In this episode, we feature Founder and CEO of the Circular Board, Carolyn Rodz. She talks to us about the motivation behind creating the Circular Board, a business accelerator focusing on women—and how entrepreneurs benefit by participating in the program. Rodz also inspires with her best tips to become a successful entrepreneur.
Featured in Fortune, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur and more; Circular Board was founded by Rodz, a three-time entrepreneur. She has raised billions of dollars of capital for innovative organizations; created a luxury retail line that sold in over 400 stores worldwide including Neiman Marcus, Harrod’s, and Bloomingdales; and later launched a global marketing firm that supported specialty product launches within Fortune 500 enterprises and startups positioning themselves for industry leadership.
Rodz now serves as an advocate for women entrepreneurs—connecting them to sources of capital, strategic partners, and mentors to create businesses that scale. She is committed to closing the gender gap prevalent in the startup environment by helping female founders implement key strategies for sustainable, accelerated business growth.
Rodz was recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as a 2016 “Woman to Watch” and was selected to participate in the United Nations Foundation Global Accelerator. She is a member of the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network, is a Fortune Most Powerful Women attendee, and has received numerous accolades including being chosen as a Sam Walton Emerging Entrepreneur and American Express Micro to Millions awardee. She is a TEDx speaker, regular contributor to major media outlets, and board member for the Texas A&M Mays College of Business. Rodz resides in Houston, Texas with her husband and two boys; Luca, 3, and Henry, 1.
Through the Circular Board’s Full Circle initiative, Rodz provides grants and support to women-led cooperatives in developing countries.
