Behind Her Empire (Yasmin Nouri)

Behind Her Empire is focused on highlighting self-made women leaders & entrepreneurs and how they tackle their career, money and life.

Each episode covers their unique hero's journey and what it really takes to build an empire with key lessons learned along the way. The goal of the series is to empower you to see what’s possible & inspire you to create financial freedom in your own life.

We have amazing women joining us including Lavinia Errico (Founder of Equinox), Toni Ko (Founder of NYX Cosmetics), Moj Mahdara (Founder of Beautycon), Daina Trout (Founder of Health-Ade Kombucha) and many more! We can't wait to share our interviews with you!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lavinia Errico is the visionary founder behind Equinox Fitness Clubs and now the Inside Out Movement. In her 20s and 30s, Lavinia built a leading Fitness Company that forever changed the way Americans think about health and wellness. At the peak of her success, Lavinia sold Equinox for millions and was instantaneously wealthy beyond her needs and dreams. Although she was living the “American Dream”, Lavinia realized that somewhere along the way she had lost the things that were most important to her - her essential self and identity. This experience pushed Lavinia to embark on a completely different path and journey to rebuild her identity from the inside out. Lavinia now inspires individuals and organizations with her unique, disruptive take on how to create a more powerful, authentic and inspiring life.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Lavinia about:  

* How Lavinia’s upbringing & mother taught her to create the life you want [6:45]

* The importance of saying “yes” and being open to different career opportunities [21:40]

* Lavinia shares why there is no such thing as failure. It’s not about winning or losing: it’s about winning and learning. [31:10]

* How Lavinia and her brothers started a gym based on their own needs [34:15]

* Why Lavinia chose to listen to her gut when she left her high paying job to start a gym [37:43]

* Lavinia describes the importance of a team & the the “magic” her & her brothers had when founding Equinox [41:03]

* Lavinia talks about her health scare & importance of being spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally healthy [52:00]

* Lavinia discusses the importance of founders having self awareness & knowing what they’re good at [55:28]

* Lavinia walks through the journey of selling her company [1:00:00]

* Lavinia shares how she was at the lowest point in her life despite making millions [1:03:35]

* How to find your purpose or as Lavinia says “your own lane” and not hitting burn out [1:09:22]

* How to get clear with your goals & authentic self without listening to society’s expectations [1:13:50]

Follow Lavinia:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laviniajoy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insideoutbylavinia/ 

Website: https://laviniaerrico.com/

Follow Yasmin:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nyakio Grieco is the founder of Nyakio Beauty, an award-winning skin-care brand that has been leading the clean beauty movement since 2002. While moving up the ranks in the entertainment industry, Nyakio realized that many cultures were under-represented in the prestige beauty space and saw a white space in the market.

She launched her company based on beauty secrets she learned as a child while visiting her grandmother, who was a coffee farmer, in Kenya and watching her use coffee beans to exfoliate & take care of her skin. She has sold her products in retail outlets nationwide, including Ulta, and is now exclusively available at Target. In 2015, Nyakio sold the company to Sundial Brands, which is now part of Unilever.

Although she has an incredible success story, Nyakio’s journey was far from easy. She’s managed the ups & down of entrepreneurship with so much grace, and is a firm believer that failure is not an option. She’s passionate about sharing her journey building a business from the ground up & inspiring others to also follow their passions and live a life with no regrets.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Nyakio about:  

* How Nyakio’s upbringing & Kenyan family inspired her clean beauty journey at a young age [3:50]

* Nyakio shares why she decided to move to LA & begin her career in the entertainment industry [8:04]

* How Nykaio saw an opportunity to create a product in the prestige beauty space [12:30] 

* Nyakio describes how she decided to go all-in with her business & the importance of living a life with no regrets [13:46]

* Nyakio walks through the early days of the company, the power of storytelling & how she raised money as a first time entrepreneur [17:45]

* Nyakio talks about what it takes to support a high growth business [23:56]

* The importance, as an entrepreneur, of always going back and editing your business plan [26:35]

* How Nyakio thinks about partnerships and what led to Sundial’s acquisition of her company [29:35]

* Why mentorship is important when building a business & why you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help [33:10]

* Nyakio shares words of advice for managing a high growth company and motherhood & why it’s important to have self compassion [38:09]

* Nyakio talks about why women authentically supporting women is key to our collective success [41:35]

* Nyakio explains why it’s important to know your numbers & how to pick the right business partners [43:55]

* Nyakio discusses the realities of raising money as a woman of color & why it only takes one “yes” to get your business off the ground [44:30]

Follow Nyakio:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nyakio/ & https://www.instagram.com/nyakiobeauty/

* Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nyakiobeauty/

* Website: https://www.nyakio.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Toni Ko is the Founder of NYX Cosmetics and Bespoke Beauty Brands. At the young age of 24, Toni was inspired to launch NYX based on her own desire to buy quality cosmetics at a price she could afford. Fifteen years later, Toni sold her company to L’Oreal for a reported $500 million and instantly became one of America’s richest self-made women. 

We’ll talk to Toni about the personal sacrifices she made in her life and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur even when the odds are stacked against you. Toni shows us how being a college drop out, first generation immigrant and young woman in her early 20s was an advantage when it came to her dreams of starting her own business. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Toni about: 

*How Toni’s childhood moving to the US from Korea & working from a young age taught her about resilience [4:20]

*Toni talks about why she decided to leave her family business to start NYX cosmetics [10:12]

*Wise words on why failure is a better option than never trying at all [12:55]

*Toni describes her first year starting the company and successfully bringing in $4 million in retail sales [15:10]

*Toni explains timeless business advice that allowed her to start & scale her company [16:45]

*What it means to be an entrepreneur & the power we have as women [20:15]

*How to still be successful entrepreneur even when the odds are stacked against you [23:35]

*Toni walks through her journey bringing on investors & selling the company to L’Oreal for $500 million [28:00]

*Toni describes life after becoming one of America’s richest self-made women & how she lost her sense of purpose [33:35]

*Toni shares how she personally overcame depression [37:20]

*Toni opens up about how she thinks about motherhood & her own personal journey [38:34]

*Toni discusses why her second business wasn’t a success & three key learnings [42:50]

*Toni talks about her latest company, Bespoke Beauty Brands [49:35]

Follow Toni:

*Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonikokoko 

*Website: https://bespokebeautybrands.com/

Follow Yasmin:

*Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

*Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Suzy Batiz is the creative visionary, founder, creator and CEO of Poo~Pourri and supernatural. She’s created an enterprise that’s worth over $500 million and made Forbes' America’s Richest Self-Made Women list without borrowing a dime or raising a single dollar of outside funding. 

But success didn’t come easy for her. Suzy experienced some of life’s lowest lows — poverty, sexual and domestic abuse, depression, two bankruptcies and a suicide attempt — which led to what she calls the luxury of losing everything. After harnessing the power of intuition, her journey led her to building businesses that only made her feel alive. 

Her newest project, ALIVE OS, teaches others how to recognize alive ideas by tuning into their intuition and diving into their creative energy to achieve a naturally abundant flow state in life and business.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Suzy about:

* How Suzy’s upbringing and life’s lowest moments shaped who she is today [2:14]

* Suzy opens up about her limiting beliefs around money & how she overcame her poverty consciousness [4:42]

* Suzy describes her second bankruptcy & how she deemed herself the “world’s worst entrepreneur” [6:53]

* How Suzy’s spiritual journey & overcoming depression eventually led her to getting back in business with Poo~Pourri [10:17]

* Four distinct characteristics that help you realize an “alive” business idea that truly resonates with you [15:20]

* Suzy shares how she funded the growth of Poo~Pourri & why she decided to not raise money from investors [17:40]

* Suzy talks about key hires that helped propel her business in the early days [23:50]

* Key advice for women entrepreneurs & myths we tell ourselves about business [29:05]

* The importance of thinking big & how Suzy is living a life that’s beyond her wildest dreams [36:31] 

* Suzy discusses the most overlooked skill of successful people [37:50]

* Suzy shares her latest project helping entrepreneurs tune into their intuition & live a naturally abundant life [39:28]

* How to overcome fear & identify its impact in your life [43:03]

Follow Suzy: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzybatiz/

* ALIVE OS Course: https://aliveos.suzybatiz.com/ 

* Article referenced in interview: https://medium.com/the-ascent/the-most-overlooked-skill-of-successful-people-d5caab283e6e

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daina Trout is the CEO and co-founder of Health-Ade Kombucha, one of the most successful and delicious kombucha drinks on the market. Although she was going up the ranks in Corporate America, Daina felt less fulfilled as time went on and had the desire to build a company on her own terms. She eventually quit her job and took the risk to develop & build the best tasting, highest quality kombucha there is. 

Fast forward to today, Health Ade has grown from a small production item that was started in Daina’s closet with only $600 to now the fastest growing brand in the category generating over $150 million in revenue across 30,000 stores. 

When she’s not giving her heart & soul to Health-Ade and mentoring young entrepreneurs, she’s fully dedicated to her two young boys who she credits have helped make her an even better CEO. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Daina about:

* How Daina’s upbringing as a “difficult kid” & challenging the status quo paid off in her adulthood [2:52]

* Daina talks about how she continued to feel unfulfilled despite having a great life & successful corporate job [6:10] 

* How Daina’s desire to create a company on her own terms was the main driver in starting Health-Ade [9:07]

* How saving the world from baldness led Daina to her business idea [11:40]

* Daina describes how quitting her job was the scariest but one of the most important decisions she ever made [15:47]

* The challenges & realities entrepreneurs face when first starting their business [20:00]

* Daina shares how women can be more confident in business and life [24:27]

* Why it’s so important to lean into uncertainty and discomfort [29:05]

* The superpower women have as business leaders [30:38]

* How Daina manages motherhood and being a CEO of a high growth business [34:50]

* How having kids made Daina an ever better CEO [38:50]

* Why women need to talk more about money [45:35]

* Daina shares tips and examples on how you can negotiate your salary [49:00]

Follow Daina:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dainatrout/

* Website: https://health-ade.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rana el Kaliouby is an Egyptian-American scientist, innovator, author and CEO. She co-founded the artificial intelligence company, Affectiva, and has pioneered a digital software that can read & analyze human emotion in real time. Rana has raised over $50 million in venture funding and was recognized on Fortune’s 40 Under 40 List & as one of Forbes Top 50 Women in Tech. 

Rana grew up in Cairo where she was raised, as she says, to be a “nice Egyptian girl.” She defied cultural expectations in both the tech world and in her native Middle Eastern heritage. She earned her Ph.D. at Cambridge, postdoc at MIT and is working in a field of technology that is still overwhelmingly white and male. 

However, before she broke ground as a scientist and founded her company, she broke the rules of what it meant to be an obedient daughter and, later, an obedient wife to pursue her own daring dream. Rana’s personal journey overcoming self-doubt and embracing her ambition is an inspiration to all women to feel empowered & be the leader of their own life. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Rana about: 

* Rana’s childhood growing up in Egypt & how her family’s conservative yet forward-thinking views impacted her [2:24]  

* How she decided to go against the expectations of her culture & pursue her own daring dreams [4:52]

* Rana discusses the early days of her company and its impact to her marriage [7:47]

* Rana opens up about the immense fear she had moving to the US while leaving her family behind [10:44] 

* Rana shares life after her divorce as a financially independent woman [12:36]

* What it’s like to raise money from top-tier investors as a scientist & first time entrepreneur [15:22]

* Why Rana thinks the idea of “balance” is a misnomer when it comes to family and work  [21:49]

* Rana shares her journey to CEO & how she overcame her own self doubt and self-imposed barriers [26:07]

* The importance of women self-advocating for themselves and asking for what they deserve [30:15]

* The power of empathetic leadership when managing your team’s culture and productivity during the pandemic [32:50]

* Rana’s personal journey in embracing her emotions & overcoming her own fears and insecurities [38:10] 

Follow Rana:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranaelkaliouby/

* Website: https://www.affectiva.com/

* Rana’s book - Girl Decoded: https://ranaelkaliouby.com/girldecoded/

References:

* All Raise: https://www.allraise.org/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paige Adams-Geller is the Founder and Creative Director of PAIGE, a highly successful premium denim and lifestyle brand. Paige is a true pioneer and one of the first female founders disrupting the billion dollar premium denim industry. Paige employs over 300 people from Los Angeles to London and is sold in over 80 countries. 

Paige’s journey was far from easy. After navigating multiple career transitions, a health crisis, and sexual assault in the workplace, Paige rose above these traumatic experiences and regained her voice & power. In 2004, she founded PAIGE to fulfill a personal passion she had despite having no formal education in fashion or business. 

Paige is dedicated to empowering women to find their voice and speak up. We have a very vulnerable conversation around her path to creating a highly successful brand and how she found a sense of hope & purpose in her life. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Paige about:  

* Paige describes how growing up in a small town in Alaska fueled her creativity and imagination [2:26]

* Paige shares how graduating early from high-school and moving to NY was very damaging to her body, mind and spirit [7:50] 

* Paige describes how she navigated various careers in the most difficult time in her life & how she became fashion industry’s top fit model [14:08]

* Paige walks through how she reclaimed her voice & power and became one of the first female founders in the denim industry [22:25]

* How Paige launched her company and premium denim brand in only three months [27:51]

* Paige talks about how she navigated the huge success she had in early days of the company [32:58]

* How Paige transitioned the company to a lifestyle brand for both men and women despite others saying it was impossible [36:50]

* Key lessons from Paige's entrepreneurial journey & the importance of living a life with no regrets, asking for help and trusting your intuition [45:33]

Follow Paige: 

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paigeageller/

* Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paige/

* Website: https://www.paige.com 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elissa Goodman is a Holistic Nutritionist, Founder of S.O.U.P., Author and Lifestyle Cleanse expert. 

Elissa’s early adult life was considered “successful” by her family and society’s standards: she was climbing up the corporate ladder, had her dream job, a great husband, and was financially doing very well. Her life completely changed when she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 32. It was then she finally realized how unhappy, unfulfilled, and exhausted she was living a life that wasn’t true to her.  

After healing herself and quitting her toxic career, she lost her husband to cancer shortly after. This was a huge turning point in her life. She immediately became a single mother to her two young daughters and had to elevate her health & wellbeing in order to be strong for her family & help them through such an emotionally traumatizing time. 

However, from life’s tragedies, she found her purpose and calling. She’s created one of the top holistic and lifestyle organizations where her mission is to teach others on how to live a healthy and radiant life through the power of nutrition and self love.  

In this episode, we’ll talk to Elissa about:  

* How Elissa’s family impacted her definition of success & influenced her early career choices [3:13]

* Elissa shares the stress and burn out she experienced early in her career & getting diagnosed with cancer [10:08]

* How Elissa healed herself from cancer by managing her stress & working on her health from the inside out [17:25]

* Elissa discusses how she dealt with losing her husband to cancer & becoming a stronger mother for her two daughters [19:48]

* Importance of listening to your intuition and not losing touch of your instincts [22:47]

* How Elissa discovered her passion for nutrition & created a successful business around helping people get to the root cause of their issues through emotional & physical discovery [22:59]

* How Elissa only started loving herself at the age of 58 & her journey to self-love, happiness and freedom [35:11]

* Elissa shares her journey with psilocybin mushrooms which helped her work through childhood trauma & the darkness she had in her life [38:36]

* Elissa’s discusses business advice she wish she knew when she was younger [42:20]

* We talk about Elissa’s fiancé and what makes a healthy & happy partnership [46:48]

* How Elissa’s transformation with self-love helped her build an even stronger relationship with her kids [52:15]

Follow Elissa: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elissagoodman/

* Website: https://elissagoodman.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaime Schmidt is an entrepreneur and the founder of Schmidt’s Naturals, a brand of natural personal care products that she started in her kitchen. 

Feeling unfulfilled in her career and seeking purpose for most of her life, Jaime was exploring different hobbies with the hopes that she would find her passion. In 2010, Jaime was pregnant with her son and was experimenting with making her own natural, non-toxic products that would be safe for her to use. After exploring different recipes, she soon created a natural deodorant that “actually worked” and that’s when Schmidt’s Naturals was born. 

Jaime grew the company from farmers' market tables to a household name that lined the shelves of CVS, Target, Costco, Whole Foods and Walmart. Under Jaime’s leadership, the company was in over 14,000 stores in 30 countries, with year over year growth at 300%. After seven years of running her company, Jaime sold Schmidt’s Naturals to Unilever for a reported nine-figures.

Jaime is dedicated to building better businesses and recently launched two new ventures: Supermaker, a media platform that celebrates emerging entrepreneurs, and Color, an inclusive investment fund that supports diverse and underrepresented founders. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Jaime about: 

* Jaime shares her early entrepreneurial path as a child & family values around money and savings [2:38]

* Why she decided to leave her corporate job and take time off to soul search & find her new career path [5:15]

* Jaime walks through different hobbies she was pursuing to help find her passion & why becoming pregnant was her biggest motivator [7:50]

* Jaime shares her business journey in selling natural deodorants at Farmers Markets and when she realized she had a big business opportunity in front of her [10:33] 

* Jaime shares how she garnered a support system which helped her build a business in an industry she had no experience in [14:08]

* How Jaime grew the business without raising any money [15:30]

* Jaime’s discusses how persistence and relentlessness was part of her successful retail strategy [17:56] 

* Key tips in dealing with competitors in your industry [20:15]

* Jaime talks about her acquisition story and how she felt when she sold her business for nine-figures [22:16]

* Jaime talks about how she is supporting and investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs [25:52]  

* Why getting pregnant and officially launching her business was the best decision she ever made [28:06]

* Key business advice she shares with new entrepreneurs [33:10] 

Follow Jaime:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimeschmidt/

* Website: https://jaimeschmidt.info/

References: 

* Schmidt's Naturals: https://schmidts.com/

* Color: https://color.capital/

* Supermarker: https://supermaker.com/

* Jaime’s latest book: https://supermaker.com/book

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vicky Tsai, founder of Japanese beauty brand Tatcha, had a nontraditional path to eventually founding one of the top skincare companies today. About 10 years ago, Vicky decided to leave her thriving career and travel the world in search of happiness and meaning in her life. 

In her travels, when visiting Kyoto, Japan, Vicky had a life-changing meeting with a Geisha. She learned some of their natural skincare secrets which healed her skin & soul in the truest sense and she wanted to bring the same experience back with her to the US. 

However, when launching Tatcha, there were many barriers she faced: Asian skincare wasn’t popular, direct-to-consumer businesses weren’t common, and consumers weren’t interested in clean products. Fast forward to today, Tatcha is available in Sephora & QVC and is the second fastest growing women-led company on the Inc 5000 list. And last year, Unilever acquired Tatcha for a reported $500 million dollars. 

Vicky is passionate about giving back. Since inception, they have partnered with Room to Read in their mission to educate girls globally and have sponsored over 3 million days of school.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Vicky about: 

* How 9/11 impacted Vicky’s perspective on life’s meaning and purpose [4:00]

* Vicky shares how she used business school to do introspective work on herself [6:28]

* Vicky discusses her career trajectory and why Howard Shultz, CEO of Starbucks, played a big role in her leaving her corporate career [10:57]

* Vicky shares how she thinks about social entrepreneurship and using business as a vehicle for social change [15:52]

* Vicky describes why Kyoto, Japan made such a big impact in her life & truly healed her from the inside out [18:02]

* How Vicky thinks about money, risk & success and key tips she shares with entrepreneurs when starting a business [20:28]

* How Vicky sold her engagement ring to buy 10,000 blotting papers and bring Tatcha to life [24:32]

* Why Vicky decided to not raise money from investors early-on & the personal sacrifices she made to keep the business afloat [26:54]

* What Tatcha looked like in the early days and how she eventually got the product in Sephora & QVC [33:45]

* Vicky shares her advice on raising money with institutional investors [44:37]

* Vicky describes how she felt when stepping down as CEO and the immense growth the Company saw when she stopped caring about what others think [45:48]

* Vicky shares what it was like to sell her company for $500 million dollars and the legacy she wants to leave behind [53:20]

Follow Tatcha:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatcha 

* Website: https://www.tatcha.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lee Mayer is the co-founder and CEO of Havenly, an online interior design company that makes interior decorating services more accessible and affordable to all.  

In 2013, Lee had just relocated from a small NYC apartment to a larger home with considerably more space in Denver, Colorado. Overwhelmed by all the furniture and decor choices to be made, Lee was frustrated by the lack of quick, simple, budget-friendly interior design options that were available to her. 

As someone who never thought of herself as an entrepreneur, especially growing up with certain cultural expectations from her Indian family, Lee tried to convince all her friends to start an online interior design company to solve the problem. After spending months in an empty home, Lee, encouraged by her sister Emily, quit her lucrative career in finance and the two started the company together. Neither of them had interior design or tech backgrounds but were confident that there was a need in the market.

Under Lee’s leadership, Havenly has raised $58 million dollars in funding from top tier investors and is now the leader in the world of online design while many competitors have struggled or even failed to stay afloat.

In this episode, we'll talk to Lee about:

* How Lee’s upbringing and cultural expectations of her Indian family impacted her career trajectory [2:25]

* Lee shares how she never thought of herself as an entrepreneur & how her own narrative for becoming a tech founder changed [6:00]

* Before taking the leap to start her company, Lee walks through how she thought through financial security and leaving her lucrative career [13:33]

* Lee opens up about the early days of Havenly, mistakes she made along the way and what she thinks held her back [18:30]

* The importance of not taking anything personally in business and blaming yourself for failures [24:35]

* How to change your perspective on success and live a more purpose driven life [27:50]

* Lee’s experience raising $58 million dollars from venture capitalists & how she dealt with 140 no’s [29:14]

* How to overcome imposter syndrome and deal with the naysayers [40:40]

* Lee walks through the silver lining of her divorce and how it pushed her to ask for help which benefited both her personal & professional life [44:53]

* How Lee manages her family life and a high growth business & why the partner you select in your life is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make [48:38]

Follow Lee:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leeathavenly/

* Havenly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehavenly/

* Website: https://havenly.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heidi Zak is the co-founder and CEO of ThirdLove, the fastest growing and most disruptive brand in the lingerie industry.

When Heidi couldn’t find a quality bra that fit her correctly and looked great, she realized there was an opportunity in the market for modern women. In 2013, Heidi left her job at Google to pursue her dream of offering high quality, better fitting bras, and marketing them in a way that didn’t push impossible beauty standards. Heidi is on a mission to build a brand for every woman, regardless of her shape, size, age, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation. She believes inclusivity should be the norm, not the exception, and has led the charge, inventing half-cups and offering women more than 80 sizes.

Since inception, more than 16 million women of all shapes and sizes have used ThirdLove’s innovative Fit Finder tool to find a bra that truly fits her body. The company has been valued at a reported $750 million dollars and is generating over $100 million in revenue annually. 

Heidi has been recognized as Fortune's 40 Under 40, EY Entrepreneur of the Year, and Goldman Sachs' 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs.

In this episode, we'll talk to Heidi about:

* Heidi shares why she became an entrepreneur and skills she learned working in her corporate career that have helped her as CEO [2:37]

* Why walking into a Victoria's Secret sparked Heidi’s idea for ThirdLove and why she wanted to create a bra brand for modern women [5:57]

* Two questions Heidi asked herself before quitting her lucrative job to work on ThirdLove full-time [7:41]

* Heidi discusses the slow growth ThirdLove had in the first two years of the business & what they did to completely changed the trajectory of the business [10:02]

* The importance of networking and why you need to be okay with asking for things [15:12]

* Heidi walks through how she thinks through difficult business decisions and challenges she faced with her first manufacturer in the early days [18:57]

* The power of mentorship and having a diverse group of mentors in your network [23:27]

* Heidi gives advice on how to think through partnerships and co-founders when starting a business [25:39]

* Why she decided to have her first kid around the same time ThirdLove officially launched [27:34]

* Heidi shares advice she gives all women entrepreneurs she mentors [31:05]

* Heidi discusses the future of ThirdLove and the ever-changing role as a founder when leading a high growth business [35:10]

Follow Heidi:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidi/

* ThirdLove Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ThirdLove/

* Website: https://www.thirdlove.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tracy Holland is the co-founder of HATCHBEAUTY Brands, a top beauty and wellness incubator that has grown to over $100 million in sales. 

After leaving a career in public service, Tracy founded her first business in grad school where she went all in and invested every dollar she had to build something that would later be the foundation of her business today. HATCHBEAUTY works with top retailers, artists, and influencers to bring their ideas to life and create innovative brands in the beauty and wellness industry. Tracy is also the founder of HATCHBEAUTY Ventures where she advises young women entrepreneurs on business growth and strategy. As a mother of three young children, Tracy is a prime example of how you can balance motherhood with a career and that you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other.

Tracy’s awards and honors include 2019 Fashion and Beauty Award for Beauty Service Provider of the Year, EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017, and election to The Committee of 200, an organization of the most successful women business leaders globally.

In this episode, we'll talk to Tracy about:

* Tracy discusses her childhood growing up in an academic family and why her definition of success varied considerably from her parents’ [2:24]

* Tracy reflects on what she learned from going to reform school at the age of 15 [5:40]

* Tracy always thought she wasn’t smart enough but walks through how she eventually built her confidence which ultimately helped her considerably in business [9:44] 

* How Tracy started a successful scented nail polish company in grad school and invested her student loans to help with the financing [12:50]

* Tracy shares how she got into big retailers despite having no experience in the industry [15:55]

* Tracy explains why the brand failed, the importance of IP and understanding your deal structure when it comes to financing [18:46]

* Tracy walks through how she overcame a dark time when her business failed and she was $150,000 in debt [23:00]

* Tracy discusses key lessons she learned working in various businesses and why she ultimately quit her job to take control her own destiny [24:55]

* Tracy opens up about her journey to motherhood & marriage [33:00]

* Why Tracy’s definition of wealth has changed over the years [41:40]

Follow HATCHBEAUTY Brands:

* Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hatchbeautybrands/

* Website: https://www.hatchbeautybrands.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonya Rapley is a serial entrepreneur, best selling author, millennial money expert, and creator of the award-winning site, My Fab Finance which provides financial advice for modern millennial women. 

