For Women Who Are Unapologetically Ambitious and Fiercely Informed

We've all had them - the horrible female boss that never wants you to succeed, the female HR head that protects the harasser, the high school bully that steals your boyfriend. Ie, Mean Girls. What would a world without mean girls look like? A world where women didn’t confuse competition for power or treat collaboration like a threat. The truth is, mean girl culture isn’t just high school. It’s a corporate survival mechanism born from the patriarchy itself. The system taught us to fight for crumbs instead of flipping the damn table. This week on Takin’ Care of Lady Business®, Erin Gallagher, CEO, movement builder, and author of Hype Women, joins me to talk about breaking that cycle by choosing hype over hate, abundance over scarcity, and building networks so strong the old boys’ club doesn’t stand a chance.

With Love & Lady Business,
JJ

In today’s edition:
— The Power of the Hype Woman with Erin Gallagher
— Three Ways to Vet a Co-Founder Before You Build Anything
— Big Trend: The Year Women Took Over Hollywood

“If we don’t view one another as competition and threats, but instead co-conspirators, we might be able to give this patriarchy a run for its money”

Key Takeaways:
 — The patriarchy thrives when women compete; it crumbles when we collaborate.
— The “mean girl” inside you is learned behavior that you get to unlearn.
— You don’t need permission to take up space.
— Real power comes from connection, not competition.
— Burn the bridge if it keeps you small.

Three Ways to Vet a Co-Founder Before You Build Anything

A client told me about her horrible experience with her former female co-founder, who almost bankrupted the company. When I asked how she vetted her, get this - she didn't! And despite having many mutual contacts. She's not alone. Having a co-founder can be amazing - but it's a marriage. So do the work!

1. Run the red-flag test.
Forget the pitch deck, watch how they handle pressure and stress. Show up late on purpose. Ask a tough question about money. If they get defensive or disappear, that’s not a partner, that’s a liability.

2. Talk about the breakup before the honeymoon.
Ask what happens if one of you wants out. Who owns the IP? Who controls the bank accounts? If that convo gets awkward, good, you’re doing it right. Clear terms now save ugly lawsuits later. And before you sign anything, sit down and go through the 50 Questions Every Co-Founder Should Ask. If you can’t get through them without tension, you already have your answer.

3. Do your homework because references aren’t just for employees.
Call people who’ve worked with them before. Ask how they handle conflict, credit, and chaos. You’d never hire someone blind? Why would you build your business with one? Founders don’t fail because of bad ideas; they fail because they ignore the receipts everyone else already had.

Big Trend: The Year Women Took Over Holleywood

According to the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report 2025, women officially dominated the box office this year, leading 42% of the top 100 films. From Cynthia Erivo casting a spell in Wicked, to Amy Poehler running the emotional show in Inside Out 2, and Margot Robbie, Anne Hathaway, and Ariana Grande owning every frame they touched, it’s clear: women aren’t just starring in blockbusters, they are the blockbusters. Oscar, you better be listening!

Lady Bits:

👀: 50th anniversary of women's strike in Iceland - They knew it would change history. Who's in? 

👏: NYC sues TikTok, Instagram & Youtube over Mental Health Crisis - that's my city!

😳: Mama's boys to Trad sons. Will the ironies never end?

🤖: Nvidia is the first $5Trillion company and it gained $1Trillion in the last week

📖: Jennifer Fisher wrote her first book - and it's not about jewelry! Trust Your Gut out now 

Hi, I’m JJ.

Since starting the Justice Dept, we have increased women's wealth by over $100MM in just over 5 years. Want to know what inspires me to do this work, other than making women money? My clients' surprised reaction when we manage to get them much better terms for themselves and their companies, whether via talent agreements, employment, severance, partnerships, asset sales or investments. They often admit that they never thought they could get that result. Not even hoped. This blows my mind. As we know at The Justice Dept. you are all worth everything you ask for and more. Reach out and we’ll show you how!
x TJD