Ep. 98 Laura Biggerstaff

In this week’s episode of Hello, Chaos, we had the pleasure of hosting Laura Biggerstaff, the founder of Iron Elk, a company specializing in safety apparel tailored for women in the trades. Laura shared her inspiring journey from facing personal upheaval to launching and growing her business, embodying our theme of "Where AHA meets OH SHIT."

Laura’s story is one of resilience and determination. At 58, faced with a sudden divorce, she chose to channel her energy into creating something new rather than succumbing to despair. With a background in customer service and apparel manufacturing, she co-founded Iron Elk with her son, focusing on providing personal protective equipment (PPE) designed specifically for women, a significantly underserved market in the safety apparel industry.

Throughout the episode, Laura discussed the challenges and triumphs of her entrepreneurial journey, including the importance of ethical business practices and continuous learning. She emphasized the value of community support, particularly highlighting her experience with a minority business accelerator program that helped her refine her business strategy and connect with other entrepreneurs.

Laura also shared her vision for the future of Iron Elk, expressing a desire to partner with trade schools to provide graduates with proper safety apparel, ensuring they are job-ready and equipped from day one.

This episode not only explored the chaotic journey of entrepreneurship but also highlighted the impact of perseverance and community in overcoming personal and professional challenges. Laura’s story is a testament to the power of drive and the importance of addressing gaps in the market with innovative solutions.

For more insights and inspiring founder stories, tune into Hello, Chaos every Sunday, and don't forget to check out our multimedia platform, OrangeWIP, for more resources tailored for entrepreneurs.

Connect with Laura and explore Iron Elk’s offerings at ironelk.com or reach out to her directly at [email protected]. Join us next week for another deep dive into the chaotic yet rewarding world of entrepreneurship.