Tonya launched her business based on her personal needs. She took a traumatic experience as a survivor of domestic violence and turned it into her greatest creation - the My Fab Finance platform. Tonya took charge of her financial freedom which allowed her to take charge of her own happiness and power. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and wants women to be free to make the moves they need to make in their life - especially if their lives and well-being depend on it.  

Tonya is a national speaker and has written for many popular media outlets including Forbes, Yahoo Finance, US News, and Huffington Post. Her impressive client list includes Fidelity Investments, Prudential, the National Endowment for Financial Education, and FinCon (the financial bloggers conference). 

In this episode, we'll talk to Tonya about:

* Tonya’s childhood growing up in a military family and its impact to how she views entrepreneurship and money [2:16]

* How Tonya’s abusive relationship led her to founding her blog which is now a six figure business [4:33]

* Tonya shares her journey turning her blog from a side business to a full time opportunity that financially supports her [9:21] 

* Why women need to talk more about money and their income in order to see what’s possible [13:01]

* Why Tonya emphasizes the power of mindset when it comes to creating a better financial life for yourself [16:05] 

* Tonya walks through certain rituals and habits she does in her life that have helped her success and wealth [18:07]

* Common mistakes Tonya’s clients make when it comes to managing their money and their mindset [20:12]

* Specifics tips Tonya has when it comes to savings and how you should think through investing [22:31] 

* How Tonya manages motherhood while leading two thriving businesses during COVID [28:04]

* The importance of focusing on flexibility vs. balance in your life [31:53]

* Tonya shares key learnings when it comes to managing your business finances [34:59]

Follow Tonya:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonya.rapley/

* My Fab Finance Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myfabfinance/ 

* My Fab Finance Website: https://myfabfinance.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natasha Case is the co-founder and CEO of Coolhaus, a leading women-founded and -led ice cream and frozen dessert brand creating premium cookie sandwiches and pints. After earning her masters in architecture and landing her dream job at Walt Disney Imagineering, Natasha discovered her newfound passion for creating architecturally-inspired ice cream sandwiches as a way to bring joy to her coworkers during the last recession. At that time, Natasha met her co-founder and now wife, Freya, and they realized the potential and uniqueness of the product. They decided to quit their corporate careers to pursue their passion for ice cream as a real business and create a brand they could identify with. 

In 2008, they took a barely drivable postal van they purchased on Craigslist to Coachella to officially launch their ice cream sandwiches. The event turned out to be a massive hit and Coolhaus has now become a multi-million dollar business growing 2-3x per year. Natasha has been named 30 under 30 by Forbes & Zagat and has helped expand the business to over 7,500 grocery stores nationwide, from Safeway to Whole Foods. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Natasha about: 

* How Natasha found a way to incorporate her two passions, food and architecture when she was working at Disney [6:39]

* When Natasha decided to take a personal passion of hers to the next step and create a real “business” [8:39]

* Why not being able to secure a business loan and launching at Coachella with a broken van was the best decision Natasha made [10:44] 

* How Natasha and her co-founder managed to launch at Coachella despite having no brand or business recognition [14:35]

* How the Coolhaus brand went viral after its launch and changed the trajectory of the business [16:17]

* Natasha shares how she launched the company by borrowing only $1,400  [20:11]

* Key challenges Natasha faced growing Coolhaus and the importance of being transparent with your customers during difficult times [24:18]

* Natasha discusses what it takes to go from start-up founder to a CEO of a multi-million dollar business [27:34]

* Natasha opens about life as a mother and entrepreneurship & how her children have motivated her to create an even bigger ice-cream empire with Coolhaus [32:10]

* Natasha shares advice on how she mentally handles the stresses and challenges of running a business [37:13]

* Key advice Natasha has for women who are taking a leap in their career or want to start their own dream business [38:51]

Follow Natasha:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natashajcase/ 

* Coolhaus Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coolhaus/ 

* Coolhaus Website: https://cool.haus/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Sabrina Kay is a serial entrepreneur, investor, fashion designer, and philanthropist. Born in South Korea, Sabrina moved to the U.S. with her family at 18. As a recent immigrant who barely spoke English, Sabrina became a janitor to help make ends meet and enrolled in a local college to pursue the education she always dreamed of. By the age of 20, Sabrina dropped out of school and was a single mother who was solely focused on creating a better life for her future daughter.

In less than a decade, she founded the Art Institute of Hollywood, grew it to one of the Big Four fashion colleges in North America, and sold it for 8-figures - making her a multi-millionaire in her 30s. Although she had more than enough money to retire, she decided to go back to school to earn her MBA and PhD. While in graduate school, Sabrina continued her entrepreneurial journey by founding and selling multiple businesses, including a fashion line, a community bank, and an accredited graduate-level college institution. 

In this episode, we’ll dive deep into how Sabrina rose up from a poor, immigrant, single mom working 120-hour weeks to becoming a well-respected businesswoman, tech educator, and philanthropist.

In this episode, we'll talk to Sabrina about: 

* Life growing up in South Korea and its cultural expectations [2:42]

* Sabrina shares what it was like moving to America at the age of 18 and working as a janitor [5:02]

* Why Sabrina dropped out of college and the shame she felt when learning she was pregnant [8:38]

* Sabrina explains why having her daughter was her biggest blessing and motivator to create a better life for herself [10:28]

* The beginnings of Sabrina’s first business which started from a newspaper ad and cold call [13:44] 

* How the LA riots in ‘92 impacted Sabrina’s life and how she became famous overnight [19:57]

* How Sabrina felt when she sold her company for 8-figures in her 30s and why it exposed her own insecurities [28:56]

* Why Sabrina decided to pursue her multiple graduate degrees after selling her company [33:24]

* Why Sabrina felt lost in her life and how she overcame being a workaholic [37:59]

* How getting rejected from grad school led Sabrina down a new path in life and business [41:16]

* Sabrina explains why 2015 to 2017 were the worst years of her professional life [48:21]

* Advice for entrepreneurs and leaders when overcoming difficult and painful times [56:10]

* The gift and competitive advantage women entrepreneurs have in business [58:48]

Follow Sabrina:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsabrinakay

* Website: https://sabrinakay.com

* Twitter: https://twitter.com/drsabrinakay

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kelly Rutherford is an activist and actress who has impressed audiences with her roles in Melrose Place, Gossip Girl, and most recently, Dynasty and Pretty Little Liars. 

Kelly is also known for her very high-profile and public custody battle she had with her ex-husband. A California judge went on to rule that it was in the best interest of the kids to live with their father in Monaco which is something Kelly fought for six years with every dollar she had. The fight for her kids impacted her not only emotionally but also financially and it was at this point, Kelly had to rebuild her life from the ground up. 

After getting to know Kelly more than what’s portrayed in the spotlight, it’s really who she is as a person that truly sets her apart - the grace, kindness, love, and positivity she has even after going through such a difficult experience is incredibly admirable. Kelly shares how through her struggle she found her true strength and power. And also how shifting her perspective towards joy and happiness changed her life in even the darkest of times. 

Kelly is a loving mother of two, an activist for women and children, an artist, entrepreneur, and a beautiful woman both inside and out. 

In this episode, we'll talk to Kelly about:

* How moving consistently as a child taught Kelly to adapt and adjust to life’s circumstances [2:50]

* Kelly shares her motivation behind becoming an actress and desire to become financially independent [4:55]

* How Kelly deals with constant rejection and disappointment in Hollywood [10:43]

* Kelly describes how her role as Lily Vander Woodson in Gossip Girl came about and what it taught her about trust & life [13:28]

* What George Clooney taught Kelly about confidence and getting rid of doubt [16:34]

* How Kelly dealt with the pain and anxiety around her very public child custody battle [19:07]

* Shifting your perspective to only focusing on the good and finding alignment in your life [23:13]

* How Kelly rebuilt her life after declaring bankruptcy and how she became a better parent when she noticed all the blessings in her life [29:45]

* Why money is energy and how we can shift our focus around poverty consciousness & allow abundance in our lives [36:21]

Follow Kelly:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyrutherford/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Janice Bryant Howroyd is the founder and CEO of the ActOne Group, a multi-billion dollar global business providing workforce solutions. 

Janice’s entrepreneurial journey started with very humble beginnings. As a temporary secretary for her brother-in-law’s company, Janice saw an opportunity in the market where other executives were looking for quick and effective clerical help. She decided to branch off on her own and start an employment agency with only $1,500 in her pocket - $900 of which she borrowed from her mother. 40 years later, the company earns over a billion dollars in sales and is in 19 countries with over 17,000 clients.

Janice has been recognized on Forbes’ list of America's Richest Self-Made Women and is known to be the first black woman to own and operate a billion-dollar company. Janice is incredibly talented, passionate, and a fierce business mentor who shares a wealth of knowledge around what it means to be authentic and successful on your entrepreneurship journey.

In this episode, we'll talk to Janice about:

* How Janice’s childhood and Southern upbringing during the civil rights era impacted her as a person & leader [3:20]

* Why Janice’s college experience was instrumental in her adult framing [8:24]

* Janice shares how a quick trip to LA became a career defining moment and led Janice to start her first business [15:13]

* Advice on how to create a sustainable business and why it’s important to build a company around your own personal values [25:30]

* Janice describes how she started her business with a $900 loan from her mother [27:53]

* Why COVID is the best time for anyone to pivot their career or start their own business [36:23]

* Janice describes what it was like to be a young woman founder in an industry that was dominated by older white males [37:37]

* The most important advice that she wants every woman to know [40:35]

* How she learned to be unapologetically herself in life and business [42:59]

* Janice shares tips based on her journey on managing motherhood and entrepreneurship [45:47]

Follow Janice:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbryanthowroyd/ 

* Personal Website: http://askjbh.com/

* Company Website: https://www.actonegroup.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lindsey Boyd is the co-founder of The Laundress, a premium collection of eco-friendly laundry and home cleaning products. 

Before starting the company, Lindsey was working in high-end fashion in NY as a manager of Chanel’s Ready-to-Wear division. While working in the industry, Lindsey noticed a real need and void in the market. Although consumers were willing to spend a lot of money on their clothes, they were spending even more money on dry cleaning - which was not only toxic but also damaging to their garments. After years of researching and understanding how detergents work, Lindsey and her college friend turned business partner, Gwen Whiting, decided to launch eco-friendly detergents that were gentle enough to be used at home on dry-clean only items. 

They bootstrapped, crowdfunded and took a small SBA loan to launch their business For years the company struggled to make a profit, but they eventually grew a cult and loyal following, and in 2019, sold to Unilever for a reported $100 million dollars. 

In this episode, we'll talk to Lindsey about:

* Lindsey explains why she decided to switch majors to pursue her interest in fashion & business [2:38]

* Lindsey discusses her side hustles and how that impacted her confidence as an entrepreneur [7:23]

* How Lindsey and her co-founder explored different businesses & decided on the Laundress [14:18]

* Lindsey describes how she created her business plan and key advice on creating goals [21:52]

* Lindsey shares how she formulated and created laundry products with no experience [26:56]

* How Lindsey self-funded the business and didn’t take outside capital [34:30]

* Lindsey walks through how she dealt with rejections and skeptics [38:08]

* How Lindsey weathered the 2008 financial crisis and created a profitable company [44:26]

* How Lindsey deals with her mental health as an entrepreneur [48:58]

* Lindsey explains her experience selling her company for a reported $100 million [51:14]

* Key lessons and advice Lindsey shares with all new entrepreneurs [55:10]

Follow Lindsey:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindseyjuliaboyd/ 

* The Laundress Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelaundress/

* The Laundress Website: https://www.thelaundress.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ashley Merrill is a serial-entrepreneur and investor whose personal mission is to elevate and empower all women & girls. 

In 2012, Ashley just started business school and in the same month realized she was pregnant with her first child. The news lit a now-or-never fire and pushed Ashley to overcome her fears and launch the company she had been thinking about for years, Lunya, a luxury sleepwear line that provides confidence to the modern woman. In our interview, we’ll have an honest conversation about why we need more successful women in business, what the journey was like starting a high growth business while raising two young kids, and the importance of partnership in your marriage. 

Ashley is also the Chairwoman of Outdoor Voices, an activewear brand, founder of Lahgo, a men’s luxury sleepwear line, and her newest project, the Deep, a platform for curious people that will change the way we have conversations with each other. 

In this episode, we'll talk to Ashley about:

* Ashley opens up about her college experience and how she landed in culinary school [4:05]

* Ashley shares how to make an impact and be in an industry despite not fitting “the mold” [8:42]

* How Ashley pivoted her career and found the confidence to make the leap [11:33]

* How the idea of Lunya came about and why motherhood motivated her to actually go for it [14:51]

* Ashley shares her unique story on launching Lunya while she was in labor [18:51]

* Ashley walks through how she funded the business and how the VC landscape has shifted over the years [21:36]

* Why we need to have more successful women businesses [30:15]

* Ashley opens up about her life and marriage starting a high growth business with two young kids [31:16]

* Ashley discusses her definition of wealth and why she equates it to freedom [44:05]

Follow Ashley:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley__merrill/ 

* Lunya: https://www.lunya.co/

* Lahgo: https://lahgo.co/

* The Deep: https://www.thedeep.life/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karissa Bodnar is the Founder and CEO of Thrive Causemetics, a high-performance vegan, cruelty-free direct-to-consumer cosmetics brand.

Karissa grew up on a farm in Washington state and always loved creating makeup since she was a young girl. After working as a make-up artist to pay her way through college, she landed a job at Clarisonic and then was working in L'Oréal’s luxury division. Karissa never aspired to start her own business until she lost her dear friend, Kristy, to cancer at just 24 years old. As Karissa reflected on the generous life Kristy lived, she felt inspired to take action on her passion and create a brand that was truly bigger than beauty. A month later, Thrive Causemetics was born. Starting out, Karissa self-funded the business, made formulas on her kitchen counter, and fulfilled orders all out of her 1-bedroom apartment. 

Six years later, Karissa has built a company with philanthropy at its core. Thrive Causemetics has donated over $100 million in funds and products to women's charities since inception. However, none of this could have been done if it weren’t for the success of her products. Thrive Causemetics has grown to be a multi-million dollar company and is known for its best sellers which include Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara (one was sold every 5 seconds), Infinity Waterproof Eyeliner, and the Buildable Blur CC Cream. 

Acknowledging her amazing work and success, Karissa has been named in Forbes’ 30 Under 30, Forbes’ America's Richest Self-Made Women, Marie Claire’s Most Powerful Women and Inc.’s Badass Female Founders list.

In this episode, we'll talk to Karissa about:

* Karissa shares her childhood living on a farm and how it impacted her creativity at a young age [3:06]

* How working at Clarisonic really change the trajectory of her career and what she thought was possible [8:54]

* How the passing of Karissa’s best friend, Kristy, inspired her to re-evaluate her purpose and start a company [11:20]

* Karissa shares how she designed her life to self-fund the new brand she wanted to launch [14:40]

* Karissa discusses why trial and error was essential to creating awareness for her new products [19:20]

* The importance of hustle and grace when launching a business & how Karissa landed a spot on Good Morning America [26:14]

* Karissa walks through what helped the company go viral after two years of slow growth [32:00]

* Key advice and tips she gives to other entrepreneurs looking to build a business [35:10]

* Karissa explains how constant rejections in the early days pivoted the way she thought about the business [40:36]

* How Karissa manages her mental health during difficult and challenging times [43:36]

* The toughest lesson Karissa learned on her entrepreneurial journey [45:13]

* How to build a network and the importance of reaching out to people who can help you with your goals [47:46]

Follow Karissa:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karissabodnar/

* Thrive Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ThriveCausemetics/

* Thrive Website: https://thrivecausemetics.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Misha Nonoo is a New York-based womenswear designer who is known for her sustainable, sleek, and timeliness ready-to-wear pieces. 

From the time Misha was a young girl, she was fascinated with fashion and empowering women as she witnessed the dichotomy of women’s roles growing up in Bahrain as well as London. Her upbringing gave her an appreciation for different cultures and an understanding of women’s lives in different places. After gaining recognition from a reputable buyer for a few pieces she created for herself, Misha decided to launch her namesake fashion brand with the goal of having her customers feel strong, confident, and empowered in all aspects of their life. 

Misha was the first designer to use social media as a venue for fashion shows, debuting her Spring/Summer 2016 collection on Instagram, and was a pioneer in using the made-to-order business model which promotes sustainability in an industry that is known for producing so much waste. Misha is also passionate about using her business as a platform for change and most notably collaborated with her dear friend, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, for the Smart Works charity where for every shirt sold, Misha donated one to the work wardrobes of women in need. 

Misha won industry recognition when she became a finalist for the 2013 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and was named one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30,” as well as Crain’s New York Business’ “40 under 40.”

In this episode, we'll talk to Misha about:

* Misha shares what life was like growing up between the Middle East and Europe [3:08]

* Misha talks about her love of fashion and why she ended up going to business school vs fashion school [7:50]

* Why Misha’s move to NYC during the financial crisis was a pivotal moment in her career and life [11:46]

* How Misha decided to launch her own brand and why she thinks “beginner's luck” was in her favor [14:53]

* The realities of what life looked like when Misha was working her full time job and launching her clothing line [20:16]

* Misha opens up about a difficult period in her life when she was dealing with her divorce & massive restructuring of her business [27:11]

* How Misha became the first fashion designer to use social media as a venue for her fashion shows despite the many skeptics at the time [32:13]

* Misha shares her experience and advice when it comes to fundraising [40:07]

* What sustainability means for Misha in her life and business [44:47]

* Misha talks about life as a new mom and how she’s designed her life to manage motherhood & entrepreneurship [50:52]

* The importance of women supporting women and why it’s key to Misha’s mission [54:30]

Follow Misha:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mishanonoo/ 

* Website: https://mishanonoo.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nisha Dua is a General Partner at BBG Ventures, which she co-founded with Susan Lyne in 2014. BBG Ventures is an NYC-based seed fund investing in consumer tech start-ups with a focus on women and underrepresented founders. 

Nisha believes the greatest untapped opportunity for venture capital lies in backing women who are using technology to address common life-challenges and transform daily habits. Women are the dominant users of the fastest-growing mobile and social platforms, and they make or influence 85% of consumer purchases. Nisha has invested in over 70 start-ups, including a few that you may know such as Zola, The Sill, Carbon38, and Lola.

In addition to her work at BBG Ventures, she founded BUILT BY GIRLS, a platform that encourages young women to enter tech by introducing them to opportunities, practical skills, and a network of women in the industry. 

But before all of that, Nisha explored a variety of careers from being a singer, actress, lawyer, and consultant. In our interview, we’ll talk to Nisha about how to make career transitions in your life, incredible advice about raising money for your business and common mistakes too many entrepreneurs make. 

In this episode, we'll talk to Nisha about: 

* Nisha opens up about her upbringing with Indian parents & how their expectations academically impacted her early career [2:51]

* Nisha shares tips on how to make big career leaps & why she decided to leave law [9:06]

* After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Nisha discusses why she had to make a career change & re-evaluate what success looks like [16:12]

* How Nisha gained the confidence to take on a new opportunity in business despite having no “formal” experience [23:54]

* How a business she was running led her to founding BUILT BY GIRLS [27:36]

* How Nisha’s varied career path led her to venture capital and launching her own fund [33:22]

* Nisha explains how founders should think about raising money & why venture capital isn’t for everyone [39:07]

* After seeing over 7,000 pitches, Nisha explains key themes that make a great founder [44:38]

* How to think about storytelling when you’re a founder and why it’s critical in your business [51:22]

Follow Nisha:

* BBG Ventures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbgventures/

* BBG Ventures Website: https://www.bbgventures.com/

* Built By Girls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtbygirls/

* Built By Girls Website: https://www.builtbygirls.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lizanne Falsetto is the founder of thinkThin, health and wellness visionary, business media commentator, and adviser to the next-generation of entrepreneurs.

In 2000, after a decade of world travel and a successful career modeling internationally, Lizanne launched thinkThin from her own need of wanting to create a better-for-you, high protein nutrition bar for active women on the go. Starting small and humble, the company quickly scaled nationally and globally, establishing itself as one of the first gluten-free products on the shelves.  

Over the course of her 15-year tenure as CEO, Lizanne raised two children as a single mom and scaled the company to become a multimillion dollar lifestyle brand with zero outside funding. Lizanne ultimately sold thinkThin for over $200 million.

Last year, Lizanne established Pink Talented Angels, a new company and platform to help educate, elevate and connect rising female founders. Lizanne is passionate and focused on building an exclusive ecosystem to support female entrepreneurs for a post COVID-19 world.

In this episode, we'll talk to Lizanne about: 

* Lizanne's early years and her personal & familial connection to food and nutrition [02:28]

* The decision to pursue a career in modeling and forego college [3:28]

* How Lizanne's grandmother, travel and modeling inspired her to start thinkThin [6:46]

* The efforts that Lizanne made to educate herself and create awareness about her brand [12:01]

* Competition in the nutrition market and how Lizanne made a lane for the company [17:11]

* Lizanne's attitude and approach to self-funding and outside investment [22:15]

* Managing the different parts of life as women especially when it comes to business & family [27:21]

* The sale of thinkThin, entry into mentoring, and Lizanne's feelings post acquisition [31:29]

* Balancing feminine and masculine energy in the early days of building a company [35:39]

* The two kinds of entrepreneurs; strategic and tactical [42:26]

* Bouncing back from difficult times — Lizanne's reflections on divorce, her father's sickness, and a failed acquisition deal [47:06]

* The current era and the pandemic — Lizanne's perspectives on this moment, female entrepreneurship, and why it’s a great time to start a business [51:28]

* Lizanne's definition of wealth and how the meaning has evolved for her over time [54:04]

Follow Lizanne:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizannefalsetto/

* Website: https://www.lizannefalsetto.com/

* Pink Talented Angels: https://www.lizannefalsetto.com/about-pta/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ellen Bennett is the founder & CEO of Hedley & Bennett, an LA-based culinary workwear and lifestyle brand that has transformed the way professional (and home) chefs dress forever. By making her dream into a reality, she has created the largest gourmet apron factory in the world.

Being raised by a single mother who made her feel safe to try new things and get comfortable with failure, Ellen had confidence instilled in her from a very early age. So much so that when she graduated high school, she packed her bags and moved to Mexico City without a plan for four years. Never one to settle, Ellen once again started over when she moved back into her childhood home after her time in Mexico. She hit the ground running, landing a job as a line cook in some of LA’s most acclaimed restaurants which sparked the idea for creating stylish, functional, durable, and beautiful aprons for chefs like herself.

Now at the helm of a multi-million-dollar empire, Ellen does not sugarcoat what it took to get there, nor does she believe that being an entrepreneur looks the same for everyone. As a businesswoman who is so open to learning, willing to fail and reiterate, and in possession of some seriously unwavering self-belief, Ellen’s story will leave you inspired and show you that you don’t have to have all the answers to make your dream a reality.

In this episode, we'll talk to Ellen about: 

* How Ellen’s childhood, growing up between LA and Mexico, has influenced who she is today [2:22]

* The values that Ellen’s mom instilled in her early on and how it’s impacted her as an entrepreneur [4:08]

* Ellen’s decision to move to Mexico City at 18, a choice that changed the course of her life [8:07]

* Why Ellen chose to leave Mexico City after she had built a successful life for herself there [13:03]

* What happened when Ellen returned to LA and moved back in with her mom [14:50]

* How Ellen came up with the idea for Hedley & Bennett when she only had $300 in her savings [20:00]

* Ellen describes the power of community building to get her brand off the ground in the early days[25:48]

* Why there is no such thing as an overnight success [26:39]

* Ellen’s tips for entrepreneurs looking to self-fund their businesses early on [29:49]

* Ellen discusses how to think about investors & what motivated her to bring on a strategic partner[33:05]

* How the pandemic has affected Hedley & Bennett and the massive pivot they made [35:08]

* Hear how Ellen takes care of her mental health and the practices that ground her as a entrepreneur [38:44]

Follow Ellen:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmariebennett/ 

* Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hedleyandbennett/

* Website: https://www.hedleyandbennett.com/ 

* Oliver the Pig: https://www.instagram.com/oliverspigadventures/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Flint is the executive chairman, creative director, and founder of Sarah Flint, a luxury shoe brand aimed at on-the-move women who need comfort just as much as fashion and style.  

In 2013, Sarah was on a mission to create luxury shoes made from the finest materials that not only looked good but also felt amazing. Early on in her business, she was a full-time nanny and was looking to get her brand off the ground in the evenings and on the weekends. She devoted a lot of time to product creation and networking, and ultimately got into high-end retailers like Barneys, Bloomingdale’s, and Shopbop. This opened the door for many celebrities to take notice of her shoes, attracting women like Meghan Markle, Amal Clooney, and Lady Gaga. 

Yet, even after all the success, Sarah still felt like something was missing as she battled to create a meaningful connection with her customers. The products she had been creating up to that point had very slim margins, and she knew that she had to change her business model. So, in 2017, she canceled all of her orders and decided to go down the direct-to-consumer (DTC) route. While investors doubted her decision, Sarah went with her gut and now has seen even greater success. 

