{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Founded On Purpose","title":"From Herstory to Lex to What’s Next: Kel Rakowski’s Journey of Love & Reinvention","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/7d1aeece\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2288,"description":"What does it look like to build a social app from an Instagram project into a VC-backed global community — and then let it go?\n\nIn this episode of Founded On Purpose, Kt McBratney talks with Kel Rakowski, artist, strategist, writer, and founder of Lex, the beloved queer social app acquired by 9Count in 2024. Kel opens up about the origins of Lex in vintage lesbian personal ads, the early explosive growth, and the challenges of scaling a community-centered product inside a venture-backed structure.\nKel also shares the deeply personal side of stepping back as CEO, navigating burnout, building with love, and finding the courage — and clarity — to start a new chapter after the acquisition.\n\nWe talk about:\nThe moment Kel knew Lex was bigger than a side project\nHow the community shaped the app’s evolution\nBurnout, identity, and the stigma around stepping back\nWhat it really means to hand your company to someone else\nWhy love — in all forms — has always been Kel’s purpose\nThe return to creativity through writing, Herstory, and storytelling\nRedefining success after an exit\nThis conversation is honest, tender, and expansive — perfect for founders navigating identity, impact, burnout, and reinvention.\n\nResources & Links\nLex – https://www.lex.lgbt/ \nHerstory (Kel's Instagram project) – https://www.instagram.com/h_e_r_s_t_o_r_y/\nKel’s Substack: Work Unseen – https://rakowwwski.substack.com/ \nNTS Radio – https://www.nts.live/","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/C1tKHTCJjJx9-O48-JU-35SerWaK6jk_Q9Olb9O__M0/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS82Yjdi/NmViNWI1NzA2OWEx/OWYwYWZlNjY4M2M3/YWY0NS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}