Halfstack Highlights Ep. 49: Meet Cary Williams of Too Pretty Brand

Hello everyone! Thanks for listening to Halfstack Highlights. Jen Lezan here, Editor in Chief of Halfstack Magazine and one of the hosts of Halfstack Highlights! I am super stoked to share the guest in this latest episode.  She’s one of our first guests from our run down of amazing women Entrepreneurs that I had the opportunity to encounter during my time at Rent the Runway Foundation’s Project Entrepreneur in April. If you are not sure what Project Entrepreneur is a multi faceted national initiative that includes events, a venture competition and 5 week accelerator program. It was launched by the Rent the Runway co-founders. I had the opportunity to meet and be inspired by so many female founders and this week I get to introduce you to one. Cary Williams is the woman behind the Too Pretty Brand. The company was created out of her experience in a male dominated sport: Boxing.

As a fighter she was often told often that she was Too Pretty to be a boxer. Which really meant, to them, that she was not capable. Then they'd see her fight, and say, "You fight like a boy!" And in the world of boxing, or any sport where you get punched in the face, that's seen as a compliment. Over the years she realized, this was something that was all too common whether it be ins ports or in business for women. She launched her brand  too pretty playing off the idea that women are never too pretty to do amazing things, and her movement began. 

All images courtesy of Too Pretty Brand

She focused this movement via an Instagram project where girls and women are posting black and white photos in which they hold cardboard signs that tell what they are Never Too Pretty to do. They use the hashtags #nevertoopretty #tooprettymovement and #thebeautyinstrength to explain what this phrase means to them. It’s amassed her a huge following over social media.

Throughout the episode we talk about Cary’s journey, her motivation, what it’s like being a female in the male dominated world of start ups and how she’s working to change the narrative for female founders. We talk about her successes and the not so pretty side of entrepreneurship as well. This is a great episode for those of you interesting in launching an apparel brand, who are in need of motivation and who want to hear more about the raw realities behind startups. Keep listening for the full interview.

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I hope you enjoyed this latest episode! Shout out to Cary for her insights and for sharing her time with us. If you want to learn more about cary you can visit her website: www.cary-williams.com and if you want to support the Too Pretty brand you can do so at: www.tooprettybrand.com - You can also follow too pretty on all social media with the handle tooprettybrand. If you want to tweet Cary you can do so on twitter at: caryleewilliams. While you’re online make sure you stop by and keep up with us on social media @halfstackmag.com.  If you like what you hear, make sure you subscribe on itunes and leave us a rating!

Thanks for your support!
-Jen