We’ll talk to Sarah about how she managed to pivot her business from the wholesale days to the COVID environment, what she did to break into the competitive luxury shoe market, and how she went about building her brand and cult following.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Sarah about:

* How learning disabilities made her overcompensate and try to prove herself. [4:14] 

* When Sarah became aware of the massive opportunity in the women’s shoe market. [5:21]

* Her motivation for doing a manufacturing program in Italy and what it taught her. [7:04]

* How she overcame the obstacles of pattern work and comfort level in luxury shoes. [9:56]

* The challenge of working with big manufacturers as a young woman designer. [12:01] 

* Making sacrifices, having mentors, and other advice for dealing with partners as a new business owner. [12:42] 

* The first round of funding for Sarah’s business and how she continued to get investors. [16:25] 

* Sarah shares how celebrities helped her to compete with the big brands in the market. [18:23] 

* What it took, apart from a great product, for her to get noticed by famous women. [20:08]  

* Insights into Sarah’s decision to close down her wholesale business and relaunch as a DTC company. [22:16]

* Why it was riskier for her to place her bets on well-known stores than to do it herself. [28:23]

* Learn about the brand’s successful direct selling and brand ambassador programs. [32:22] 

* How COVID impacted her business and what she has done to shift and pivot. [35:35] 

* Tips for supporting your mental health and maintaining balance as an entrepreneur. [41:12] 

Follow Sarah:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xosarahflint/

* Company Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sarahflint_nyc/ 

* Website: https://www.sarahflint.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

For Behind Her Empire Listeners, Sarah has generously provided a discount code for $50! Use the promo below on your next purchase :)

$50 Off Discount Code: SARAHFLINT-BEHINDHEREMPIRE

Window of Availability: 11/30/20 through 12/31/20

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gail Becker is the founder and CEO of CAULIPOWER, a company revolutionizing our favorite comfort foods by making them better and better for you. 

As a mother of two sons with Celiac disease, Gail was always desperate for nutritious gluten free options. She found hundreds of thousands of recipes for cauliflower pizza to make for her kids - and they loved it. However, it took forever to make and as a working single mom, she wanted an easier and faster option which was nowhere to be found. 

Although Gail had a lucrative career as a media executive, it wasn’t until her father passed away that she realized she wanted to follow in his footsteps as an entrepreneur. This pushed Gail to leave her corporate job and bring her calling to life. In January 2017, Gail launched CAULIPOWER and was determined to create a product that everyone can enjoy, that is nutritious, convenient, and tastes good.

Since launching, Gail scaled the company to over $100million in less than three years and completely disrupted the food industry to become the #1 better-for-you pizza and #8 frozen pizza brand in the U.S.

We’ll chat with Gail on her money lessons, why she decided to leave her well-paying job to start a business with zero food experience, the importance of having the courage to ask for help & say “no”, and advice for balancing work & family life. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Gail about:

* Her parents who survived the Holocaust and how they shaped her independent nature and appreciation of food. [3:10]

* The 3 events which led to Gail removing herself from the corporate world and founding CAULIPOWER. [6:20]

* The self-doubt that Gail still experiences, and why this actually benefits her business. [9:00]

* Why starting a business later in life helped to fast-track the process. [12:14]

* The importance of utilizing your own expertise as well as not being afraid to ask for help. [12:14]

* Relatability, accessibility, timing, and taste are the main elements that allowed Gail to scale CAULIPOWER in the way that she has. [15:40]

* The majority of people didn’t think what Gail wanted to do was possible, but she proved them wrong. [17:30]

* You need to learn everything about the industry you are entering into and then figure out how to differentiate yourself. [18:14]

* Gail explains how the road to success has been full of challenges and why you need to expect that when embarking on the journey of starting a business. [19:21]

* How Gail self-funded CAULIPOWER in the beginning and at a later stage, why she was selective in who she took money from. [22:04]

* The lifestyle change Gail experienced after leaving corporate America; “half as rich and twice as happy”. [31:40]

* Gail shares important money lessons for all women & what she learned about taking charge of her own finances after her divorce. [34:45]

FREE OFFER: To receive a coupon link for any free CAULIPOWER product, simply send them a DM on social media @CAULIPOWER and mention ‘Behind Her Empire Podcast’ :)

Follow Gail:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gailbecker/ 

* Company Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/caulipower/

* Website: https://eatcaulipower.com/

Follow Yasmin

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah LaFleur is the Founder and CEO of M.M.LaFleur, a fashion company creating practical, inspired wardrobes for the modern, professional woman.

From an early age, Sarah was exposed to high-end fashion through her mother who worked in the industry. When Sarah graduated from college and started shopping on her own for work clothing, she realized the experience and clothes were lacking despite spending so much money on them. After starting her career at Bain as a consultant, Sarah moved to private equity but left abruptly because of cultural problems at her firm. At this difficult point in her life, Sarah felt like she had nothing else to lose, and despite having no fashion experience, decided to take a risk & create clothing that professional women, like herself, were looking for.

In this episode, we talk with Sarah about the windy journey that led her to entrepreneurship, how the business grew from -$2,000 in their bank account to a multi-million dollar company, how they tripled their revenue overnight from one specific strategy that ended up saving their company and how she turned the crisis of covid into a brand-defining moment. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Sarah about:

* How Sarah’s multicultural upbringing & family impacted the way she thought about her various careers [3:28]

* Sarah shares why her 20s were painful as she was on a constant search for the “perfect job” [10:03]

* Why Sarah decided to leave her dream job & how it was the lowest moment in her professional career [13:02]

* Sarah talks about she manages her mental health & how therapy has been a gamechanger for her [18:48]

* Early stages of the business & how Sarah created a brand for working women despite having no connections or experience in the fashion industry [21:37]

* Sarah talks about the early days of starting M.M.LaFleur and how serendipity led her to meet her co-founder & head designer, Miyako [25:25]

* Sarah explains how she thinks about constructing her clothing and how she thinks through the perfect fit for the modern woman [28:27]

* Sarah shares how she funded the business, the importance of a side hustle to help pay bills, and the most important lesson she wants all entrepreneurs to know [30:38]

* How M.M.LaFleur gained traction in the early days and created loyal fans of the brand [36:56]

* Sarah’s experience fundraising & lessons she learned along the way [39:32]

* The one strategy Sarah implemented that not only saved their business but generated millions of dollars in sales [45:06]

* How Sarah turned the COVID crisis into a brand-defining moment for her company [53:49]

Follow Sarah:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmlafleur/ 

* Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmlafleur/ 

* Website: https://mmlafleur.com/ 

Follow Yasmin

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shalini Vadhera is a beauty entrepreneur, celebrity make-up artist, bestselling author, and founder of a multi-million dollar global cosmetics company that started from her garage.

Shalini’s journey was far from easy. Although her business scaled to over $20 million in revenue and found instant success in large retailers like Sephora and QVC, Shalini lacked mentorship and faced a whole host of challenges growing her business. She is passionate about sharing her story to help women entrepreneurs and creating environments for women and girls to strive in life and business, as seen in her ventures, Power Beauty Living, Ready Set Jet, and Ready Set Jet Academy, a social initiative to help lift women out of poverty by creating job opportunities and encouraging entrepreneurship.

Shalini has worked with representatives from the United Nations to bring the art of living powerfully and beautifully to emerging women leaders and has also been recognized with the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award. 

As a social activist involved with many different businesses and initiatives, we’ll chat with Shalini about her learnings building & scaling multiple businesses, why you need to live your life on your own terms vs other people’s expectations, and tips she recommends for anyone who is looking to live a meaningful & fearless life.

In this episode, we'll talk to Shalini about: 

* Why being bullied in school shaped Shalini's love for makeup and beauty. [3:52]

* What it was like to be sent to India at 19 with $2,500 to start her own company. [5:40]

* Dealing with rejection or negative comments – Shalini has learned to tune them out. [9:07]

* Shalini's purpose versus the expectations of others – discover how her career has been a constant struggle between the two [12:37]

* Shalini shares what it was like building her company in the early days & managing everything from her garage in San Diego [20:23]

* The lack of support networks and resources for women in business back then. [23:20]

* Shalini describes her fundraising experience and the importance of doing your own due diligence with investors [24:14]

* What actually prompted her to exit the $20 million+ global beauty brand she'd built. [30:21]

* How Shalini felt, having to leave her brand behind, and how she views it now – as a valuable life lesson in empowerment. [32:14]

* How a Korean Master and getting struck by lightning inspired a spiritual awakening. [33:30]

* Instead of seeing the worst case scenario, realize that you’re in control of your story. [45:55]

* Key mistakes Shalini that sees women entrepreneurs making in their businesses. [46:37]

* Advice for women who want to create a like-minded community or find a mentor. [49:06]

Follow Shalini: 

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalinivadhera/

* Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readysetjetofficial/

* Website: https://readysetjetofficial.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sharon Rechter is the co-founder of First Media, a multi-platform, content publisher that is dedicated to the do-it-all millennial woman. 

First Media's clever, lifehack style videos bring in over 1.7 billion monthly views on social media and their BabyFirst TV cable network reaches over 60 million US homes. Their social media brands, So Yummy, Blusher, and Blossom, have an average of 50mm views for every video post on social. 

Sharon truly embodies the mission of her business as an inspiring woman, mother, and entrepreneur. We’ll chat with Sharon on why she left her career as a lawyer, what it takes to make a video go viral on social media, why women need to talk more about money, and how she juggles being an entrepreneur & a mother of four. 

In this episode, we'll talk to Sharon about: 

* How growing up in an entrepreneurial family in Israel influenced Sharon. [1:32]

* Learning that, as a woman, she had a different set of tools in a negotiation setting. [4:01]

* Where Sharon got the confidence to ask for a raise early in her career. [8:23]

* Hear about Sharon’s 24-hour depression budget when things go wrong. [9:35]

* Taking on massive projects in the early days of First Media – like starting their own cable network – with virtually no experience. [11:09]

* How Sharon and her partner, Guy, approached fundraising by leveraging interest. [2:58]

* Starting BabyFirst TV without any children of her own and gaining women’s trust. [16:00]

* Mastering the art and science of what makes a video shareable on social media. [18:22]

* Learn how Sharon juggles her life as an entrepreneur and as a mother of four by letting go of guilt and being present wherever she is. [19:06]

* Sharon shares the value and importance of writing down goals for both herself and children [21:56]

* Sharon discusses how she thinks about growth & being cash flow positive in business [24:55]

* How Sharon approaches the difficult conversation about money with her children. [26:10]

* Money as a taboo topic and how Sharon thinks we can change that narrative. [29:09]

Follow Sharon: 

* First Media: https://first.media/

* BabyFirst TV: https://www.babyfirsttv.com/

* So Yummy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soyummy/ 

* Blusher Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blusherglam/ 

* Blossom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blossom/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seema Bansal is the co-founder of Venus ET Fleur, the company behind Eternity Roses, which are real roses that stay fresh for a full year, an invention that has permanently transformed the billion-dollar floral industry. 

Seema never set out to start a company in the floral business. In 2015, Seema was in a long-distance relationship with her now husband and business partner, Sunny. He sent her flowers on Valentine's Day and they looked horrible despite the large price tag he paid. This sparked their idea of creating a better experience and luxury flowers that actually looked great for a longer period of time. As their relationship began to bloom, so did their idea of transforming the online floral industry and that’s when their business was born.  

At the time, both Seema and Sunny were working for their family businesses and decided to leave to embark on a new journey together despite having no experience in the floral industry. Good thing they did, very early into their launch - their signature Eternity Roses became Instagram's most coveted bouquet after the Kardashians posted about the brand in 2016. Their multi-million dollar business has developed a loyal customer base which includes celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Oprah, Drake, Cardi B, and many more. 

We’ll chat with Seema about the skills she learned in her family plumbing business that have helped her as an entrepreneur, how social media was a game-changer when launching their brand, and the importance of prioritizing your mental health when being a leader of a high growth business. 

In this episode, we'll talk to Seema about: 

* Seema discusses her upbringing with Indian parents who immigrated to Canada to create a new life for themselves [3:14]

* Seema shares her involvement in the family business from a young age & how it has impacted her business acumen today [7:34]

* Why Seema decided to chart her own path and start Venus Et Fleur with her then boyfriend, now husband and co-founder, Sunny [12:56]

* Seema talks about the early days of the business and why she decided to leave the family business to chart her own path [16:47]

* How the company transitioned from a classic flower delivery service to shipping luxury flowers that lasted for a year [18:36]

* As the key driver for all brand and marketing, Seema shares the challenges she faced early in the business when trying to gain awareness and traction with the messaging [23:58]

* How influencer marketing and a shout out from the Kardashians completely changed the trajectory of the business [25:41]

* Seema shares tips on how to think about business partnerships & opens up about what it’s like to work with her husband [33:21]

* How COVID impacted the business and the changes they made to support the new environment we’re in [37:05]

* Seema shares tips on how she stays inspired both in life and business [41:25]

* How Seema handles burnout and shifts she’s made in her life as a leader to help create more balance [45:07]

Follow Seema:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seemabansalchadha/ 

* Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/VENUSETFLEUR/ 

* Venus Et Fleur Website: https://www.venusetfleur.com

* Chiji Website: https://homeofchiji.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liz Elting is a self-made businesswoman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She co-founded and was the co-CEO of TransPerfect, the world’s largest provider of language and business solutions valued at over a billion dollars.

As someone with a passion for languages and business, Liz wasn’t always sure about the path she was going to take. When she decided to follow her interests and study languages, Liz was stimulated but knew that it didn’t make practical sense for her career. After her first job at a translation company and a stint in Wall Street, Liz realized that if she was going to live up to her potential, she had to strike out on her own. This led her to build TransPerfect out of her business school dorm room at the age of 26. 

After 25 years at the helm, Liz helped build TransPerfect into an organization with more than $700 million in revenue, 5,000 employees, and 11,000 clients - all without any outside funding. In 2018, Liz left the company to pursue philanthropy work through the Elizabeth Elting Foundation, which advances economic, social, and political equality for women and marginalized people.  

Liz has appeared on Forbes’ Richest Self-Made Women for five years in a row and has been recognized for her efforts and achievements by the National Organization of Women, Forbes, American Express, Entrepreneur, and more. 

In this episode, you’ll hear Liz’s insights into all the hard work and sacrifice it took to build her company, the power of setting goals and taking action, and the role that partnerships play in your success.

In this episode, we'll talk to Liz about: 

* The story of Liz’s youth and the experience of living in five countries by the time she was 21. [3:01]

* Liz’s early interest in business and what she attributes her work ethic to. [4:02]

* How Liz decided what to study at college and the tension between passion and pragmatism. [6:19]

* Details about Liz’s first job after graduation which merged her love of languages and business. [8:17]  

* What motivated Liz to leave her job and go back to school to do her MBA. [10:53]

* How Liz overcame guilt and found the confidence to leave her job in Finance. [14:27]

* Hear Liz’s approach to goal-setting and why she believes it is so important. [17:45]

* Key takeaways for starting, building, and scaling an entirely self-funded business. [20:34]

* How Liz and her partner thought about business profitability. [23:41]

* Some advantages of not getting outside funding, according to Liz. [24:27]

* Challenging times in the early days of starting TransPerfect and the lessons Liz learned. [25:24]

* Liz’s advice on handling partnerships and the story of her relationship with her partner. [27:57]

* How Liz views 50/50 partnerships and why she recommends avoiding this structure. [30:35]

* Liz’s experience being a working mother and the benefits of compartmentalization. [32:05]

* Why Liz believes becoming a mother made her a better boss. [35:03]

* Transitioning out of the company: What life is like for Liz since leaving TransPerfect. [36:20]

* The common mistakes Liz sees entrepreneurs making. [38:01]

Follow Liz:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizelting/ 

* Website: https://www.lizelting.com/ 

* Elizabeth Elting Foundation Website: https://www.elizabetheltingfoundation.org/ 

* TransPerfect Website: https://www.transperfect.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shilpa Shah is the Co-Founder of Cuyana, a fashion brand that marries luxury-level branding with premium quality apparel and accessories, offering "fewer, better things" to women at accessible price points. 

Shilpa spent the first part of her career designing web and mobile interfaces for Fortune 500 companies. Although she was passionate about design, it wasn't until she was pregnant with her first son that she felt empowered to do more in her life. Unsure what the right next step was, Shilpa decided to apply to business school at 32 while having a 2½-year-old at home. Good thing she did because through the process, she met her co-founder Karla and they were inspired to create an affordable luxury direct to consumer brand - which might sound like the norm now but they were true pioneers in this space in 2011. 

Today, they’ve grown their SF based company profitably despite taking funding of more than $30million dollars. Cuyana has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies in America and continues to have a loyal base of customers and a strong celebrity-following.

We’ll talk to Shilpa about building a strong brand that is largely driven by word of mouth, why the concept of work life balance is BS, and how they’ve navigated multiple challenges from raising money from investors to restructuring their business in the pandemic environment that we're in.

In this episode, we'll talk to Shilpa about: 

* How Shilpa has intertwined the creative and analytical sides of her personality. [5:00]

* What prompted Shilpa to go to business school at age 32 was a desire to do more. [7:22]

* Balancing being the primary caretaker and the primary breadwinner. [11:05]

* One of the mistakes co-founders make in selecting one another is looking for someone similar to them. [15:02]

* How the direct-to-consumer concept arose from a desire to build a fashion brand. [16:50]

* The value of setting clear boundaries for what you can and cannot compromise on in business. [19:12]

* Focusing on supply chain and the business model in the first two years of Cuyana. [19:51]

* What makes building businesses difficult is taking the time to figure out what works. [23:05]

* How Shilpa came to understand the right messaging for her customers which was critical in the brand’s growth. [23:53]

* Educating their customers on Cuyana's “fewer, better things” concept. [27:13]

* Why staying close to your customer and seeing how they interact with your product is key. [29:07]

* Fundraising in the early days and why understanding the business is the true first step. [30:40]

* Hear Shilpa’s analogy for sustainability in a tech company and why Cuyana’s focus was always on profitability. [32:59]

* Getting male investors to understand their concept during the fundraising process. [34:57]

* Despite all the challenges, Shilpa and Carla never gave themselves the option of quitting. [39:52]

* How Shilpa and Carla’s entrepreneurship was received by their immigrant parents. [41:25]

* Why it is essential – as an entrepreneur – to become comfortable with failure. [44:40]

* Discover Shilpa’s perspective on work-life balance – and why she thinks balance is BS. [45:46]

* Shilpa’s advice for female founders with families: Make sure you’re solving the right problem. [49:46]

* Some challenges Cuyana has faced and how Shilpa and Carla overcame them. [52:19]

* Why Cuyana’s biggest success during COVID is simply surviving the pandemic. [54:33]

* Some of the key takeaways that helped propel Cuyana forward, like thinking quickly. [55:33]

Follow Shilpa:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shilparshah/  

* Cuyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuyana/ 

* Cuyana Website: https://www.cuyana.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Prerna Gupta is a serial entrepreneur and investor. After being at the helm of many successful startups, Prerna is now the CEO and Founder of Hooked, a company that is redefining fiction for the Snapchat generation. Hooked has over 100 million viewers across social media, a short form video streaming app called Hooked TV, and has received funding from Ashton Kutcher, Mariah Carey, LeBron James, and Jamie Foxx to name a few. 

As the child of Indian immigrants growing up in a conservative town in Oklahoma, Prerna spent much of her life pretending to be someone she was not. Through soul-searching and digging deep within herself, she grew to understand that her differences made her special and that if she stayed true to herself, she would always be happy. Prerna has carried this lesson with her throughout her life: the courage to be herself has made her a risk-taking, brave entrepreneur, even when others have doubted her.

We chat with Prerna about her start-up lessons and failures, the importance of failing and iterating in business, the downfalls of being solely goal-driven, and why you should constantly seek fulfillment in life versus deferring your happiness to some time in the future. Prerna also shares more about her and her husband’s decision to buy a one way ticket to Costa Rica, thoughts on staying balanced, and why love will always be more important than wealth. 

In this episode, we'll talk to Prerna about: 

* The impact that growing up in a small town in Oklahoma had on Prerna. [2:52]

* Prerna’s career after college, before she decided to strike out on her own. [6:35]

* Prerna’s feelings about going down a different path to most of her friends who were in the corporate world. [10:30]

* Details about Prerna’s first startup, Yaari, the pivot it made, and why it closed. [12:39]

* Moving onto a music creation app, Songify, after Yaari closed and the inspiration behind it. [15:45]

* The double-edged sword of achieving your goals and creating success that you never dreamed of. [19:29]

* Getting acquired by Smule and the big decision to sell everything & move to Costa Rica. [21:35]

* How Prerna applied The Lean Startup methodology to a book concept she was working on [27:19]

* When Prerna reached her ‘aha moment’ on the journey to creating HOOKED. [30:54]

* Prerna shares 3 lessons on what makes certain businesses go viral. [34:00]

* How Prerna thinks about balance in her life and what makes her feel most balanced. [37:10]

* Advice for those looking to go down the fundraising route. [40:20]

* Why venture capital is not for everyone and it is not the only way your business will succeed. [41:32]

* Hear some of Prerna’s rituals that keep her motivated and inspired. [44:07]

Follow Prerna:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prernagupta/ 

* Hooked Website: https://hooked.co/

* Personal Website: https://www.prernagupta.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holly Thaggard is the founder of Supergoop!, the first and only skincare brand that is 100% dedicated to UV protection. In 2005, Holly’s life and career path completely changed when a good friend of hers was diagnosed with skin cancer. It was at this point, she realized that people weren’t taking sunscreen seriously. Holly realized that it was important for someone to make sunscreen “cool” in order to stop the epidemic of skin cancer. 

Leaving her career as an elementary school teacher, Holly decided to jump into the very unfamiliar world of SPF. After having a tough start by trying to sell her sunscreen into elementary schools (since that was a market she knew), Holly pivoted to retail and eventually got her product into big retailers like Sephora and Nordstrom after years of building her brand and perfecting her product. Fast forward to today, Supergoop! Is a must-have product by skincare gurus everywhere and is over $40 million in revenue. 

We’ll chat with Holly about what it takes to disrupt an entire category, how her musical talents helped fund her business when she had very little money, finding the right partners to support your mission, and the lessons she learned as a first-time entrepreneur. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Holly about: 

* How growing up in an entrepreneurial family impacted Holly as an entrepreneur. [2:23]

* Why Holly entered education and her experience as an elementary school teacher. [4:58]

* How education is still at the core of what Holly does with Supergoop! [7:56]

* How Holly’s career took a turn when her teaching contract wasn’t renewed [10:02]

* Hear how the idea for Supergoop! came about, when a good friend of Holly’s was diagnosed with skin cancer. [12:14]

* Learn about Holly’s love for solving problems using creativity and innovation. [14:38]

* When Holly saw this opportunity to educate about sunscreen, she explains the next steps in developing her product. [16:19]

* Even with no expertise in this category, Holly started asking the right questions. [18:06]

* What Holly’s distribution strategy was for Supergoop!, starting with private schools. [19:41]

* Learning about the business of scaling and going from trade shows to big retail. [24:54]

* From meeting Roxanne Quimby of Burt’s Bees to getting product on the shelves at Sephora. [30:50]

* Holly knew she was onto something when she was contacted by Elon Musk’s team. [37:26]

* Holly talks about her fundraising techniques and supporting the growth of her brand. [39:25]

* How Holly’s relationships with both Sephora and Nordstrom started with an impromptu trip to San Francisco. [43:19]

* Holly emphasizes that it took 16 years to build the reputation Supergoop! has today. [53:09]

* The importance of finding the “right” retail partners that will embrace your vision. [54:25]

* Holly’s tip for entrepreneurs looking to disrupt an industry: have something unique. [55:55]

* Advice for those trying to juggle family life and entrepreneurship: relish the everyday moments with your family. [58:03]

Follow Holly:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollythaggard/

* Supergoop! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supergoop/

* Supergoop! Website: https://supergoop.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Minnie Ingersoll is an investor, co-founder, and former COO of Shift, an online marketplace for used cars. After 12 years at Google, working as a product manager and later principal with Google.org, she co-founded Shift in 2013 while she was on maternity leave. Minnie shares that she never thought she’d be a founder and in the used car industry, but the opportunity to build a business from scratch was exciting to her. 

Minnie took Shift from an idea to over $100 million dollars in revenue and has seen continued success with the company going public last year. After 5 years at Shift, Minnie decided to change her career once again and empower entrepreneurs as an early-stage investor at TenOneTen Ventures. 

We’ll chat with Minnie about how she built her emotional resilience in tough times, why communication & people are your biggest assets at work, and what truly makes a good founder when it comes to starting your own company. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Minnie about: 

* What it was like growing up in an academic family & why she was always considered the black sheep [2:30]

* Why Minnie decided to drop out of college after her first semester [4:59]

* What drove Minnie to go to business school after the dot.com burst & what helped her gain confidence [8:02]

* Minnie discusses her experience as an early Google employee & key learnings [11:16]

* What prompted Minnie to leave her stable job during maternity leave & become a cofounder at Shift [13:58]

* What motivated Minnie to start a used car business despite not being particularly interested in the industry [16:56]

* Minnie talks about the early days of raising money and the initial steps the business took to prove their concept [20:46]

* Why business needs to be more friendly & inclusive and how the Zoom culture we’re right now can benefit us [26:03]

* Advice when it comes to interviewing based on Minnie’s experience taking Shift from 0 to 200 employees in only two years [28:15]

* How to deal with difficult and uncomfortable conversations in business [34:02]

* Minnie shares why burn out happens when you’re not fulfilled in your job [39:15]

* The advice Minnie would give to her younger self: just chill out [41:12]

* Why Minnie decided to leave Shift, move to LA, and change her career once again [43:01] 

* As a partner at the venture capital firm, TenOneTen, Minnie shares her advice on what makes a good founder & how to think through your pitch to investors [48:15]

Follow Minnie:

* Shift Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/driveshiftcars/ 

* TenOneTen Ventures: https://www.instagram.com/ten.one.ten/ 

* Shift Website: https://shift.com/ 

* TenOneTen Ventures: https://www.tenoneten.net/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keren Eldad is an acclaimed motivational speaker, leadership psychology expert, and founder of With Enthusiasm, where she provides world-class personal and professional coaching. 

