Female Founder Series: Gina DeFord
Gina DeFord
Founder of Babe Crafted
What inspired you to start your own business?
“I started Babe Crafted to make space for women— space to learn and grow without judgment. Space to be meet new people who truly want to get to know them back. And space to have fun! Being a business owner is amazing, but it can also be lonely and isolating. No one has to walk this unique path alone— we can do it together!”
What challenges did you face as a female entrepreneur, and how did you overcome them?
“Learning my worth! Looking back on my earlier career, I accepted less money for the work I was doing than what it truly warranted. I just didn’t know it at the time. That set me up for a pattern where I was continuously unvalued and underpaid. However, when I became my own business owner, I realized I had the power to correct my path and am continuing to work towards choosing pricing that is truly aligned with my services. I have rewritten my “money story” and have regular gratitude practices for my finances.”
How do you maintain a work-life balance while running your business?
“I have some boundaries that protect my mental health and my time, including having set working hours and avoiding my inbox/notifications during non-work time. I’m about to become a first-time mom, so these boundaries and I’m sure lots of new ones will be more important than ever. I have really enjoyed being part of a support system through Babe Crafted for many of the moms in our membership, including first-time moms and mamas who are seasoned with older and/or multiple kids. Now I get to join the mom club, too! Cheers to being a mom AND a boss!”
What advice do you have for aspiring female entrepreneurs looking to start their own ventures?
“Never lose focus on WHY you started your amazing business! You’re going to have lots of different kinds of days in your business, and it’s so important to always keep your ‘why’ close to your heart, not just on the tough days, but also on the days you’re planning your next steps for your biz. Stay true to who you’re looking to serve, stay consistent with your efforts and celebrate your wins. Plus, save at least 10% of everything you make so you have a healthy savings stash— you never know when you’ll need it, but it gives you peace of mind to know you’ve got your back.”
Tell us about a defining moment or milestone in your entrepreneurial journey:
“We hit our 5-year anniversary on January 30, 2023! This milestone is one that I’ve looked forward to practically since I started. So many businesses never even begin. Many don’t make it to their 1st anniversary. For me, reaching year 5 was SO validating and exhilarating because I knew that all the seeds I’ve sown over the years have helped make Babe Crafted not only sustainable but also endlessly vibrant. With a unique idea, feedback from women entrepreneurs I respected, and lots of passion I turned an idea into a business that supports my life and the goals of so many incredible fempreneurs. We continue to learn and grow– I continue to learn and grow, too. I love being part of my members’ journey and I’m so proud to continue to do so.”
What strategies do you use to stay innovative and adaptable in a rapidly changing business landscape?
“The pandemic taught me that it’s important to have more than one way for my audience to support and purchase from Babe Crafted. In addition to membership, we also have non-member admission for all of our events (so you don’t have to be a member to take part in workshops and meet-ups!), an annual Holiday Gift Guide for both product & service-based businesses, and we’re adding more merch to our brand. Along with having more than one income stream, I maintain strong relationships with my members to I can stay on top of what they’re wanting and needing, both personally and in their business. Information is power! All the feedback and data I collect helps keep me on the right path so Babe Crafted can stay strong.”
What are your future goals and aspirations for your business?
“I look forward to having chapters of Babe Crafted in other cities! We’re known for our in-person event experiences, so I’d love to bring opportunities for women biz owners to connect authentically in person around the country. Stay tuned!”
