The Founding Females® Heartbeat October 2025
October Heartbeat: What’s Hot, What’s New, and What’s Next
Hi Friends!!
There's something sacred about October for me. After the hustle of summer and the sprint to finish Q3 strong, October has become my rhythm for slowing down, dreaming big, and working on my business instead of always in it.
This year, after launching three brand new websites in September, I was especially ready for this season of reflection and visioning. October is when I carve out space to ask the big questions: What does 2026 want to look like? What themes will we explore in our mastermind? How is Founding Females® being called to grow and evolve into its next version?
And this October feels particularly meaningful because our mastermind theme this quarter is "Mental Health for Female Entrepreneurs." We're diving deep into the inner work. That is, the mindset, the nervous system regulation, the reprogramming. All the things that allow us to build businesses that don't just succeed, but sustain us.
So as we step into this month together, I invite you to join me in this dreaming season. What wants to emerge in your business? What version of yourself is ready to step forward?
October is here and we are gearing up for an incredible end to 2025! Between exciting announcements on the horizon, our biggest collaborative event of the year coming in November, powerful mindset work happening in our mastermind, and game-changing shifts in how we show up online, there is SO much to share in this month's Heartbeat.
Let's dive in!
Here's the latest you need to know from Founding Females®, including:
#1 Something Big Is Coming in November... 👀
We're not ready to spill all the details just yet, but here's what we can tell you: November is going to bring a major announcement that could change the trajectory of your business.
Here's your hint: It has something to do with dates. Important dates. The kind of dates that only come around once a year and open up an incredible opportunity for female entrepreneurs ready to level up.
Stay tuned. We promise it'll be worth the wait. 🎉
#2 Big Event Alert: Women, Wealth & Wellness on November 6th
We are thrilled to announce that Founding Females® is partnering with WTVP-PBS, Nicole Miller, CFP®, AFFP®, and Dr. Kristen Strom to bring you Women, Wealth & Wellness — A Morning of Growth and Connection!
When women come together to focus on both wealth and wellness, it strengthens our individual lives and the vitality of our entire community.
📅 Thursday, November 6th
⏰ 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM (Doors open at 7:30 AM for registration + coffee)
📍 WTVP Studios, Downtown Peoria
Here's what you can expect:
Opening Session: Explore the 8 dimensions of well-being and how to create balance
A lineup of Power Sessions: 20-minute, high-impact talks designed to deliver the most valuable insights in the least amount of time
Networking & Connection: Meet like-minded women and leave with tools + confidence to take action
This event is FREE, but space is limited. RSVP now to save your spot!
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#3 Mastermind Magic: Rewiring Your Brain for Positive Change
"It's not a character flaw; it's a programming glitch." 💡
That one phrase from Coach Mandy-Marie's presentation to Founding Females® this week stopped the Zoom room in its tracks.
In our Founding Females® Women's Business Mastermind, we bring in expert speakers to help grow and develop the women inside our community. This week, Mandy-Marie Eldredge (@coachmandymarie) empowered members about how to rewire for positive change.
We explored how hidden subconscious programming and the nervous system's protective wiring quietly run the show, shaping the way we think, react, and create results in both life and business. These are called Hidden Patterns.
Once you understand what's happening underneath the surface, mindset mastery and nervous system resets enable reprogramming for calm, clarity, and confidence that lasts.
💭 Ready to go deeper? Join the Hidden Patterns Reset Circle: a 4-week experience to master your mind, reset your nervous system, and build a life you love with a business that thrives beside it.
👉 coachmandymarie.com/hiddenpatternscircle
We keep the Founding Females® Event Calendar up to date with conferences and events you don’t want to miss!
#4 November Founding Females® Meet Up Details
Our November Meet Ups are set and we'd love to see you there! These monthly gatherings are the perfect space to build relationships, share ideas, and find the encouragement you need to keep building your dream.
From new collabs to fresh biz ideas, when women show up and pour into each other, our Meet Ups are proving to be ground zero for game-changing shifts and we are 👏 all 👏 about 👏 it!
Our Meet Ups are totally free and open to any female entrepreneur ready to connect, collaborate, and crowdsource solutions to real business challenges.
With six chapters across Illinois and Indiana, there's likely one near you, and if not, let's chat about starting one!
Champaign/Urbana, IL Founding Females® Meet Up
November 4th at 8:45a at The CU Flower House hosted by Heidi Esther, Joyologist and Andrea Hunt, owner of The CU Flower House (2006 S Neil St, Champaign, IL 61820). Champaign/Urbana Meet Ups are always the first Tuesday of the month.
Livingston County Founding Females® Meet Up
November 13th at 10a at Christine Brown Photography (117 S Main Street, Suite 3, Flanagan, IL 61740) hosted by Christine Brown. Livingston County Meet Ups are always the second Thursday of the month.
Peoria Area, IL Founding Females® Meet Up
November 11th at 10a at Cafe Santa Rosa (1327 E Kelly Ave, Peoria Heights, IL). Hosted by Hannah Knight of Always Flourishing Photography and Studio on Sampson and Francie Hinrichsen, founder of Founding Females®.
*Please note - No outside drinks allowed. Pop in a little early if you'd like to order a drink from the cafe. Peoria Meet Ups are always the second Tuesday of the month.
Danville, IL Founding Females® Meet Up
November 20th at 12p CT Hosted by Jessica Nemecz of Two Roads Wellness Clinic® and Ashton Greer of Clarity Design Co. and Partner, Fred & Ma, LLC at First Place Coworking Space (137 North Vermilion Street, Danville, IL). Feel free to bring your lunch. Danville Meet Ups are always the third Thursday of the month.
