5 Founders I’m Obsessed with Right Now
🗓️ Jaclyn Johnson POSTED TO THE GROUP CHAT Apr 28, 2026
Leadership & Identity | Community, Networks, & Social Capital
Let’s be honest—most founder content falls into one of two buckets: perfectly curated highlight reels (guilty!) or vague advice that sounds good but doesn’t actually tell you anything.
But every once in a while, you come across founders who are doing something different. They’re not just building companies—they’re building with a point of view that actually teaches you something if you’re paying attention.
These are five founders I find myself consistently going back to—not just for inspiration, but for insight. Because each of them is operating at a different edge of business, brand, and culture.
1. Nadya Okamoto — Founder of August
Nadya is one of the clearest examples of what it looks like to build a modern consumer brand in real time.
As the founder of August, a Gen Z–driven period care company, she’s not separating the business from the content—she’s blending them. Her platform is essentially a live feed of decisions: product iterations, messaging tests, community conversations, even moments of uncertainty.
And that’s what makes it compelling.Most founders wait until something works before they talk about it. Nadya shares while it’s still being figured out. Which means you’re not just seeing outcomes—you’re seeing process.
Whether shes running a marathon, planning her bridal shower or talking about her latest advisory role – I am locked in!
Why I’m watching: she’s redefining what it means to build with your audience, not just market to them—and that’s where a lot of consumer brands are headed whether they realize it or not.
2. Melissa André — Founder of Melissa André Events
Melissa brings a completely different lens—and that’s exactly why she stands out.
As an event planner, she’s not building a traditional startup or a scalable SaaS product. She’s building experiences. High-touch, highly curated, emotionally driven environments that people step into.
And you feel that in her content.
She edits her events like a reality show and you can’t help but tune in! From facetime Alix Earle to show her the set up for her Coachella event to talking about being a single wedding planner.
In a world obsessed with scale, Melissa’s work is a reminder that intimacy, detail, and execution still matter—and frankly, are harder to get right.
Why I’m watching: Why I’m watching: She understands the drama of live events—and how to capture it. As a fellow live-events girly, it’s equal parts relatable and addictive.
3. Morgan DeBaun — Founder & CEO of Blavity Inc.
Morgan is operating on a completely different level of thinking.
She didn’t just build a company—she built an ecosystem with Blavity Inc., spanning media, community, and culture. And her content reflects that scale. It’s structured, it’s clear, and it’s grounded in actual business fundamentals.
What stands out is how she communicates.
She’s not performing entrepreneurship for the algorithm. She’s breaking down leadership, revenue, hiring, and decision-making in a way that’s direct and usable. There’s discipline in how she shares—and that discipline mirrors how she runs her business.
You don’t leave her content feeling motivated—you leave it thinking more strategically.
Why I’m watching: she shows what it looks like to think like an owner at scale—and she’s one of the few people online who consistently makes entrepreneurship feel real, not romanticized.
4. Charlotte Palermino — Co-founder of Dieux Skin
Charlotte has done something most brands still haven’t figured out: she’s collapsed the gap between brand, founder, and content.
As the co-founder of Dieux Skin, she’s built a company rooted in transparency—and her content is the engine behind it. She educates constantly, breaks down ingredients, calls out industry misinformation, and explains the “why” behind decisions.
It’s not just content—it’s credibility at scale.
What’s fascinating is how that translates to trust. Consumers don’t feel marketed to—they feel informed. And that changes how they buy.
She’s also not afraid to have a point of view, even when it’s unpopular. Which, in a crowded category like beauty and a world that rewards women just nodding yes and moving on, is exactly what cuts through.
Why I’m watching: she’s proving that trust isn’t a marketing tactic—it’s the foundation of growth. And brands that don’t understand that are going to struggle.
5. Kelly Wearstler — Founder of Kelly Wearstler Studio
Kelly represents something a lot of newer founders overlook: the power of long-term creative conviction.
She’s built one of the most recognizable design brands in the world—not by chasing trends, but by doubling down on a distinct point of view over decades.
Her content reflects that. It’s bold, layered, and unmistakably hers. You could spot her work instantly, which is increasingly rare in a world of algorithm-driven sameness.
What makes her fascinating isn’t just the aesthetic—it’s the consistency. She’s stayed true to a vision long enough for it to compound into something iconic and now she is giving us access. Whether through her substack which is expertly curated or her instagram which takes us on beautiful adventures.
Why I’m watching: she’s a reminder that originality is a long game—and most people pivot too early to ever get there.
