EMILY DICK
Founder of Bootstrapped Woman
but Emily Dick, founder of Bootstrapped Woman, has made it her mission to help women entrepreneurs do just that. Through her work in branding, website design, and sustainable marketing strategy, Emily empowers women to create authentic, lasting brands that reflect their true selves. For Emily, #VISIBILITY isn't just about building a following—it's about being transparent, sharing the highs and lows, and fostering genuine connections within the entrepreneurial community.
Building a brand and business from the ground up is no small feat,
As someone who embodies The Open Book #VISIBILITY style,
Emily believes in sharing the full story of entrepreneurship—the good, the bad, and everything in between. Her open and honest approach resonates deeply with her clients, many of whom are busy moms and service providers like mental health professionals, massage therapists, and coaches. By embracing vulnerability and authenticity, Emily is helping women entrepreneurs build brands they not only love but also feel proud of.
The Open Book Approach to Branding
Emily's #VISIBILITY style is all about authenticity. As she puts it, "The key to a great brand is authenticity, and that's exactly why I think it's so important to be open about the good and the not-so-great parts of being an entrepreneur." For her, success isn't about glossing over the challenges—it's about sharing them openly, so other women feel empowered to keep going, even when the road gets tough.
"I think more women would continue to try and persevere despite challenges if they knew the honest truth about what it takes to build a business that you love," Emily explains.
This mindset not only helps her clients feel seen and understood but also fosters a deeper sense of community among women entrepreneurs. By embracing the "ugly" parts of business and sharing her struggles, Emily encourages others to do the same, creating a ripple effect of authenticity in the entrepreneurial world.
From Published Author to Branding Expert
Emily's journey into entrepreneurship wasn't linear—it was shaped by the lessons she learned on her path to becoming a published author. After earning her degree in Women and Gender Studies, she wrote her first book, Body Positive: A Guide to Loving Your Body. But as she quickly learned, having a great book wasn't enough to secure a publishing deal. What she needed was a platform.
"I received a lot of no's and non-responses," she recalls. "But then one literary agent gave me advice that changed everything—she told me I needed to establish a platform." Armed with this insight, Emily set out to create her own #VISIBILITY strategy, pitching articles, fundraising, and sending press releases to any media contacts she could find.
Her hard work paid off. Emily's story was picked up by major outlets like HuffPost, Yahoo!, and Upworthy. Eventually, she landed a publishing deal and saw her book featured in publications like Glamour, The Washington Post's The Lily, and Today's Parent. This scrappy, bootstrap approach to #VISIBILITY not only helped her sell thousands of books but also taught her invaluable lessons about building a brand from the ground up—lessons she now applies to Bootstrapped Woman.
Building Bootstrapped Woman
Today, Emily is reapplying the #VISIBILITY tactics that made her a successful author to build Bootstrapped Woman, her creative marketing business. Whether it's guest blogging, podcasting, or engaging with her community on Instagram, Emily is focused on growing her online presence with authenticity at the forefront.
"My main platform of choice is Instagram," she says, "but I'm also diving back into podcasting, which was a key to my book's success." Emily emphasizes that #VISIBILITY isn't just about follower counts or viral moments—it's about building meaningful connections with your audience and staying true to your values.
Learning from Mistakes
Like any entrepreneur, Emily has made her share of mistakes along the way. When she first started learning about media outreach, she admits, "I made a lot of mistakes. Sometimes I think about how 'desperate' I seemed, but honestly, I'm very proud of putting myself out there for a good cause."
These early missteps, however, shaped her approach to #VISIBILITY today. Emily is a firm believer in stepping outside of your comfort zone and not being afraid to hear "no." "If the worst thing that can happen is you don't get a response or get told no, that's not so bad," she says. This fearless attitude has helped her grow her business and build lasting relationships within the entrepreneurial world.
#VISIBILITY HACKS & NEW VENTURES
One of Emily's favorite #VISIBILITY hacks is creating a Spotify playlist of podcast episodes she's been featured on. "It's a great way for people to hear my voice and check out my vibe," she says. She adds this playlist to her media kit, website, and even her email signature, making it easy for potential clients or collaborators to get a sense of who she is.
Currently, Emily is experimenting with new #VISIBILITY strategies, including a quiz lead magnet about brand personality and collaborations on email growth bundles. Her focus for the coming months is on storytelling and inspiring others through her email marketing efforts.
For Emily, #VISIBILITY is about more than just marketing—it's about creating a legacy of authenticity. By sharing her journey, struggles, and successes openly, she hopes to inspire other women entrepreneurs to embrace their true selves and build brands that reflect their values.
"I want to help women build businesses that they love and feel proud of," she says. "It's not about acting perfectly all the time—it's about being real, supporting each other, and working together to succeed."
Emily Dick is the embodiment of The Open Book #VISIBILITY style, using her platform to share her story and inspire others. Through Bootstrapped Woman, she continues to help women entrepreneurs build authentic, sustainable brands that stand the test of time.
A LEGACY
OF AUTHENTICITY
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