Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Hilary Richards. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Hilary thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

After Covid, I noticed how disconnected and lonely so many women felt. During that time, the online coaching and “female empowerment” industry exploded, and it seemed like everyone was building communities online so they could create passive income. I joined several of those groups, but something was always missing. The friendships felt surface-level, because at the end of the day, those people were still strangers on the internet. I knew I wanted to create something that felt different.

Most of us were just going through the motions, showing up at work or school pick-up, asking the usual “How are you?” and answering “good,” when in reality, none of us were truly okay. What women really needed were real-life friendships.

That’s when I decided to “lean in to local” and create an in-person space for women to gather face-to-face. My vision was to build a safe place where women could truly connect with others who understood what they were going through.

At the time, no one else was doing this, and I felt strongly that it was my calling. I dove headfirst into a mission to connect 1,000 women in Sonoma County, CA through what became a local female empowerment movement called She Can Club.

After hosting over 60 women’s events and connecting more than 1,000 women, I’ve seen the powerful impact She Can Club has had in my hometown. That success showed me this model is needed everywhere. I recently launched The Girl Gang Movement to help women across the country create their own communities, grow their influence, and build the kind of friendships and support systems that change lives like She Can Club has.

Hilary , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Hilary Richards, founder of She Can Club and The Girl Gang Movement. I hold an MBA and spent over 15 years helping small businesses grow before feeling called to create something more personal and community-driven. My corporate experience gave me the confidence and skill set to turn a small tug on my heart into a thriving movement.

She Can Club is an in-person community for women based in Sonoma County, California. Over the past four years, we’ve hosted more than 60 social events where women come together to form genuine friendships, share resources, and create connections that strengthen both their personal and professional lives. Our “Friendship-First Networking” approach helps women not just meet new people, but meet future best friends, collaborators, clients, mentors, and support systems.

After seeing the impact She Can Club has had in my hometown, I launched The Girl Gang Movement to empower women across the country to create their own communities, host impactful events, and cultivate meaningful connections. I’m excited to be able to provide guidance on building sustainable, authentic networks that support personal and professional growth so that communities all over the country can have their own version of She Can Club.

Many women, even those who may seem accomplished and fulfilled, struggle to find authentic, face-to-face connections. Through my work, I help women stop feeling isolated, gain confidence, and step into leadership within their own communities. The ripple effect is powerful: when women are supported, they show up more fully in their personal lives, businesses, and communities.

I got into this work after leaving male-dominated industries where I often thought, “I’m made for more.” I was great at running businesses, managing people, and helping business owners make money, but I didn’t know what kind of work would truly fill my cup. After a major death in my family during the pandemic, I realized I needed to live for my eulogy, not my resume. I went on a mission to define what “more” meant for my life, and through that process, I discovered my purpose was to support women in my own local community. That clarity led to She Can Club, and ultimately set me on the path to creating The Girl Gang Movement.

What I’m most proud of is seeing how She Can Club has transformed the lives of women in Sonoma County. Over the past four years, I’ve watched women form deep friendships, gain confidence, and support each other in ways that didn’t exist before. My work is rooted in genuine connection and empowerment by building relationships, fostering trust, and creating spaces where women feel seen, supported, and inspired. I’m thrilled to expand this mission nationally, helping women everywhere create the same kind of community, connection, and confidence we’ve cultivated here in Northern California.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What helped me build my reputation in my market is creating spaces where women feel safe enough to be real and vulnerable. At my events, I encourage deep conversations and authenticity, promoting the idea that you can walk in as a stranger and walk out with friends. Women often feel comfortable enough to cry, share struggles, and celebrate wins in a room full of people they just met because we get down to the real and raw.

In addition to fostering vulnerability, I’ve shown up consistently and focused on delivering real value. The impact of She Can Club is evident in the stories and successes of the women who participate. When people see these connections are meaningful, long-lasting, and transformative, both personally and professionally, word-of-mouth referrals naturally follow. By combining authenticity with results, I’ve built a reputation rooted in trust, empowerment, and genuine connection.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

Yes! One of the strengths of running a local “Girl Gang” is that there are no limits to the revenue you can generate. You can host small events or large gatherings with sponsors. You could also create highly profitable collaborations, retreats, masterminds, or any other type of event, at any price point, that fits your vision and community.

Beyond direct revenue, the Girl Gang model also serves as a powerful raving referral network. By fostering genuine connections and trust among women in your community, it naturally builds know, like, and trust, which can benefit any other business or project you’re promoting. Essentially, it’s a way to both generate income and grow influence organically.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shecanclub.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shecanclub
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shecanclub
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilaryarichards/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/thegirlgangmovement