Before becoming an internationally-recognized coach, Keren had an illustrious business career. After spending years in the world of publishing, she then founded her own marketing company, Digiluxe. Despite all of this, Keren never felt fulfilled and aligned with her purpose. It wasn’t until she hit rock bottom after a divorce, running out of money, and losing her job that she learned how to cultivate self-worth and step into her true essence and power. She believes that we should all be welcoming adversity because of the rich lessons it brings if we are simply willing to look.  

Keren has worked with notable clients like LVMH, Richemont, Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan Chase, and Global Fashion Group, as well as several high-profile private clients.

We’ll talk to Keren about why it’s in all of our destinies to achieve greatness, the power of self-love and compassion, and what we can do to get over our blindspots. As Keren highlights, if we keep limiting ourselves, we do not get to participate in the beauty of life and it’s up to us to view life through a lens of scarcity and fear or abundance and openness. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Keren about: 

* Keren’s childhood as the daughter of a diplomat and the experience of getting to live in different countries. [2:50]

* How Keren believes we should view our childhoods. [5:12]

* You cannot underestimate the influence that societal expectations and standards have on you. [6:35]

* Keren’s early career and the exhaustion of chasing a dream she thought she should have. [7:53]

* The Instagram-worthy life Keren was living in her early 30s that left her miserable. [10:37]

* When Keren started to realize that all of her hardships were happening for her. [12:46]

* We have all known the Dark Night of the Soul and it is our choice what we want to do with it. [14:14]

* The story of how Keren’s world collapsed; divorce, having no money, and losing her job. [15:07]

* Why reaching rock bottom was the best thing that ever happened to Keren. [17:22]

* The one thing that stands between you and living a beautiful life. [19:08]

* Impatience is a lack of faith; you need to surrender and trust in the universe. [21:12]

* The story of how Oprah came to star in The Color Purple and what it teaches us. [22:13]

* Keren’s insights into manifesting and the importance of focusing and gratitude. [24:48]

* Loving yourself is the precondition to having a great life. [27:58]

* How we can reframe getting our businesses off the ground when it feels like we are behind. [28:53]

* Changing our perspective on how we view dating & money and the importance of being open to receiving. [29:29]

* Careers are about more than a paycheck; they’re about fulfillment and self-actualization. [32:08]

* Women should not be afraid to talk about making money and their desire to be financially abundant. [33:00]

* How Keren’s mindset about money has changed. [34:40]

* Why overachievers are more likely to suffer from imposter syndrome. [39:51]

* Two strategies to help you overcome imposter syndrome. [44:23]

Follow Keren:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachkeren/ 

* Website: https://www.kereneldad.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Books Mentioned:

* The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattles

* Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

* You Are A Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero

* The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jordan Salcito is an award-winning sommelier and founder of RAMONA, a delicious organic wine spritzer made with high-quality standards.

Jordan began her career in New York as a hostess before becoming a prep cook, sommelier, manager, and eventually, the Wine & Beverage Director at David Chang’s Momofuku restaurants. She is also a 5-time James Beard Award semi-finalist and was named “Most Creative in the World” by World of Fine Wine magazine.  

The idea for RAMONA came to life when Jordan became unexpectedly pregnant with her first son and realized she wanted to take control of her own life. She always had dreams of creating an organic wine beverage that everyone could enjoy at a good price point. 

Her wine spritzers have been spotted in the hands of many celebrities from Kanye West, Alicia Keys to P Diddy and are also loved by critics and consumers for it’s beautifully packaged design and commitment to high-quality organic ingredients. RAMONA is distributed nationwide at Whole Foods, directly on their website, along with independent retail chains and restaurants across the U.S.

We’ll talk to Jordan about how she pivoted her career from wanting to be a writer to then a wine expert, why she walked away from certain business ventures to follow her instincts and taking advantage of opportunities even when the odds are against you. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Jordan about:

* Jordan discusses how her parents instilled a strong value system and work ethic for herself and her siblings [2:57]

* Aspiring to be a writer, Jordan moves to NYC and takes a job as a hostess to make ends meet - a moment she was “mentally unprepared for” [6:32]

* Why Jordan decided to go to culinary school and how her externship at NYC’s iconic French restaurants, Daniel, changed the trajectory of her career [12:20]

* What it was like to be one of the only women in the kitchen & how she proved herself and went against everyone’s expectations [17:14]

* Jordan discusses how she fell into the world of wine and developed a deep passion [19:58] 

* Why Jordan decided to become a Master Sommelier (one of the most difficult and prestigious titles you can receive in the wine world) [28:30]

* After years of studying and preparing for the Master Sommelier exams, Jordan shares her thoughts and frustrations with not passing [31:43]

* How she dealt with the failure of not passing the exam & why a few words from Beyonce shifted her mindset on how she thought about her goals and next steps. [37:14]

* Why failing her exam and getting unexpectedly pregnant was the experience she needed to take the risk and start her business, RAMONA [42:27]

* Why Jordan walked away from business ventures with discriminatory practices against women and legal lessons she learned along the way [46:07]

* When Jordan decided to fundraise for her business and the importance of knowing your numbers and having an authentic story when meeting with investors [51:26]

Follow Jordan:

* Jordan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordansalcito/ 

* RAMONA’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkramona/ 

* Website: https://www.drinkramona.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s mini-episode, we’re talking about imposter syndrome - something we all deal with, including many of the successful, self-made women I’ve interviewed on the podcast. I’m excited to share some advice from three of our most popular interviews to help you overcome imposter syndrome and stop feeling like a fraud. 

* Lee Mayer’s full episode: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/lee-mayer

* Suzy Batiz’s full episode: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/suzy-batiz

* Keren Eldad’s full episode: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/keren-eldad

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laureen Asseo is the Founder and CEO of Fresh n' Lean, the largest organic prepared meal delivery service in the US. 

She was only 18 years old in 2010 when she founded the company out of her one-bedroom apartment, all while attending the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising. She had always dreamed of being an entrepreneur, and actually had goals for establishing her own sustainable fashion brand, but her journey took a turn when her father faced serious health problems after years of poor eating habits and inactivity.

Desperate to help him reverse the damage, she started cooking for him and formulated a business plan in the process: make eating well a no-brainer for people who lack the time or desire to prepare healthy meals. She started creating recipes and cooking & delivering meals herself. 

The business grew rapidly and over the past three years, Fresh n’ Lean has recorded revenue growth of more than 500%, has a team of 400+ employees, and is generating over $100 million in revenue without any outside funding. 

We’ll talk to Laureen about what it takes to build a business as a young woman in an industry largely dominated by men, how she dealt with the many naysayers who thought her idea was absolutely impossible, and the biggest lessons she’s learned over the past decade running her company. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Laureen about:

* Hear about Laureen’s childhood and how it influenced her love for food and culture. [02:27]

* Find out how it was always her childhood dream to have her own business. [4:47]

* Laureen shares the story of when her journey pivoted as her father’s health declined. [7:25]

* What the early days of meal prepping for her father looked like for Laureen. [9:35]

* How Laureen felt when she graduated without a fashion brand and why she doesn’t regret the choices she made. [10:49]

* What motivated her to forge on with building a company without any outside capital. [13:47]

* Educating her customers on this disruptive idea of buying prepared meals online. [16:35]

* Some of the tactics that helped Laureen grow demand for her product, including word of mouth and demos. [18:54]

* Supporting the development of her self-funded business by focusing on scalability. [21:32]

* Hear Laureen’s perspective of being a young, woman CEO in manufacturing; how she overcame certain challenges. [26:34]

* How doubt and criticism for her business impacted her when she was younger versus now. [32:31]

* Laureen speaks candidly about her own health and how she prioritizes a work-life balance. [35:47]

* Mistakes and challenges she learned from in the past decade of Fresh n’ Lean. [40:16]

* You have to do it in order to know it won’t work; don’t be afraid of making mistakes! [40:47]

* Some of the horrible advice Laureen received during her entrepreneurial journey. [43:35]

* Laureen’s advice for entrepreneurs: don’t always listen to what big executives have to say about your business. [40:47]

Follow Laureen: 

Laureen’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laureenasseo/

Fresh n’ Lean’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freshnlean/ 

Fresh n’ Lean Website: https://www.freshnlean.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s mini-episode, we’re talking about the realities of managing both motherhood and your career.

The fundamental question that many women uniquely ask themselves is: Can I still be successful and pursue my desires of being a mother & building a family? The short answer is yes, but there is so much to dig into on this.

I’ve specifically picked two incredible entrepreneurs to expand on the topic of why balance is BS especially when it comes to women, motherhood, and their careers. 

Today’s mini-episode features Shilpa Shah, the founder of the direct-to-consumer luxury fashion brand, Cuyana, and Daina Trout, the founder of the popular kombucha brand, Health-Ade Kombucha.

Both Shilpa and Daina share their top advice they would give their younger self or any woman who is thinking about building both their family and empire.

* Shilpa Shah’s full episode: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/shilpa-shah

* Daina Trout’s full episode: https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/daina-trout

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sadie Lincoln is the co-founder and CEO of barre3, a fitness company focused on teaching people to be balanced in body and empowered from within.

Sadie was climbing up the ranks, working alongside the founder of 24-hour fitness for over a decade, and realized she was in a crisis when she got pregnant with her first daughter. Despite being financially successful, happily married, and living in the dream house she always wanted, both Sadie and her husband felt broken & empty inside and were longing for a sense of fulfillment and happiness. 

The couple decided to sell everything they had and move to Portland, with their two young kids, to pursue their dreams of launching their own business. They opened their first barre3 flagship studio in 2008, and 13 years later, the company has grown to include more than 175 franchise studios powered by female entrepreneurs, plus an online-workout subscriber base in over 98 countries. What started as a workout has blossomed into a full-blown movement made up of millions of people focused on body positivity, being empowered, and redefining what success in fitness means.

We’ll chat with Sadie about how she managed to start her business with kids (and why childcare is part of their business model), how embracing her unconventional upbringing allowed her to dream big and be a risk-taker, and why she’s committed to empowering women to feel good in their bodies and live a truly authentic & fulfilling life. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Sadie about:

* Sadie opens up about her unconventional childhood and upbringing. [3:24] 

* How Sadie’s upbringing and being around empowered women helped her thrive as an entrepreneur. [7:02] 

* Sadie’s relationship with money and how it’s impacted her today. [7:44] 

* Sadie opens up about her education and what it felt like to not be “conventionally” smart at school [9:06] 

* Sadie’s decision to move to L.A. and the one job that changed the trajectory of her life. [10:43] 

* Why Sadie ultimately chose to pursue a path of education; learning is empowering. [12:22] 

* Sadie’s experience at 24 Hour Fitness and her big takeaway from her time at the company. [14:20] 

* The importance of advocating for what you are worth. [17:12] 

* Sadie’s silent struggle with chronic pain and body image during her time at 24 Hour Fitness. [17:24] 

* How being pregnant helped Sadie become attuned with her body and the ‘aha moment’ that laid the foundation for barre3. [18:40] 

* What prompted Sadie and her husband, who was also struggling emotionally, to leave their stable jobs. [0:21:32] 

* How much money Chris and Sadie put into the business and the sacrifices they made as a family. [24:10] 

* The early days of barre3, starting out giving free classes above a natural food shop. [25:03] 

* The inspiration and fulfillment Sadie felt once they set up the first studio. [26:50] 

* How Sadie dealt with almost reaching burnout in the early days when she was doing everything to get the business off the ground. [29:21] 

* What happened when Sadie’s brand exploded and why this led to her feeling empty again. [33:37] 

* People were drawn to varre3 because it was authentic and the community pushed back when they became more “mainstream”. [36:27] 

* How Sadie views the company’s success and why she didn’t build it to sell. [38:40] 

* The rituals that Sadie relies on to keep her grounded and empowered. [45:17] 

* Advice for women entrepreneurs who might feel afraid to take the leap. [47:02] 

* We do not have to be afraid to ask for help as women. [48:35] 

Follow Sadie:

* Sadie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sadielincoln

* barre3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barre3/ 

* barre3 Website: https://barre3.com/

References:

* Modernist Financial: https://modernistfinancial.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michelle Cordeiro Grant is the founder & CEO of LIVELY, a community and brand that inspires women to live passionately and purposefully through experiences and products like bras, bralettes, undies, and so much more. 

Michelle grew up with immigrant parents, thinking she wanted to become a doctor or a lawyer, but her true passion lay in working with products and building brands. At the end of a long and extremely successful career at brands like Victoria’s Secret, Michelle came to the realization that the $13 billion lingerie category was being dominated by a single brand and had a very narrow point of view.

This led her to go out on her own and create LIVELY with the goal of being a brand that strived to reflect real, authentic, everyday women like herself, who craved the feeling of being confident and comfortable. Michelle launched LIVELY in 2016 and has since opened four stores and fostered a network of over 140,000 brand ambassadors. She grew the business from its concept stage to a recent $100 million acquisition in just three years, beating the odds that many female-founded companies face. 

In this episode, you’ll hear from Michelle as she describes the tactical steps she took to leave her career and build a company that she was passionate about, what it takes to build a brand from concept to acquisition, and how she built a community of 140,000 ambassadors.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Michelle about:

* Learn more about Michelle’s childhood in an immigrant family in rural Pennsylvania. [3:11]

* Why Michelle says that being unique is a superpower and it should be celebrated. [5:14]

* How her early days in corporate America informed her decision to create her own brand. [6:57]

* Hear about her ‘aha’ moment; not wanting to choose between a family or a career. [8:38]

* The resistance she encountered during that transition and what it taught her about applying the fundamentals she had learned in corporate. [10:48]

* What Michelle’s turning point was before starting a brand in the ‘Leisurée' category. [12:10]

* The driving force behind pursuing this passion: building something totally different. [13:52]

* Find out when Michelle decided to leave her career and go all in on building LIVELY. [14:09]

* Michelle talks about the list she created of all the things she didn’t know and her advice for other entrepreneurs facing uncertainty. [16:08]

* What it looked like to create a community by building a brand and not a corporation. [18:00]

* How an email marketing strategy inspired by Harry’s launched the company. [20:36]

* Learn why Michelle thinks the email referral program was so successful; the emotional hook that drew women to the brand. [23:27]

* The strategy behind building a community of 140,000 ambassadors; finding women that demonstrated the same values as the brand. [25:43]

* Michelle shares her experience of fundraising for LIVELY while pregnant with her son. [30:12]

* Pushing through anxiety as a first-time founder and defying the odds by doing it differently. [33:58]

* Find out about LIVELY’s growth trajectory; when they started to focus on retention. [36:23]

* Engaging with the community to dictate product pipeline; launching a swimwear line. [37:40]

* Building a business from concept to acquisition wasn’t about the exit; it was about building a strong, long-lasting, and viable brand. [39:30]

* Michelle tells the story of Wacoal, the Japanese company that acquired LIVELY. [43:00]

* Her advice for living in beta; the more risks you take, the better you’ll be at taking risks. [44:29]

Follow Michelle:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_michellegrant

* LIVELY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearlively/

* LIVELY Website: https://www.wearlively.com

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sallie Krawcheck, is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ellevest, a digital-first investment platform working to help close the gender wealth gap by “redefining investing for women.”

Sallie’s professional mission is to help women reach their financial and professional goals… or as she says to get more money in the hands of women. She’s definitely on her way as Ellevest recently announced they have $1Bn under management. 

Before launching Ellevest in 2016, Sallie was one of the highest-ranked women ever to have worked on Wall Street: She was the CEO of Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney, US Trust, the Citi Private Bank, and Sanford C. Bernstein. She was also CFO for Citigroup. Prior to that, Sallie was a top-ranked research analyst covering the securities industry.

Sallie is widely recognized as one of the most influential women in business. She has been recognized by Inc. as a "Top Female Founder", called "The Last Honest Analyst" by Fortune magazine, and was named the seventh most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. 

We’ll chat with Sallie about her journey leaving her small hometown to high-powered positions in Wall Street, how she dealt with two public firings and the many career pivots that led her to start Ellevest. We'll also discuss why women need to talk more about money and start investing in order to close the gender wealth gap. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Sallie about:

* What Sallie’s childhood, growing up in a small town in the South, was like. [2:31]

* Sallie’s experience of school, difficulties she faced, and how this made her resilient. [3:50]

* The impact that being bullied had on Sallie’s will to succeed in life. [4:47]

* How Sallie landed in investment banking after going to school for journalism. [5:41]

* The shame and guilt Sallie felt around hating a career she thought she wanted. [8:05]

* How Sallie carved out time to find out what she truly wanted to do with her life. [9:09]

* Why a research analyst position was a catalytic moment in Sallie’s career. [11:10]

* Dealing with rejection and the power of a growth mindset to keep pushing. [12:50]

* Sallie’s take on why being a woman on Wall Street helped her in many ways. [14:15]

* What happens when women are seen to be looking for power and attention. [15:42]

* Sallie’s two public firings and the lessons she learned from both of them. [17:53]

* How Sallie, whose identity was attached to her career, dealt with being fired. [21:10]

* The realization that Sallie came to before she founded Ellevest. [22:30]

* Women have been socialized into believing men are better at money. [26:28]

* The stress that comes with running your own business and the loneliness you face. [27:42]

* How Sallie led her team, many of whom have never been in a recession, through the pandemic. [29:05]

* Sallie’s experience raising funds for Ellevest and why it differed from other startups. [33:49]

* What Sallie wishes they had done differently in her company. [37:00]

* The value of networking and why women need to do a better job of it. [38:06]

* Some first steps women who have not invested can take to get started. [40:58]

* If you feel nervous about investing, start small and watch what happens. [46:08]

* Why Sallie does not like the idea that women have to strive for work-life balance. [47:03]

* We need to normalize failures because striving to be perfect puts extra pressure on women. [52:39]

* The reason that men are better at taking risks, according to Sallie. [54:07]

* What wealth means to Sallie at this point in her life. [55:36]

Follow Sallie:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sallie.krawcheck

* Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevest/

* Website: https://www.ellevest.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Joan Rosenberg is an expert psychologist, best-selling author, and founder of Emotional Mastery & Emotional Mastery Training.

After three decades, tens of thousands of hours of clinical practice, and ten years of neuroscience research, Dr. Rosenberg is recognized for her thought leadership and approach that radically changes people’s lives. 

In our conversation together, we unpack how our inability to move through and handle unpleasant feelings, such as sadness, shame, helplessness, anger, embarrassment, disappointment, frustration, and vulnerability, is a massive component of what blocks people from success. Once we learn how to deal with our overwhelming or uncomfortable feelings, we begin to build the self-confidence, emotional strength, and resilience we need to lead a highly successful and fulfilling life. 

Dr. Rosenberg is a professor of graduate psychology at Pepperdine University and is a two-time TEDx speaker with her videos garnering over millions of views. She’s also been seen on CNN’s American Morning, the OWN network, and PBS, as well as appearances and radio interviews in all of the major metropolitan markets. Her latest book, 90 Seconds to a Life You Love: How to Master Your Difficult Feelings to Cultivate Lasting Confidence, Resilience and Authenticity, was released last year.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Dr. Rosenberg about:

* After 30 years of experience, how to work through your unpleasant feelings and why it’s critical to live the life of your dreams [2:43]

* How we should identify our emotions and never associate a “bad” or “negative” feeling around them [4:28]

* Why it’s so important to feel and experience our emotions [6:50]

* Dr. Rosenberg walks through her 90-second formula anyone can use to honor and move through their unpleasant feelings [9:46]

* Dr. Rosenberg explains why she thinks we don’t have “anxiety” or “fear” and how we can better manage those feelings when they arise [19:14]

* The importance of labeling your feelings [22:46]

* Why speaking up is one of the most important things you can do to cultivate confidence, authenticity, and resilience. [25:31]

* How Dr. Rosenberg defines confidence and how you can develop it. [28:44]

* Dr. Rosenberg discusses why accepting compliments is crucial to our self-confidence and why self-criticism is one of the most destructive things we can do to ourselves. [33:10]

* Dr. Rosenberg shares her perspective on how women speak in relation to men and why we need to make more statements on what we truly want & feel. [41:10]

* Understanding the root cause of perfectionism and how we need to overcome our idealistic views. [47:04]

Follow Dr. Rosenberg:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjoanrosenberg/

* Website: https://drjoanrosenberg.com/

* TED Talk: Grief: A Pathway to Forgiveness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UacbvBcbP34

* TED Talk: Emotional Mastery: The Gifted Wisdom of Unpleasant Feelings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKy19WzkPxE 

* Dr. Rosenberg’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Seconds-Life-You-Love-Authenticity/dp/031641431X 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Behind Her Empire Featured Entrepreneur: 

* Alexis Gamliel, founder of Gamliel Law, an elite litigation firm focused on personal injury, wrongful death, and employment matters. 

* Learn more about Alexis at https://gamliellaw.com and also follow her on instagram @gamliellaw

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Iman Abuzeid is the CEO and co-founder of Incredible Health, a digital platform that helps streamline the hiring process for nurses and recruiting hospitals.

Iman was heavily influenced to take risks from a young age, as she saw both of her grandfathers make an impact through their businesses in Sudan. However, entrepreneurship seemed to skip a generation and, when her father became an ENT surgeon, she and her brothers followed in his footsteps. 

Halfway through med school, Iman realized that she didn’t want to be a practitioner. She wanted to take the skills she had learned into the corporate world. After receiving her MBA and getting some consulting experience under her belt, she decided to leave Silicon Valley and make her own mark on the world. After a failed venture with her first startup, she pivoted quickly and that’s when Incredible Health was born.

Today, Incredible Health is used by hundreds of hospitals across the US and has raised $17 million from top-tier firms like Andreessen Horowitz to fuel its mission. 

In today’s episode, Iman shares how she navigated multiple career pivots, from originally wanting to become a medical doctor to coming up with a new business idea after her first didn’t succeed, how she approached the fundraising process and brought in reputable investors, and the key advice she gives all founders when they’re looking to pivot from their corporate job to follow their passion.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Iman about: 

* Hear more about Iman’s childhood, from Sudan to Saudi Arabia to the US. [2:35]

* When the entrepreneurial itch started and the greater impact Iman wanted to make. [3:30]

* Why she decided to pursue an MBA and go the Silicon Valley route once she graduated from medical school. [4:27]

* How this decision to completely change careers was received by her family. [6:30]

* The different perceptions of risk that might motivate you to make a career pivot. [7:35]

* Iman’s advice for those considering a pivot: think about where you want to end up. [8:09]

* Some of the benefits of business school, including the credibility it lends you. [10:16]

* Find out why having a broad, reliable network is key as an entrepreneur. [12:38]

* What joining an early stage startup taught Iman about technology and launching a product. [13:40]

* Hear more about her first entrepreneurial venture and what she learned from failing. [15:13]

* Why Iman believes that founders should invest heavily in ideation before execution. [17:23]

* Iman describes what the process of ideating Incredible Health looked like. [20:42]

* How they convinced hospitals to come on board using unique insight and hustle. [21:51]

* Why fundraising is a skill to be built and improved; the value of narrative. [26:22]

* Rejection is something entrepreneurs need to get accustomed to; the importance of creating tactics to deal with it. [28:44]

* Iman also emphasizes the importance of really selling your vision; be ambitious! [30:57]

* A framework for pivoting to your passion: start with the end game in mind and optimize cash, lifestyle, or skills and learning. [33:48]

* The challenges COVID presented for her business and how she overcame them. [37:13]

* Iman reflects on the need for rapid adjustment at the beginning of the pandemic. [40:20]

Follow Incredible Health: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/incrediblehealth/ 

* Website: https://www.incrediblehealth.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Behind Her Empire Featured Entrepreneur: 

* Amira Polack, founder of Struct Club, a mobile app that provides instructors with software that simplifies planning and coaching a class.

* Learn more about Struct Club: https://www.structclub.com/

* Follow Amira on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amirapolack/ 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Catherine McCord is the co-founder/CEO of One Potato, an organic family-friendly meal delivery service, and founder of Weelicious, a website dedicated to helping parents expose their children to wholesome, delicious homemade food.

Throughout the 90s, Catherine was considered one of the world’s top supermodels, posing for the cover of Vogue, walking the runway for Donna Karen and Calvin Klein, and appearing in movies that included Matt Damon, The Rock, and Jennifer Anniston. But then, 9/11 happened. Catherine was living in New York City and her perspective on life changed instantly. Although her career was soaring, she realized life was too short and wanted to follow her passion for food.

After graduating from culinary school, Catherine had her first son, who experienced health issues from a sensitive stomach. Although she could cook a four-star meal, she had no idea how to cook for her child and realized that this was a common occurrence for mothers. She began playing around with different recipes and decided to start her blog, Weelicious, to document her journey, build community as a new mother, and share her recipe ideas. 

Fast forward to today, Weelicious has grown into a widely popular health and lifestyle brand, three cookbooks, and her most recent venture, One Potato, the first organic home meal delivery kit, which has grown over 200% in the past year.

