusinessFrom TV game shows to yoga studio owner and published author—Mahnaz Jahangiri shares how she built a business around helping people, even when she didn't have all the answers.In this episode, Mahnaz opens up about:✨ Why being comfortable with not knowing is essential for entrepreneurs✨ The transition from Jeopardy! and The Price is Right to opening Samadhi Yoga✨ How every job prepares you for the next (even when it doesn't seem related)✨ Finding your dharma and building a business you'd do for free✨ Creating community through service, not just transactions✨ The five things to keep in mind when starting a businessWhether you're transitioning careers, starting from scratch, or building something that aligns with your values, Mahnaz's journey proves that you don't need to have it all figured out to begin.About Mahnaz Jahangiri:Mahnaz is the Director and Owner of Samadi Yoga in Thousand Oaks, California, and the author of "Finding Home: A Path to Emotional Stability & Self-Healing." She helps people find balance, grounding, and wellness through mindful movement and self-discovery.📖 Find Mahnaz's book and journal at http://SamadiYoga.comThe growth engine for women who mean business.http://www.f5collective.com