In today’s episode, host Megan Swan sits down with Hailey Handler, powerhouse founder of KAIA, for a raw and inspiring conversation about shaking up the funding world for female entrepreneurs. Hailey shares her journey from her MBA corporate world existential crisis to launching a revolutionary funding marketplace, and how her lived experiences across 50+ countries sparked her mission to democratize access to capital for women.

Key Points Discussed:

• The Origin Story: How a career crossroads and a heartfelt nudge led Hailey to build her own path in alternative funding for women.

• Gender Funding Gap: Why the struggle is real, the education gap that persists, and the difference it makes when women are capital allocators.

• Crowdfunding, Reimagined: How KAIA’s donation and rewards-based platform keeps founders and contributors safe, inspired, and genuinely connected.

• Global Insights: How witnessing women’s resilience worldwide from Kenya to Beirut fuels Hailey’s passion for economic empowerment.

• Community & Self-Actualization: The power of female-led networks, long-game thinking, and what it means for women to build legacy and autonomy.

• Behind the Scenes: The messy, vulnerable realities of tech entrepreneurship, learning curves, and building wellness non-negotiables into the process.

TLDR: Traditional funding models aren’t built for women but KAIA is flipping the script by creating a safe, empowering space for female founders and their supporters to thrive. Hailey and Megan unpack why alternative funding routes matter, how real connection and education are changing the game, and why the future is female-led.

Thank you for listening!

If this episode inspired you, please screenshot and share it on social media—be sure to tag @meganswanwellness so we can cheer you on. Your support means the world!

Connect with Megan Swan

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/meganswanwellness

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-swan-wellness

Website: www.meganswanwellness.com

Connect with Hailey Handler & KAIA

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kaiawomen

Website: https://kaiawomen.net/

Keywords

female founders, gender funding gap, alternative funding, crowdfunding, KAIA, women in tech, entrepreneurship, community, economic empowerment, financial education, wellness routines, legacy building, career pivots, global women, democratizing capital, self-actualization, rewards-based crowdfunding, startup life, impact investment, resilient women, empowering women, holistic wellness, personal growth.