When you are in alignment with what you're being called to do, which is quite different than just like Googling your way to purpose, you know, like I don't believe that can happen. You have to go within. Then the community is actually pulling you.”
In this inspiring live episode of Startups in Stilettos, Ingrid Zapata-Read and Carlyn Bushman sit down with Sheri Crawley, founder and CEO of Pretty Brown Girl, to talk about purpose-driven entrepreneurship, resilience, and building a movement that changes lives. From leaving corporate America and navigating personal loss to creating a nationally recognized brand empowering over 100,000 girls and women of color, Sherri shares the deeply personal journey behind her mission.
She opens up about the pivotal moments that led to the creation of Pretty Brown Girl, the importance of listening to your calling instead of overthinking the “how,” and how aligning passion with impact can create both meaningful change and sustainable revenue. Sherri also shares lessons on scaling a mission-driven business, balancing nonprofit and for-profit ventures, trusting your intuition, and why women entrepreneurs need to stop waiting for ‘perfect’ and start moving with purpose.
What We Talked About:
Finding Purpose & Community [1:24]
The Birth of Pretty Brown Girl [10:08]
Just Do the Thing [14:09]
Navigating Entrepreneurship and Non Profit Dynamics [20:11]
Understanding Structure [24:33]
Connect with Sheri:
@shericrawley on Instagram
Sheri Crawley on LinkedIn
Connect with Ingrid:
@itsingridsworld on Instagram
Ingrid Zapata-Read on Linkedin
Connect with Carlyn:
@carlynbushmanconsulting on Instagram
Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn
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Guests
Sheri Crawley
Hosts
Ingrid Zapata Read
Ingrid Zapata Read is a community strategist and founder of Grow With Community. She helps businesses get closer to the people they serve and build stronger, more intentional relationships around their mission.
After building a global community for moms of over 200,000 members, and through her experience in sales, startups, and customer experience, Ingrid brings a people-first perspective to growth across industries. She’s known for her thoughtful, practical approach and believes community building should be a part of every business strategy.
Carlyn Bushman
Carlyn Bushman is a seasoned business consultant, entrepreneur, and advocate for female founders. She founded POP Business Academy to empower women entrepreneurs with tools for building sustainable, profitable businesses. As CEO of Carlyn Bushman Consulting, she specializes in helping product- and service-based business owners navigate financials, marketing, and growth strategies. With extensive corporate experience, Carlyn, a mom in a blended family and lifelong learner, has been featured on Good Morning America and in Times Square. She's here to help you make money and stay in business.
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