Before anyone was swiping right, Fran Maier was already rewriting the rules. As the co-founder of Match.com, she didn’t just help people find love online. She helped women feel safe doing it. And when her company was sold for a fraction of what it’s worth today, she didn’t quit. She started again.
Fran’s story isn’t just about startups. It’s about stamina. It’s about the quiet power of women who see what’s missing and decide to build it themselves. From creating trust in the earliest days of the internet to leading a company that helps thousands of moms become entrepreneurs, Fran embodies what it means to take risks, get back up, and redefine what success looks like on your own terms.
Key Takeaways:
- Why focusing on women consumers was the secret to Match.com’s early success
- Asking for help (and sometimes demanding it) can change everything
- Every ending can be the start of your next act
- Never shrink your ambition to fit the room
- Take the risk and stop waiting for permission
Learn More About Fran:
LinkedIn: Fran Maier
Website: babyquip.com
promo code LADYBUSINESS $20 off any order of $100 or more.
https://www.babyquip.com/p/ladybusiness
About Our Guest:
Fran Maier is a pioneering serial entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience launching and scaling disruptive B2C and B2B internet businesses. Best known as Co-Founder and first General Manager of Match.com, Founder of privacy compliance leader TRUSTe (now TrustArc), and now Founder and CEO of BabyQuip—the world’s leading baby gear rental platform—Fran has built a career transforming industries and breaking boundaries as a Latina business leader.
Since founding BabyQuip in 2016, Fran has redefined family travel and gig economy innovation. Through proprietary technology and a thriving community of independent contractors called Quality Providers, BabyQuip gives traveling families easy access to high-quality baby gear in over 2,000 markets. Under Fran’s leadership, the company has raised more than $12 million in seed funding and become a recognized leader in both the travel and parenting tech spaces.
Earlier in her career, Fran helped launch and scale Match.com, where she built the company’s initial partnerships, introduced the first membership model, and focused on attracting women—a key differentiator that helped establish Match.com as the market leader. At TRUSTe, she led the transformation of the organization from a nonprofit to a for-profit, venture-backed company, raising over $10 million and positioning it as a pioneer in online privacy compliance. She also played a key role in launching BlueLight.com, a Kmart and SoftBank joint venture aimed at expanding internet access and e-commerce reach.
A sought-after voice on entrepreneurship, tech innovation, and women in leadership, Fran has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNBC, and more. She appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank and was profiled in the documentary She Started It, showcasing female founders.
About Our Company, The Justice Dept.
A female-focused advisory, consulting, and law firm advocating for female founders, talent, execs, and brands. We represent bo$$ ladies to make them 💰💰.
Website: https://www.thejusticedept.com/
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@jenniferjustice6653
If you love what you are getting out of our show, please subscribe.
This is a Lady Business LLC Production.
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