The retirement gap, sex work, and diapers for music fans 🧷🤘
News at the intersection of business and feminism
Created without the use of AI, this newsletter will be our last for 2024. And that has us asking — how is it nearly 2025 already?!
As quickly as 2024 seemed to zip by, we’re not altogether upset to see it enter the record books (after all, it brought with it a traumatic election and a difficult business climate for so many).
We’re entering 2025 with a mix of excitement and trepidation (does that ring true for you, too?). There’s the thrill of our new partnership, plus the feeling that purse strings are loosening a bit. But there’s the fear of what 4 years under Trump Part 2 may mean.
For now, we’re focusing on the positive, most especially our joining of forces.
As previously announced, the amazing Faith Clarke is now a partner in Feminist Founders. Her role will allow us to expand what we do for our paid community.
Most exciting is that we’ll now be hosting monthly gatherings where we can all let down our guards an be in space with other entrepreneurs with shared values.
Our paid members also get access to a private podcast feed that will now include a mix of short solo episodes from Becky and Faith, as well as joint conversations.
This month, we’re gifting everyone access to the first of these special chats (below, or you can listen on the public Feminist Founders podcast feed).
We hope you enjoy this new approach, and we’d love to invite you into the fold. Upgrade to a paid membership today before rates go up in 2025. We would love to have you be part of the community we’re building.
And remember: If you choose the $125/year founding member plan (going up to $150 on Jan. 1), your company name and web link will be shared every month with the 3,000 readers of this newsletter.
Now, onto our regular roundup:
Further evidence that we’re headed the wrong direction in America … an appeals court in Louisiana has ruled that Nasdaq can’t require diversity on the boards of companies that list on the exchange. 🤬
Tokyo will begin a four-day workweek in April for government employees; it will also allow parents with young children to trade a bit of their salary for the option to clock out early. The policies reflect an effort help working mothers and boost record-low fertility rates.
AI’s carbon footprint gets a lot of bad press, and rightfully so. But did you realize your social media usage is also problematic? For example, the average TikTok user generates greenhouse gases equal to driving an extra 123 miles in gasoline-powered car a year. How’s that for incentive to cut back on social media?
Here’s a bit of good news … the Federal Trade Commission this week banned hidden junk fees for events, hotels, and vacation rentals. The rule prohibits deceptive “bait-and-switch pricing,” and other practices that hide total prices from consumers.
Women (30%) are more likely than men (19%) to feel lonely at work, and that’s important because most (84%) workers think it’s important for companies to help facilitate work friendships. Team building isn’t frivolous; it’s an investment in attracting and retaining top talent.
Check yourself for generational biases against younger workers. Gen Z believe they’re seen as “lazy,” “unprofessional,” and “entitled,” and that those stereotypes are costing them credibility, jobs, and promotions. Ageism sucks, old or young.
The retirement gap is no joke. Women earn less, live longer, and have less saved than men. In fact, 1 in 4 Americans approaching retirement has no savings at all. The issues are worse in certain regions of the US. The best time to start saving was yesterday, the next best time is right now.
More than half of Americans (56%) say alone time is very important to their mental health, yet nearly as many (46%) say they get less of it around the holidays. Don’t forget to step away when you need a break in the next two weeks.
Sex work is valid work, and last week Belgium issued a victory for the profession. Sex workers there were granted the right to sick days, maternity pay and pension rights (first of its kind legislation in the world).
The next time you think your idea is too basic or silly, remember that Liquid Death recently created a leather adult diaper to help concertgoers avoid bathroom breaks. And it sold out. 🤯
“My Smartphone Was Ruining My Life. So I Quit. And You Can, Too” by August Lamm in the Free Press.
Who doesn’t love a great template? Use these 7 from HubSpot to run more effective and efficient meetings.
“7 Burnout Warning Signs To Be Alert To At The Busiest Time Of Year” by Hannah Ewens in Vogue.
Check out the latest episode of Messy Liberation with co-hosts Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown:
As always, we value you and thank you for being a reader of Feminist Founders. If you enjoy this publication, please share it with your biz besties.
We can’t wait to grow this community with you in 2025!
Happy New Year,
Becky & Faith