The Bold Lounge

Erika Hanafin: Bold Together- Why We Thrive in Community

Leigh Burgess Season 1 Episode 152

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About This Episode

Erika Hanafin, CEO and co-founder of Hello Mamas, explores what it truly means to be bold as a mother, leader, and entrepreneur. Erika redefines boldness as taking decisive action with confidence, even amid uncertainty—a mindset that has guided her through multiple startup acquisitions, motherhood, and personal transitions. She shares raw insights on navigating identity beyond titles, the power of community, and the often unspoken loneliness of leadership. With refreshing vulnerability, she encourages others to take the first step, however imperfect, reminding us that bold journeys are built in motion, not perfection.

 

About Erika Hanafin

Erika Hanafin is a devoted mom, sophisticated business leader and startup advisor, and a compassionate advocate for women in business. She is the CEO and co-founder of Hello Mamas, a community dedicated to supporting every mom’s success by empowering every mom with the tools, connections, and joyful experiences needed to thrive in all aspects of life. 

Growing up in a family of successful CEOs, Erika was enriched with the intricate details of running successful businesses through observation, higher education, and extensive experience. Over the past 15 years, she has played a pivotal role in growing small businesses across various industries, with a focus on business development, research and data, operations, revenue management, and an expertise in diverse fundraising models. Erika's success is underscored by her involvement in four significant startup acquisitions, three of which she was instrumental in leading.

Through her experiences, Erika has learned that a company's culture is fundamental to its success. She is committed to fostering supportive and healthy corporate cultures across the world by empowering women through leadership, collaboration, philanthropy, mentorship, and fundraising. This passion led her to the helm of HeyMama, a membership community of over 75,000 moms in business with events and programs impacting over 400 million moms. In just three years as CEO, Erika transformed the distressed company, marking it as her fourth acquisition and launching its parent company Hello Mamas. 

Recognized for Excellence in Business by the National Association of Professional Women VIP Awards, Erika has also earned President’s Club and Knights of the Roundtable awards. Beyond her professional achievements, Erika is the Chairman of EQUI-KIDS, is a Certified Holistic Health Coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and is dedicated to supporting divorced and co-parenting businesswomen like herself navigate the delicate balance between high-pressure careers and crucial roles at home.

 

Additional Resources

Website: www.erikahanafin.com

Instagram: @ErikaHanafin

LinkedIn: @ErikaHanafin 

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