Taking Risks with Co-Founder of Funkkoff and Shark Tank Winner Sonia Hounsell

Warriors at Work

We welcome Sonia Hounsell, Founder of Fletcher Road Capital and the CEO & Co-Founder of FunkkOFF!® Inc., to share her experiences taking risks on her path to entrepreneurship. She shares her journey creating the innovative brand, FunkkOFF!, her appearance on the TV show Shark Tank, and how we can navigate and learn from taking risks to embrace them and start on our own path of growth, evolution and transformation.
Sonia Hounsell has deep professional experience in Management, Marketing, Branding & Entrepreneurship including C-suite leadership roles in Consumer Packaged Goods, Consumer Healthcare, McKinsey & Co., and Venture Capital. Sonia has been recognized with a number of awards including, a Gold Effie for the Stride® Gum Launch Advertising Campaign, named Advertising Age “Marketing 50” and was a Media Post (OMMA) Online Media, Marketing & Advertising) Winner for Advertising Creativity.
Sonia is Founder of Fletcher Road Capital and the CEO & Co-Founder of FunkkOFF!® Inc.. FunkkOFF!® a lifestyle brand company that is disrupting the personal and oral care category with innovation. In July 2021, FunkkOFF! launched their flagship product FunkkOFF! TeethRefreshers® the 1st and only two-in-one toothbrush and toothpaste that’s reusable to keep your teeth white and fresh on-the-go. In February 2023, Sonia appeared on Shark Tank and received a deal from Robert Herjavec. FunkkOFF! has won a number of awards including the International Grand Prix Du Design Award for Consumer Products, a Gold Stevie® Award for Women in Business Start-up of the Year and a Silver Stevie® Award for International for Start-up of the Year. The brand has also been recognized for its unique innovation by leading press including NBC News, Travel & Leisure, Los Angeles Times, SHAPE, Real Simple and Essence, among others.
Please join us again as we continue our Warriors At Work conversations to guide us in transforming our personal & professional lives.
(3:44) Sonia shares her journey to becoming an entrepreneur.
(6:34) We learn more about FunkkOFF! and its early days, and what Sonia learned about herself along the way.
(9:54) What are some of the ways Sonia manages risk? What works for her?
(10:59) What was the first year like, launching a brand new product and brand?
(12:40) How did Shark Tank approach her team and what was the process like being on the show?
(15:44) Sonia shares what she learned about herself, throughout the whole Shark Tank experience?
(17:15) How did the business change after their appearance on Shark Tank?
(18:35) What are some of the triumphs she has experienced throughout this journey?
(20:51) What advice would Sonia share with new entrepreneur starting out?
(22:24) How did Sonia deal with people who might have doubted the path she was taking?
(23:50) How has Sonia changed from the beginning of her journey to now?
(26:05) What inspires Sonia?
(28:15) For anyone watching/listening, what does Sonia want you to remember?
(29:51) For the students and upcoming entrepreneurs, what is Sonia excited to see from the next generation?
Connect with SONIA HOUNSELL
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonia-hounsell-9185a32/
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