A DVANCE P RAISE FOR Leapfrog
Leapfrogs scrappy yet sophisticated advice helps aspiring entrepreneurs from all backgrounds understand how to be the CEOs of our own lives and the creators of our destinies.
J AMIA W ILSON , executive director and publisher, Feminist Press, City University of New York
A must-have for every woman, budding entrepreneur or not. [Its] packed with practical and relevant adviceyou cant help but be emboldened to take that first step toward making your business idea a reality.
J A CKI Z EHNER, chief engagement officer and cofounder of Women Moving Millions
For those of us who dont have an MBA or a million-dollar network to pave the way, we have Nathalies helpful hacks to catapult us into the C-suite and beyond.
R UTHIE A CKERMAN , deputy editor of Women@Forbes
There is hidden money and opportunity in America. Nathalie provides the shortcuts to solve the puzzle and go get it!
N ELY G ALN, author of New York Timesbestselling Self Made: Becoming Empowered, Self-Reliant, and Rich in Every Way
Filled with practical advice for real women on everything from funding to finding a network; Nathalie understands that women want to build from the heart, and that how you get there is just as important as where youre going.
D ANIELLE K AYEMBE , author of The Silent Rise of the Female-Driven Economy
I believe everyone has the entrepreneurial spirit within themthe information and inspiration within Leapfrog will serve to empower all women for generations to come.
N INA V ACA, founder, chairman, and CEO, Pinnacle Group
With Nathalie Molina Nios help, maybe we can finally thwart the system that has kept women from thriving.
M ARIE C . W ILSON , honorary founder and president emerita, Ms. Foundation for Women; founder and president emerita, The White House Project; advisory board chair, VoteRunLead
The new playbook for the modern entrepreneur who is redefining success on her own terms. Nathalie is clearly rooting for all of us.
T IFFANY D UFU, tiffanydufu.com
Bring your best gamethe road map is in your hands.
L OLA C . W EST, managing director, WestFuller Advisors LLC
A definite must-read for any woman entrepreneur serious about scaling.
M ELANIE H AWKEN, Lionesses of Africa
In her brilliant new book, Nathalie Molina Nio shares the indispensable advice thats helped her guide women entrepreneurs from zero to scalable and thriving businessesand can transform yours as well.
D ORIE C LARK , adjunct professor, Duke University Fuqua School of Business
Leapfrog cuts through the typical lift yourself up by your bootstraps advice... to get to the delicious truth of the hustle that is possible for entrepreneurs often locked out of the system.
K A T C OLE , COO and president, North America, Focus Brands
If you have this book, it will change your life, whether you are on an entrepreneurial path or just dreaming of taking the leap.
W HITNEY S MITH , chief of strategy and brand at The Dream Corps
I cannot recommend Leapfrog too highlyits the secret weapon we all need in the face of rich white male privilege to help level the entrepreneurial playing field.
C INDY G ALLOP, founder and CEO, MakeLoveNotPorn
Nathalie Molina Nio has finally given us the book weve been wanting about women entrepreneurs in the twenty-first century.
J IMMIE B RIGGS , cofounder, Man Up Campaign, NYC Gender Equity Commission
An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
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Copyright 2018 by Nathalie Molina Nio LLC
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Molina Nio, Nathalie, author. | Grace, Sara, author.
Title: Leapfrog : the new revolution for women entrepreneurs / Nathalie
Molina Nio, Sara Grace.
Description: First Edition. | New York : TarcherPerigee, 2018. | Includes bibliographical references. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2018009313 (print) | LCCN 2018012981 (ebook) | ISBN 9780525503927 (e-book) | ISBN 9780143132202 (paperback)
Subjects: LCSH: Businesswomen. | Entrepreneurship. | BISAC: BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Entrepreneurship. | BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Motivational.
Classification: LCC HD6053 (ebook) | LCC HD6053 .M586 2018 (print) | DDC 658.4/21082dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018009313
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services. If you require legal advice or other expert assistance, you should seek the services of a competent professional.
While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers, internet addresses, and other contact information at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
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For my small but mighty power circle of feminists, matriarchs, and warriors, starting with Maritza, Johnny, my tia Carmita, and the love of my life, my abuelita Blanca Bethsabeth Gil
Contents
Foreword
N ATHALIE M OLINA N IO is a fierce friend and tireless advocate known for getting things done. The organization I founded and lead, Black Girls CODE, has benefitted many times from Nathalies indefatigable willingness to connect, advocate, and shout until the impossible is done. Today, any Lyft rider can instantly donate to Black Girls CODE thanks, in part, to Nathalies stepping up and making a connectionjust one of the many items added to her completed to-do list. Ive been happy to support her, as well, during critical leaps, like when I flew to the White House to help her announce her newly launched company at South by South Lawn in 2016. And I was equally happy to join her here, now, in the pages of this book.
One of my favorite moments with Nathalie, one that I found myself remembering as I read Leapfrog, was backstage at New York Fashion Week in 2015 to participate in Carrie Hammers Role Models Not Runway Models show. Hair and makeup were done and the audience started to pile into the space. We were moments from starting and I looked around and noticed no one was the color they were born. Many, many of us had turned anxious shades of strange hues. The pre-show panic and jitters were in full effect and I found myself, like everyone else, incredibly nervous. Everyone, that is, but Nathalie, who was brimming with excitement and offered up a pep talk that shifted everything.