Decatur, IL Founding Females® Meet Up
November 20th at 10a at Cass Concepts (100 E Main St, Decatur, IL) in Decatur, hosted by Lindsey Kirk of Lindsey the Ladysmith and Cassie Yoder, founder of Cass Concepts. Decatur Meet Ups are the last Thursday of the month.
Carmel, IN Founding Females® Meet Up
November 28th at 12p CT at Link Office Suites in Carmel (10255 Commerce Dr.) in the "Straightaway Conference Room." Hosted by Amanda Galloway of Country Financial and Crystal Rightor, founder of Indy Brow Boss. Carmel Meet Ups are the last Friday of the month.
Start a Founding Females® Meet Up Chapter
Founding Females® is growing! If you don't live near an existing Meet Up chapter and you'd like to start one of your own, pop into our inbox! We'll teach you how to create a supportive, inclusive squad of female entrepreneurs to link arms and level up with.
Plus, we'll travel to help you launch your first Founding Females® Meet Up in your area!
#4 Member Spotlight: Chelsie Tamms
This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Chelsie Tamms, a Founding Females® mastermind member and brilliant brand designer who’s proving to be a strong leader in the service-based business world.
Read Chelsie’s story here: Founder Feature: Chelsie Tamms, Lettering Works
#5 From SEO to GEO: The Future of Being Found Online
If you've spent time learning SEO, the rules just changed. We're moving from a world where people "Google everything" to one where people "just ask ChatGPT."
And this shift is fundamentally changing how business is done online.
Welcome to GEO: Generative Engine Optimization.
Here's what's happening: AI search tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity are answering questions directly—which means fewer people are clicking through to websites during their research phase. They're only visiting when they're ready to BUY.
So how do you show up in those AI-generated answers? How do you make sure your expertise is what AI tools recommend when someone asks about your industry?
The good news? This shift actually levels the playing field for female entrepreneurs. Authenticity and expertise win over big ad budgets. Real stories matter. And showing up as your most credible, human self is what gets you seen.
In our latest blog post, we break down:
What GEO actually is and why it matters NOW
How AI search works behind the scenes
The 5 biggest content shifts you need to make
How to future-proof your website for GEO
Why this is great news for mission-driven entrepreneurs
Plus, download our free GEO Readiness Checklist for Female Entrepreneurs to make sure you're positioned to be found in this new AI-driven search landscape.
Marketing Scheduling
If you didn’t know, we have a marketing division under the Founding Females® brand. Since we launched Founding Females® in 2021, we’ve helped over 1000 women grow their businesses and take their next best step in entrepreneurship.
If you anticipate needing any of the following services this year, please let us know so we can hold space for you on our calendar:
Website refresh or website management (monthly and quarterly options available - Taking Squarespace clients only starting in 2025.)
Audits for GEO and CRO - GEO stands for generative engine optimization and CRO stands for conversion rate optimization. Together, these strategies drive and convert new leads in your business.
Business and marketing strategy support, including brainstorming strategy sessions
Let’s chat about your business!
Have a personal business struggle or win you want someone to get excited about with? I’d love to talk through it with you! Comment below or click to email me.
Cheering for you!
Francie, Founder
Recent Blog Posts About Female Entrepreneurship
Past Founding Females® Heartbeat Newsletters
Founding Females® Heartbeat March 2025
Founding Females® Heartbeat April 2024
Founding Females® Heartbeat May 2024
P.S. Here are some of my top favorite female small business resources:
Dream, Build, Grow: A Female’s Step-by-Step Guide for How to Start a Business available on Amazon- a guided handbook including everything you need to know from business idea to launch to profiting and scaling your business.
Dream, Build, Grow Free Resource Suite - free business templates for your business plan, marketing plan, ideal client persona, financial statements, and more!
Founding Females Mastermind- an online female mastermind space for entrepreneurs to connect, support, and get inspired
Free Downloads for Female Entrepreneurs
Free PDF Download: 25 Ways to Market Your Business (Aside from Social Media)
Free PDF Download: 33 keys to Business Success
Free PDF Download: SEO Tips for Entrepreneurs
Related Articles for Female Entrepreneurs
Hi, I’m Francie!
Nice to meet you. I’m the founder of Founding Females®. Some call me a business sage because I love to empower female entrepreneurs to breathe life into the business dreams God called them to.
After feeling like a misfit in the corporate world, I discovered a life I loved waking up to through business ownership.
I’m the author of Dream, Build, Grow: A Female’s Step-by-Step Guide for How to Start a Business, a guided journal helping hundreds of women start and grow their businesses.
I’m also a passionate entrepreneurship hype girl, female leader, public speaker, and community enthusiast.
My MBA and 10 years in a corporate career and in business ownership positioned me as an entrepreneurship educator with forward-thinking strategies for starting and growing successful businesses.
As a community leader, I realized other women could thrive with the right guidance and support. I created the Founding Females® Mastermind Community that provides a safe space for women to build better businesses.
I believe that anyone with a dream on their heart can pull up a seat to change the world through entrepreneurship. Looking to grow your own business? Click for info about how to work with me.
About Founding Females®
The mission of Founding Females® is to help women build thriving businesses. We create safe spaces for women to share business challenges and receive peer support.
In addition, Founding Females® offers an online female business mastermind, a how-to guidebook for female entrepreneurs called Dream, Build, Grow: A Female’s Step-by-Step Guide for How to Start a Business, and in-person events, like an annual women’s business conference and local Founding Females® Meet Ups.
Founding Females® was founded by small business educator, Francie Hinrichsen. She believes anyone with a dream on their heart can pull up a seat to change the world through entrepreneurship. Click to learn more about working with Francie.
There's something sacred about October for me. After the hustle of summer and the sprint to finish Q3 strong, October has become my rhythm for slowing down, dreaming big, and working on my business instead of always in it.
Here’s the latest you need to know from Founding Females®…