CEO Crush: Meet 7 Fierce Female Founders Shaking Up Their Industries

Lindsey Carter: CEO of SET Active, the hottest athleisure line exclusively sold online

Prior to SET Active, what were you up to?
Prior to starting SET, I was running my own marketing agency. I needed an outfit that could keep up with my constant on-the-go schedule, yet left me feeling confident and “put together” as the day transitioned to night. I couldn’t find what I was looking for, so I decided to create it for myself.

What do you wish you could tell 20-year-old Lindsey?
Looking back, I would tell myself to keep trusting my gut and following that entrepreneurial spirit. Doing that is what’s led me to becoming my own boss. And now I’m lucky enough to get to see all of those ideas that were constantly circulating in my head come to life.

Did you always want to work in the fitness/retail field?
Not necessarily – I started SET with the intention of creating a collection that can be worn for any occasion rather than catering to the customer who is shopping solely for working out. I saw an opportunity to fill a void in the industry and reposition activewear as something that could be both, functional and fashion-forward. That’s when I curated a collection of monochromatic matching sets to make for an effortless look that has you “set” for the day.

What obstacles have you face in your industry/career as a woman if any?
I think that being any sort of entrepreneur often comes with having to prove yourself, and being a woman only makes that more apparent. You walk into a room and, despite the work you’ve done or success you’ve had, aren’t always taken seriously. This only motivates me to block out the negative noise and prove what I know I can do with my business. 

What advice do you have for fellow female entrepeneurs?
There will never be a time that feels “right.” Your idea might not feel perfect at first and you may feel a bit scared to leave your comfort zone, but that’s ok. There will always be reasons that don’t make sense and you will always run into obstacles, but it’s what you take away from these challenges that lead up to the success of the big picture.

[Photo courtesy of @lindseycarter]