Doone Roisin is a dynamic and inspiring presence in the world of female entrepreneurship. As the founder of the popular Female Startup Club podcast, she has interviewed some of the most successful female founders globally, uncovering the stories and strategies behind their success. Now, she’s taking her passion for mentorship and community-building to the next level with Groopie, a groundbreaking platform she dubs the “OnlyFans for Business Professionals.”
In this interview with The Paige, Doone shares the wisdom that has shaped her journey, the inspiration behind Groopie, and her vision for disrupting the creator economy by empowering professionals to turn their expertise into meaningful connections and income.
Having interviewed some of the world’s most successful female founders on your Female Startup Club podcast, is there a particular piece of advice that has resonated with you and significantly influenced your career journey?
Build your online presence and start building it today! My advice to everyone that aspires to have a business one day is to pick something you’re interested in enough to talk about every day and begin crafting content on TikTok and YouTube; having an audience will help you so much on the day you want to launch something.
So even if you’re still working your nine to five, think about the future-you and what your goals are when you look down the track. I encourage you to jump online and start taking advantage of the craziness – it could literally change your life.
Was the idea for Groopie a gradual evolution, or was there a specific moment that sparked the inspiration for the platform?
I always say that one of my fave things about running Female Startup Club is the incredible women I get to meet and yap with every day. Hearing from our community about their challenges accessing mentorship, as I’m hearing from founders and experts about their overwhelm at the consistent stream of “can-I-pick-your-brain” DMs, I knew there had to be a better way to connect professionals to those needing their expertise in a meaningful way.
This sparkle of an idea really came to life during Techstars, where Groopie was born. Those 13 weeks were seriously some of the most intense and transformative of my life. I entered the programme with a clear goal but no real roadmap on how to achieve it, but when I was there I was really able to crystalise the concept for Groopie – the OnlyFans for business professionals.
In creating Groopie, what is your ultimate hope for those looking to the platform for inspiration and mentorship?
My hope is that Groopie becomes the go-to space for in-demand professionals – founders, execs, investors, inventors, and 9to5ers – to turn their brainpower, expertise and connections into passive income. I want professionals who are influential but not necessarily influencers to feel empowered and enabled to be part of the booming creator and subscription economy – and to have their knowledge valued in a way that doesn’t rely on building an influencer-style audience.
By positioning Groopie as the “OnlyFans for business professionals”, you’re pioneering a new niche in the creator economy. What excites you the most about what you’re creating?
Pioneering a new niche, that’s for sure! In a media and content world that’s changing faster than we can imagine the thing that excites me most is the potential to disrupt how we think about brainpower, and that deeper access and connection to the voices we trust – something that will always be around.
We’re creating an ecosystem where professionals who aren’t traditional influencers can still thrive in the subscription economy, while giving learners a unique, direct line to advice and mentorship.
I’m just so excited about fostering those connections. The fact that this can all happen in a space as familiar as a group chat – where we’re hanging around anyway – feels totally game-changing.
As a highly sought after business mentor yourself, what has been the most rewarding aspect of this role? Can you share a success story of a mentee that you’re particularly proud of?
Mentorship has been one of the most fulfilling parts of this journey so far. The founders I work with are all incredible and I’m inspired by them everyday!
I’m especially proud of Kellie Johnson, the founder of Kosi. After two decades of severe endometriosis symptoms and multiple miscarriages, she created a heat pad that has gone viral and she’s helping sooo many people in the process.
Watching her success from when she first started to go viral through to a successful deal on Sharktank is a testament to what happens when passion meets perseverance (and a little guidance along the way!).
Groopie will launch its beta group in early 2025! You can join the waitlist as an expert here or drop into Doone’s DM’s here if you’ve got any questions 🫶 Doone’s book Your Hype Girl is available for purchase here.
