In this monthly series, we take a look at the female-owned or led businesses that are making serious moves in the $$$ department. From raising funds to going public, these women are showing us how it’s done and giving us all serious inspo to finish out this week like a true boss.
#SupportFemaleOwnedBusiness
The Real Real
Within minutes of debuting its initial public offering on Friday, stock for the popular secondhand luxury retailer, The RealReal jumped 50% raising $300 million. But this isn’t Julie Wainright’s first rodeo. The founder and CEO of The RealReal took Pets.com public in 2000. What a boss.
The U.S. Women's Soccer Team
The headlines have been blazing this week with news that the U.S. women’s soccer team are suing for equal pay after their historic win. Sen. Joe Manchin proposed a bill that would withhold funding from the 2026 men's World Cup—jointly hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada—until the two teams are paid equally.
Here’s what ESPN told Broadsheet:
“FIFA will award $30 million in prize money for the Women’s World Cup. The men received $400 million last year. [FIFA president Gianni Infantino] said this week he wants to double the prize money for the women’s tournament by the next edition in 2023, but the gap between the genders could actually grow with FIFA expected to award $440 million for the men’s tournament in 2022.”
Does that seem fair to you? Sound out in the comments below.
Away Luggage
The founders of Away luggage are on a roll. Co-founder Jen Rubio was featured on the cover of Inc. Magazine after the brand became a unicorn after being valued at $1.4 billion after raising $100 million (they were also named one of Forbe’s 2018 Next Billion-Dollar Startups). This week Rubio and her co-founder Steph Korey are featured on Fortune's 40 Under 40 list. Congratulations, girls!
Revolve
One of our favorite online retailers renowned for their impressive social media and influencer parties (and trips around the world) surprised everyone this month when they announced their IPO and raised $212 million in their initial public offering. Color me impressed.
Madewell
In the spirit of IPOs, Madewell is also (reportedly) on track to announce theirs. According to a Reuters report, three sources confirmed that “J. Crew has hired banks to prepare for the public offering of the denim-centric brand, pegged for after Labor Day, as part of a strategy to revive the larger retailer.” This would position Madewell CEO Libby Wadle at the head of her own public company.
Reformation
While founder and CEO, Yael Affalo of Los-Angeles based clothing line, Reformation will remain CEO, the company will soon be majority-owned by private equity firm Permira Advisers. The brand is on track to deliver $150 million in sales this year.
Did we miss something? Share the money moves you’ve seen this month so we can add it to the list!