Women-Owned Business Series: Sydney from The Hive

Welcome back to our Women-Owned Business Series! Today we’re featuring the Sydney, founder of The Hive — a business concierge company built to give entrepreneurs the team and operational support they need to grow without burning out.
After experiencing firsthand how overwhelming it can be to run a business without the right systems, she set out to build something that actually closes that gap. What makes The Hive truly unique? She’s not just the founder — she’s also a client. Operating in both roles means she’s constantly feeling the same challenges as the entrepreneurs she supports, keeping the work honest, grounded, and always evolving. Read more about her story below!

First, tell us about your business and anything special we should know about it or you.

I’m the founder of The Hive (withthehive.com/home), a business concierge company built to give entrepreneurs the team and operational support they need to actually grow—without burning out. I started The Hive after experiencing firsthand how overwhelming and isolating it can be to run a business without the right systems or support, and how much potential gets lost in that gap. What began as solving my own need for better infrastructure has evolved into building a dynamic, high-level team that integrates directly into our clients’ businesses to help them scale in a more sustainable, supported way.

Why do you feel a connection to your work?

I feel a connection to this work because I’m not just building The Hive—I’m actively using it. I operate as both the owner and a client, which means I’m constantly experiencing the same challenges, gaps, and needs as the entrepreneurs we support. It keeps the work honest, because I’m building and refining something I rely on in real time, not something theoretical.

As a business owner, community is everything. In what ways do you serve your community and how has your community served you?

I learned the importance of community in a very real way when I was in Guatemala during the pandemic and decided to stay, which led me to start building an international, fully remote team. Creating a sense of connection across cultures, time zones, and languages was challenging, and it forced me to be much more intentional about how we communicate and show up for each other. More recently, that foundation was tested during the unraveling of a business partnership—and because of the trust and relationships we had built, I didn’t lose a single contractor through the transition. I believe the biggest way I serve my community is by showing up vulnerably and honestly as a leader, and in return, that openness has created a level of loyalty and support that carried us through one of the most difficult moments in the business. (For The Hive). For my local Guatemalan companies (Ítaca: itacagroup.com) we show up in many ways. One is through Business for UNICEF which is a new program in Guatemala. We work directly with indigenous communities and learning their culture and supporting it is vital to us. One thing we have had to do a few times (sadly) recently is close the restaurant to allow our entire team to show up to funerals. This is a loss to us on one side but we understand the cultural importance of being present during this time and make every effort to support where we can.

What advice would you give to others who want to start a small business?

Start small. When I started, I did everything until I could afford my first part-time employee. I grew step by step and now have a 10-year old business that has evolved alongside me. Collectively I manage ~$7M+ annually across companies and have made many mistakes with money. I highly suggest spending like you won’t get another dime while believing you are surrounded by abundance. This is not as conflicting as it appears but does take a delicate balance. Until you deeply understand your business and customers, I wouldn’t spend on branding, marketing, PR, etc. You will know when you are ready!

What women inspire you and why?

I am inspired by the women around me. I see them fall, face adversity, and get up again with grace. I am surrounded by strong women in my personal life. One is Linsay Radcliffe of https://www.thefreyabrand.com/

What do you think are the most significant challenges for small business owners or women in leadership positions?

One of the most significant challenges I’ve experienced as a woman in leadership—especially operating in a more masculine business culture like I’ve encountered in Guatemala—is not necessarily a lack of ideas or capability, but a lack of being heard. I can be saying something that is clear, necessary, and aligned with the direction we need to go, and it still doesn’t always land or get acknowledged in the same way. That dynamic can be subtle, but it impacts decision-making, momentum, and how much a woman has to push to have her voice taken seriously.

Beyond that, there’s often an added layer of needing to balance strength with approachability—being decisive without being labeled difficult, being direct without being dismissed. It creates a constant calibration that many male leaders don’t have to think about in the same way. For me, it’s meant becoming even more grounded in my own clarity and conviction, and learning when to push, when to reframe, and when to let results speak for themselves.

What do you think are the most significant challenges for small business owners or women in leadership positions?

The Hive just achieved 10 years in business!