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Company Background:

Founded in 2009, The Fearless Entrepreneur is a cooperatively-owned, for-profit company that teaches women how to start and run their own businesses. Fearless offers programs, events for learning and networking, scholarships and more to women of all ages in the San Francisco Bay area. Currently, Fearless is expanding globally through online learning initiatives.

Fearless co-founder Starla Sireno has been rocking the corporate training world for some time since deciding to leave the life of "slinging money on a trading floor and taking care of Fortune 500 clients." She invited a group of women entrepreneurs and aspiring women entrepreneurs to a meeting to see if they wanted to find something bigger: the response was a resounding "Yes!"

The Fearless Entrepreneur network they founded together now attracts and benefits women from all backgrounds and walks of life and boasts amazingly supportive partner organizations. The Fearless mission is to empower women entrepreneurs by providing them with the tools, support, networking and inspiration for success. Fearless is committed to fostering a community and network of like-minded women entrepreneurs that can inspire one another and hold each other accountable in their business ventures, and is also devoted to coaching women in aligning their personal passions and values with their business ideas. An e.e. cummings quote thus remains beloved by the Fearless team:

“To be nobody but yourself in a world that’s doing its best to make you somebody else, is to fight the hardest battle you are ever going to fight. Never stop fighting.”

Leadership Bios:

Prior to The Fearless Entrepreneur, Starla spent 12 years in institutional financial services as a fixed income portfolio manager, in international and domestic product marketing and in multinational sales and service.

With a Masters in International Economics and Finance, Starla built her career at Fannie Mae, Charles Schwab and Barclays Global Investors on her ability to think strategically, drive tactical execution and most importantly, on the strength of her relationships.

In 2004, Starla translated her corporate experience into something more meaningful – a business that fosters entrepreneurs through coaching, educational programs and strategic consulting.  

Starla is a highly regarded speaker featured at conferences nationwide and is regularly featured in a variety of media, including Entrepreneur, the Fine Living Network, BNET, the San Francisco Chronicle and the Marin Independent Journal.

Starla is actively involved in the community and frequently volunteers her time as a speaker/consultant for the Bayview Business Resource Center, the Small Business Administration, Dress for Success, City College of San Francisco, Grace Center (substance abuse recovery program for women) and Women’s Initiative for Self Employment (WISE).  She also volunteers as an Animal Management Apprentice for the Oakland Zoo.

Laura Guy: Co-Founder & Director of Operations

Laura keeps things moving at Fearless. Whether it’s helping manage finances, tracking student registration or structuring strategic analysis, Laura excels at wearing the many hats required in her position.  Originally from Panama, Laura moved to California from her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri to attend Stanford University.  After college, she migrated to and fell in love with San Francisco, where she currently lives.

Laura is also the creator of Snaxy, all-natural, sugar-free, gluten-free, low-glycemic -- and delicious – cakes!  Laura discovered her passion for baking in graduate school; at the time she needed something creative and sweet to fuel her through the rigors of her dual JD/MBA program at the University of Southern California.  A self-professed fitness buff, Laura loves to stay healthy with running, Bikram yoga and cycling and good nutrition.

Is Laura fearless? Absolutely! Is she scared sometimes? Of course. But Laura works through her fears by relying on her family, Fearless peers and urban community. They all help her stay inspired and engaged in the activities she loves.

Laura’s communities: The Hub SOMA, Stanford Alumni, Café Gratitude, Landmark Education, Club One, Funky Door Yoga

Carolyn Johnson, Program Instructor

Carolyn is a Business Advisor with 20+ years of experience in small business management and finance. She works with entrepreneurs, sole proprietors, small business owners and nonprofit organizations throughout California.

As an advisor, Carolyn combines the support and guidance of a business coach with the expertise and hands-on interaction of a business consultant. Carolyn has also designed a series of business presentations on topics ranging from “Real Life: Where Personal and Business Meet” and “The Disciplined and Organized Entrepreneur” to “Location, Location, Location: A Critical Choice” and “Business Communications: Becoming One of the Top Three”.

Prior to the establishment of this Advisory practice, Carolyn was a Principal of the Genesis Capital Group, where she provided advisory and corporate financial services to privately held companies. She was also Director of Consulting and Grant Programs at the Northern California Community Loan Fund (NCCLF) where she managed a commercial real estate grant fund and led the expansion and integration of NCCLF’s financial and real estate consulting and training programs.

Carolyn earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Business Administration from the University of California, Los Angeles and Masters degree in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She also holds a Masters degree in Business Administration in the fields of Corporate Finance, Real Estate Finance and Marketing from the Columbia University Graduate School of Business, New York.

Press Releases:

The Fearless Entrepreneur Hosts Event to Encourage Female Entrepreneurship in the Silicon Valley

Testimonials & Praise:

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