For me, one of the greatest benefits to having girlfriends is how much be learn from each other. We’re going to introduce you to one who will prove me right!
JULIE WAINWRIGHT has a strong background in corporate America - and actually, internationally. She’s been successful in brand management, international sales and marketing. 
She founded and lead a company to the top of the dot com bubble - and then it burst. As the CEO and President of Pets.com, she saw the company fold and her marriage end - on the same week.
That’s where her lessons really kicked in. She dealt with all the emotions that loss of all things she had known previously. She struggled. And, you know what she did. She came back - stronger than ever based on the mistakes she says she made and the lessons that she learned from them. In an article on her new website, SmartNow.com, Julie even says: “I would like to tell you that I was down but not out. That I just brushed myself off and got on with life. I didn’t.” She openly and honestly shares her painful lessons so that we, as girlfriends, can learn from her.
And, learn from her you will. Listen in to this podcast interview with Julie for how she has used her previous mistakes and turned them around into valuable lessons for Julie and for us. And, check out Julie’s new site - SmartNow.com - an online community for women filled with inspiration and information you can trust. Thanks Julie!
Come back next time when we talk with Linda Hollander - aka: The Wealthy Bag Lady. She’ll share how she went from an abusive relationship to a successful entrepreneurial career - and why she calls herself the Wealthy Bag Lady!
(p.s. I loved Pets.com!)
Here’s Julie’s full, official bio:
Julie Wainwright
Julie started her career at the Clorox Company in brand management. After three years of rigorous consumer marketing training, she joined Software Publishing, one of the first personal computer software companies. She had a blast in this explosive industry and moved overseas for three years to establish their international sales and marketing. She returned to the U.S. to join a spinoff company, PowerUp Software, as VP of Sales and Marketing. She built the company’s retail business and then moved overseas once again to establish their international business.
Returning to the States, she soon joined Berkeley Systems as Vice President of Worldwide Sales and Marketing. Within one year, she was promoted to President and then CEO. Under her guidance, the company restructured, a professional management team was hired and the company launched “You Don’t Know Jack”, the company’s first entrance into the gaming market, which sold millions and made millions (and is still funny). After the company was sold, Julie joined Reel.com, the first online ecommerce site to sell movies online, as CEO. Julie built the management team, raised venture capital and helped sell the company.
She then founded Pets.com and launched the business with the endearing and enduring Pets.com puppet. Within a two-year timeframe, the Pets.com brand was one of the top brands in the U.S. beating out established competitors. It was a great company, but the timing wasn’t. So she recommended to the board that the company be shut down and money returned to shareholders. Since then, Julie has been an executive in residence at a super duper venture capitalist firm, joined another company as CEO , then general manager at a large automotive lead-generation company and finally decided it was time to start SmartNow.com.
In between all of the above, Julie divorced and lost her mojo for a bit. She beat her doldrums by getting involved in the arts and her community, sharing her life with two stinky dogs and taking care of herself.
She is a bona-fide product junky, finds great inspiration in the strength of those around her, cherishes the beauty in daily life and loves to laugh. She strives each day to embrace life and change. Some days are better than ever.
Julie founded SmartNow after trying and failing to find the information she needed and wanted on the Internet. She commissioned a survey that showed that her suspicions were true - she wasn’t alone. More than 90 percent of the hundreds of women that answered the survey said that while they visited many sites a day, none met their needs.
She is dedicated to making SmartNow the best place for information, referrals, inspiration and community for women over 35. And, she hopes you will be inspired to join her in the adventure.
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[...] - Julie is a smart woman. I know, I’ve interviewed her on a Girlfriendology podcast and she believes in women sharing their wisdom so she created SmartNow. If you are a woman who is [...]