Championing female founders and creatives through community.
Through intimate, salon-style gatherings in the SF Bay Area, we bring together female founders and makers to share their stories, the wins, the stumbles, and the lessons learned along the way. These evenings are about surfacing fresh perspectives, naming the hard stuff as openly as the highlights, and reminding us that we’re not building alone.
Beyond the room, we continue the conversation on our Substack newsletter, in our private LinkedIn group, and on Instagram, weaving together a growing network of women who champion one another's work and lives.
Over 90% of women-owned businesses are solo businesses.
Belonging to a supportive community improves resilience: women with strong peer networks are 50% more likely to feel confident in pursuing long-term goals.
Women-owned businesses are growing at 2x the rate of the national average, but still face structural funding and mentorship gaps.
What We Offer
Salons
Ladysmith Salons are intimate gatherings every other month that bring women together to share stories, ask questions, and connect with community.
Each salon spotlights a female founder or maker who shares her journey. Inspired by the tradition of salons as spaces for conversation and exchange, we’ve reimagined them for today, with a focus on storytelling, shared learning, and the power of women supporting women.
Community Events
Rooted in the Bay Area’s spirit of creativity and experimentation, Ladysmith hosts community events that extend beyond our salons: holiday markets that spotlight women-owned brands, hands-on workshops for sharing knowledge and resources, and one-off gatherings to connect our community. These gatherings celebrate our community while providing a platform for women at every stage of building, making, and shaping their work.
Notes From The Field
Notes from the Field is Ladysmith’s monthly newsletter, a mix of stories, reflections, and resources gathered from our community of women. Each issue shares highlights from recent salons, spotlights on founders and makers, and the ideas, tools, and inspirations we’re trading along the way. It’s part field notes, part dispatch, and always an invitation to stay connected, keep learning, and celebrate the work of our community.
Our Values
We believe IRL matters. Real conversations, real experiences, real community.
Honesty over polish
Support without sugarcoating
Showing up for each other
Sharing what we know, including the raw ugly bits
Opening doors when we can
Creating space for vulnerability, insight, and connection
