The Birth of FemThrive
Launched in 2018, FemThrive is a Women Entrepreneurs Collective where women gain wisdom, a network, tactics and, of course, celebrate each other's successes with a glass of wine or two. FemThrive offers 1:1 Business Advising with Bre, Hands-On down in the dirt Fractional Operations Leadership, Annual Retreats/Events/Workshops, and a free community Membership. All for Women, By Women!
Let’s face it- Entrepreneurship is hard, lonely, and a 24/7 gig. It is also our ticket to FREEDOM. Freedom in time, money, and creativity. There is no glass ceiling for business owners paving their own way to success.
Founder & Owner | Advisor, Entrepreneur, Coach
Meet Bre!
Brianna “Bre” Russell is a dynamic entrepreneur and business advisor, passionate about empowering women and girls to reach new heights. As the founder of Girls Leading Goals and FemThrive, Bre helps women scale their businesses without burning out, while fostering communities of support and growth.
Bre’s unique approach combines business strategy with personal growth, making her an inspiring leader and mentor. Not to mention she has an undeniable gift for turning ideas into reality. She holds a B.S. in Business, Masters in International Studies, an Executive Coaching Certification from the World Coaching Institute, and a U.S. Soccer Coaching License.
Bre loves to build, design, guide, and nurture visions, ideas, programs, organizations, communities and people. Her specialties include: service based businesses, sports, youth programs, wellness, women owned businesses, pets and animals, and nonprofits. When she’s not building businesses, she’s investing in professional soccer teams, adventuring outdoors, or enjoying a glass of Pinot and a good laugh.
Her clients have shared that she provides a space that is both strategic and supportive. Bre has helped dozens of founders grow without burnout by aligning financial clarity with scalable strategy. On average, her clients see a 43% increase in revenue and 65% jump in profit within 12 months.
From Goal Getter to Goal-Leader
Bre’s journey began in the not-so-bustling small town of Fairfield, CA, where she discovered her superpower: turning ideas into impactful initiatives.
Her friends and family often joke that she could probably start a successful business in her sleep. And honestly, they might be right.
As the mastermind behind Girls Leading Goals, Bre helps young girls realize that they can be leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. Think of her as the fairy godmother of leadership, but instead of a wand, she wields an impressive resume and a knack for motivating others.
More About Bre
Her first business was running a house painting gig at age 20. After learning that painting houses was not her passion but entrepreneurship was her calling, she went to Vanuatu in the South Pacific for two years as a Peace Corps Small Business Advisor. There she and another volunteer started a community income generating project for the women in their village called A Basket for Change and also started the first Women’s Regional Soccer team (listen to her incredible Peace Corps experience here on this podcast episode) or watch her feature video from Hudl here, read about her as a Success Magazine 2023 Women of Influence Award Winner, or enjoy this local shout out from the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Upon returning and finishing her Master’s in International Studies at University of San Francisco, she started Girls Leading Girls, the nonprofit arm of Girls Leading Goals. From there, she earned continued education certifications from Stanford Graduate School of Business and Cornell University in Social Entrepreneurship and Financing.
In 2020, she was inspired by other women entrepreneurs sharing their business challenges and seeking her out for advice that she started FemThrive as a coaching firm. She holds an Executive Coaching Certification from World Coach Institute and is a Certified Business Advisor with Cultivate Advisors.
In 2024, Bre sold her for profit business, Girls Leading Goals, and started a new chapter of going all in on empowering women through FemThrive.
Inspired by her passion for soccer and entrepreneurship she continues to pay it forward as a private equity investor in the Oakland Roots & Soul professional soccer teams.
MEET THE TEAM
MICHELLE RYCKMAN
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Michelle is a seasoned business and communications leader with over 20 years of experience working closely with executives to help their organizations run better and grow stronger. She supports leaders across operations, HR, and marketing, with a focus on building strong teams, clear communication, and practical strategies. Known for her calm, thoughtful approach, Michelle helps leaders stay focused, aligned, and confident as they scale across startups and established companies in tech, consumer, and professional services.
JENNI LAFERRIERE
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Jenni is a dynamic creator and community‑builder known for blending strength, storytelling, and strategy. With a background in fitness‑driven content and brand development, she brings a fresh, athlete‑centered perspective to her new role as Marketing Assistant at FemThrive. She’s passionate about elevating female built businesses through authentic connection and bold creative vision.