“...if this goes out and this doesn't work, that's going to suck.But I wanted to actually put it out from a place of very genuine. I don't know how this is going to go. I didn't just publish this because I know what the ending was. So it was a real place of vulnerability for me.”
In this episode of Startups in Stilettos, hosts Carlyn Bushman and Ingrid Zapata-Read sit down with Lisa Simone Richards, founder of Pearl Spark Pages and creator of the Female Founders Journal, for a raw, honest conversation about trusting yourself before the outcome is guaranteed.
Lisa shares the full-circle story behind her journal—from a spark of inspiration in a bookstore during a season of deep self-doubt, to launching a wildly successful Kickstarter just 13 months later. After spending 20 years in PR, Lisa opens up about imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the moment she realized she could no longer push the same boulder uphill.

What we talked about:
Spark of an Idea [4:11]
Moving the Idea Forward [7:36]
Feedback for Consideration [13:50]
Kickstarter Campaign [19:09]
Connectivity is KEY [23:04]
Join hundreds of ambitious, purpose-driven founders at The PGA National Resort for a life-changing weekend of inspiration, motivation, and transformation for the 2026 Founders Weekend!

Connect with Lisa:

⁠@lisasimonerichards ⁠on Instagram

Lisa Simone Richards on ⁠LinkedIn⁠

⁠Pearl Spark Pages⁠

Connect with Carlyn: ⁠⁠

@carlynbushmanconsulting⁠⁠ on Instagram

Carlyn Bushman⁠⁠ on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ ⁠⁠⁠
Carlyn Bushman Consulting⁠

⁠⁠
Connect with Ingrid: ⁠⁠

@itsingridsworld ⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠

Ingrid Zapata-Read⁠⁠ on ⁠Linkedin⁠

⁠⁠⁠Grow With Community⁠⁠⁠

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