Ep 69: Empowering Women in Male-Dominated Industries with Linda Leary

Business AdviceBusiness GrowthEntrepreneurship
Written By Shauna Lynn Simon

Want the video version of this episode? Check it out on YouTube.

In this episode of the Real Women Real Business podcast, Shauna Lynn sits down with Linda Leary, founder and president of Fishe, a women's fishing apparel brand that’s transforming the industry. Linda shares her unexpected journey from navigating ice roads in Alaska to creating a nationally recognized brand that empowers women in the outdoors.

From her early passion for fly fishing to the realization that women deserved better apparel for their outdoor adventures, Linda’s story highlights the power of following your passion and the importance of creating space for women in male-dominated industries. She discusses the challenges she faced, such as navigating the world of manufacturing and securing funding for women entrepreneurs, and how she overcame them with resilience, creativity, and a strong network of collaborators.

Linda’s advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs is to focus on what you can do, break through the barriers, and embrace the opportunities that come with stepping out of your comfort zone. Tune in to hear how Linda has built a brand that not only provides functional, stylish apparel but also fosters a supportive community for women in the fishing world.

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Timestamps:

  • (00:00) - (00:24) Intro: Overcoming Business Overwhelm and the Path to Success
    (01:00) - (01:26) From Ice Roads to Fishing Apparel: Linda’s Unexpected Pivot
    (06:04) - (06:43) Surprising Insights and Resistance in the Apparel Industry
    (10:17) - (11:34) Reaching Out to Major Brands: How Linda Broke Into Key Partnerships
    (28:11) - (29:27) Focus on What You Can Do: Practical Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Resources:

Fishe:

About Linda Leary:

Linda Leary is the founder and visionary behind Fishe, a women’s fishing apparel brand born out of her passion for the outdoors and her drive to make the angling world more inclusive. Before launching Fishe, Linda built a successful career in trucking logistics, and you might even recognize her from the History Channel’s reality TV series, Ice Road Truckers. After selling her trucking business over a decade ago, she took a bold leap into a totally different world: fishing apparel.

Despite the field still being largely dominated by men, she saw a clear opportunity to create bold, functional, and comfortable gear designed by women, for women. After years of hustle and heart, Fishe has grown from a startup in Anchorage, Alaska, to a nationally recognized brand known for its colorful, nature-inspired prints and commitment to empowering women to get outside and feel good doing so. Linda’s entrepreneurial spirit, dedication to community, and advocacy for women in the outdoors continue to inspire a new generation of anglers. When she’s not running the business or testing new gear on the water, Linda can be found planning women’s events through her other company, Women’s Fly Fishing, mentoring other women business owners, fishing with her friends in exotic places, or playing with her cute little granddaughter.

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Shauna Lynn Simon
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Ep 68: Speak with Power, Lead with Purpose, and Grow Your Business with Kimberly Spencer