The Beehive Product Launch Show Alisa Ivory Smith brings you top female entrepreneurs weekly...

Kara Goldin is on a mission to keep the world healthy and hydrated. She created Hint, Inc., a successful line of water flavored with natural fruit oils and essences. During our conversation, we discussed how Kara defied conventional wisdom in the beverage industry by launching her first product line without many ingredients that are considered industry standards. Kara also talked about the importance of engagement through storytelling as a way to help others understand her brand's relevance.

Since dressing up as an artist for her kindergarten career day, Kristen Ley has known what her future profession was meant to be. Even at that early age, she knew what creating art and beautiful things meant. Both her grandmothers were avid seamstresses and craft gurus, so they are a huge part of who she is today and she continues to honor them in her work.
After completing AP art classes, Kristen went on to Mississippi State University and did not hesitate on choosing art as her major, with an emphasis in graphic design and minor in marketing. After graduation in 2007, she opened up a successful art and design business called Cultigraphic Creative® with fellow MSU classmate Catherine Yerger.
In 2011, curiosity got the best of Kristen and she purchased a 1925 10 x 15 Chandler + Price from Lexington, KY and hauled it all the way back to Mississippi. With the press acquired, she decided to open up Thimblepress®. The name was derived from her childhood, now continued on to adulthood, collection of thimbles from her travels. Every time she traveled to a new state, she got a thimble to mark her visit. She still keeps her collection in old letterpress type drawers in her dining room. Kristen hopes to make Thimblepress a reflection of her life, love of her family, and her favorite places in the world; one of them being Mississippi.

Chrissa McFarlane is passionate about creating cutting-edge products that lead to global transformation of healthcare delivery. She launched Patientory, an online platform that connects patients with their doctors, caregivers and a community of individuals with similar health concerns. Chrissa saw the need in the marketplace for more personalized care and she decided to act. Our conversation was very informative.

Umaimah Mendhro started her company with a strong belief that fashion could be responsible and accessible. She is the founder and CEO of VIDA, a global platform that brings together creatives and manufacturers from around the world to create unique, original, art inspired apparel and accessories. Umaimah grew up with a deep passion for fashion and design and a drive to make a difference in the world. Today, she uses her global platform to launch products that are made responsibly and that help break the chain of poverty in the world of fashion.

Shunta Grant is a lawyer turned entrepreneur. She created Because of Zoe Designs out of her own need to give her daughter unique hair bows and headbands. Sold both online and in retail stores across the country, Because of Zoe Designs is known for its modern, colorful and well made handmade hair bows for girls. In addition to running a thriving products based business, Shunta is also a business educator, teaching creatives how to joyfully build businesses through her online teaching and her new show, the Business Life & Joy podcast. Needless to say, we had a great conversation.

Loree Sandler was fed up with the utilitarian look of the average birthday candle. So, she decided to do something about it. She launched Let Them Eat Candles, a line of edible chocolate candles. As Loree describes them, candles are wish delivery systems and should compliment birthday cakes. Using on her creativity, enthusiasm and tenacity she was able to move beyond roadblocks so that she could successfully launch her product line.