“I knew in that moment, that’s what I was supposed to do.”
Melinda Garvey: Founder and Chief of On The Dot Woman
If you’re subscribed to our newsletter, a listener of our podcast, or a just a frequent browser of our website, you’ve probably already know our founder, Melinda Garvey.
Melinda— who is not only the founder of On the Dot Woman, but also Austin Woman Magazine— is an inspiration to female entrepreneurs everywhere. Recently, On The Spot With Melinda Garvey—On The Dot Woman’s official podcast—celebrated its 50th episode!
To make it a memorable one, the tables were turned and Melinda herself was put “on the spot” as she was interviewed about her own journey to success. Radio personality and close friend, Terri McCormick, stepped in as host.
Melinda has made her career out of motivating women and highlighting inspirational female role models, but how did she get her start? After moving to Austin and starting a new job, Melinda was struggling with feeling like she belonged and was desperate to make a change. Melinda elaborated in the interview, “It was so NOT a fit. I didn’t like them and they didn’t like me, fast forward eight months into it and I’m like, I have got to get out of this.”
Luckily, inspiration struck at the perfect time. During the first tech boom in Austin, it seemed as if notable men were the face of every cover of every magazine. In other words, there was a serious lack of female voices in the conversation.
Melinda knew it was her job to change that. “The hair stood up on the back of my neck, and I knew,” she remembers. “I knew in that moment, that’s what I was supposed to do.”
In September of 2002, Austin Woman Magazine released their first issue with Amy Simmons from Amy’s Ice Cream featured on the cover. The risk of failure was not lost on Melinda; she knew starting her own publication was a gamble. But she stuck to her plan, and made confident decisions. Now, nearly 17 years later, Austin Woman is the leading female magazine in Austin.
Fast-forward fourteen years in April of 2016, On The Dot Woman was launched, and now fills a diverse niche as the global newsletter that preaches female empowerment to women everywhere. Melinda recognized the need for female empowerment not only in Austin, but worldwide through digital content.
Melinda often says that her dream is to brainwash women, because, as she puts it, that is the quickest way to ensure all women know their worth.
To hear more from Melinda’s interview, check out the 50th Episode Special of OnThe Spot With Melinda Garvey, now available on your favorite streaming platform.