Empowering women to make waves and win
Tech founder Jess Wilson is a serial entrepreneur who has been collecting wins in business since her teens, evolving into a true trailblazer.
As Co-Founder of Women Making Waves, an organisation using NFT technology to fund women’s rights law reform across the USA and Australia, she's instigated some impactful changes - and she isn't stopping anytime soon.
Tech founder Jess Wilson is a serial entrepreneur who has been collecting wins in business since her teens, evolving into a true trailblazer.
As Co-Founder of Women Making Waves, an organisation using NFT technology to fund women’s rights law reform across the USA and Australia, she's instigated some impactful changes - and she isn't stopping anytime soon.
From Small Town Dreamer to Successful Tech Founder
Jess is a real example of small town girl turned globally recognised and awarded tech entrepreneur. Growing up in Karangi, NSW she was one of only six students in her school group, and her entrepreneurial spirit was already evident when she started her first business at 16, hosting formal afterparties on her family's farm.
Her ambitions and tenacity led her to bigger places and a path in the fashion industry, eventually working on Fashion Weeks in Paris, New York and Australia. During this time she began to see a gap in the market for how fashion could be consumed by Millennials, so at 22 she started fashion app Stashd - essentially like a Tinder for fashion - which she scaled into 130 countries. She presented her business as a finalist contestant on China’s version of Shark Tank x The Apprentice ‘The Next Unicorn’ which aired to 15 million people per episode.
Since then, Jess has taken on industries ripe for disruption, utilising technology with millennial and Gen-Z markets at the forefront, establishing her as a leading voice in women leadership, innovation and emerging technologies.
A Devastating Obstacle - and Beating the Odds
Her ambitions and tenacity led her to bigger places and a path in the fashion industry, eventually working on Fashion Weeks in Paris, New York and Australia. During this time she began to see a gap in the market for how fashion could be consumed by Millennials, so at 22 she started fashion app Stashd - essentially like a Tinder for fashion - which she scaled into 130 countries. She presented her business as a finalist contestant on China’s version of Shark Tank x The Apprentice ‘The Next Unicorn’ which aired to 15 million people per episode.
Since then, Jess has taken on industries ripe for disruption, utilising technology with millennial and Gen-Z markets at the forefront, establishing her as a leading voice in women leadership, innovation and emerging technologies.
A Devastating Obstacle - and Beating the Odds
By 25, Jess Wilson seemed unstoppable, with a thriving career ahead of her. However, in 2016, a business meeting with a prospective investor took a dark turn when she was sexually assaulted.
Shocked and seeking guidance, Jess reached out to her long-time mentor, only to be told to that she had no option but to try to move on with her life until she was 'more successful' and could do something about it. Deeply affected and spiralling from the experience, Jess chose not to back down. With the help of some counselling she found the strength to seek justice and take legal action against her powerful attacker.
For 18 months she worked diligently alongside lawyers, barristers, psychologists, and Queen’s Counsel. And finally, against the odds, she won the lawsuit. But it's what she did next with her experience which is even more inspiring - applying her incredible courage and determination to make a positive impact beyond her personal victory.
An Innovative Approach to Law Reform
After Jess had won against the individual, she wanted to makes some waves and disrupt the system. She didn't want other women to be discouraged having to navigate the same broken legal system she had battled. So following the 2019 settlement, Jess decided to use a portion of her settlement money to help generate law reform.
Leveraging her entrepreneurial expertise, Jess Wilson teamed up with fellow entrepreneur Hayley Evans to launch Women Making Waves. This innovative startup raises capital by selling NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). The funds raised are directed towards activism focused on women's rights and sexual assault law reform. Through this platform WMW fosters community amongst survivors and drives meaningful change, combining the world of technology with social impact.
Working with law reform experts in Australia and the US they have successfully induced change on over 45 laws and counting. WMW has collaborated with companies like Google, Airbnb and Tiktok and partnered with Deepak Chopra’s The Chopra Foundation as well as Caren Yanis, who built Oprah’s philanthropy portfolio.
Inspiring Others to Succeed
As a dynamic force in women's leadership and tech innovation, Jess is an inspiration to many. Named as a Forbes 30 Under 30, she's now also a highly sought after speaker for seminars and regularly takes on the role of MC for Success Resources events.
With Success Resources Australia, Jess has mediated for events featuring global names in business and personal development like Sir Richard Branson and the one and only Deepak Chopra.
Continuing to Make Waves
Jess Wilson’s success story is testament to the power of backing yourself and forging your own path — regardless of the setbacks and doubts along the way. She's a shining example of how resilience, innovation, and a willingness to disrupt the status quo can lead to extraordinary success.
At Success Resources Australia we have so much admiration for Jess, and if you are lucky enough to hear her speak at one of our events or at others, we're sure you'll be equally impressed by her achievements and commitment to empowering women and innovating with tech.
By 25, Jess Wilson seemed unstoppable, with a thriving career ahead of her. However, in 2016, a business meeting with a prospective investor took a dark turn when she was sexually assaulted.
Shocked and seeking guidance, Jess reached out to her long-time mentor, only to be told to that she had no option but to try to move on with her life until she was 'more successful' and could do something about it. Deeply affected and spiralling from the experience, Jess chose not to back down. With the help of some counselling she found the strength to seek justice and take legal action against her powerful attacker.
For 18 months she worked diligently alongside lawyers, barristers, psychologists, and Queen’s Counsel. And finally, against the odds, she won the lawsuit. But it's what she did next with her experience which is even more inspiring - applying her incredible courage and determination to make a positive impact beyond her personal victory.
An Innovative Approach to Law Reform
After Jess had won against the individual, she wanted to makes some waves and disrupt the system. She didn't want other women to be discouraged having to navigate the same broken legal system she had battled. So following the 2019 settlement, Jess decided to use a portion of her settlement money to help generate law reform.
Leveraging her entrepreneurial expertise, Jess Wilson teamed up with fellow entrepreneur Hayley Evans to launch Women Making Waves. This innovative startup raises capital by selling NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). The funds raised are directed towards activism focused on women's rights and sexual assault law reform. Through this platform WMW fosters community amongst survivors and drives meaningful change, combining the world of technology with social impact.
Working with law reform experts in Australia and the US they have successfully induced change on over 45 laws and counting. WMW has collaborated with companies like Google, Airbnb and Tiktok and partnered with Deepak Chopra’s The Chopra Foundation as well as Caren Yanis, who built Oprah’s philanthropy portfolio.
Inspiring Others to Succeed
As a dynamic force in women's leadership and tech innovation, Jess is an inspiration to many. Named as a Forbes 30 Under 30, she's now also a highly sought after speaker for seminars and regularly takes on the role of MC for Success Resources events.
With Success Resources Australia, Jess has mediated for events featuring global names in business and personal development like Sir Richard Branson and the one and only Deepak Chopra.
Continuing to Make Waves
Jess Wilson’s success story is testament to the power of backing yourself and forging your own path — regardless of the setbacks and doubts along the way. She's a shining example of how resilience, innovation, and a willingness to disrupt the status quo can lead to extraordinary success.
At Success Resources Australia we have so much admiration for Jess, and if you are lucky enough to hear her speak at one of our events or at others, we're sure you'll be equally impressed by her achievements and commitment to empowering women and innovating with tech.
If you'd like to learn more about taking your own entrepreneurial ventures to the next level, check out our events on the SR Australia Events page.
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