Insights



Real-World Advice for Visionary Leaders

Explore thought-provoking articles, honest conversations with female founders in the Enter The Arena podcast, and practical resources like my fundraising book RAISE, all designed to support you through the challenges of scaling your business and stepping confidently into your role as a leader.
by Julia Elliott Brown 30 June 2025
Integrity is a vital value in business, yet not everyone lives by it. Here's what integrity really means, why it matters, and how to spot the red flags when it's missing.
by Julia Elliott Brown 26 June 2025
Your board must evolve as you scale. Learn when to make changes, how to do it well, and why it matters - especially for female founders leading growth.
by Julia Elliott Brown 23 June 2025
In uncertain times, a strong board can be a founder’s most valuable asset. This article explores how boards can support startup and scaleup leaders through economic challenges, strategic pivots, financial pressure, and difficult decisions, with practical insights for building and leveraging a high-impact board.
by Julia Elliott Brown 20 June 2025
Should board members ever take on operational roles in a startup? This article explores when it can work, what can go wrong, and how founders and boards can manage the risks — including formal approval, clear deliverables, and conflict of interest safeguards.
by Julia Elliott Brown 9 June 2025
Scaling a business without a clear growth strategy is like driving with no destination. In this article, we explore how founders can define a personal vision that balances impact, financial reward, and work/life balance — then translate that into goals, KPIs, and operational focus. Whether you're scaling up or seeking board advisory support, this guide will help you put your strategy into gear and drive your business forward with purpose.
by Julia Elliott Brown 29 May 2025
This article explores the vital role a Chair of the Board plays in supporting founder-CEOs beyond governance. Often referred to as the "CEO Whisperer," a great Chair acts as a trusted advisor, coach, and bridge between the CEO and the board. With a focus on emotional intelligence, strategic insight, and strong communication, the right Chair helps founders navigate leadership challenges, make better decisions, and build stronger businesses. Ideal for startup founders, boards, and investors looking to understand how to foster more effective board-CEO relationships.
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Honest conversations with women raising, leading, and growing bold businesses.

The Enter The Arena podcast features real stories from female founders navigating the fundraising journey, the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Expect candid insights, practical tips, and the kind of advice you won’t find in pitch decks.

If you enjoy the show, please rate and review it,  so more founders and investors can discover these powerful stories.
Nicola Piercy, Stripe and Stare
11 January 2024
£3.6m raised. Stripe and stare make stylish, comfortable knickers, loungewear & sleepwear made with TENCEL™ Micro Modal.
Vicky Whiter & Claire Gill
30 November 2023
£450K raised.Peter’s Cleaners is a laundry services that enables customers to drop off and collect their items whenever they want in locations convenient for them.
Lisa Eaton, Fabric Academy
2 November 2023
From marketing agency owner to SaaS tech entrepreneur, Lisa Eaton didn’t have the intention to raise investment when she started up Fabric Academy, an online training provider for marketers. However, it was when she realised the business potential and her ambition to dominate the space globally that she started looking at the equity investment route. Being new to the world of investment, Lisa mapped out local experts in the North East of England that could fill certain knowledge gaps. It was after discovering who could add value to the business that she “accidentally” found her Angel investors and went on to successfully close her round of funding. Listen to Lisa’s investment journey to find out what she learned along the way and her tips that might help you with your own fundraising endeavours. In this episode, you’ll discover: The value of having advisors from the start Why you should think of raising investment as a sales process How to select the right route to investment
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RAI$E: The female founder's guide to securing investment

This practical, empowering guide gives female founders everything they need to raise investment on their terms. Based on Julia Elliott Brown’s proven five-step approach, it walks you through how to build the right mindset, prepare a compelling pitch, speak the language of investors, navigate bias, and negotiate a deal that truly works for you and your business.



Packed with real-world insights and case studies from women who’ve successfully raised and scaled, RAISE is your step-by-step roadmap to funding — clear, honest, and designed to help you lead with confidence from day one.

Order your copy