Eloquii founder Mariah Chase wanted to fill a hole in the fashion industry — stores were selling clothes that fit women in larger sizes, but the offerings weren't very, well, fashionable. Chase took this idea and turned it into a full-sized fashion powerhouse that Walmart snapped up in 2018 for $100 million.

Success didn't come easy, said Chase, particularly as a female founder. "There's a level of grit and resilience you need, both to operate in this kind of market, with these dynamics, as well as raise capital," she explained.  

A great network, supportive board, and engaged investors helped Eloquii get through some tough moments. Now that she is on the other side, investing in new companies, Chase shared tips about what she looks for before committing funds to new companies.

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