Wellness means different things for everyone. For some, it means a date night with yourself vs going out to a bar. I’m so excited to chat with Alisha, Founder & CEO at Girls’ Night In, a self-care community and newsletter with a cult-like following (subscribe and you’ll get why!). We’re talking all things community, why she started this business and achieving a comfortable balance between personal and work life.
1. You have a super captive audience with what you’re building at Girls Night In. What trends are you seeing in the world right now that more women want to stay in vs go out? Do you have any broader thoughts on what “community” looks like in 5-7 years from now?
more women want to stay in vs go out? Do you have any broader thoughts on what “community” looks like in 5-7 years from now?
I think the number one reason might be technology. There are so many ways to entertain and be entertained at home through tech (hello, Netflix) so it’s easier to stay in. I also think there’s other factors too like the decrease in alcohol consumption among millennials (fact check me on that, but I feel like my friends and I go out for drinks less now). I think in 5-7 years from now, community will hopefully look better than what it is today. I think we will see a shift from online communities to people wanting IRL, tangible communities.
2. Sometimes entrepreneurship is not always what comes across in social media and the press. Can you share a time that you felt outwardly different to how you felt internally? How do you balance your outside vs insider persona?
I think this is a constant battle. On social media especially, we only share our highlight reel. In pretty press images, we all look radiant/glowing/beautiful/etc. On the inside though, I’m probably an anxious mess. Lately though I’ve made concerted efforts to not reach the point of burn-out and be more in tune with what my body needs. And re: outside vs. insider persona, it’s so much more exhausting to put forth a “fake” image. So even on things like Instagram takeovers, I do try my best to be “real.” There’s pressure to be a cool, high-powered CEO/entrepreneur who has all her sh*t together but that’s not me.
3. As a female founder myself, I sometimes find the pace and stress (high testosterone / adrenaline) of startups really affect my own wellness and hormonal levels. Do you resonate and if so, how do you balance your “fem” while building your company?
Now, I’ve learned how to maintain a bit more of a balance and that’s come through gaining perspective on what’s meaningful in my life, understanding where the pressure comes from (often myself), and learning to lean on our growing team a bit more.
4. What’s your opinion on the startup and fundraising scene today as a woman? Do you think VC money is the pace and type of capital that matches all kinds of businesses? Any advice for female entrepreneurs looking to raise money?
I’m appreciating the new conversation that’s being pushed that having VC investment isn’t the end all be all. It’s fun to see companies thrive without investment, and it shouldn’t be the marker for success. Every business is different. For anyone looking to raise money, be clear on what you need the money for. Know your numbers. I’ve found that having a bit of traction is a good thing, vs. just “an idea.”
5. As someone that wears multiple hats (daughter, friend to many, CEO, fiancé (!), dog mum), what does being “wellthy” mean to you?
Being wellthy means keeping perspective. My job, even though I love it, is not my life. I always try to ground myself by thinking about what I want to look back on fondly towards the end of my life. It probably won’t be the hours I spent working but the hours I spent with my family and friends and the positive impact that I could have on others.
Girls Night In is a self-care community and newsletter for those who’d rather stay in tonight. Subscribe to their weekly Friday newsletter and follow along here.