Laurel Hess (she/her)
Founder, Hampr
Laurel Hess is a founder, operator, and builder behind hampr, a nationwide laundry marketplace she scaled from idea to millions in revenue and 20+ states. After raising $15M in venture capital, she recently navigated a strategic majority acquisition - reshaping the company around a bold pivot into infrastructure and partnerships.
Known for her bias toward action and clarity in messy moments, Laurel operates at the intersection of growth, operations, and survival. She’s currently focused on scaling Hampr’s next chapter while helping other founders do the same through the Secret Startup Series in Dallas.
Sessions
Mentor Office Hours
Office Hours: Brand Building & Positioning
Create competitive moats through strong brand positioning, shape customer perception deliberately rather than letting it happen by default, and position yourself in the market in ways that make competitors' strengths irrelevant. See More.
Mentor Office Hours
Office Hours: Venture Fundraising
Build investor networks before you need them, craft pitches that tell your story compellingly, respond confidently to tough questions, and leave enough intrigue to earn the next meeting. See More.
Startup Essentials
Letting Go Without Walking Away: A Founder's Story About a Strategic Acquisition and How She Got It There
This session talks about recognizing your own limitations as a founder, the reality of when exits don't look like what you imagined and the strategic power of handing over the keys to people you trust so you can stay on the bus. See More.
Mentor Office Hours
Office Hours: Building Acquisition-Ready from Day One
Make decisions early that preserve your exit options later, understand what acquirers look for before they come looking, and build operational discipline into your company from the start so you're ready when opportunity knocks. See More.
Mentor Office Hours
Office Hours: M&A
Fix messy cap tables, streamline your financials for due diligence, and navigate the psychological weight of selling your startup so you can protect both your valuation and your sanity. See More.