Jodi Silverman, Founder of Dare On with Jodi
Names: Jodi Silverman
Founder: Dare On with Jodi
What's your elevator pitch?
I’m a Dare On™ Speaker—and mindset, happiness, and resilience are my jam! Through my community and podcast, I help midlife women dare more, doubt less, and live fully. I’m here to DARE you to discover purpose, fulfillment, and fun in this next chapter.
What's your story?
Have you ever had one of those moments—the kind where everything is still and quiet on the outside, but something inside you is shifting?
That’s exactly where I found myself in 2011.
I was sitting alone in a quiet room, knowing that big change was on the horizon. My daughter was getting ready to graduate high school, and my son wouldn’t be far behind. I was proud. I had done the mom thing well. And yet…a wave of discontent washed over me.
Maybe you’ve felt it too—that uncomfortable nudge that says, “This chapter is ending, but I’m not sure what the next one looks like.”
With all that extra time and space ahead, I should’ve been excited. But instead, I felt stuck. The thought of continuing to run my commercial printing business made me cringe. And then came the guilt—how could I feel unfulfilled when my life was so good. I had a great husband, family and friends.
But here’s the truth I came to realize: even a “perfect” life can feel empty if it’s no longer aligned with who you are becoming. That moment of honesty—scary and inconvenient as it was—was the first step in creating a daring life.
When I finally admitted that I wasn’t fulfilled anymore and allowed myself to want more, I had no idea what “more” even meant. But that simple act—letting myself want—opened something. My mind. My heart. My soul. Suddenly, possibility didn’t feel so far away. And when a new opportunity came my way, I said yes.
That single yes led to another. And another. And eventually, it led me here—an empowerment speaker, podcast host and Chief Dare Officer of the “Moms Who Dare” community.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
Being surrounded by women who’ve been where I’ve been, are where I am now, and are already where I’m striving to go—that’s powerful. It’s about building meaningful connections, engaging in mentorship, and sharing my own insights and expertise when it’s helpful and welcomed.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
By showing up, listening, and offering support and resources when needed and when I’m able to. It’s also about thoughtfully connecting women to one another. I don’t believe in reinventing the wheel—if someone needs something and I have it, I’ll gladly share it. Community thrives when we lift each other up.
What is ONE BOOK that you would recommend every female business owner read?
Just one? I'll go with Chillpreneur by Denise Duffield Thomas.
Who is a female entrepreneur you look up to and why?
Mel Robbins. She never gives up. No matter how many times she gets knocked down, she finds a way to get back up and keep moving forward. On a more personal and local level, I admire Majet Reyes, owner of DivaGirl Philly. Majet and I have collaborated and supported each other through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship over the years. I deeply respect how she’s regrouped, refocused, and built a diverse, engaged, and impactful community. After the pandemic, she made a bold decision to concentrate on her two signature events—and in doing so, she’s grown them to a level that not only makes a real difference but also gives her more time freedom. That’s inspiring.
What are the first five things that you did when you were starting your business?
1. Created a FB page called “Moms Who Dare” to begin building a community
2. Created a website
3. Joined a local networking group
4. Began going LIVE on FB with my core messaging
5. Paid attention to what others were doing in my space
Who is someone who has helped change or shape your business for the better and what did they do to help you?
Cheldin Barlatt Rumer. Meeting Cheldin and being invited to appear on her show sparked the idea that I could host my own digital talk show. She generously mentored me through launching my very first show, and thanks to her guidance, I stepped into the world of podcasting with clarity and confidence. Her support was a game-changer for me.
At what point did you make your company a full time gig? How did you know the time was right?
In 2016 when I realized that the community could really grow into something special. Women were showing up and asking me to plan events. I knew then that the model would be a community membership grounded in connection, personal growth and experiences. It was then that I made the difficult decision to step away from my leadership role in a direct sales company and dive full time into Moms Who Dare.
What lesson or skill did you take with you from a prior job to help you succeed in your role today?
Learning how to bounce back from “no” and failure. I’ve learned to see them not as dead ends, but as springboards to what’s possible next. That mindset has been key to staying resilient and moving forward in my business.
Let’s talk social media—who handles it for your company and what is the secret to making it successful? What is the biggest challenge?
No one and it's a huge issue. I am currently in the process of looking for the "right" person or company to support me with a clear social media strategy and implementation of the strategy
How did you land your first client?
Realizing that there were 7 women who showed up to our in person events consistently I knew this community would be the business I envisioned...a membership community grounded in Connection-Personal Growth and Experiences. I invited the 7 women to my house, shared the idea and they joined as my founding members.
What is something you do differently from the industry standard?
I was told many times that I should do 1:1 coaching if I'm a life coach. It's just never been the plan. I always knew I would bring my coaching/mentoring into a community.
What would you do differently if you were starting your business today?
I would focus more intentionally on growing the membership and speaking sides of my business. I’d stay consistent and committed to building those areas before jumping into new ideas. Instead of constantly pivoting, I’d lean into a “rinse and repeat” mindset—giving things time to grow and gain traction before moving on to the next thing.
What are three strategies you use to market your business, grow brand awareness and generate bottom line growth?
1. Being a podcast host
2. Being a guest on other podcasts/summits
3. Public speaking
What was an obstacle you overcame to get your business where it is today? Please share the story behind it.
One of the biggest obstacles I had to overcome was silencing the limiting belief that I couldn’t do things my own way and still succeed. I also had to quiet the outside noise—especially from business coaches who insisted I “should” be offering a high-ticket, year-long program instead of the low-ticket membership model I felt called to build.
Every time I felt aligned and in flow with my membership, my coach would question me: “What’s the block around high ticket? Is it about your worth?” But there was no block—it was simply a different, yet totally valid, business model. Eventually, I made the tough (but right) decision to leave that coaching program four months early.
That moment marked a turning point. It gave me the gift of full-on trust in myself—and that trust has been the foundation of everything I’ve built since.
What are three actionable tips you would give with other women who want to start a business or are just getting started?
1. Get clear on who you serve. Know your ideal client—what they need, what they’re searching for, and how you can help them get it or guide them toward it.
2. Stick with your offer. Once you decide what you're selling, commit to it through multiple sales cycles. Learn from the wins and the flops, and keep going. Consistency is key to building momentum and lasting success.
3. Be unapologetically YOU. Learn from others, yes—but always bring it back to what feels true to you. When your business reflects your authentic self, it will naturally resonate with the right clients and grow in alignment with your values.
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