We are honored to announced that after many hours of reviewing applications, both individually and collaboratively, our judges have selected eight exceptional women as our 2024 High Five Grant for Moms finalists.
These innovative, diverse, and inclusive companies (and the women who run them) exemplify the best mom business owners have to offer. Get to know them and vote for your favorite below!
Lorraine Woodward and her two sons have muscular dystrophy. They know personally how hard it is to find accessible accommodations that fit their needs. Out of 1.5 million short-term rentals, only 1,500 are accessible for a population of 70 million people with disabilities.
That’s why at age 60, Lorraine started her second career as founder of Becoming rentABLE, a listing platform specializing in accessible properties.
Since launching in 2021, Becoming rentABLE has grown their listings to over 1,200 accessible properties in all 50 states and Puerto Rico – more than Airbnb and VRBO combined. It’s been selected as one of 12 startups to join Expedia Group’s first-ever Open World Accelerator program, and Lorraine has been named one of the top 20 influencers across travel, hospitality, and real estate.
“As a finalist in the Mama Ladder Grant, our mission to expand the number of accessible short-term rentals will be amplified!” Woodward says. “With the High Five Grant, we can change the industry and make vacations a possibility for every one, regardless of their ability!”
Tired of running in shoes that had been designed for and tested on men, Lindsay Housman decided to make her own. She founded Hettas to build high-performance, technical running shoes for women. On track to break $100,000 in revenue in its first year, Hettas also was a partner at the first-ever Women’s Decathlon World Championships this past August.
But Hettas is committed to doing more than just building a great shoe – they’re on a mission to ensure the female running experience gets the funding, research, and recognition it deserves. As a partner of Simon Fraser University Run lab, Hettas was recently awarded a three-year Canadian federal research grant studying menstrual cycle impacts on running, durability of shoes based on women’s anatomy, and a feasibility study of gait analysis, hormones and injury in half marathon training.
“I am honored that Hettas has been selected as a finalist for the High Five Grant, amongst an amazing group of companies founded by women,” says Housman. “Thank you to the Mama Ladder and The Profitability Project for creating this program that supports female founders and moms."
Cat Gieser, a perinatal movement specialist, certified birth doula, and mother of two, founded Mama Flow Studio after experiencing a traumatic birth and challenging postpartum recovery. Recognizing the need for greater support and education for mothers throughout their perinatal journey, Cat launched an on-demand yoga and sculpt platform for postpartum moms in 2021, which laid the groundwork for opening a physical studio location in April 2024.
Mama Flow Studio offers both in-person and on-demand movement and education classes for pregnancy, birth preparation, postpartum, and beyond. As one of the few perinatal-focused studios nationwide, Cat aims to expand Mama Flow's community and impact by adding livestream access to all in-person group classes and workshops. Cat aspires to establish Mama Flow Studio as a comprehensive hub for perinatal education, resources, and community building.
“My heart is filled with so much gratitude and excitement to be chosen as one of the High Five Grant finalists!” she says. “This grant could make major waves in scaling our community and supporting so many more mamas throughout their perinatal journey! I can't wait for voting week!”
As adoptive parents, Marquita Moore-Raynor and Khandy Bryant know from lived experience the crucial support and education gaps facing adoptive families. Their backgrounds in nursing (Bryant) and child development/adult education (Moore-Raynor), combined with knowledge gained while moving through the adoption process, led them to open MK Adoption Services, their premier adoption consulting brand.
MK Adoption Services isn’t a placement agency or an adoption facilitator – instead, they work to provide personalized support using an ethical framework that ensures adoptive families understand and can successfully navigate the reality of adoption through all its highs and lows. As a team, Marquita and Khandy are working tirelessly to bring their resources to as many adoptive families as possible.
When asked how she feels about being named a High Five finalist, Moore-Raynor said, “Every new opportunity is a stepping stone, moving you closer to achieving the vision you’ve worked hard to create. Here’s to winning together!
Sarah Weihman was not happy when the active underwear brand she’d been wearing for years changed its cut and fabric. When her efforts to find a replacement failed, she learned that most women’s active underwear is designed by, you guessed it, men. As a former D1 lacrosse and field hockey player, current active adventurer, and designer, Weihman knew she could do better. And that’s how Paradis Sport was born.
Determined to do one thing well, Paradis Sport fit-tests its sustainable, made-in-the-US, BPA- and PFAS-free performance underwear on elite athletes to ensure the best possible performance. After three months of rigorous field testing, their Natural Fiber Bikini was named “Best Women’s Bottoms” in the 2024 Summer Gear Guide by Outside Magazine and Backpacker.
“Team Paradis Sport is excited and honored to be among a stellar group of finalists for the 2024 High Five Grant for Moms!” Weihman says. “It's shocking that In 2023, 47% of entrepreneurs were women, yet the 30-yr average of all-female founders' share of VC funding is 2.4%.* We are proud to be participating in this grant competition that is shining a light on this issue and making a difference.”
Jennifer Roberge and Laura Dolgy are friends and eco-champions who actively work to reduce their carbon footprint and live sustainable lifestyles. And as co-founders of The Kind Pet who recognize the disastrous effects that pet waste, food, treats, toys, and accessories have on our planet, they’re expanding their sustainability efforts to include their furry favorites.
The Kind Pet is committed to developing a line of USA-made, plastic-free pet toys. Already named “The Best Sustainable Pet Toy Brand” by Green Matters, they champion a zero-waste mindset. And because they believe that when one of us wins, we all win, their The Kind Collective supports and promotes other small businesses (many BIPOC- or LGBTQ-owned) similarly committed to sustainability.
“I am thrilled and honored to have been selected as a High Five Grant finalist,” Roberge says. “This is a game-changing opportunity to collaborate with a powerful group of women who are making amazing things happen.”
Managing payroll may not seem like the sexiest subject out there, but for Valor Payroll Solutions President Christina Hageny, a well-managed payroll means freedom. And everyone can get excited about having more freedom.
Valor Payroll Solutions is dedicated to empowering small businesses by simplifying payroll management and allowing owners to focus on growth and community impact.
Hageny is also passionate about advocating for payroll to be recognized as a vital industry by providing more educational resources, partnering with local businesses, and participating in industry events. This passion for payroll played a major role in Hageny being recognized as the 2024 Oklahoma Payroll Professional of the Year.
"Amidst the challenges and chaos of being a mother, military spouse, and small business owner, I am truly honored to be named a finalist for the High Five Grant for Mammas. It’s humbling to stand alongside such incredible women, and I’m grateful for the chance to pause and celebrate this moment of success."
Sarah Banwart’s small family business, Vee’s Freeze-Dried Treats, is driven by a simple yet powerful vision: to spread joy through delicious freeze-dried candies, fruits, and veggies while making a positive impact on the world around them.
And Banwart walks the walk. As a retired mental health therapist who has struggled with suicidal ideation, she donates a portion of all profits from her mess-free snacks to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. And with a spouse on active-duty in the military, Banwart regularly sends treats to deployed troops around the world.
“Being recognized for the healthy, family-friendly snacks I've worked so hard to create is overwhelming,” she says. “I’m excited about the impact this grant could have, not just for my company, but for my community and beyond.”
