How PinkGenius Got to Where She Is

Like a good wine, it takes time.

PinkGenius didn’t explode onto the scene overnight. She began as a side-hustle—an idea sparked 10 years ago, shaped into a defined brand 5 years ago, and now, after a powerful six months of focused building, she’s becoming a solid business with a clear mission.

Co-Founder Roots: Lessons Passed Down

Ann’s father graduated from Harvard Business School—but she didn’t. She worked her way through college, lived off used textbooks, and built a global career on determination and a lot of caffeine (she lives in Seattle, after all). Although she didn’t follow her father’s academic path, he gave her three golden nuggets that changed the course of her life—lessons she now passes on to the next generation of women.

Those three nuggets are:

Your people = YOUR POWER. Build a lasting community of people you love—and lean in.
Money is a game. Learn offense AND defense, or plan to lose.
Ask better questions. Start with the basics: who, what, where, when, why, and how.

These principles kept Ann grounded while advising Fortune 100 leaders across the world—and now they guide PinkGenius. Ann met Vicky Eriksson six years ago while working with her executive team. They clicked instantly and eventually decided to build a business together. Ann is deeply grateful to be co-building PinkGenius with Vicky—it’s already been a wild ride.

Vicky grew up in South Africa and later became a dual U.S. citizen. She has supported founders around the world, launched two training companies, and most recently served as the CHRO of a startup she helped scale from 2 people to 170. PinkGenius is her way of helping young women—especially those underestimated—develop the skills, courage, and leadership muscles they need to thrive. And Vicky is here to build it.

Together, the co-founders built PinkGenius for you—the young woman stepping boldly into her future—and for the parents who believe in her.

Why PinkGenius Exists Right Now

The 2025 World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report reveals something every young woman and every parent should know: there is still a 40% gap in economic opportunity between men and women. That gap affects everything—career access, leadership roles, financial independence, and who gets to sit at the tables where decisions are made.

At the current pace, true economic gender parity won’t be reached until the year 2175.

No. Thank. You.

So PinkGenius launched with one purpose: to help close that 40% gap faster by preparing young women to become confident, business-smart entrepreneurs. Along the way, young women will gain more financial freedom and decision-making power, and parents will gain peace of mind knowing their daughters have the foundational business skills to chart their own path.

The Meaning Behind the “PinkGenius” Brand

Some people hear the words pink and genius together and raise an eyebrow. But our brand is intentional and grounded in real research.

Across many countries, studies show that people judge others first on warmth and competence. Amy Cuddy’s work in Harvard Business Review revealed that society often assumes you can’t be both.

PinkGenius is here to flip that script.

We believe young women can lead with kindness and intelligence—with warmth and power—and that this combination is exactly what the future needs. Parents want that for their daughters. Gen Z wants it for themselves. We’re here to make it real.

The PinkTrepreneur Journey

Over the past year, PinkGenius has grown from a brand into a structured platform offering programs, community, and products grounded in the Six Imperatives of PinkTrepreneurship:

People, Strategy, Leadership, Cash, Execution, and Spirituality.

Whether through our six-month PinkTrepreneur Program, our Summer Business Camp, or our inspiring PinkGenius gear, our mission is to equip young women with the tools they need to lead, create, and succeed.

Where PinkGenius Stands Today

Today, PinkGenius is a powerful blend of purpose, education, community, and inspiration. She’s here to help young women unlock their potential—and to give parents a place where they know their daughters will learn skills that foster independence, opportunity, and confidence.

From idea → brand → business → movement,

PinkGenius is just getting started.