“I want to be a princess and marry a prince and live in a castle.” That’s what I wrote nearly 25 years ago, beneath a little crayon drawing of a castle, responding to the prompt “When I grow up…”.

Being a CEO wasn’t registering as a potential path for me until virtually the day I started Doughp. Into my high-school years, I grew out of my princess ambitions - though admittedly, I’ve since totally married a prince and we sort of have a castle now compared to our tiny apartment in San Francisco. Nevertheless, at 16 years old I joined Intel and began to see my future climbing a seemingly endless corporate ladder. But that was it. I didn’t know anyone who was an entrepreneur - that seemed all too risky and I thought I’d never have an idea - instead living in the land of, “Why didn’t I think of that?!” at the sight of any new invention. No, entrepreneurship wasn’t for me, I was supposed to go to college, get a good job and try to stay there until I retired…. right?

I kept on the corporate path, coasting along and slowly coming to see how much my drinking problem was affecting me and those close to me. Fast forward to 2015 when I decided to call it quits with my long-time terrible friend, alcohol. It was time then to find out what Kelsey really had to offer the world at full speed, with nothing holding me down. If you’re reading this email - you know what happened next. I fell back in love with the kitchen and within 2 years was ready to take the leap, quit my career after 10 years and go do the thing I never envisioned - start my own company.

As much as I hate being labeled a “female CEO” - I hope I can be a beacon for other young girls to know that they can do anything they put their mind to. I absolutely LOVE dessert and now I get to talk about cookie dough every damn day! No matter how unlikely the path, no matter how many barriers get put in their way - rise above the haters and go crush it.

Here’s to future generations with more 5-year-old girls writing down things like “CEO,” “Astronaut,” or “Engineer” when asked about their dreams. And here’s to the incredible women kicking ass and providing the examples to pave the way.

March 8th is International Women’s Day. Send some love (or some cookie dough) to a woman who inspires you and do your best to be someone who inspires others. And if you want to send Doughp some love, I’d appreciate your vote here as we’re running for a $50,000 FedEx Small Business Grant!

Have a Doughp day, Spoonlickers.

Kelsey

Founder & Fearless Leader

Doughp