In this episode, we talk to Emma Murphy, founder and CEO of Eating Freely, a network training professionals in emotional eating treatment.

She candidly shares her entrepreneurial journey in the femtech space. As a world-leading expert on emotional eating and binge eating disorders, Emma describes how her personal experience with a friend's trauma inspired her unique approach combining psychology, nutrition, and coaching.

She recounts the harsh lessons learned from previously raising $300,000 in venture capital funding that ultimately failed. Emma opens up about the deep depression she experienced post-failure, but how reframing it as a learning opportunity allowed her to bootstrap her way to success with Eating Freely.

The conversation dives into the pros and cons of bootstrapping versus seeking outside investment. Emma provides a refreshingly honest perspective on the pitfalls of VC and angel funding that many founders overlook, such as loss of control and burdensome investor pressures.

Her wisdom reminds us that money management discipline and operating lean are crucial for bootstrapped businesses.