We’ll chat with Catherine about how she pivoted her career, from model to serial entrepreneur, the importance of building a community when launching your brand, and how she manages to build her empire while also being a mother to three young kids. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Catherine about: 

* Hear about Catherine’s upbringing and how it influenced her perspective on food. [2:42]

* What it was like being both an international model and an ordinary high school student. [4:30]

* How her understanding of money has evolved; how she learned the gift of saving. [7:37]

* How the tragedy of 9/11 helped Catherine realize her passion for food. [9:35]

* Catherine’s experience of being a woman in the male-dominated restaurant industry. [11:51]

* Her next steps towards starting a blog (and a family). [12:53]

* Advice for entrepreneurs that are just starting out: don’t be afraid to ask for advice! [14:52]

* When Catherine realized that she had a marketable idea and built a business. [16:15]

* She outlines the process of writing her first cookbook, starting with leaning into the expertise of other authors. [17:24]

* Learn how Catherine lets her children lead through her companies. [20:12]

* Find out where it was in her journey with Weelicious that One Potato came to life. [21:31]

* The value of finding the right partner, aligning your values, and creating a community around the launch of your brand. [24:16]

* Using word of mouth to market One Potato when they didn’t have any funding. [25:28]

* Advice for entrepreneurs looking to build a community: be authentic, start with just two social media platforms, and share your passion. [27:19]

* Approach fundraising as a definite strategy and a learned skill that takes practice. [34:15]

* Catherine cautions against taking it personally when investors don’t “get” your product. [40:38]

* Her advice for dealing with rejection, starting with knowing your audience. [0:41:39]

* The biggest mistake Catherine sees entrepreneurs making: thinking they will be wildly successful in two years or less. [48:17]

Follow Catherine: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weelicious/ 

* Weelicious Website: https://www.weelicious.com/ 

* One Potato Website: https://onepotato.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Behind Her Empire Featured Entrepreneur: 

* Niloofar Mirani, founder of Niloofar, a snack company with a mission to introduce Persian cuisine and culture.

* Learn more about Niloofar: https://www.niloofarmix.com/

* Follow Niloofar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niloofarmix/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Divya Gugnani is the CEO and Co-Founder of Wander Beauty, a clean, cruelty-free beauty brand that creates multitasking, beauty essentials

Divya began her career in the world of finance and has extensive experience in investment banking, private equity, and venture capital. She calls herself an “accidental entrepreneur” and eventually left finance to pursue her newfound passion as an entrepreneur. After co-founding multiple businesses with two successful exits, and having two children, Divya found her former beauty rituals tossed to the wayside as she became more time-starved than ever. 

Balancing a thriving career and motherhood, Divya realized there were no beauty brands speaking directly to her - a woman who loves beauty and maintains a fast-paced lifestyle. That’s when Divya’s fourth business, Wander Beauty, was born. With 30+ beauty awards in six years, including Allure Best of Beauty Awards, Wander Beauty has become a favorite of editors, influencers, and customers alike. Celebrity devotees include Heidi Klum, Emma Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, Molly Sims, and more.

We’ll chat with Divya about the challenges that come with being an entrepreneur, common mistakes that she sees other entrepreneurs making, her biggest learnings over the years (both personal and professional), and why relationships are the most important element in business and life. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Divya about:

* The event which led to Divya’s dad becoming an entrepreneur and why her dad’s experiences put her off entrepreneurship. [3:12]

* Why Divya’s mother took her to a yogi clinic in India when she was little, and how meditation changed her life. [6:12]

* What Divya learned in her first job that she has carried with her throughout her life. [08:12]

* Why Divya decided to go back to business school and self fund an MBA, and what she gained from the experience. [9:53]

* The curiosity that led Divya into the world of entrepreneurship, even though she loved her finance job. [11:37]

* Challenges that Divya experienced during her first entrepreneurial stint and why she now doesn’t mix her personal and business relationships. [13:50]

* Reasons that Divya’s first solo business was not able to scale, and why she believes it would be a success today. [15:23]

* Driving forces behind Divya’s second venture; intelligent shopping recommendation technology. [16:58]

* The realization Divya had just after giving birth to her second child in the space of two years. [22:03]

* Upsides and downsides of working from home while starting Wander Beauty. [23:07]

* Personal experiences that inspired the creation of Wander Beauty, and what the brand provides to the people who use it. [23:38]

* Divya’s relationship with her business partner, Lindsey, and how their skill sets complement one another. [24:43]

* How Wander Beauty differentiates itself from other beauty brands. [26:22]

* Early days of hustling for the small Wander Beauty team, and how this paid off. [28:34]

* Advice on fundraising; raise what you need plus a little bit more. [30:03]

* Constant difficulties that CEOs face, and the number one way to alleviate them. [31:45]

* Divya’s mindset when it comes to balancing her work life, family life, and personal life. [33:40]

* A common mistake that Divya often sees entrepreneurs make, and her suggestion for a better way to do things. [35:32]

Follow Divya: 

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgugnani/ 

* Wander Beauty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wander_beauty/ 

* Wander Beauty Website: https://www.wanderbeauty.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Behind Her Empire Featured Entrepreneur: 

* Lia Lee, founder of UNLIT, a plant-based adaptogen recovery drink that helps to relieve your hangover symptoms.

* Learn more about UNLIT: https://unlit.co/ 

* Follow UNLIT on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getunlit/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Loren Ridinger is the Co-Founder of internet retailing giants, Shop.Com and Market America.

Although Loren is now recognized as an internet mogul who has changed the face of the beauty and e-commerce industries over the past two decades, her life started with very humble beginnings. She moved to Greensboro, NC at a young age, worked in retail when she was sixteen, and at eighteen, Loren and her husband, JR, took a chance on their dream to make it easy for people to shop online at a time when most people didn’t even have computers in their home. 

Twenty-nine years later, their companies Market America and Shop.com generate over a billion dollars in annual sales and serve more than 10 million customers. The company is still headquartered in Greensboro, NC, and is quite global with offices in nine other countries. 

Loren also founded the award-winning cosmetics line Motives and is recognized for her work in publications like Forbes, Elle, and Vogue, where she was included in their 100 Most Influential Women issue. 

In today’s episode, we dig into the top five themes that will allow anyone to be successful with their dreams: 1) importance of belief & visualization, 2) being your true, authentic self, 3) having the right people around you, 4) goal setting the 'right' way, and 5) always doing the hard things first.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Loren about:

* The importance of women sticking together and supporting each other. [2:40]

* How Loren’s mother profoundly influenced her life. [3:48]

* Building a business with a baby; challenges and how Loren dealt with them. [6:22]

* What Loren learned from her mom and dad’s different styles of parenting. [8:46]

* Why Loren did the training to become a flight attendant. [10:26]

* The importance of deciding what you want to do with your life and not letting anyone else decide that for you. [12:15]

* Where the inspiration for Loren and her husband’s businesses, SHOP.com and Market America, came from. [14:00]

* Barriers that Loren and JR faced when starting to build their businesses. [15:52]

* The process that Loren went through to make sure that she was surrounded by the right people, and her “mental vacation” philosophy. [19:02]

* Traits that are essential in people who Loren allows into her tribe. [23:17]

* Why Loren doesn’t make New Year's resolutions. [24:26]

* How Loren manages her time and ensures that she is sticking to her goals. [26:30]

* Loren’s drive to be constantly learning, and ways she does this. [30:21]

* Assign dates to your goals, and why Loren thinks about her weeks in goals, not days. [31:23]

* Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential to success; it’s actually more uncomfortable inside the box than outside of it. [35:58]

* A major issue that Loren experienced with her health and how she dealt with it; faith over fear [42:19]

* Ways that Loren balances her work life and her family life; although she is adamant about the fact that everyone is different and there is no magic formula. [50:27]

Follow Loren:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenridinger/

* Market America: https://www.marketamerica.com/

* SHOP.com: https://www.shop.com/

* Motives Cosmetics: https://www.motivescosmetics.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jamila Souffrant is the founder and CEO of the popular financial blog and podcast, Journey to Launch, where she shares her journey to reach financial independence while helping others do the same. 

Is this really what you want to do for the rest of your life? This was the question that Jamila asked herself a few years ago on a four-hour commute from Brooklyn to New Jersey for work while she was pregnant with her first child. This sparked an “Aha!" moment for her that led her down the path of learning how to gain financial independence with the goal of retiring early on her own terms. 

Jamila has now become a go-to financial thought leader in the personal finance space and is passionate about helping others reach financial freedom in an easy and attainable way. She has been featured in notable media outlets such as Money Magazine, CNBC, CBS, Business Insider, and more. 

In this episode, Jamila talks about her Jamaican heritage and how being raised by a young single parent shaped her view on finances. She shares the story of how she went from an unfulfilling job in corporate America to finding the courage she needed to step out on her own, explains her original goal of reaching financial independence by 40, and how this has evolved over the years, as well as what financial freedom really means to her. She also reflects on some of the common mistakes people make with their money, the importance of having a good money mindset, and how anyone can start taking steps in their life to achieve financial freedom.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Jamila about:

* Hear about Jamila’s upbringing and how being raised by a single parent shaped her view of finances. [2:20]

* Jamila shares her journey: how she switched careers and took ownership of her finances. [4:42]

* What Jamila learned from the side hustles she had along the way. [7:33]

* How binging on financial podcasts helped her shift her mindset and enabled her to change careers. [9:02]

* Her initial goal to reach financial independence by 40 and how she defines financial independence now. [10:35]

* How her goal shifted from being about money to being about freedom and flexibility. [11:31]

* The importance of having the right money mindset. [14:07]

* When Jamila realized that Journey to Launch could be a successful business. [17:29]

* The importance of networking with others in the space. [19:11]

* The importance of consistency and perseverance. [21:06]

* Why you should focus on your own journey and not compare it with anyone else’s. [21:45]

* How she knew she had something to offer: find something that’s missing and create it. [24:37]

* How Jamila grew her business through consistency, collaborations, community, and media, as well as sharing her own journey. [26:27]

* The greatest challenge she faced in the early days and how she overcame it: watching the money depleting faster than her income was growing. [29:56]

* Some of the common mistakes people make with their money. [33:39]

* How Jamila defines success now and what the next steps are for her business. [37:31]

* How she juggles her high-growth business and being a mom of three. [38:50]

* Jamila’s self-care rituals and how she supports her mental health. [40:29]

* What she’s proud of that people may not know: her Jamaican heritage and showing Jamaican girls, Black girls, and women in general what is possible. [41:43]

Follow Jamila:

* Journey to Launch: https://journeytolaunch.com/ 

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamilasouffrant 

* Journey to Launch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeytolaunch/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eva Yazhari is the seasoned investor, entrepreneur, author, and CEO of Beyond Capital, an early-stage impact investment fund that is dedicated to improving lives and helping create access to basic goods and services. 

Eva started her career going up the ranks in Wall Street and working alongside top hedge fund managers in NY. Although she was thriving in her position and enjoyed investing, Eva felt like she wasn’t making a big impact in her life and was yearning to find meaning & purpose. This led her into the world of impact investing and becoming more aware of living, both personal and professional, in a way that aligns with her values. 

In the broad-ranging interview, we’ll talk to Eva about how to find meaning in the work you do, steps to find your purpose, what impact investing is, and how you can incorporate it in your day to day life. Eva shares her business insights with us as well; what she looks for in the people and businesses she invests in. We also touch on steps to getting over perfectionism, the importance of having an abundance mindset, and how we can carry these values forth with us in the world. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Eva about:

* How Eva’s upbringing and the values she learned when she was younger impact her today. [2:02]

* The role that Eva’s grandfather, an adventure-loving doctor, played in her life. [5:12]

* The core attributes that underpin the work that Eva currently does. [8:15]

* Eva’s experience on Wall Street; what she loved and some of the challenges. [9:06]

* The first steps Eva took towards a more fulfilling professional path. [12:31]

* Work Eva has had to do around prioritizing and distilling her values. [14:04]

* What having an abundance mindset means to Eva, and how she lives it. [16:43]

* Some of the mistakes that are occurring in mainstream investing. [20:06]

* How to get conventional investors on board with social investing ideas. [22:02]

* What inspired Eva to write her book, The Good Your Money Can Do. [23:10]

* Key things that stand out to Eva when looking to invest in a business. [28:25]

* The traits that Eva believes make businesses sustainable. [32:04]

* Standout characteristics that Eva looks for in leaders she’s investing in. [34:44]

* How Eva approaches self-care with everything she has on her plate. [36:22]

* What toxic mother culture is and how Eva avoids it. [38:15]

* There is so much shame around women getting help behind the scenes. [40:29]

* Work should feel good and it’s fine to enjoy what you do. [42:50]

* How Eva has managed to overcome perfectionism in her life and career. [44:26]

Follow Eva: 

* Website: https://www.evayazhari.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consciousinvestor/ 

* The Good Your Money Can Do: https://w

ww.amazon.com/Good-Your-Money-Can-Conscious/dp/154450991X

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Additional Resources: 

* Dare to Lead: https://daretolead.brenebrown.com/

* The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/15-Commitments-Conscious-Leadership-Sustainable-ebook/dp/B00R3MHWUE

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lia Valencia Key is the founder of Valencia Key, a jewelry line with beautiful, unique pieces that feature inspirational messages designed to empower women. 

Raised in an impoverished Philadelphia neighborhood, Lia lived in a homeless shelter with her mother, sister, and brother. Even in the darkest of times, her mom told her, "your predicament does not determine your destiny." She encouraged Lia to never leave the house without wearing her sparkling earrings because they would serve as reminders of the light within and the potential she had in her life. 

Lia went on to rise above her challenges and honored her mom’s legacy by believing in herself, defying all odds, and going after her dreams. She received her master’s degree and then became a world-renowned cosmetologist and stylist. Lia is now focused on inspiring others to believe in their dreams through her jewelry line. 

We’ll chat with Lia about how she broke many barriers in her life and followed her passions as an entrepreneur, the power we all have within us to create the life we want, and tips we can use in our lives today on overcoming fear and living a brave life. 

All BHE Listeners: Enjoy 25% Off & Access to Lia’s 5 Strategies to Handling Fear on Your Joy Journey to Success here: https://www.valenciakey.com/behind-her-empire 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Lia about:

* The question Lia’s mother asked her which had a profound impact on her life. [3:05]

* Lia’s poverty-stricken upbringing in Philadelphia, and the tragedy that struck her family when she was young. 3:44]

* How Lia’s time in a homeless shelter had begun to impact her, before she decided she was going to lead rather than follow. [7:20]

* Completion as one of the key guiding principles in Lia’s life. [10:44]

* Choices that Lia made to help her change her circumstances. [11:02]

* The undergraduate and Master's degrees which Lia received. [11:15]

* How Lia’s creativity has guided her decisions, and how her experience at a * Creative and Performing Arts High School changed her life. [11:37]

* The three female pillars in Lia’s life. [13:02]

* Why Lia ended up sweeping floors for a while even though she had a Master's degree, and why it didn’t bother her. [16:43]

* What Lia loves about cosmetics. [18:02]

* When Lia first learned about QVC, and the determination with which she tried to get a job there. [18:20]

* The importance of speaking your dreams to the world. [19:12]

* A chance encounter which finally connected Lia with QVC. [21:56]

* Earrings and a message that Lia’s mother gave her before she died, which later sparked the idea for Valencia Key. [26:05]

* Lia shares why she believes it is so important to carefully choose the people you surround yourself with. [28:23]

* Gifting something to the world is Lia’s purpose, and she explains how she does this through her business. [33:12]

* Advice from Lia about how to handle fear, and the power of embracing who you are. [38:49]

* One of the things that Lia is most proud of. [42:33]

* Valencia Key’s first collection, Prosperity, and the meaning behind it. [43:56]

* True wealth; as defined by Lia. [44:50]

Follow Lia:

* Website: https://www.valenciakey.com/

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liavalenciakey

* Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valenciakeydesign/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

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Rebecca Minkoff is the co-founder and creative director of her namesake company Rebecca Minkoff, a global lifestyle brand that spans apparel, handbags, accessories, footwear, and jewelry. She has also created a community of superwomen through her platform, Female Founder Collective, and is dedicated to devoting resources and time to promote and uplift other women-owned businesses. 

Despite being a household name and global fashion powerhouse, Rebecca opens up about the many obstacles she’s faced to build her iconic brand and multi-million dollar business. 

We’ll dive deep into the early days when Rebecca was a young aspiring designer in NY, the lessons she’s learned in the highest highs and lowest lows, mistakes founders are making when raising capital & building a sustainable brand, and her candid thoughts on work-life balance.

Rebecca’s journey and unspoken rules will show you that having faith, working hard, and staying committed to your dreams will allow you to make success happen on your own terms.  

In this episode, we’ll talk to Rebecca about:

* How Rebecca fared during the pandemic and decisions she took to look after her mental health. [3:07] 

* The role that Rebecca’s mom played in her life and how she instilled independence in her early on. [5:19] 

* Why Rebecca chose not to pursue dancing and decided to go with design instead. [7:21] 

* The decision Rebecca made to move to New York at 18 to pursue design. [8:55] 

* It took Rebecca many, many years to pay herself a six figure salary. [10:23] 

* Rebecca shares her experience during 9/11 and how it changed her life. [11:24] 

* How Rebecca’s I Love NYC t-shirt became a viral fashion item. [13:00] 

* Why being fired turned out to be a blessing in disguise. [13:41] 

* The money-related fears Rebecca had when she was starting out. [14:42] 

* The story of Rebecca’s famous Morning After Bag and how it grew in popularity. [15:48] 

* When Rebecca’s brother officially joined the business. [0:20:03] 

* Rebecca’s advice for owners who are looking to raise capital for their businesses. [20:45] 

* There are specific conditions that come with taking external capital. [22:41] 

* How Rebecca thought about profitability and how it has changed over time. [23:43] 

* The confidence Rebecca had around being on social media early on, despite the backlash. [26:49] 

* A tough time the business faced and how they overcame it. [28:27] 

* There will always be problems and you have to build resilience to get through them. [30:16] 

* How Rebecca gains perspective during the tough times she has been through. [31:20] 

* Why Rebecca chose to title her book Fearless and what the word means to her. [33:16] 

* The value of networking and the role it has played in Rebecca’s success. [35:15] 

* The unique way Rebecca views mentors in her life. [38:11] 

* Why Rebecca thinks that balance is a dirty word and why we should have boundaries instead. [39:47] 

* The struggles Rebecca has had around comparison and how she views it now. [42:08] 

* The value that being a mother added to Rebecca’s life. [44:35] 

Follow Rebecca:

* Website: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaminkoff 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liavalenciakey


* Rebecca’s Book - The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success: https://www.rebeccaminkoff.com/products/fearless-the-new-rules-for-unlocking-creativity-courage-and-success

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

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Aishwarya Iyer is the founder and CEO of Brightland, a modern olive oil company that champions authenticity in the olive oil industry and celebrates good design & California living. 

Aishwarya was living in New York City for years, enjoying all the restaurants the city had to offer before she started cooking at home. She started to make more meals at home but, instead of feeling better, she realized she was feeling worse, and ultimately ended up having chronic stomach issues.

To her surprise, she learned that the olive oil that she was using in her cooking was the main issue, discovering that 70% of the olive oil Americans consume is either rotten, rancid, or has been adulterated. After years of research into the olive oil industry, Aishwarya decided to change the game and started Brightland in 2018 with a mission to transform the relationship we have with our food.

We talk to Aishwarya about her path to finding her calling after years of feeling unfulfilled, the steps she took to build the courage to launch her business, how she overcame the inner critic that so many of us struggle with, and what it takes to disrupt an industry & launch a product with little experience.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Aishwarya about:

* An introduction to Aishwarya, her childhood, and how it influenced her. [2:15]

* How Aishwarya knew that going to NYU was the right step to take at the time. [4:57]

* Marrying creativity and entrepreneurship, even in a corporate space like L'Oréal. [6:32]

* The value of startup experience in learning what it means to move quickly. [8:04]

* How Aishwarya’s fascination with olive oil started with personal interest. [9:15]

* What her thought process was at the time and how she built the confidence to bring her entrepreneurial vision to life. [11:23]

* Find out how Aishwarya overcame her inner critic using various methods. [12:54]

* The infinite value of knowing what you want, and how a vision board can help. [14:13]

* What support Aishwarya had during the transition into launching her own business. [14:37]

* The early stages of Brightland and why Aishwarya says product is everything. [15:34]

* Her rationale for launching direct-to-consumer and the relationships it enabled. [17:35]

* Creating awareness about her product as a first-time entrepreneur; from building a following prior to launch to securing media placement. [18:48]

* What didn’t work in the early days and what Aishwarya learned from those issues. [20:22]

* Why dwelling on mistakes is pointless. [21:29]

* Why Aishwarya’s experience in venture capital discouraged her during fundraising. [21:55]

* Navigating which investors are the right fit for your business; having support is key. [23:30]

* Some of the challenges Aishwarya has encountered, including the labor placed on female founders to become influencers. [23:58]

* How to hone in on your authenticity without getting caught up in comparisons. [25:28]

* Managing and avoiding burnout as the founder of a rapidly growing business. [27:39]

* The most common mistakes that Aishwarya sees young entrepreneurs making. [29:48]

* A little-known fact about her that she is proud of: she is a classical Indian dancer. [31:35]

* Aishwarya’s definition of wealth: health and waking up feeling optimistic. [32:13]

Follow Aishwarya: 

* Website: https://www.instagram.com/wearebrightland/ 

* Instagram: https://brightland.co/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

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Desi Perkins is a digital content creator and Founder/CEO of her eyewear brand, Dezi, and skincare line, Dezi Skin.

Before becoming a mega beauty influencer with over 4 million Instagram followers and over 3 million Youtube subscribers, Desi was working as a cocktail waitress looking to make a change in her life but wasn’t sure which step she was going to take. 

It all started with a last-minute Halloween costume that went viral in 2012. She used her background in art and what she learned on YouTube with special effects make-up to help make her husband’s skeleton costume come to life. This costume served as publicity for her skills and little did she know, would jumpstart her career in beauty and lead her to become the serial entrepreneur she is today.

In this episode, we talk about taking chances and why you should always, even if only in a small way, do what lights your heart up because you never know where it could lead you. Desi also shares her biggest mistakes and lessons she’s learned in business, advice on dealing with negative comments online, how she’s balancing new motherhood with running her company, and even starting a second one, and so much more.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Desi about:

* What Desi’s upbringing was like and the massive influence her mom had on her. [2:39] 

* The biggest lessons Desi gained from her time in the service industry and working as a cocktail waitress. [4:51] 

* When Desi decided to transition out of the service industry and pursue something more aligned with what she wanted to do. [6:18] 

* How Desi capitalized on the attention she got from doing Steven’s Halloween makeup in 2012. [7:55] 

* The power of taking chances, even when you don’t know how things will work out. [8:47] 

* The first YouTube video Desi made and how she overcame her nerves around putting herself out there. [10:20] 

* There is so much room to grow with your audiences on social media platforms. [11:12] 

* All you have to do sometimes is start because there’s no harm trying something. [11:48] 

* How Desi deals with negative comments online. [12:50] 

* There are double standards in the way men and women who succeed are treated. [13:49] 

* You have to let yourself feel what you are feeling. [15:39] 

* Desi’s top tips for women who are looking to create content and community online. [15:41] 

* The biggest lessons Desi learned from starting her own business. [17:14] 

* Fears Desi had around starting her business and how she managed to move past them. [20:42] 

* Why Desi, who has a range of interests, decided to start an eyewear business. [23:45] 

* How Desi handled becoming a new mother while starting a new business. [0:25:39] 

* The change Desi has experienced in her identity becoming a mother. [29:11] 

* Desi’s decision to share her fertility journey online and how it was received. [30:48] 

* The gratitude Desi feels getting to spend so much time with her family while also doing her dream work. [32:59] 

* How Desi manages to stay creative as a content creator. [34:26] 

Follow Desi: 

* Dezi Skin Website: https://deziskin.com/ 

* Dezi Website: https://dezi.co/ 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desiperkins/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

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Cate Luzio is the founder and CEO of Luminary, a membership-based career and personal growth platform and collaboration hub.

Walking away from your career when you're at the top of your game might sound like a huge gamble, but one that has certainly paid off for today’s guest. In 2018, Cate left an incredibly successful banking career to found Luminary to help women see a path toward advancement by arming them with the tools, resources, and community to propel them to the top.

Although Cate was highly respected in the financial services world, having led multi-billion dollar businesses, she was acutely aware of the imbalance in the number of women who were rising to corporate leadership positions. Giving back has always been a foundational aspect of Cate’s life, and it is this spirit that led her to create a platform to help women on a path toward advancement. 

In today’s episode, Cate shares tips on how women can succeed in the corporate world and the importance of networking & community especially when looking for a career change. 

We also hear about the pivots Luminary has made during the pandemic, how to overcome the loneliness synonymous with entrepreneurship, and the value of truly reciprocal relationships in life & business.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Cate about:

* Insights into Cate’s childhood and a story that highlights the lessons her parents instilled in her. [2:51]

* Cate’s path after college and the conversation that changed her career trajectory. [5:25]

* How Cate landed in the world of banking, a sector she had never considered working in. [8:28]

* Advice Cate has for women who want to succeed in the corporate world. [11:09]

* What happened when Cate left her banking job and felt caught between two worlds. [15:12]

* How not working gave Cate space to come up with the plan for Luminary. [16:44]

* Cate’s tips for writing business plans. [17:37]

* The value of going all-in on your dreams; you can always go back to your job later. [20:30]

* How Luminary managed to pivot during COVID and how Cate managed this stressful time. [22:01]

* How Cate’s corporate skills helped her navigate the pandemic crisis. [24:18]

* The pivots Luminary has made were never a part of the business plan. [24:58]

* Why it was so important for Cate to self-fund her business. [27:20]

* There is so much value in being able to put your own money into your business. [29:47]

* How Cate reached out to fellow entrepreneurs and the network she has created. [30:58]

* The most common mistakes Cate sees early-stage entrepreneurs making. [33:02]

* You need to cultivate reciprocal relationships, not just transactional ones. [35:13]

Follow Cate:

* Luminary Website: http://www.luminary-nyc.com/

* Luminary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bealuminary/ 

* Cate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cateluzio/ 

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

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Alexandra (Alex) Carter is a world-renowned negotiation expert, bestselling author of the book, Ask for More, and Columbia Law School Professor.

The image that most of us have in our heads when we think about negotiation is people speaking over one another, fighting for the prize. But this is not what it takes to be a masterful negotiator. In fact, quite the opposite. 

As Alex explains in our conversation today, it’s about asking skillful questions, listening, and understanding how you can fulfill someone’s needs. 

