Building "The Village" with Laney Cloud | Self-Care, Startup Hustle & Female Community
Podcasts > Founders Friday Podcast with Danielle Kuwamura
Friday, October 9, 2026
What does it take to transition from a fast-paced corporate tech career to building a physical, all-in-one sanctuary for women?
In this episode of Founders Friday, host Danielle sits down with Laney Cloud, founder of The Village—a modern social club and spa designed specifically for women. Lainey shares her journey from working for free as a startup intern in Seattle to running global teams, and why reaching the top of the corporate ladder ultimately led her back to her roots in San Antonio to solve a universal problem: the need for real, authentic female community.
Danielle and Laney get candid about the realities of balancing a growing business with young children, navigating local real estate development in downtown San Antonio, and why busy women shouldn't have to choose between wellness and having fun.
In this episode, they discuss:
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The Inspiration Behind The Village: Combining a social club, spa, salon, bar, and childcare into one cohesive space.
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Revitalizing Downtown San Antonio: Why Laney chose downtown for this new concept during a major city expansion.
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The Transition from Tech to Founder: Moving from 15 years in high-growth tech startups and constant corporate travel to launching her own venture.
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Combating Isolation at the Top: Overcoming the loneliness of executive leadership through intentional female friendships.
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The Reality of Raising Kids & Building a Business: Managing a launch with a 3, 4, and 5-year-old—and why "it takes a village to build a village."
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Finding Balance: Embracing health, self-care, and a little fun (including "Pilates and Paletas"!).
Whether you're an entrepreneur, a busy mom, or looking for practical inspiration on building community, this episode is packed with honest advice on creating spaces where women can truly let their guard down.
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