Ladies Get Rising: Love, Professional Alignment, and Mental Health

The Domino Effect

From a messy divorce, coming out and falling in love with her co-founder, getting sued by men for discrimination, and having twins last year where one had open-heart surgery and medical bills of over $3 million, Claire Wasserman is no stranger to rising after her life burned to the ground over and over again.

Claire Wasserman, a trailblazer in advocating for women's financial and professional empowerment, knows a thing or two about rebuilding and rising from the ashes.

As we celebrate Pride Month, I am proud to share the inspiring story of my new friend and colleague, Claire, who has shown immense strength and resilience through her journey.

If you want to learn how she turned all of these challenges into a multi six-figure book deal, speaking engagements at prestigious places like Harvard Business School and Nike , and coverage in major media outlets like Good Morning America and the The New York Times , read on.

Claire Wasserman’s Unique Upbringing

Claire Wasserman’s childhood was culturally rich and intellectually stimulating. Raised on the Upper West Side of New York City, she grew up in an artistic household with a mother immersed in New York Opera and a father in publishing. This bohemian environment, filled with books and lively discussions, fostered Claire’s early achievements.

By age nine, she landed a role in a Paul Simon Broadway musical, and at eleven, she won an essay contest that led to a meeting with Supreme Court Justices. A pivotal moment was not getting into Yale in a family full of alumni, where the rejection was gut-wrenching for the first time after building an identity based on what she accomplished. She went on to complete her undergraduate studies at Boston University and found herself working in marketing.

Founding Ladies Get Paid

The idea for Ladies Get Paid was sparked during an advertising industry event where Claire observed what appeared to be an episode out of Mad Men. A friend overheard discussions about women’s pay and knew she had to act. Her first town hall on the subject attracted over 300 women almost instantly, leading to the creation of a vibrant community focused on financial empowerment. Ladies Get Paid has since grown to over 50,000 members globally, providing resources and support for women to advance professionally and financially.

Legal Challenges

In October 2018, Claire and Ladies Get Paid faced a significant legal challenge when they were sued by the National Coalition for Men. The lawsuit claimed that Ladies Get Paid's women-only events were discriminatory. This legal battle was financially and emotionally crushing, but Claire navigated it with resilience, continuing to advocate for women's rights and expanding her organization. She crowdfunded over $100,000 via Ladies Get Sued, and her story was featured in the Washington Post, New York Post, Bloomberg, Daily Beast, and more.

Pivoting During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic hit Ladies Get Paid hard, forcing Claire to reinvent her entire business model. Previously reliant on in-person events and brand sponsorships, the pandemic necessitated a pivot to online programming. She had just finished a huge milestone of putting on a conference for 1,000 attendees in Brooklyn.

The blow of COVID-19 and its impact on her business was devastating. Claire rebranded and rebuilt the business, focusing on virtual workshops and expanding the reach of Ladies Get Paid. This transition not only sustained the organization but also made it more accessible and resilient in the long term.

Love and Family

During these periods, there was a mess in the making behind the scenes. divorced her husband and fell in love with her co-founder, Ashley Louise .

Embracing her truth, Claire left her husband to pursue her relationship with Ashley, and to this day, it’s the best thing she’s ever done. They met at a 2016 town hall Claire put on; Ashley wanted to be a part of the movement, and the magic went on from there.

Coming out and breaking her marriage was tough for her people's pleasing tendencies. She knew it would upset many people around her, but she knew she had to align with her true self.

It was in this discovery that she was able to uncover the magic of shedding the weight of parts of herself she couldn’t hide anymore. Claire and Ashley's Wedding is a testament to what happens when you align your beliefs with your true self.

Raphael's Heart Surgery

Barely a day after giving birth to twins Raphael and Antonia, Claire and Ashley received devastating news about Raphael's health. A nurse detected a heart murmur, which led to the discovery of multiple congenital heart defects, including an interrupted aortic arch and a ventricular septal defect.

The following days were a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty as Raphael underwent life-saving surgery on his one-week birthday. Despite complications and extended recovery, Raphael’s heart was ultimately repaired. This experience of facing mortality and leaning into love and resilience profoundly impacted Claire, fortifying her spirit and dedication as a new mother and wife, and the ability to move forward.

Claire’s Rise to Recognition

Claire’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. She was named one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Most Powerful Women and has spoken at prestigious venues such as Harvard Business School, NASA, Facebook, and Nike. She has also made appearances on Good Morning America and in the New York Times, solidifying her status as a leading voice for women’s empowerment.

Claire is also the author of the book "Ladies Get Paid," published by Simon & Schuster . The book is a transformative guide filled with straightforward advice and inspiring stories, aiming to help women advocate for their worth, navigate office politics, and negotiate raises.

Lessons and Powerful Takeaways

Here are some powerful lessons and takeaways that I've gained from Claire's journey:

1. Self-trust builds over time: Trusting herself to start a town hall of Ladies Get Paid, overcome a lawsuit by men activists, and come out against the norms of her friends and family to share she was in love with her co-founder.
2. If you align yourself with one area, it will have a domino effect on others: Aligning with her true purpose in work helped her align positively in all other areas.
3. Get a therapist: Mental health is a marathon, and you are always shedding and uncovering layers. Professional support is crucial.
4. You can build a seven-figure business from nothing: With zero funding, resilience, and determination, it's possible to create a successful business from the ground up.
5. It’s better to live a life of honesty and messiness than to please others: Embracing her true self and living authentically was the turning point for Claire.
6. Raise your standards, you are worth more, and charge more: Knowing and advocating for your worth is non-negotiable. It took a $3 million medical bill for Claire to really understand this.
7. Learning to own your worth is a forever journey: Continually recognizing and affirming your worth is an ongoing process that requires constant effort and self-reflection.
8. There is power in positive energy, prayer, and helping others: Through her messy moments, it was the beautiful people who gave her strength that comes from positive thinking, spiritual practices, and supporting others, even during challenging times.
9. Having the courage to share your story is the best thing you can ever do to align all areas of your life: Sharing her story allowed Claire to align with her true self and inspire others to do the same.
10. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and uplift you: Building a supportive network is crucial. Being around inspiring and uplifting individuals can significantly impact your personal and professional growth.

Here is How You Can Connect with Claire:

• Reach out for 1:1 coaching: claire.wasserman@hey.com
• Bring her into your company to speak
• Join the Ladies Get Paid community 
• Receive her newsletter

• Connect on social media: LinkedIn | Instagram
• Join the 4-hour bootcamp on Saturday, June 15th: Ladies Get Launched. Claire will cover Money, Marketing, and Mental Health practices to get your idea off the ground. Use the code LAUNCHEDSTEPH for $50 off the program.

As Claire says, she made millions out of nothing, and so can you.

Final Thoughts

It's in the unwinding of our lives that we learn and become who we are meant to be, stepping into our greater purpose.

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I hope it provides support and insight to those navigating similar challenges.

If you want your rising story featured or know someone who should be, please reach out to me.