For Women Who Are Unapologetically Ambitious and Fiercely Informed

I just got back from LA where I stayed with one of my best friends, Zoe - the kind of person who reminds you who you are. Every time I see her and the rest of our brilliant LA friend group, I walk away clearer, more grounded, and fully recharged. It’s the kind of connection we all need more of because here’s the truth: the smartest thing you can do for your career, your business, your sanity - is surround yourself with Smart Friends. Which is exactly what this week’s guest, Rachel Sklar, is building. Rachel is a former lawyer turned journalist turned tech entrepreneur who has made it her mission - consciously or unconsciously - to amplify women’s voices and actually get them paid. She founded The Li.st back when no one was talking about equity in media, and now she’s doing it again with Smart Friends, a new model for women-led storytelling and community that doesn’t ask us to work for free or smile while doing it. We get into all of it, including networking with intention (aka ladying out), setting boundaries, and not falling for the trap of giving away our time and brilliance just to be “nice.” If you’ve ever needed a reminder to stop shrinking and start charging, this one’s for you.

With Love & Lady Business,
JJ

In today’s edition:
— No More Invisible Women with Rachel Sklar
— Three Things You Should Know About Your HR Rep
— More Good News on the Female Founder Front

“Just in terms of how we frame women in 2025, I don’t mind putting a thumb on the scale for smart and accomplished.”

Key Takeaways:
 — How frustration became fuel for Rachel’s most successful ventures
— The power of introductions, visibility, and building value into your network
— Why representation isn’t a favor — it’s strategy
— The art of saying “no” to unpaid labor and “yes” to building power
— How Rachel’s new podcast Hi, Smart Friend! is spotlighting voices you need to hear

Three Things You Should Know About Your HR Rep

If you had a pulse last week, you know about Coldplaygate - where the married CEO and married Head of HR at Astronomer got caught "canoodling" on the kiss cam at a Coldplay concert. The memes are NEXT LEVEL - you cannot make this shit up. But it is a great reminder and the perfect metaphor for who HR is really in bed with (Yes, we did). If you think HR is there to protect you, think again. They may be great people, not sleeping with the CEO and friends with you outside of work, but here are the facts: 

1. They work for the company, not for you.
   Your HR rep may smile, listen, and be supportive, but don’t get it twisted. Their paycheck comes from the company, and their main job is to minimize liability, not advocate solely for you. If there’s ever a conflict between what’s right for you and what’s right for the business, guess who wins?

2. You need to report everything in writing.
   If it’s not in writing, it didn’t happen. Verbal complaints, hallway conversations, even “confidential” chats mean nothing unless you document them. Send the follow-up email. Keep receipts. It’s the only way to create a real record and the only way to protect yourself if things go sideways.

3. They’re not lawyers but YOU should be talking to one.
   HR can’t and won’t give you legal advice. If anything feels off like you're being pushed out, micromanaged, or suddenly being invited to mysterious "check-in" meetings, talk to a lawyer before it becomes a bigger issue. The earlier you get advice, the more power you have to negotiate or push back. 

More Good News on the Female Founder Front

Check out Female Founders Fund annual tracker for Series A - funding stalled but 7x jump in female-led IPOs

Lady Bits:

 👀: @chani nicholos on X - How to play it big 

👏: 9 Years Ago Gretchen Carlson stood up to Sexual Harrassment

😳: Women are avoiding AI this much less than men 

 🤖: This Company was Female Founded in February of 2025 and has already raised $2B

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

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