EPISODE #998
Laura Henson
Breaking the Silence:
Strategic Visibility and Why Authentic Communication is Vital for Women Entrepreneurs
998 Laura Henson: Breaking the Silence
Women Investing in Women: Creating Powerful Cycles of Growth and Change
In the infobesity of our attention economy, it can be hard to stand out, let alone capture viral moments that can catapult you and your business to success. It can feel like a thankless grind, and too many women founders face psychological barriers stepping into the spotlight.
So, what does it take to be seen and heard and make a positive impact with authentic authority in a crowded digital space overflowing with performative noise where everything is met with increasing skepticism?
Laura Henson is the Founder and CEO of HVM Communications, a boutique strategic communications agency focused on brand storytelling, media relations, and thought leadership for founders, women leaders, and mission-driven organizations. She’s also
an active investor across venture capital, private equity, and early-stage companies, with a portfolio that reflects her conviction that capital and communications are equally powerful tools for lasting change.
Today Laura shares the power of intentionality, and how to be strategic about gaining and using visibility as a lever to generate revenue, fundraise more effectively, and ultimately channel those resources back into initiatives that uplift other women. You’ll hear actionable advice and real-world stories about how to grow your visibility and raise finance for a startup, plus what needs to change to encourage more women to invest in female-founded emerging growth companies, not just philanthropy.
🔑Key Takeaways🔑
✨Visibility is NOT optional: How to overcome persistent challenges women face in gaining visibility as entrepreneurs, including imposter syndrome, and how to make visibility part of your strategy from day one because it drives business opportunities, secures funding, and establishes credibility and influence. In a competitive landscape, it’s vital not to leave your narrative up to others.
❤️ Authenticity builds trust: In a world awash with performative content and skepticism, showing up authentically (not just “talking the talk” but “walking the walk”) helps you stand out and create a lasting impact. Learn how.
💸 Invest in women: Whether it’s supporting women-led ventures with capital or amplifying each other’s expertise or buying each other’s products and services, creating a virtuous cycle advances everyone. It’snot charity; it’s a path to creating more wealth, opportunity, and impact for all women.
🎯 Practical Steps for Founders: Build your networks on platforms like LinkedIn and join IRL communities because face-to-face interactions often turn into lasting business opportunities; set aside specific times each week to connect with new people, and focus on building trust.
💡 Leverage AI the Human Way: AI can help streamline busywork and free time for deeper, more authentic relationships, but it needs human oversight, critical thinking, and personal voice so you can stand out from the crowd with authenticity and build trust.
More about Laura Henson at www.hvmcommunications.com
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More about Laura at HVM Communications
Laura Henson is the Founder and CEO of HVM Communications, a boutique strategic communications agency focused on brand storytelling, media relations, and thought leadership for founders, women leaders, and mission-driven organizations. For 20 years, Laura has built a reputation as a trusted voice at the intersection of capital, visibility, and women’s leadership. Laura is also an active investor across venture capital, private equity, and early-stage companies, with a portfolio that reflects her conviction that capital and communications are equally powerful tools for lasting change. She serves on the Executive Board of How Women Lead and the Goodnation Foundation. She is a contributing author at Inc.com and was named to the KNOW Women list of 100 Women to KNOW in America in 2025, and 100 Women to KNOW in New York in 2026.
Get a 15-minute Zoom to brainstorm your visibility: DM Laura on LinkedIn.
Get the Transcript HERE
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