We’ll chat with Alex about her journey, and some of the formative negotiating experiences she has had along the way to help us understand why we need to all ask for more. While we might believe we are taking something away from someone when we negotiate, we are actually contributing to the upliftment of all of those around us when we get what we are worth. 

We talk about ways of turning a no into a yes, why negotiation is not only about money, and the value of taking time when you make decisions. Alex’s actionable, simple tactics are easy to implement, and you will undoubtedly achieve the results you are looking for if you follow her advice!

In this episode, we’ll talk to Alex about: 

* Even in the most turbulent times, you can always ask for more. [2:35]

* Hear what Alex was like growing up, the social struggles she felt she had, and how she discovered her passion for teaching and leading. [4:28]

* When Alex unearthed her love of negotiation and how she applied it to her own life. [6:48]

* The story of how Alex negotiated her first salary and what she learned from this. [8:09]

* Why negotiation is more about asking great questions than anything else, according to Alex. [10:22]

* Stories of clients Alex worked with who negotiated their salaries and improved their standing in their companies. [13:16]

* No does not have to be the end of the line; it’s an opportunity to ask about the other person’s concerns. [14:51]

* How Alex thinks about questions, and the role they play in negotiation. [17:19]

* What Alex sees in her work with women and their thoughts of negotiation. [20:41]

* Alex’s take on why negotiations are opportunities to steer relationships. [23:20]

* How Alex, as a speaker, has turned no's into yes’s when negotiating speaking fees, and what other entrepreneurs can learn from this. [26:40]

* Negotiating does not always have to be about money; you can find other ways to get value. [30:49]

* The top three biggest mistakes people make when they negotiate. [33:50]

* You are already enough, so go out there and ask for what you want. [38:32]

* Unless you are working in an emergency room, you don’t have to make a decision on the spot. [39:42]

* Alex’s struggles with imposter syndrome and what we can learn if we have this challenge. [42:38]

* When you use your voice, you are inspiring others to do the same. [44:44]

* Why Alex always knew she would be where she is today. [47:01]

* Everyone, even those you look up to, struggle with imposter syndrome. [49:24]

Follow Alex: 

* Website: https://alexcarterasks.com/ 

* Alex’s Book: Ask For More - 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything: https://alexcarterasks.com/book/ 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandrabcarter/ 

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Afton Vechery is the Co-Founder and CEO of Modern Fertility, a women's health company focused on making fertility information more accessible for women everywhere. 

In 2016, Afton embarked on a journey to understand her own fertility, and her realizations from this time laid the foundation for the company. She saw that women were not able to get the information that they needed to plan ahead at a reasonable price, and she understood that her mission had to be to change that. The company has not only built a powerful community but also has raised over $22 million from top-tier investors, and recently sold to Ro for more than $225 million. 

In this episode, Afton shares how a high school science project ignited an entrepreneurial flame in her and led her to pursue a career at the intersection of business and science. We hear about the extensive research she and her co-founder did before founding the company, and how this has benefited them over time. 

Afton also shares her refreshing view on rejection and how she views being turned down. Our conversation also touches on some of the biggest misconceptions around fertility, the empowerment that comes with knowing about your health, and Modern Fertility’s acquisition by Ro. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Afton about: 

* The high school science project that exposed Afton to entrepreneurship early on. [2:43]

* Expectations that Afton’s parents had for her after she graduated from high school. [06:28]

* Afton’s first job after college and what she learned in this position. [9:44]

* What Afton discovered about the world of fertility when she was working at 23andMe. [1:19]

* Afton’s ‘aha moment’ when she realized the need for Modern Fertility. [12:51]

* The impact that accelerators have in the beginning stages of your business. [14:42]

* The reasoning behind the extensive surveying and validation that was done before launching the company. [18:03]

* How Modern Fertility built community very early on, and the incredible momentum they garnered. [21:17]

* Why Afton and her co-founder, Carly, decided to go with VC money and what they learned from this decision. [23:47]

* There is no right way to start a company; you have to do what makes sense. [25:26]

* Afton's view of rejection and why she sees it in a positive light. [25:45]

* All aspects of business have their own ups and downs. [28:00]

* Afton’s self-care rituals and her passion for road biking. [30:19]

* Debunking some of the biggest fertility myths. [33:12]

* The power of having open conversations around women’s fertility to normalize the topic. [36:16]

* Insights into Modern Fertility’s recent acquisition by Ro and the reason behind this decision. [38:03]

* What wealth means to Afton at this stage in her life. [41:15]

Follow Afton: 

* Website: https://modernfertility.com/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernfertility/ 

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aftonvechery

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re mixing things up in a big way! After a year of interviewing the top women in business and entrepreneurship, we’re officially inviting our first male guest on the Behind Her Empire podcast, Marcus Lemonis. If you tune into today's interview, you’ll immediately understand why. 

Marcus is known for helping struggling businesses get back on their feet by investing his own money on the hit TV show, The Profit. Despite being a household name and TV personality, Marcus’ influence is far beyond television. He is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in America, serving as chairman and CEO of the multi-billion dollar company Camping World. 

Marcus is also one of the biggest champions out there when it comes to small business entrepreneurs, and specifically women entrepreneurs. He’s created The Lemon-AID Foundation and seeded it with $50 million of his and his wife’s own capital to focus on backing talented founders, especially women and minorities who haven’t had equal access to resources and guidance in their careers.

Marcus is unapologetically vulnerable, open to sharing all parts of himself, and truly generous in wanting to help others succeed. In today’s wide-ranging interview, we talk about how to work through fear of failure & embarrassment, the realities of burnout in entrepreneurship, why he believes women are better business leaders, the importance of embracing your strengths & your flaws to be truly comfortable in your own skin, and so much more. 

In this episode, we'll talk to Marcus about: 

* How the fear of embarrassment holds us back and what we can do to move past these feelings. [4:00]

* Acknowledging that privilege plays a role in taking chances. [6:01]

* It is okay that you feel embarrassed; it is something we all experience. [8:50]

* How Marcus uses clothes to make himself feel comfortable in his skin. [9:59]

* The freedom that comes when you lean into what makes you unique. [12:45]

* It is important not to make money the ultimate benchmark of success. [14:09]

* The influence that Marcus's mother and grandfather had on him. [16:39]

* Marcus's ultimate mission with the work that he does. [18:48]

* Some of the reasons that Marcus thinks women are better businesspeople. [19:26]

* You do not have to care what other people think; it is the way you think about yourself. [20:59]

* Why Marcus believes the principles of running a coffee shop or a large corporation are the same. [23:17]

* How entrepreneurs can develop a consumer point of view. [26:30]

* Who Marcus believes should not be entrepreneurs. [28:21]

* Why Marcus prefers the term business owner rather than entrepreneurship. [30:07]

* Marcus's experience of burnout and why he believes business owners can’t have work-life balance. [31:11]

* You have to curate your own mental, physical, and emotional health regimen. [33:13]

* Marcus's advice for those of us who feel like we are not enough. [36:23]

* What wealth means to Marcus at this stage in his life. [38:47]

* Hear the two questions that Marcus asks Yasmin. [39:58]

Follow Marcus: 

* Website: https://www.marcuslemonis.com/ 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcuslemonis/ 

* One Hundred Percent with Marcus Lemonis Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1572332094 

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexandra (Alex) Friedman is the Co-Founder and CEO of LOLA, the first lifelong brand for a woman’s body. 

The idea came about when Alex met her partner, Jordana Kier, and they started asking questions about what tampons are made from. In attempting to research this seemingly simple fact, they realized that next to nothing was disclosed online and they could hardly find anything about the chemicals they were unknowingly putting in their bodies.

At this point, they realized that something needed to change and started a company with complete product transparency at its core, creating their first product line of organic tampons. LOLA has now expanded well beyond tampons and provides feminine care products that address every stage of a woman’s reproductive life. 

Alex and Jordana are on a mission to reshape the conversation around reproductive health and set a higher standard for ingredient transparency in our personal care products. The company has raised over $35 million from top-tier investors such as Spark Capital, BoxGroup, and Serena Williams, to name a few.

On today’s episode, we talk to Alex about what it’s like to raise money pitching tampons to a room full of predominantly male investors as well as key advice on what it takes to disrupt an established industry. Alex also touches on grassroots brand awareness, solving a problem rather than starting a company, and what new motherhood looked like as she was scaling a high-growth business, plus so much more! 

In this episode, we'll talk to Alex about:

* Learn about Alex’s childhood and how it has influenced her entrepreneurial journey. [2:35]

* Find out how her career path prior to LOLA led her into the startup world. [3:44]

* Hear the story of how she met her cofounder and had the idea for LOLA. [6:15]

* The early stages of the company and what inspired her to “go all in.” [7:47]

* Alex reflects on the capital raising process and why she found it so uncomfortable. [9:40]

* The role that the education gap played in how Alex structured her pitches to predominantly male investors. [12:04]

* How the idea for LOLA was received by her family, particularly by her sister. [14:00]

* Why mentorship and feedback are critical for the growth of a business. [16:55]

* How to create authentic brand awareness using focus groups and word of mouth. [18:41]

* The value of creating a movement to motivate your community to spread the word. [20:48]

* How LOLA met demand with a small and nimble team by buying a lot of inventory. [22:30]

* Alex’s advice for women wanting to innovate in an industry they are passionate about: don’t just start a business, solve a problem. [23:06]

* Challenges Alex faced with LOLA and how she overcame them, including stigma. [25:35]

* LOLA’s transition from direct-to-consumer to omni-channel brand during COVID. [27:09]

* What maternity leave looked like while scaling a high growth business. [29:30]

* What motherhood taught Alex about leadership, including clear communication. [31:39]

* Alex shares what she is most proud of: developing an extroverted side to engage investors and lead a team. [33:43]

* What wealth means to Alex: having everything she needs and wants. [36:39]

Follow Alex: 

* Website: https://mylola.com/ 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lola/ 

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lindsay McCormick is the Founder and CEO of Bite, a brand of sustainable oral care products.

Back in 2016, Lindsay was working as a TV producer on HGTV’s “House Hunters.” She was traveling the country, living out of her carry-on, and relying heavily on travel-size toiletries. While she was staying at hotels, she noticed how many of those tiny tubes of toothpaste she was using and throwing away every month. 

As a passion project, Lindsay was spending her nights and weekends learning how to make alternative toothpaste that was more sustainable. She invested $6,000 of her own money to start the business and has now turned it into an 8-figure company without any outside funding. 

We’ll talk to Lindsay about switching careers and diving into an industry she had zero experience in, her appearance on Shark Tank and what it felt like to decline Mark Cuban’s offer, and how she went from creating a product in her living room to building a multi-million dollar business.

Our conversation also touches on how big and small brands can work together to shift consumer behavior, how niche businesses can compete in crowded markets, and the importance of being ok with being uncomfortable as a founder.  

In this episode, we'll talk to Lindsay about:

* Hear about Lindsay’s life in her early 20s and what her main goals at that time were. [2:21]

* Lindsay’s decision to buy a one-way ticket to Alaska and the year of travel that followed. [5:15]

* How Lindsay got her job at House Hunters and how it sparked the idea for Bite. [6:05]

* Lindsay’s learning journey and what she discovered when she started exploring oral health products. [7:44]

* How Lindsay created awareness for her products in the early days. [9:29]

* An important lesson in serving an under-served audience, even in a crowded market. [10:29]

* What Bite looked like before their viral video and how the company exploded after. [11:27]

* How Lindsay found a co-packer that aligned with Bite’s ethos. [14:25]

* How Bite has considered their higher price point and how customers have responded. [17:22]

* Big and small brands are not competitors; they can have a symbiotic relationship. [19:18]

* Why being an online company has helped Bite carve a niche for itself. [20:01]

* Lindsay’s take on fundraising and her decision to bootstrap the business. [21:43]

* The inspiration behind appearing on Shark Tank and what Bite was looking for. [23:19]

* How going viral prepared Bite for potentially finding a partner. [28:55]

* Why Bite’s biggest challenge is also their biggest opportunity. [29:29]

* Getting comfortable with the constant discomfort as a founder. [30:33]

* Different ways that Lindsay takes care of herself as a woman entrepreneur. [31:57]

* How Lindsay cultivates her ability to be proactive rather than reactive. [34:24]

* Something Lindsay is proud of that most people don’t know. [35:42]

* What it has been like building a company as a couple for Lindsay and her boyfriend. [37:40]

* What wealth means to Lindsay at this point in her life. [39:48]

Follow Lindsay: 

* Website: https://bitetoothpastebits.com/  

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bite/ 

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heylindsaymc/ 

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beatrice Dixon is the Founder of The Honey Pot Company, a plant-based feminine hygiene line created to provide women with healthy alternatives to feminine care.

The Honey Pot Company began with a dream - literally. In 2014, Beatrice was struggling with an ongoing case of bacterial vaginosis. She visited her doctor and tried everything they recommended, but nothing worked. 

One early morning she was visited by her grandmother in a dream. She gave Beatrice a list of ingredients and told her what to do. When Beatrice woke up, she immediately went to whole foods, where she was working at the time, and got the ingredients. Within a few days, the infection was gone. It was at this stage Beatrice started working on Honey Pot and giving away the product to friends and seeing their results. 

Today The Honey Pot Company sells feminine care products nationwide at Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Walgreens, and retailers across the US. Beatrice has been featured on many media outlets including, Today Show, The New York Times, Entrepreneur, ELLE, ESSENCE, and Forbes. 

We’ll hear from Beatrice about starting the world’s first plant-based feminine care company, scaling the business from her kitchen to mass production, advice she has about getting your product into retail outlets, candid thoughts around fundraising, and more. 

*Disclaimer: There is a bit of explicit language in our conversation, so be sure to put in headphones if you’re around kids :)

In this episode, we'll talk to Beatrice about:

* Beatrice’s life before Honey Pot, from pharmacy technician to Whole Foods. [2:36]

* More on her struggle with BV and how the idea for Honey Pot came about. [7:08]

* Why Beatrice doesn’t discount her dreams and takes dream interpretation seriously. [9:20]

* How she engages with her intuition and her gut when making business decisions. [10:45]

* The importance of being engaged in your business without micromanaging. [12:10]

* The value of understanding that every first time founder is “winging it” at first. [13:34]

* Advice for first time founders: be willing to ask questions and do whatever it takes. [16:21]

* When Beatrice realized that she had a viable business idea: from day one! [17:27]

* How she gained traction and brand awareness through the trade show circuit. [21:04]

* How an email from Target changed the trajectory of the brand. [22:40]

* Beatrice shares the process behind pitching to a major market retailer like Target. [24:15]

* Why she recommends presenting a buyer with physical products, not 3D renders. [28:46]

* Learn Beatrice’s hack for getting into retail: how to build a foundational relationship with your first major retailer. [29:50]

* The positive trend in access to capital for women of color entrepreneurs in the US. [33:13]

* Lessons Beatrice learned from the fundraising process, including the power of authenticity. [35:30]

* Why it is important to not only focus on where your business is, but where it’s going. [38:48]

* You can’t raise money until you know what you will do with it; how to know when you’re ready to start fundraising. [39:27]

* Begin with the end in mind; why it’s crucial that you think about your exit strategy. [40:57]

* What wealth means to Beatrice at this stage in her life: simply, happiness. [46:06]

Follow Beatrice: 

* Website: https://thehoneypot.co/ 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehoneypotco/  

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeadixon/ 

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vicky Tsai, founder of Japanese beauty brand Tatcha, had a nontraditional path to eventually founding one of the top skincare companies today. About 10 years ago, Vicky decided to leave her thriving career and travel the world in search of happiness and meaning in her life. 

In her travels, when visiting Kyoto, Japan, Vicky had a life-changing meeting with a Geisha. She learned some of their natural skincare secrets which healed her skin & soul in the truest sense and she wanted to bring the same experience back with her to the US. 

However, Vicky’s success did not come easy. She struggled for years to get the brand off the ground and was over $600,000 in debt at the time. When she started the company, there weren’t many direct-to-consumer brands, Asian beauty and skincare wasn’t a thing and no one was interested in clean formulas for their skin. Fast forward to today, Tatcha is available in Sephora & QVC and is the second fastest growing women-led company on the Inc 5000 list. And last year, Unilever acquired Tatcha for a reported $500 million dollars. 

Vicky is passionate about giving back. Since inception, they have partnered with Room to Read in their mission to educate girls globally and have sponsored over 3 million days of school. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Vicky about: 

* How 9/11 impacted Vicky’s perspective on life’s meaning and purpose [4:26]

* Vicky shares how she used business school to do introspective work on herself [6:54]

* Vicky discusses her career trajectory and why Howard Shultz, CEO of Starbucks, played a big role in her leaving her corporate career [11:23]

* Vicky shares how she thinks about social entrepreneurship and using business as a vehicle for social change [16:18]

* Vicky describes why Kyoto, Japan made such a big impact in her life & truly healed her from the inside out [18:28]

* How Vicky thinks about money, risk & success and key tips she shares with entrepreneurs when starting a business [20:54]

* How Vicky sold her engagement ring to buy 10,000 blotting papers and bring Tatcha to life [24:58]

* Why Vicky decided to not raise money from investors early-on & the personal sacrifices she made to keep the business afloat [27:20]

* What Tatcha looked like in the early days and how she eventually got the product in Sephora & QVC [34:11]

* Vicky shares her advice on raising money with institutional investors [45:03]

* Vicky describes how she felt when stepping down as CEO and the immense growth the Company saw when she stopped caring about what others think [46:14]

* Vicky shares what it was like to sell her company for $500 million dollars and the legacy she wants to leave behind [53:46]

Follow Tatcha:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tatcha 

* Website: https://www.tatcha.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ariel Kaye is the Founder and CEO of Parachute, a direct-to-consumer home essentials brand.

After spending a decade in advertising and brand development, Ariel was yearning to do something more. She always considered herself a home and interior design enthusiast, describing herself as a super consumer of home goods, but she struggled to find a single brand that was affordable, high quality, and easy to shop. That’s when she saw a gap in the market and knew she had the perfect skills to create the company she was looking for.

She took some money out of her savings and booked a one-way ticket to Europe in search of a factory. After bombarding 15 factories, she learned about craftsmanship when it came to bedding and sheets, got pricing, and came back home, ready to disrupt the industry. She spent around a year developing the brand, raising small amounts from friends and family, and then launched Parachute in January 2014.

In our conversation, we talk about Ariel’s “aha” moment when she realized she had to leave her successful career to start her company, the benefits that come with being a first-time entrepreneur in an industry where you have zero experience, how she built a strong foundation with her customers and brand from day 1, and so much more.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Ariel about: 

* How her parents supported Ariel to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. [2:40]

* The common thread of storytelling and connection in her advertising career that carried over into Parachute. [3:58]

* The moment Ariel realized that she had to leave her job in order to start a company. [5:25]

* Hear more about the early days of Parachute and what Ariel’s initial steps were. [7:37]

* What her experience of finding a factory and learning about supply chains was like. [10:23]

* How she funded the first year of her business using loans from friends and family. [14:01]

* Ariel shares some of the tools and resources that helped her as a solo founder. [16:25]

* The benefits of finding a community of entrepreneurs that are still connected to the stage of the journey that you are currently in. [17:49]

* Where Ariel believes her resilience comes from; using challenges as fuel for the fire. [18:54]

* Ariel’s advice for entrepreneurs raising capital: take every opportunity to pitch your business and receive feedback. [20:58]

* Find out how her passion and conviction as a founder helped her get her first yes. [23:36]

* What Ariel wishes she knew about capital when she started her fundraising process. [25:07]

* How she created brand awareness by leaning on public relations for the launch. [27:18]

* What self-care looks like for Ariel and why she promotes the value of taking breaks. [29:07]

* Why Ariel says that there is no such thing as perfection; it’s all about momentum. [32:13]

* Some of the biggest growth inflection and hiring challenges Ariel has encountered along the way and how she overcame them. [35:44]

* Which superpower she is most proud of: trusting her gut and her intuition. [37:19]

* Ariel’s definition of wealth: health and happiness. [38:20]

Follow Ariel:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arielkaye/

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parachutehome/ 

* Website: https://www.parachutehome.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reham Fagiri is the Founder and CEO of AptDeco, an online marketplace that eliminates the hassle of buying and selling furniture. 

Reham always knew she wanted to build something but never knew exactly what it would be. The idea for AptDeco came to Reham after she finished business school at Wharton and was preparing to move to New York. Desperate to sell her furniture, she used Craigslist, and was met with strangers coming to her house, heavy negotiations, cancellations, and even moments that compromised her safety. When speaking to her colleagues, she realized so many of her classmates were dealing with the same frustrations. 

Although she accepted a job with another start-up, Reham became obsessed with the idea of creating a better platform to buy and sell furniture. Fast forward to today, AptDeco has morphed from a scrappy team poaching furniture sales from Craigslist to now being a leading marketplace that provides a seamless experience from buying to selling to delivery of furniture.

We talk to Reham about how she got the idea off the ground with very little money, some of the hurdles she hit when it came to scaling the business, how to really engage with your customers and create a trusted brand that people truly want, and so much more.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Reham about: 

* Reham shares about her life growing up in Sudan and the exposure she had to entrepreneurship [2:46]

* Why Reham decided to leave her reputable job at Goldman Sachs to pursue business school [4:22]

* The importance of having exposure to different opportunities and people when thinking about career changes [7:47]

* How the idea of AptDeco came to life and how she decided to test the concept before spending more time and resources towards it [8:42]

* Reham discusses why she felt comfortable taking the risk to build the business despite the massive amount of school debt she has [22:30]

* The motivations around starting Y Combinator and the biggest lesson she learned: meet your customers [27:14]

* Reham shares her best advice when it comes to connecting with your customer & some of the mistakes she made in the process [30:20]

* How Reham created awareness in the early days & brought in her first few hundred customers [39:22]

* The power of word of mouth and referrals in your business vs. paying for your customers [41:47]

* Reham discusses the difficulty she faced raising money in the early stages of the business & why that was one of the best things that she experienced [43:04]

* How she dealt with the rejections when it came to fundraising & how she deals with the highs and lows of entrepreneurship [48:19]

Follow Reham:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aptdeco/

* Website: https://www.aptdeco.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dubbed by the New York Times as ‘the woman who dresses America’, Jenna Lyons, is a fashion icon and the co-founder/CEO of the beauty brand, LoveSeen. 

Having kicked off her career as an intern at Donna Karan, Jenna went on to join the design team at J.Crew, eventually becoming its President. She is recognized as the main driver behind its incredible rise to success, and is a regular feature in print and online media, including having been recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people.

After 27 years at J.Crew, Jenna was finally ready to start her own empire. She launched her company LoveSeen, a direct-to-consumer beauty brand that is reinventing fake lashes, which was largely inspired by her genetic condition that impacts her lash growth. And she was most recently, the Executive Director and main star of her reality competition show, Stylish with Jenna Lyons on HBO Max.  

On today’s episode, you’ll hear how Jenna’s challenging childhood experiences shaped who she is and how she experiences the world today, including her attitude to finances and her love for fashion. She tells us what it was like to live in New York in the 1980s and discover a new standard of beauty which was largely different from the beach town she grew up in. Jenna reveals what it was like to work with Mickey Drexler, former CEO and Chairman of J.Crew Group, the skills she needed to develop to manage the people she worked with, and what it was like to enter the public eye. 

You’ll also hear why Jenna decided to reinvent herself later in her career, how she overcame the most difficult transition in her life when she left J.Crew, what she loves about working in beauty when compared with fashion, and the biggest lessons she’s learned on running her entrepreneurial ventures.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Jenna about: 

* The impact of Jenna’s mother’s attitude towards financial independence on how she approaches money today. [3:10]

* How knowing you can take care of yourself affects fear and trust in relationships. [4:30]

* The poignant experience of interest in her work and style when she began to make clothes after growing up feeling unattractive. [5:20]

* What it was like to grow up with a genetic disorder and how sewing a skirt led to a popular girl in school asking Jenna to make one for her too. [6:40]

* What it was like to live in New York in the late 1980s. [9:04]

* How Jenna didn’t meet the standard of beauty in the beach town she grew up in. [10:30]

* The discovery of Antonio Lopez as a pivotal point in discovering her own beauty. [11:38]

* How she came to intern at Donna Karan and study at Parsons University in the 90s. [12:35]

* The listing that led Jenna to take a job at J.Crew without asking about the salary. [13:35]

* Why she was so unhappy at the start of her career at J.Crew. [15:48]

* The dramatic change at J.Crew that completely turned things around [17:20]

* What it was like working with Mickey Drexler (CEO of JCrew); his alchemy skills, attunement, and insight. [18:18]

* Jenna’s lifelong drive to make beautiful things that she could be proud of. [18:43]

* How she needed to develop skills to manage people she worked with. [21:20]

* What she learned from Mickey’s desire to hear from everyone. [22:18]

* Entering the public eye starting with Domino Magazine, then Vogue with Annie Leibovitz, and the internal struggle Jenna experienced. [25:01]

* Find out how Jenna navigated different transition periods in her life. [28:29]

* The nine-month period of silence that helped her regroup and see what’s important. [29:10]

* Being approached to do television and what it was like to shoot the reality show. [31:43]

* What Jenna loves about the beauty scene: she doesn’t have to think about size. [36:05]

* How Jenna realized the significance of eyelashes and decided to start her business. [37:00]

* The areas of running her own business that are new to her and how she is learning new things along the way. [40:50]

* How admitting that you don’t know things can open you up to learn new things. [42:00]

Follow Jenna:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennalyonsnyc/

* Website: https://loveseen.com/ 

* LoveSeen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveseen/

* Stylist by Jenna HBO Max: https://www.stylishwithjennalyons.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Logan Hollowell is the designer, founder and CEO of Logan Hollowell Jewelry. Logan started with little more than a dream board, some affirmations, and the right mindset and manifested her way to a jewelry empire. Her jewelry is a cult favorite and has been spotted on the likes of Rihanna, Jennifer Lawrence, Meghan Markle, and Jessica Alba, among others. 

