Enterprenuer
Julie Gordon White is the CEO of Bossa Bars, a line of energy bars explicitly formulated for women by women.
Julie Gordon White is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, and TEDx speaker.
Before founding Bossa Bars, Julie was the founder and CEO of BlueKey Mergers & Acquisitions.
She also advised thousands of business owners through her bestselling book “EXIT!” 12 Steps to Sell your Business for the Value You Deserve.
Julie founded The WELL for Women Entrepreneurs to help female entrepreneurs grow to a million dollars and eventually sell their businesses for a million.
This was done through step-by training, coaching, media, and signature events.
Julie felt an entrepreneurial pull throughout her life.
She started her first business at age 10. As a marketing director for an international hotel chain, she ran a funeral home and was a business broker.
She also runs coaching programs for women entrepreneurs at high levels.
Serving as a champion for girls and helping to share in the success of others has been one of her favorite moments.
Julie shared her TEDx talk with Google Small Business and as an expert on Intuit QuickBooks Momentum To $1 Million Community.
She is a podcast host, an advisor to professionals, and a keynote speaker at industry conferences (as well as her event).
This has allowed her to concentrate on her passion for highlighting the achievements of women.
As a mother to three children, and an empty nester, this allowed her to ask herself:
“What’s next?” BOSSA BARS, her latest venture, was launched in August 2020 to support and empower women in pre-and post-menopausal age to overcome stereotypes and enjoy the best times of their lives.
What is the story of Bossa Bars?
I was like most entrepreneurs.
I had a problem.
In my late 40s, I found myself staring at the wall at my computer, trying to recall what I was thinking.
I also kept making mistakes in emails.
After doing a few Google searches, which were ill-advised, I realized that I was probably in perimenopause.
It is hard to believe that menopause can last from 4-to ten years.
Then COVID came along, making us all aware of how vital our health is.
We also don’t want to waste time on things that don’t matter.
So I decided to manage my menopause like I control everything, like a boss.
I was one of 31 million women in the US between 45 and 64 who found The Pause to be generally miserable.
I knew I had to take charge.
My friends and I had to share our symptoms and solutions.
No one had any success with the weight gain, brain fog, hot flushes, etc.
This is the change that everyone else doesn’t want us to discuss.
After trial and error, I found my salvation in the energy bars that I made to satisfy my sugar cravings.
I felt 10x better after eating a healthy, satisfying, moderately sized treat.
These results motivated me to share my knowledge and experience, which led me to create BOSSA BARS to create a community for women looking for the same answers.
How do you stay productive?
Guided meditation for 15 minutes right after I got up.
This helps me to be calm and focused throughout the day.
Coffee date with my husband while we catch up on the morning news.
A 20-minute workout at an in-house gym. But, being honest, this is something I sacrifice in startup land.
I organize my week around themes days to stay focused and efficient.
- Monday – PROCESS: Admin & Logistics
- Tuesday – PEOPLE: Meetings Stack Internal & External
- Wednesday – PRODUCT: Development & Logistics
- Thursday – PROMOTION: Marketing & PR
- Friday – PROFIT Finance & Follow-Up
Please shut down by 7:05 pm to allow for dinner and the first pitch at a San Francisco Giants match.
One hour of emails before you go to bed and lights out by 11:30
How do you bring ideas to life?
Brgy. Bossa Bars were born out of my research into the critical nutrients of women with less estrogen and more one; after doing my research, I dive in and offer my expertise when needed.
I then started to create a recipe in my kitchen. Although the first batch was a complete failure, it added more chocolate and moisture.
Then I handed it to our experts for adaptation to scale.
My husband was unable to eat all of the samples. This was the most challenging part!
What’s your favorite trend?
People are starting to pay more attention to the $15 billion menopause market.
Women now speak out about their experiences and what they need to do to make a joyous time in their lives.
What habits make you productive?
I am flexing my resilience. You must believe that failure is an opportunity and not a failure.
Many people found 2020 a daunting task, but many entrepreneurs are succeeding.
There are always new opportunities, and there are often needs that were not present before.
Keep your eyes open and use your resources to pivot as needed, but keep going.
What’s your advice for the Noob?
Think Bigger! Believe in yourself and expand your vision.
This is something I have learned throughout my career.
I also tell female entrepreneurs that they should consider selling it for seven figures instead of just thinking about starting a business.
Many women start businesses to have more flexibility and live the life they desire.
If you are going to put in all that effort and exert that much energy, make sure that money is not forgotten.
What is one thing we can all agree on?
It’s empowering to go through menopause!
What do you recommend as an entrepreneur?
Learn, apply, repeat! Many people learn but don’t know how to use it quickly.
It is crucial to continue learning, but it can be wasted if you don’t apply it with urgency.
What’s your rich strategy?
Social media advertising is vital in spreading our product message nationwide and internationally.
We believe in word of mouth because of the customer base we serve.
Women share information, especially when they find something that works.
Social media is a way to spread that word digitally.
How do you overcome Failure?
Boutique mergers and acquisition firms virtually vanished in 2008’s recession.
For two years, it was financially and emotionally devastating.
In retrospect, I see it as a great gift. It allowed me to write a book about selling companies and gave me the mental space to think, pivot, and then pivot.
It was then that I decided to coach women entrepreneurs to build a multi-million dollar service business.
We must always look for the silver lining even in difficult times.
Our job is to make sure we do not miss it and take action as soon as possible.
Can you share a business idea?
You should find the right combination of what you enjoy doing and your strengths and create a premium version of that product or service.
It is best to choose a service as they are easier to grow and start.
It is essential to include premium pricing in the equation.
Underpricing can lead to entrepreneurs’ dissatisfaction, burnout, and even worse, it can cause a loss of motivation.
This allowed you to provide the best value to your customers and clients, which is a win.
Which was the most expensive $100 you spent recently?
The weekly home delivery grocery service. It is so wonderful to have the delicious food I love delivered right at my door.
It saves me time and keeps my nutrition in check, crucial for an entrepreneur.
As a female entrepreneur, the more systems we can develop to reduce stress and increase energy is, the better.
What are your favorite Softwares or Apps?
Entrepreneur freedom is the number one value.
Shopify is my favorite app because it allows me the freedom to manage my two businesses from anywhere and anytime.
These apps enable me to think big, grow big and do it from the beach.
Shopify is my favorite platform because it allows me to communicate directly with customers, something I wouldn’t have been able to do if I was selling products through retail stores.
Which book would you recommend?
I enjoy business books, but I don’t read much fiction.
My favorite books are 7 Laws of Spiritual Success, Rockefeller Behaviors, and Timepiece by Michael Michalowicz.
These books gave me a holistic view of building something more valuable than myself.
What’s your favorite quote?
“Every oak tree began as an acorn”
Unknown
TL;DR by Julie Gordon White
Believe that anything is possible.
You must be willing to put in the work and energy to build a business.
Entrepreneurs should be free to do what they love.
Take advantage of software and services that allow you to manage your business from any location, 24×7.
We need to create more systems that reduce stress and increase energy.
Find the perfect combination of what you love and are good at, and create a premium version that offers significant value to your customers and clients.
It is vital to continue learning, but it can be wasted if you don’t apply it with urgency.
It’s empowering to go through menopause!
