North Texas is known as a hub of innovation and an ideal place to launch a startup. This is especially true for female entrepreneurs. Wells Fargo recently ranked the region as one of the best places in the country for female CEOs, an honor that builds on the success of the many women leading growing companies in the region.
Leaders like Emily Wickard and Lisa Ong have escaped the corporate hamster wheel and realized their entrepreneurial dreams, while others, including Jamie O’Banion and Merrilee Kick, have sold the companies they founded and are entering a new era.
Dallas’ next generation of female business leaders is taking notice. CEO I recently spoke with three conspicuous women owners under the age of 30.
Anisha Holla
At just 21 years old, Anisha Hola is the mastermind behind marketing startup FoodiFy, a platform that acts as a dating app for restaurant owners to connect with influencers to promote their brands at a lower cost than traditional marketing agencies.
In just eight months, FoodiFy has generated 56 billion impressions and increased sales by an average of 150% for its 25 North Texas restaurant clients. The service is on pace to generate $1.5 million in revenue this year, and Holla expects it to hit $6 million next year.
“If you’re really passionate about something, there’s nothing more rewarding than building a company from the ground up,” she says. “That’s the beauty of being an entrepreneur.”—Cellly Price
Nicole Craven
Nicole Craven, 29, is a fan of the espresso martini and wanted to find a way to can the popular drink, so in 2021, the marketing and PR professional co-founded Apres Hours with her friend Alexis Smith.
Its canned espresso martini, which uses agave wine instead of vodka, secured sales at major retailers within the company’s first year.
“Women often see their youth and lack of experience in certain industries as an issue,” Craven says, “but I think that’s an advantage, especially in industries like hospitality and food and beverage, where a lot of things have been done the same way for a long time. It gives you a unique perspective.” —Lyten Pryor
Addison Lavonte
Addison Lavonte, 22, who eliminated gluten from her diet after being diagnosed with compartment syndrome, started sharing her recipes online and her social media followers expressed interest in buying boxes, so last year she founded Sweet Addisons and produced her first batch of cookies in January.
Labonte is currently working on expanding her product line to include vegan options. “People have underestimated and undervalued this business,” she says. “They say, ‘Oh, that’s a neat idea,’ or ‘Oh, that must be so much fun.’ The business already ships to almost every state in the country, and it’s only been in business for a few months. I think one day people will say, ‘I knew her when she thought this was just a fun hobby.'”—Cellly Price
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