Today she joins us to share her inspiring story with us. She tells us about her early fascination with gemstones, crystals, and spirituality and how this led her to her dream of becoming a jewelry designer. Being raised on the Outer Banks in North Carolina, she explains how the hurricanes she experienced as a child helped her to become comfortable with uncertainty, grow into a risk-taker, and move to LA at the age of 17 to pursue a career in fashion.

We’ll chat about when Logan first discovered the law of attraction and how she used dream boards, mindset, self-love, affirmations, and rituals to create the life she wanted. We also talk about how Logan thinks about fundraising for her business, the role of mentorship in creating a high-growth brand, the challenges she’s overcome, and why she believes that in order to receive, you first have to give. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Logan about:

* How the uncertainty Logan experienced as a child impacted the woman she is today. [3:00] 

* The quote that Logan lives by ‘Faith is loyalty to an unseen reality’. [4:36]

* How she always found herself drawn to crystals and spirituality from a young age. [6:23]

* What motivated Logan to leave home and follow her dreams to LA at the age of 17. [7:32]

* The struggles she overcame when she first moved to LA. [8:42]

* How she first discovered the law of attraction. [09:51]

* How reading other people’s stories helped her get into the right mindset. [11:02]

* A quick story from Jasmine about how she overcame debilitating periods. [12:21]

* How self-love and affirmations helped Logan create the life she wanted. [15:37]

* The full moon and new moon rituals she practiced. [19:02] 

* The story of how Logan met a jeweler who changed her life and the importance of persistence. [20:15]

* How Logan began designing and creating her own jewelry. [25:39]

* How she got exposure through influencers even before she had a website. [27:48] 

* Logan’s belief that in life, in order to receive you have to first give. [29:06]

* How she managed to fund and create her early orders. [30:07]

* Logan’s advice for anyone who has a similar dream but no funding. [31:44]

* The importance of following your bliss and how this leads to opportunities and miracles. [32:15]

* Some of the biggest challenges that Logan has overcome as an entrepreneur. [34:22]

* How Logan is funding her business. [36:51]

* The role of mentorship in Logan’s business. [38:07]

* How Logan’s most proud of the alchemy of creating her destiny. [39:34]

* Why Logan believes that wealth means more choices. [41:03]

* The story of Logan’s trip to India and why she believes that the best way to get out of a rut is to help people who are worse off than you. [41:43]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about beeya’s seed cycling bundle. 

* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE

Follow Logan:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loganhollowell/

* Website: https://www.loganhollowell.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Noura Sakkijha is the co-founder and CEO of Mejuri, a fine jewelry brand that introduces handcrafted, everyday jewelry without the traditional retail markups. 

Looking from the outside in, entering the jewelry market can seem like a daunting endeavor. Not only is it seemingly saturated, but it’s also exceptionally expensive. Growing up in Jordan as a third-generation jeweler, Noura noticed that traditional high-end jewelry brands always targeted men, encouraging them to buy luxe jewelry for women. In 2015, Noura started Mejuri to change this narrative: A woman doesn't need a man to buy jewelry for her. She can buy it yourself. 

Noura was able to successfully raise over $40 million for her jewelry brand and shine in a competitive market. Noura’s products have been worn by A-list celebrities like Selena Gomez, Lizzo, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Oprah, and more.

We’ll talk to Noura about the difficult lessons she learned early in the business, why self-care and therapy have been game-changing for her in both her personal and professional life, and what it takes to build a high-growth brand & sell over 1.8 million pieces of jewelry since inception. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Noura about:

* How Noura's upbringing in Jordan impacted the woman she is today. [3:29]

* Noura recounts a very busy time in her life when she moved to Canada to be a consultant while simultaneously earning an MBA. [5:30]

* How Noura started Mejuri with her husband and what prompted her to pursue it [6:45]

* What gave Nourra the confidence to enter a market like fine jewelry production. [08:33]

* Noura's decision to join FounderFuel and 500 Startups, two top accelerators, and what she learned from the experience. [10:33]

* How Noura changed her mindset around failure and learned from the tech world’s view on failure as a data point. [15:41]

* How Noura gained traction during the early days of her company. [17:33]

* Attracting in-house creatives without the resources of a larger, more established company. [20:21]

* How she managed her mental health during a burnout period while building Mejuri. [21:44]

* Advice Noura's mother gave her that has helped her honor self-care. [23:35]

* Noura's experience with the demands that come with motherhood [24:31]

* How she raised funds for her business while in the later stages of pregnancy. [27:29]

* Managing her optimism and resilience during the difficult, early days of fundraising. [30:00]

* Insights into ensuring the foundation of your business in the early stages. [31:10]

* The time it took to find product fit and transition to the PR stage of their business. [32:45]

* How Noura's family reacted to her starting Mejuri. [33:57]

* One of the surprising things that Nourra is most proud of. [35:14]

* What wealth means to Nourra at this point in her life. [37:07]

* What it’s been like for her and her husband to be co-founders and business partners. [37:45]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about beeya’s seed cycling bundle. 

* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE

Follow Noura:

* Mejuri Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mejuri/ 

* Mejuri Empowerment Fund: https://mejuri.com/info/ourcommitment 

* Website: https://mejuri.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kaylin Marcotte is the founder and CEO of JIGGY, a brand that supports emerging female artists by turning their art into exciting jigsaw puzzles that are worth framing.

Kaylin’s fondness for jigsaw puzzles started when she was looking for a way to unwind after a long day at work. She was the first employee at the well-known digital media company, theSkimm, and was managing everything from their brand ambassador program, community building, to grassroots marketing. As one might expect with early-stage start-ups work can be all encompassing and exhausting, and Kaylin discovered that completing jigsaw puzzles helped to reduce her stress and the perfect nightly meditation for her. 

After discovering her newfound love of puzzling, Kaylin realized that many of the puzzle designs were outdated and there was an opportunity to make something more beautiful.

Kaylin launched JIGGY in November 2019 and was able to navigate the pandemic challenges that hit her a few months in and grow the business to $1.6 million in sales within the first 9 months. Kaylin was also featured on Shark Tank and secured $500K from billionaire Mark Cuban. 

We’ll chat with Kaylin about how she built the confidence to turn her hobby into a real business, how she navigated the pandemic and manufacturing challenges, what thoughtful growth means to her, and the many lessons she’s learned building a company as a one woman show.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Kaylin about:

* The early stages of Kaylin's career, years after college, and getting a job at theSkimm. [02:46]

* Kaylin's inspiring approach to getting in front of the founders of theSkimm [5:02]

* Getting into the startup world; challenges coming from a more corporate space. [8:08]

* Lessons in learning on the job: how Kaylin drew inspiration from the young founders she worked for. [11:43]

* Bringing the idea of Jiggy to life and how Kaylin picked up the hobby of making puzzles. [16:55]

* How Kaylin supported herself through consulting work while getting the business off the ground. [21:29]

* The foundations and relationships that Kaylin built in the early days of Jiggy. [23:11]

* Jiggy's first nine months and Kaylin's approach to the bootstrap philosophy. [29:28]

* The important connection that Kaylin developed with Anthropologie. [33:40]

* Kaylin's experiences appearing on Shark Tank and her thinking going into it. [36:46]

* Nervous feelings and preparation; how Kaylin managed to nail her appearance on the show. [39:20]

* The funding that Kaylin received from Mark Cuban and the fruits of this important relationship so far. [40:56]

* The team structure at Jiggy and why Kaylin has chosen to keep the company relatively small. [43:09]

* The surprising elements of the business that have brought Kaylin the most satisfaction and joy! [45:38]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about beeya’s seed cycling bundle. 

* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE

Follow Kaylin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaylinmarcotte/

* Jiggy Puzzles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiggypuzzles/

* Website: https://jiggypuzzles.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Helene Godin is the founder and CEO of By The Way Bakery, a unique, old-fashioned bakery where each treat is handmade, gluten-free, dairy-free, and certified kosher. 

Helene hasn't always been a baker. She spent over two decades as a successful lawyer when she decided that she was ready for a change, and took the bold step of starting her business.

Although she was not an experienced baker, Helene leveraged her skill and passion as a researcher, along with her determination to exceed expectations, to learn and develop delicious gluten-free foods. Through her tenacity, she was able to create a unique gluten-free flour mix that now forms the cornerstone of her exceptional baked goods. 

Today her bakery has four locations and can be found in over 80 Whole Foods stores nationwide. Over the past 10 years, her brand has developed a cult following and is beloved by many celebrities.

In our conversation with Helene, we discuss her transition from being a full-time lawyer to entrepreneurship and how this step changed her lifestyle and identity. We delve into how Helene prepared herself for the challenges that lay ahead as well as how she became comfortable with failure and taking risks after her very stable career.

In this episode, we'll talk to Helene about:

* Helene’s long, successful career as a lawyer and how she made the leap to pursue entrepreneurship and open up a bakery. [3:12]

* What it meant for Helene’s sense of identity to no longer be a lawyer. [5:04]

* The long and thorough process of preparation that Helene went through to open her bakery and why she felt confident about this transition period. [6:54]

* The entrepreneurial traits that Helene’s husband recognized in her and the role he has played in her journey. [12:06]

* How Helene identified and developed her passion after a long career as a lawyer. [14:18]

* How Helene took a chance in entrepreneurship by pursuing a field she had virtually no experience in. [16:18]

* Helene breaks down her process for making her business viable in the early stages and how she engineered her gluten-free flour mix. [18:18]

* How Helene conducted market research for her gluten-free products and decided not to be entirely vegan, but still dairy-free. [22:10]

* Some of the major pivots that Helene has had to make in life and business, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [24:56]

* Helene’s transition into wholesale during the earlier days of her business and how she got into her first Whole Foods through tenacity and patience. [28:45]

* How the bakery had to adapt to a much larger new order from Whole Foods in a short period, why they couldn’t say no, and how the company has grown since. [32:01]

* The devastating impact of the COVID pandemic, how it affected the demand for baked goods, and the steps Helene took to keep her bakers on staff. [37:47]

* Helene’s self-care ritual and how it’s developed since the start of the COVID pandemic. [40:33]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about beeya’s seed cycling bundle. 

* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE

Follow Helene:

* By The Way Bakery Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bythewaybakery/

* https://www.btwbakery.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Sutherland is the Co-Founder and CEO of Yumi, a fresh, organic, and nutritious baby food delivery service.

After many years working in private equity, Angela never imagined she’d one day be an entrepreneur and start a baby food company. When she became pregnant with her first child, she became hyper-aware of the importance of nutrition in a child's first 1,000 days of life. She realized most baby food offerings in grocery stores are low in nutrition and incredibly high in sugar.

So, this made her think: what options do new working parents have to ensure their child gets proper nutrition without the hassle and clean-up of making every meal? The opportunity was clear. This led Angela to dive deep into research and discuss the problem with her longtime friend, Evelyn Rusli - and within weeks, they both decided to quit their jobs and create Yumi.

It only took one and a half months to launch Yumi's first beta which was a massive success. They’ve raised over $30 million to date and are available nationally while also having a cult following with celebrities like Jessica Alba, Gabrielle Union, and Molly Sims to name a few.

We’ll talk to Angela about the importance of taking a leap of faith when it comes to entrepreneurship, overcoming doubt, the power of community and brand when building your business, lessons learned when it comes to fundraising, and so much more.

In this episode, we talk to Angela about:

* Angela’s advice for anybody who is dealing with imposter syndrome. [3:04]

* The inspiration that Angela has drawn from her mom throughout her life. [4:50]

* How Angela became an entrepreneur. [6:10]

* What Angela realized when she started researching baby food. [7:30]

* Why Angela recommends taking the leap before doing too much planning. [10:23]

* The value of community. [11:50]

* How Angela and her long-time friend and Co-Founder, Evelyn Rusli, formed their business relationship [13:26]

* Angela and Evelyn’s approach to raising funding initially. [19:30]

* What the beta phase of Yumi looked like, and the response that they received. [22:02]

* Learnings that Angela and Evelyn had when they started Yumi. [24:23]

* How long Yumi’s beta phase lasted. [27:50]

* Challenges of fundraising as a woman of color. [29:08]

* Doubts that come with starting a company, and how to overcome them. [32:23]

* What Angela sees as a key to the success of Yumi. [35:35]

* Yumi’s approach to building community. [36:58]

* More important learnings that Angela had as a first time founder. [38:10]

* Meaning behind the name, Yumi. [40:14]

* How Angela’s relationship with recovery has evolved over time. [42:30]

* What wealth means to Angela. [43:33]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about beeya’s seed cycling bundle. 

* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE

Follow Angela:

* Yumi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yumi/

* Website: https://helloyumi.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hitha Palepu is a serial entrepreneur, investor, activist, and author. 

Currently, Hitha is the CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals and author of her latest book, We're Speaking: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris: How to Use Your Voice, Be Assertive, and Own Your Story. She also runs #5SmartReads, a social series that compiles five must-read articles every day to keep her community informed. 

As a multi-hyphenate, Hitha is used to things not working out, but this has never stopped her from trying. She has always been able to see the lesson where most others have not, and this trait has helped her succeed. 

In this wide-ranging conversation, we hear about Hitha’s incredibly inspiring family, the impact they had on her, and some of the values that were instilled in her early on. We talk to Hitha about her time in the corporate world, why she ultimately decided to go out on her own, and the many lessons she learned from her first “failure” in the start-up world. 

Hitha also shares how she became an angel investor focused on women-founded businesses, the inspiration around her latest book, why we should all “eat no for breakfast” and so much more.

In this episode, we talk to Hitha about:

* What holds most people back from getting started on something. [2:54]

* The impact that Hitha’s immigrant parents had on her. [4:29]

* How being treated like an adult at a young age influenced Hitha. [8:12]

* The path Hitha thought she would go on when she went to college and where she needed up. [10:42]

* Hitha’s time in the corporate world and what this taught her. [14:00]

* What led Hitha to start her blog, which has morphed into other things and the value of having a side project. [16:28]

* All of the lessons that Hitha learned from running her blog. [17:18]

* You should do things that make you light up, even if you don’t have an end game in mind. [18:20]

* The reflective period and subsequent pivot that happened when Hitha was pregnant. [22:50]

* How Hitha came to be a serious investor. [26:32]

* What Hitha typically looks for in companies she invests in. [29:55]

* Why women founders and CEOs aren't allowed to "fail" in the media. [31:58]

* There is so little room for women to fail and make a comeback. [34:00]

* The need to have a flexible culture for parents. [35:45]

* How Hitha divides her time and where her priorities lie. [37:42]

* Insights into Hitha’s upcoming book. [42:34]

* The influence that Kamala Harris had on Hitha. [44:04]

* What surprised Hitha the most when she was writing the book. [46:30]

* How motherhood has changed Hitha’s life. [49:35]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about beeya’s seed cycling bundle. 

* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE

Follow Hitha:

* Hitha Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hithapalepu/

* Hitha's Book: We're SpeakingThe Life Lessons of Kamala Harris: How to Use Your Voice, Be Assertive, and Own Your Story: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/hitha-palepu/were-speaking/9780316283052/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sandra Campos is an internationally recognized retail technology CEO, entrepreneur, and retail executive.

A child of entrepreneurial, immigrant parents, Sandra’s upbringing was characterized by a focus on education, helping out in her family’s tortilla business from a young age, and experimenting with her own entrepreneurial ventures in fashion. Sandra’s love for fashion and buying led her to New York City, where she was thrown completely in the deep end. Over the years, Sandra worked multiple jobs, paid off debt, and ate potatoes for lunch; all of which taught her resilience, grit, and never giving up. 

Sandra has been instrumental in launching brands like DKNY, Polo Jeans as well as her own venture with Selena Gomez which grew to over $100M in annual sales turnover per year over the course of six years. She then became president of Global Brands Group, which owned brands like Bebe, BCBG, and Juicy Couture. She most recently was the CEO of the iconic brand, Diane Von Furstenberg.  

Now, she’s the CEO of retail tech start-up Project Verte and the founder of Fashion Launchpad, an online education platform. Sandra advises various startups, is part of the advisory group for Athena Technology Acquisition Corp (a SPAC on the NYSE), and is on the Board of Directors for Big Lots. 

We talk to Sandra about changing careers from a small town in Texas to the runways of New York, making a major life pivot after getting divorced and raising her three children as a single mom, setting goals (and the magic number), listening to your inner voice and so much more!

In this episode, we talk to Sandra about:

* Sandra’s family history, the environment that she grew up in, and the role that her upbringing has played in her success. [3:20]

* What Sandra has learned from her mother about financial management. [11:50]

* Exposure to entrepreneurship that Sandra’s children have had from a young age. [16:27]

* Push and pull factors that drove Sandra into the business world. [24:08]

* Milestones that Sandra has set for herself throughout her life, and the value she sees in this practice. [30:17]

* Three: the magic number when it comes to goal setting. [33:10] 

* Why, as an entrepreneur, you need to learn to say no. [34:32]

* Challenges that Sandra was faced with after she made the decision to get divorced. [38:58]

* Sandra’s involvement in her entrepreneurial venture with Selena Gomez. [40:19]

* Something Sandra wishes she had done differently when she left the corporate world. [45:54]

* Advice from Sandra about figuring out what balance means to you personally. [50:50]

* Sandra shares what she learned about leadership from working alongside Diane von Furstenberg. [52:48]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE

Follow Sandra:

* Sandra Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandracamposnyc/

* Fashion Launchpad: https://fashionlaunchpad.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Sara Gottfried is a World-Renowned Physician, Hormone Expert, Speaker, and 4x New York Times Best Selling Author.

Dr. Gottfried’s interview marks the start of our first podcast in the world of health and wellness. One of the biggest myths that women have on their path to building their empire is that they have to sacrifice their health in order to be successful. This couldn't be further from the truth!

Starting this week, in addition to my interviews with incredible founders, I’m going to be bringing on the top experts in women’s health to help you better understand your biology and how to personalize your health to achieve the success you deserve. In today’s episode, Dr. Gottfried helps us understand how hormonal imbalances are impacting every area of our life, including energy levels, weight gain, and debilitating PMS. She also discusses how addressing the root causes can radically change your life for the better.

Dr. Gottfried is a global keynote speaker who practices evidence-based integrative, functional, and precision medicine. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University and Director of Precision Medicine at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health where she focuses on career longevity for female CEOs.

In this episode, we'll talk to Dr. Sara about:

* The key role that hormones play in our bodies as a whole. [2:43]

* Why it is important for us to make sure our hormones are in balance. [3:35]

* How hormones show up in our lives, with a focus on estrogen and progesterone. [4:26]

* Why testosterone is particularly important for female entrepreneurs. [6:36]

* The role of insulin in making you crave carbs and sugar. [8:40]

* Lifestyle factors that lead to modern women having hormonal imbalances. [12:22]

* Dr. Gottfried tells the story of her journey to finding hormonal balance and health. [17:15]

* The stress gap and how women tend to experience more stress than men. [22:05]

* Why 88% of Americans are in a state of metabolic dysfunction. [30:29]

* An explanation for why cutting out carbs is more effective for men than women. [35:32]

* Her goal: for women to have the best metabolic health throughout their lives. [37:05]

* Two methods to help you manage blood glucose in the body. [40:10]

* The misinformation around carbs and why we actually need them as women. [43:26]

* Emotional eating and why it isn’t constructive. [48:00]

* Why food timing is important with a 14 hour overnight fast being ideal. [49:00]

* Alcohol and its role in metabolic health, and overall health. [51:00]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Dr. Gottfried:

* Website: https://www.saragottfriedmd.com/

* Her Book: Women, Food, and Hormones: A 4-Week Plan to Achieve Hormonal Balance, Lose Weight, and Feel Like Yourself Again: https://amzn.to/3lopln5

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jane Wurwand is the Founder and Chief Visionary of Dermalogica, the number one professional skincare brand in the world.

At the young age of 24, Jane immigrated to California and saw a distinct lack of continuing education with skin therapists in the US. Without a college degree or network, she set out to launch her own skin therapy education with only $14,000 in a small classroom in Los Angeles. This led her to also develop a line of skincare products and a system of teaching salon owners how to use them which is now a multi-million dollar international brand with a cult-like following.  

Under Jane’s leadership, Dermalogica has grown to be the leading professional skincare brand, used by more than 100,000 skin therapists in more than 100 countries. Dermalogica sold to Unilever in 2015 and the brand continues to be the most respected and requested professional skincare line in the world. 

In 2018, Jane launched FOUND/LA, a nonprofit initiative offering funding, mentorship, unique incubator programs, and educational resources for entrepreneurs who have been underserved. She also recently published her book, “Skin in the Game”, which Harvard Business Review called ‘brilliant’, and is the go-to guide for readers looking for their true purpose and the opportunity to live their biggest life.

We’ll talk to Jane about how to turn your pain into the key to your success, find a deeper significance in life by connecting the dots, and use your authenticity as a tool for materializing your dreams.

In this episode, we talk to Jane about:

* Advice for women who feel that their baggage is holding them back. [3:34]

* The five important words Jane’s mother spoke to her as a child. [7:23]

* How Jane moved to South Africa in the '70s and the lessons she learned. [9:29] 

* Advice for building up a sense of trust in yourself by taking small steps of bravery. [17:14]

* The lesson about the value of human connection Jane learned from an early client. [22:05]

* Connecting the dots to find a deeper significance: How Jane moved to the US. [26:48]

* The paucity of skills in LA and how Jane got the idea to start her company. [33:19]

* How Jane built up a network of clients and secured a space to work in LA. [42:35]

* The 20 percent rule and the story of how Jane developed Dermalogica. [46:28]

* Relentless industriousness; how Jane found manufacturers for her products. [51:10]

* The value of being authentic and how this helped Jane pitch her ideas. [59:11]

* Getting into debt with her chemist and how Jane paid it back. [1:01:25]

* Raising money versus self-funding and why Jane took the latter route. [1:06:46]

* How tiny the amount of funding women receive is and how Jane is addressing this. [1:10:01]

* The thought process leading to Jane selling Dermalogica to Unilever. [1:15:15]

* Advice from Jane for women who around believing in their inner power. [1:19:51]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Jane:

* Jane Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewurwand/ 

* Website: https://www.dermalogica.com/ 

* Jane's Book: Skin in the Game: Everything You Need is Already Inside You: https://www.amazon.com/Skin-Game-Everything-Already-Inside/dp/1400224306

* Found/LA: https://www.foundla.org/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Stephanie Estima is a chiropractor with a special interest in metabolism, functional neurology, and body composition who has devoted her time to analyzing hormones and creating a system to help women naturally overcome painful periods. 

She's the creator of the Estima Diet, host of the Better! podcast, and author of the best-selling book, The Betty Body. She's had over 3.5 million article reads with her content on Medium and has helped thousands of women lose weight, regulate hormones, and get off medications with her signature program. 

In this episode, you’ll hear Dr. Estima break down what may be contributing to your own hormonal imbalances and PMS as well as what is “common” vs “normal”. Dr. Estima shares why you don’t need to live with painful periods and how it can be corrected through stress management, movement, and nutrition. We also chat about how your cycle can be incredibly empowering and ways to balance your hormones so you can achieve better health, a better mind, and a more fulfilling and successful life.

In this episode, we talk to Stephanie about:

* Why we shouldn’t consider painful periods as normal. [2:31]

* How Dr. Stephanie sees your menstrual cycle as a hormone report card. [3:56]

* How women may be contributing to their hormonal imbalances starting with stress. [5:28] 

* The need for non-exercise activity thermogenesis, or NEAT, for reducing stress [7:49]

* The role of nutrition in balancing your hormones. [9:18]

* Dr. Stephanie’s personal experience of painful periods. [10:19]

* Why we shouldn’t follow male-led protocols for how we treat our bodies. [15:20]

* The different phases of a woman’s hormonal cycle. [19:25]

* The role of estrogen and testosterone in a woman’s body during week two. [23:05]

* How luteinizing hormone affects your body in the second week of your cycle. [26:06]

* The role that progesterone plays in week three of your cycle. [27:23]

* What happens in week four of our cycles when our hormones drop. [29:21]

* How patriarchal society is based on male circadian rhythms. [30:29]

* What the negativity bias is and how to use it to propel you forward. [32:39]

* Tips to be more in tune with your body to be empowered by your natural cycle. [35:08]

* Why we need to be gentle with ourselves and how we can make nutrition easy. [46:50]

* What Dr. Stephanie likes about Beeya and seed-cycling. [48:41]

* How your exercise plan should change with your cycle. [50:16]

* Dr. Stephanie’s encouragement for any women who have given up hope. [56:51]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Stephanie:

* Stephanie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.stephanie.estima

* Hello Betty with Dr. Estima: https://hellobetty.club

* Dr. Estima's book: The Betty Body: A Geeky Goddess' Guide to Intuitive Eating, Balanced Hormones, and Transformative Sex: https://www.amazon.com/Betty-Body-Intuitive-Balanced-Transformative/dp/1544519095 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natalie Gordon is the CEO and Founder of Babylist, the fastest-growing universal baby registry in the U.S.

In 2011, after she closed down her first business and did some consulting projects to make ends meet, Natalie came up with the idea for Babylist after becoming frustrated with the options available for baby registries at the time. What started as a side-project that launched two weeks before her first son was born, has become a multimillion-dollar empire that just keeps growing. 

Over the past 10 years with relatively little VC funding, Natalie has grown Babylist into the third largest baby registry service online. More than half of US parents registered with Babylist in 2020, creating 1.2 million registries last year alone. The company has doubled its revenue each year for the past three years and is on track to make $250 million in revenue this year.

We’ll talk to Natalie about how her “failure” with her first business set her up for success with Babylist, how she balanced new motherhood with growing a new company, why you shouldn’t compare yourself to others, steps she took to scale her company without significant VC funding, and so much more.

