We met with our founder, Jennifer Karkar Ritchie, to ask about her experiences as a female founder, what she’s learned during her entrepreneurial journey, and the advice she’d give women in this industry. 

What inspired you to start Rev and become a female founder?

• An opportunity to align my passion and purpose – to work with people and brands I admired and wanted to be a part of growing and driving their success.

How do you see your entrepreneurial journey contributing to the broader mission of empowering women?

• Through leadership and mentorship, I hope to empower women to know they too can meet their own needs – whether it’s as simple as asking or taking action like leaving a corporate position to pursue their passion.

What challenges have you faced as a female entrepreneur, and how have you overcome them?

There have been quite a few, so I’ll narrow it down to two:

• Knowing your value, asking for what you are worth, AND holding this line. It’s proven that people will ask female business owners to reduce their fees more frequently than their male counterparts.
• Speaking up when misogyny enters the room – when a man says something uncomfortable to a woman or about women, you can’t just laugh it off. You have to say something. Even like, “Wow, I’m sure you didn’t mean to come across in a sexist way, but it did.”

What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs facing similar obstacles?

• Empower your friends and supporters to empower you. Don’t hesitate to reach out – even to someone you don’t know for guidance. Good people want you to be successful.

Who are some women who inspire you?

• I’m inspired by women in general – from closest friends to favorite athletes to other female CEOs, musicians, and actresses. It’s an act of bravery to move through this world as a woman.

How can women support each other in the business/PR/media agency world to achieve greater success and equality?

• I love how much we’ve evolved – at least in my bubble – as women to shift away from trying to be competitive like men and towards collaborative relationships that work to uplift each other. As we lift each other up, we uplift an entire industry. Collaborate, share, be vulnerable, impart your wisdom, and give your strength. Together we rise.