In this episode, we talk to Natalie about:

* Why being scared is no reason to wait: the tips and tools Natalie uses to overcome her fear. [2:55]

* What it was like growing up in Canada as a math geek and how Natalie moved into the world of computer science. [6:17]

* How Natalie made the leap from a secure job to chasing her dreams. [7:55]

* Why Natalie’s first startup failed and the lessons learned. [10:01]

* The product-market fit and why this is crucial to every business. [14:02]

* Why Natalie chose to found Babylist: filling a niche she identified. [15:51]

* The yardsticks Natalie selected to define whether or not she continued to grow Babylist, or move on. [26:06]

* Creating brand awareness: the different phases Babylist went through. [27:09]

* What drove Natalie to join the accelerator program, 500 startups. [29:35]

* How to tell when it’s time to hire a team. [31:29]

* The lesson Natalie has had to learn over and over throughout her career. [34:04]

* Why raising money is less important than an investor who aligns with the company values. [35:28]

* Facing the COVID-19 pandemic: how Babylist thrived rather than just survived. [38:38]

* Handling external stressors and how Natalie guided her company through the pandemic with transparency. [43:19]

* Why an uncomfortable level of focus helped Natalie steer Babylist in the right direction. [44:59]

* Saying “not yet” to every great idea: the importance of focus and good company culture in attracting the right kind of employee. [46:09]

* Advice from Natalie to her audience: don’t compare yourself to others. [50:15]

* How Natalie handles rejection. [52:12]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Natalie:

* Babylist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babylist/ 

* Babylist Website: https://www.babylist.com/

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Mary Pardee is a functional medicine practitioner and naturopathic medical doctor who specializes in integrative gastroenterology, hormones, and gut-brain health. She is also the Founder of Modrn Med, a telemedicine and virtual wellness company.

We’ll talk to Dr. Pardee about what the heck gut health is and why it plays such a big role in your happiness, energy, confidence, and overall well-being. 74% of people live every day with embarrassing and uncomfortable issues such as bloating, constipation, reflux, or irregular stools. It doesn’t have to be this way! 

We’ll dive deep into the impact that your gut health has on your hormones, mental health, and physical health and the importance of prioritizing self-care. Dr. Pardee shares how the majority of our immune system is tied to the gut, and the role stress and emotion have on our microbiome. We also discuss details on your menstrual cycle and steps you can take today to get your body back in balance and thrive both inside and out.

In this episode, we talk to Dr. Pardee about:

* Things that are negatively impacting your gut health and what you can change. [02:09]

* What Dr. Pardee means by “gut” and why it’s called the second brain. [4:24]

* How Dr. Pardee ended up in naturopathic medicine: becoming the doctor that she didn’t have. [6:34]

* The link between childhood trauma and stress-related conditions, and gut disorders. [12:45]

* How gut health can affect your mental health, and vice-versa. [13:37]

* Dealing with acute stress: the type of stress that humans have evolved to cope with. [14:24]

* How holding tension in different areas can cause headaches and stomach issues. [17:11]

* Constipation in women: what the frequency and size of a bowel movement should be. [18:32]

* How gut health is tied to hormonal health and methods you can use to manage this. [20:18]

* Why tracking your cycle can be helpful for women and couples. [24:33]

* Dr. Pardee's perspective on under-eating: what it is, why it happens and how it affects your physical health. [26:38]

* Understanding why you might not want to eat in the morning. [29:26]

* Why Dr. Pardee tells women to try things and the importance of following your intuition. [32:24]

* Dr. Pardee's three recommendations to improve gut health: movement, a morning routine, eating real foods. [33:00]

* How the elimination diet works and why Dr. Pardee uses it for her patients. [36:43]

* What some of the rituals and tools are that Dr. Pardee uses to improve her mental health. [40:08]

* Why women in business need to feel their feelings. [44:02]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Dr. Pardee:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.marypardee/

* Modrn Med Website: https://www.modrnmed.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jesse Draper is the Founding Partner of Halogen Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investing in consumer tech companies led by female and co-ed teams.

With women making up to 80 percent of household purchasing decisions, Jesse and her team are betting big on early-stage, female-founded companies with billion-dollar potential. Jesse is a fourth generation venture capitalist as well as the creator and host of the Emmy-nominated television series, The Valley Girl Show.

She is a fierce advocate for investing in women and the opportunity for using technology and innovation to solve some of the biggest issues facing women and families today. After creating Halogen Ventures in 2015, she now has more than 70 companies in her portfolio, including theSkimm, Babylist, ThirdLove, and The Flex Company.

Jesse was listed by Marie Claire Magazine as one of the ‘50 Most Connected Women in America’ and she is also a regular investor and tech personality on Cheddar, CNBC, and CNN.

In this episode, we have a candid conversation about why Jesse didn’t think she could be a venture capitalist and how she overcame her own fears and beliefs about imposter syndrome, and she shares her advice for anyone looking to manage burnout: delegate and make time for rest. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at what investors are looking for, from founder traits to the biggest mistakes that founders make, and so much more.

In this episode, we talk to Jesse about:

* Starting on the topic of rejection; why a ‘no’ isn’t necessarily a bad thing. [3:10]

* How Jesse’s upbringing shaped her as a fourth generation venture capitalist. [7:35]

* Her perception of success in her 20s and how it evolved with entrepreneurship. [14:18]

* Find out why Jesse believes more women should prioritize networking. [21:48]

* Overcoming her fears and beliefs about imposter syndrome; just try it! [26:21]

* Jesse’s advice for managing burnout: delegate and make time to rest and plan. [30:10]

* Learn more about her experience of fundraising while pregnant and during COVID. [37:07]

* Three mistakes women are making when raising money: not showing confidence, overcomplicating the pitch, and underselling themselves. [40:16]

* What investors look for, from a willingness to pivot to an ability to problem solve. [43:20]

* Some of the red flags Jesse cautions founders against, including the tendency to overpromise and underdeliver. [47:37]

* Jesse’s suggestions for women to feel more empowered when it comes to money. [51:56]

* Two simple ways to take control: do it yourself and put your money to work. [55:17]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Jesse:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessecdraper/ 

* Website: https://halogenvc.com/ 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we gear up for the holidays & get ready for more incredible interviews in the new year, ⁠we’re taking the opportunity to highlight our top 5 most popular episodes from 2021. Even if you are an avid listener of the podcast, chances are you may have missed one of these game-changing interviews.

Marcus Lemonis is known for helping struggling businesses get back on their feet through investing his own money on the hit TV show, The Profit. Despite being a household name and TV personality, Marcus’ influence is far beyond television. He is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in America, serving as chairman and CEO of the multi-billion dollar company Camping World. 

He also is one of the biggest champions out there when it comes to small business entrepreneurs, and specifically women entrepreneurs. He’s created The Lemon-AID Foundation and seeded it with $50 million of his and his wife’s own capital to focus on backing talented founders, especially women and minorities who haven’t had equal access to resources and guidance in their careers.

Marcus is unapologetically vulnerable, open to sharing all parts of himself, and truly generous in wanting to help others succeed. In today’s wide-ranging interview, we talk about how to work through fear of failure & embarrassment, the realities of burnout in entrepreneurship, why Marcus believes women are better business leaders, the importance of embracing your strengths & your flaws to be truly comfortable in your own skin, and so much more.

In this episode, we'll talk to Marcus about: 

* How the fear of embarrassment holds us back and what we can do to move past these feelings. [4:00]

* Acknowledging that privilege plays a role in taking chances. [6:01]

* It is okay that you feel embarrassed; it is something we all experience. [8:50]

* How Marcus uses clothes to make himself feel comfortable in his skin. [9:59]

* The freedom that comes when you lean into what makes you unique. [12:45]

* It is important not to make money the ultimate benchmark of success. [14:09]

* The influence that Marcus's mother and grandfather had on him. [16:39]

* Marcus's ultimate mission with the work that he does. [18:48]

* Some of the reasons that Marcus thinks women are better businesspeople. [19:26]

* You do not have to care what other people think; it is the way you think about yourself. [20:59]

* Why Marcus believes the principles of running a coffee shop or a large corporation are the same. [23:17]

* How entrepreneurs can develop a consumer point of view. [26:30]

* Who Marcus believes should not be entrepreneurs. [28:21]

* Why Marcus prefers the term business owner rather than entrepreneurship. [30:07]

* Marcus's experience of burnout and why he believes business owners can’t have work-life balance. [31:11]

* You have to curate your own mental, physical, and emotional health regimen. [33:13]

* Marcus's advice for those of us who feel like we are not enough. [36:23]

* What wealth means to Marcus at this stage in his life. [38:47]

* Hear the two questions that Marcus asks Yasmin. [39:58]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Marcus:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcuslemonis/

* Website: https://www.marcuslemonis.com/

* One Hundred Percent with Marcus Lemonis Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1572332094 

Follow Yasmin:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alexandra (Alex) Carter is a world-renowned negotiation expert, bestselling author of the book, Ask for More, and Columbia Law School Professor.

The image that most of us have in our heads when we think about negotiation is people speaking over one another, fighting for the prize. But this is not what it takes to be a masterful negotiator. In fact, quite the opposite. 

As Alex explains in our conversation today, it’s about asking skillful questions, listening, and understanding how you can fulfill someone’s needs. 

We’ll chat with Alex about her journey, and some of the formative negotiating experiences she has had along the way to help us understand why we need to all ask for more. While we might believe we are taking something away from someone when we negotiate, we are actually contributing to the upliftment of all of those around us when we get what we are worth. 

We talk about ways of turning a no into a yes, why negotiation is not only about money, and the value of taking time when you make decisions. Alex’s actionable, simple tactics are easy to implement, and you will undoubtedly achieve the results you are looking for if you follow her advice!

In this episode, we’ll talk to Alex about: 

* Even in the most turbulent times, you can always ask for more. [2:35]

* Hear what Alex was like growing up, the social struggles she felt she had, and how she discovered her passion for teaching and leading. [4:28]

* When Alex unearthed her love of negotiation and how she applied it to her own life. [6:48]

* The story of how Alex negotiated her first salary and what she learned from this. [8:09]

* Why negotiation is more about asking great questions than anything else, according to Alex. [10:22]

* Stories of clients Alex worked with who negotiated their salaries and improved their standing in their companies. [13:16]

* No does not have to be the end of the line; it’s an opportunity to ask about the other person’s concerns. [14:51]

* How Alex thinks about questions and the role they play in negotiation. [17:19]

* What Alex sees in her work with women and their thoughts of negotiation. [20:41]

* Alex’s take on why negotiations are opportunities to steer relationships. [23:20]

* How Alex, as a speaker, has turned no's into yes’s when negotiating speaking fees, and what other entrepreneurs can learn from this. [26:40]

* Negotiating does not always have to be about money; you can find other ways to get value. [30:49]

* The top three biggest mistakes people make when they negotiate. [33:50]

* You are already enough, so go out there and ask for what you want. [38:32]

* Unless you are working in an emergency room, you don’t have to make a decision on the spot. [39:42]

* Alex’s struggles with imposter syndrome and what we can learn if we have this challenge. [42:38]

* When you use your voice, you are inspiring others to do the same. [44:44]

* Why Alex always knew she would be where she is today. [47:01]

* Everyone, even those you look up to, struggle with imposter syndrome. [49:24]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Alex: 

* Website: https://alexcarterasks.com/ 

* Alex’s Book: Ask For More - 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything: https://alexcarterasks.com/book/ 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandrabcarter/ 

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, we're rebroadcasting one of our top interviews with Beatrice Dixon, the Founder of The Honey Pot Company, a plant-based feminine hygiene line created to provide women with healthy alternatives to feminine care.

The Honey Pot Company began with a dream - literally. In 2014, Beatrice was struggling with an ongoing case of bacterial vaginosis. She visited her doctor and tried everything they recommended, but nothing worked. 

One early morning she was visited by her grandmother in a dream. She gave Beatrice a list of ingredients and told her what to do. When Beatrice woke up, she immediately went to whole foods, where she was working at the time, and got the ingredients. Within a few days, the infection was gone. It was at this stage Beatrice started working on Honey Pot and giving away the product to friends and seeing their results. 

Today The Honey Pot Company sells feminine care products nationwide at Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Walgreens, and retailers across the US. We’ll hear from Beatrice about starting the world’s first plant-based feminine care company, scaling the business from her kitchen to mass production, advice she has about getting your product into retail outlets, candid thoughts around fundraising, and more. 

*Disclaimer: There is a bit of explicit language in our conversation, so be sure to put in headphones if you’re around kids :)

In this episode, we'll talk to Beatrice about:

* Beatrice’s life before Honey Pot, from pharmacy technician to Whole Foods. [2:36]

* More on her struggle with BV and how the idea for Honey Pot came about. [7:08]

* Why Beatrice doesn’t discount her dreams and takes dream interpretation seriously. [9:20]

* How she engages with her intuition and her gut when making business decisions. [10:45]

* The importance of being engaged in your business without micromanaging. [12:10]

* The value of understanding that every first time founder is “winging it” at first. [13:34]

* Advice for first time founders: be willing to ask questions and do whatever it takes. [16:21]

* When Beatrice realized that she had a viable business idea: from day one! [17:27]

* How she gained traction and brand awareness through the trade show circuit. [21:04]

* How an email from Target changed the trajectory of the brand. [22:40]

* Beatrice shares the process behind pitching to a major market retailer like Target. [24:15]

* Learn Beatrice’s hack for getting into retail: how to build a foundational relationship with your first major retailer. [29:50]

* The positive trend in access to capital for women of color entrepreneurs in the US. [33:13]

* Lessons Beatrice learned from the fundraising process, including the power of authenticity. [35:30]

* Why it is important to not only focus on where your business is, but where it’s going. [38:48]

* You can’t raise money until you know what you will do with it; how to know when you’re ready to start fundraising. [39:27]

* Begin with the end in mind; why it’s crucial that you think about your exit strategy. [40:57]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Beatrice: 

* Website: https://thehoneypot.co/ 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehoneypotco/  

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambeadixon/ 

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keren Eldad is an acclaimed motivational speaker, leadership psychology expert, and founder of With Enthusiasm, where she provides world-class personal and professional coaching. 

Before becoming an internationally-recognized coach, Keren had an illustrious business career. After spending years in the world of publishing, she then founded her own marketing company, Digiluxe. Despite all of this, Keren never felt fulfilled and aligned with her purpose. It wasn’t until she hit rock bottom after a divorce, running out of money, and losing her job that she learned how to cultivate self-worth and step into her true essence and power. She believes that we should all be welcoming adversity because of the rich lessons it brings if we are simply willing to look.  

Keren has worked with notable clients like LVMH, Richemont, Deutsche Bank, JP Morgan Chase, and Global Fashion Group, as well as several high-profile private clients.

We’ll talk to Keren about why it’s in all of our destinies to achieve greatness, the power of self-love and compassion, and what we can do to get over our blindspots. As Keren highlights, if we keep limiting ourselves, we do not get to participate in the beauty of life and it’s up to us to view life through a lens of scarcity and fear or abundance and openness.

In this episode, we'll talk to Keren about:

* Keren’s childhood as the daughter of a diplomat and the experience of getting to live in different countries. [2:50]

* How Keren believes we should view our childhoods. [5:12]

* You cannot underestimate the influence that societal expectations and standards have on you. [6:35]

* Keren’s early career and the exhaustion of chasing a dream she thought she should have. [7:53]

* The Instagram-worthy life Keren was living in her early 30s that left her miserable. [10:37]

* When Keren started to realize that all of her hardships were happening for her. [12:46]

* The story of how Keren’s world collapsed; divorce, having no money, and losing her job. [15:07]

* Why reaching rock bottom was the best thing that ever happened to Keren. [17:22]

* The one thing that stands between you and living a beautiful life. [19:08]

* Impatience is a lack of faith; you need to surrender and trust in the universe. [21:12]

* The story of how Oprah came to star in The Color Purple and what it teaches us. [22:13]

* Keren’s insights into manifesting and the importance of focusing and gratitude. [24:48]

* Loving yourself is the precondition to having a great life. [27:58]

* How we can reframe getting our businesses off the ground when it feels like we are behind. [28:53]

* Changing our perspective on how we view dating & money and the importance of being open to receive. [29:29]

* Careers are about more than a paycheck; they’re about fulfillment and self-actualization. [32:08]

* Women should not be afraid to talk about making money and their desire to be financially abundant. [33:00]

* How Keren’s mindset about money has changed. [0:34:40]

* Why overachievers are more likely to suffer from imposter syndrome. [39:51]

* Two strategies to help you overcome imposter syndrome. [44:23]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Keren:

* Keren’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachkeren/ 

* Keren’s Website: https://www.kereneldad.com/ 

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Desi Perkins is a digital content creator and Founder/CEO of her eyewear brand, Dezi, and skincare line, Dezi Skin.

Before becoming a mega beauty influencer with over 4 million Instagram followers and over 3 million Youtube subscribers, Desi was working as a cocktail waitress looking to make a change in her life but wasn’t sure which step she was going to take. 

It all started with a last-minute Halloween costume that went viral in 2012. She used her background in art and what she learned on YouTube with special effects make-up to help make her husband’s skeleton costume come to life. This costume served as publicity for her skills and little did she know, would jumpstart her career in beauty and lead her to become the serial entrepreneur she is today.

In this episode, we talk about taking chances and why you should always, even if only in a small way, do what lights your heart up because you never know where it could lead you. Desi also shares her biggest mistakes and lessons she’s learned in business, advice on dealing with negative comments online, how she’s balancing new motherhood with running her company, and even starting a second one, and so much more.

In this episode, we'll talk to Desi about:

* What Desi’s upbringing was like and the massive influence her mom had on her. [2:39] 

* The biggest lessons Desi gained from her time in the service industry and working as a cocktail waitress. [4:51] 

* When Desi decided to transition out of the service industry and pursue something more aligned with what she wanted to do. [6:18] 

* How Desi capitalized on the attention she got from doing Steven’s Halloween makeup in 2012. [7:55] 

* The power of taking chances, even when you don’t know how things will work out. [8:47] 

* The first YouTube video Desi made and how she overcame her nerves around putting herself out there. [10:20] 

* There is so much room to grow with your audiences on social media platforms. [11:12] 

* All you have to do sometimes is start because there’s no harm trying something. [11:48] 

* How Desi deals with negative comments online. [12:50] 

* There are double standards in the way men and women who succeed are treated. [13:49] 

* You have to let yourself feel what you are feeling. [15:39] 

* Desi’s top tips for women who are looking to create content and community online. [15:41] 

* The biggest lessons Desi learned from starting her own business. [17:14] 

* Fears Desi had around starting her business and how she managed to move past them. [20:42] 

* Why Desi, who has a range of interests, decided to start an eyewear business. [23:45] 

* The change Desi has experienced in her identity becoming a mother. [29:11] 

* Desi’s decision to share her fertility journey online and how it was received. [30:48] 

* The gratitude Desi feels getting to spend so much time with her family while also doing her dream work. [32:59] 

* How Desi manages to stay creative as a content creator. [34:26]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Desi:

* Dezi Skin Website: https://deziskin.com/ 

* Dezi Website: https://dezi.co/ 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desiperkins/ 

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicole Gibbons is the Founder of Clare, the only Black-owned paint brand in the US, and is a favorite of Jessica Alba, Maria Sharapova, and Nate Berkus to name a few. 

Before pursuing interior design, Nicole spent nearly a decade managing PR for one of the world’s largest retail brands, Victoria's Secret. Although she was excelling in her career, Nicole felt uninspired and was looking for a new outlet for her creativity. She started working on a decorating blog on the side that ultimately gained serious traction and led her into the path of interior design.

After working as a designer and establishing herself as a voice in the industry, Nicole decided to do another career pivot and had a yearning to build something that would be a household name. When working with clients, she always noticed the hassle around picking paints and saw an opportunity to disrupt the outdated paint industry and create a direct-to-consumer business that makes the entire process a way better experience. 

Nicole has been featured in top media outlets such as HGTV, The Rachael Ray Show, Good Morning America, and Oprah Winfrey’s OWN. She's also raised venture capital from the backers of Warby Parker, Casper, Peloton, and more.

We talk to Nicole today about the power of patience when it comes to building your business, how to think about your finance before you take the leap, how she raised money and built a tech business with zero connections to start, and so much more!

In this episode, we'll talk to Nicole about:

* Nicole's thoughts on confidence and the nature of risk and reward in entrepreneurship. [3:09]

* The familial links that Nicole has to entrepreneurship and her early corporate career. [4:44]

* Starting a side hustle and how Nicole began working on her passion while still employed. [6:20]

* How the blog organically evolved from a passion project into a business. [8:12]

* Patience and consistency; how Nicole managed to take the leap into her interior design work full-time. [10:01]

* Foregoing the safety of paychecks and betting on yourself. [13:16]

* Signs from the universe and trusting a gut feeling; Nicole's experience of listening. [17:52]

* Nicole's second pivot; executing on her research and ideas. [20:48]

* The important meetings that helped build Nicole's confidence and send her on her way. [24:11]

* How networking has played into Nicole's strategy throughout. [26:57]

* Entering the world of venture capital; Nicole's philosophy towards funding. [29:32]

* Nicole's advice for approaching investors; asking questions and due diligence. [37:15]

* Sharing the story of your brand and creating a common thread through everything you do. [39:11]

* The resources that Nicole draws on; the power of community, the right questions, and more! [43:33]

* Nicole's thoughts on the idea of work-life balance and welcoming different seasons. [48:30]

* Lessons from the early days of hiring for a new company. [51:07]

* The next phase of growth with Clare; looking to the future with Nicole! [53:06]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Nicole: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolegibbonsstyle

* Clare's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarepaint

* Clare Website: https://www.clare.com/

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eve Rodsky is a Harvard-grad lawyer, Activist, and New York Times Best Selling Author. 

In Eve’s first book Fair Play, Eve uses her background in organizational management to ask the simple yet profound question: What would happen if we treated our homes as our most important organization? 

She created a step-by-step approach to help partners rebalance the work of running a home and reimagine their relationship, time, and purpose. She has been called the “Marie Kondo of Relationships” and her book has sparked a national conversation around how couples can more equitably share the work of running their lives.

In her most recent book, Find Your Unicorn Space, Eve goes into much greater detail about one of the subjects from Fair Play which is our pursuit of joy… especially because so many are still missing this in their lives. Eve will teach you how to create time in your already-busy life to tap into your unique expression of creativity and find purpose that will allow you to live a happier, more fulfilled life.

Eve’s work is backed by Hello Sunshine—Reese Witherspoon’s media company whose mission is to change the narrative for women through storytelling.

In this episode, we cover everything from how to balance all the tasks that we as women shoulder in our homes and relationships to how to take back our time to thrive creatively. We also discuss in detail how you can reclaim your permission to have fun, manifest your own Unicorn Space in an already too-busy life, and unleash your special gifts and undiscovered talents into the world.

In this episode, we’ll talk to Eve about:

* Insight into Eve’s upbringing and what her mom taught her about decisions and feminism. [3:12]

* Eve’s desire for an equal partner and the seminal moment that inspired her latest book. [6:23]

* The value of time and how gender assumptions rob women of it. [10:08]

* The toxic time messages we tell ourselves that make us complicit in our own oppression. [11:21]

* Why the second most important question Eve has ever asked is “How did mustard get in your refrigerator?” [14:15]

* The surprising responses from men to her book Fair Play and what’s in it for them. [20:16]

* How LGBT+ couples relate to Eve’s concept of fair play in the home. [21:04]

* Eve’s formula to broach conversations about fair play with your partner. [22:18].

* The three ways people generally respond when they become resentful of the fact that things are unfair. [23:05]

* The three things Eve did to protect her relationship with her partner: boundaries, systems, and communication. [24:10]

* Why communication is the most important practice of our lives. [26:30]

* What Eve means by ‘unicorn space’ and how it is a secret formula for thriving. [28:05]

* The three elements of a unicorn space: curiosity, connection, completion. [29:16]

* Advice for women struggling to rediscover their curiosity. [34:55]

* Eve’s advice on how to maintain your unicorn space or build it into your life. [40:58]

* The life-changing magic of long-term thinking to shape the values of those around you and avoid gender assumptions. [44:04]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Eve:

* Website: https://www.everodsky.com/ 

* Find Your Unicorn Space Book: https://www.everodsky.com/unicorn-space

* Fair Play Book: https://www.everodsky.com/fair-play

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Melanie Strong is a founding partner of Next Ventures, a VC firm she co-founded with Lance Armstrong that focuses on building the next generation of sports, health and wellness brands. 

Melanie has spent her entire life in the sports industry. She’s a lifelong runner and started her career as a journalist at Runner's World magazine. She then applied for a position at Nike despite not having the “right” pedigree, college background, and experience. 

Good thing she did because she ended up having an incredibly successful career at Nike, spending most of her time at Nike building high-performing teams all over the world and holding positions from the VP of Global Brand Marketing for Nike Women to the GM of Nike Skateboarding. 

After 18 years at Nike, Melanie had the opportunity to break into the world of venture capital. She left her very stable career to start from scratch and become a first-time investor AND fund founder. In our conversation, Melanie opens up about how she faced her fears when reinventing herself later in her career and overcoming the imposter syndrome she felt when breaking into a male-dominated industry.✨ 

You'll also hear some honest reflections on the founder-investor relationship and who is the right fit for VC funding, along with some empowering advice for founders seeking funding. We also discuss the importance of authentic relationships in life & business, how to build a unique brand in the environment we’re in today, and so much more!

In this episode, we’ll talk to Melanie about:

* Modeling other people's versions of success, and tips for being more comfortable in your own skin. [3:09] 

* Melanie shares about how her upbringing created her positive mindset. [7:10]

* Hear about her various interesting jobs leading up to Nike. [9:10]

* The story of who inspired her and how she got her starting role at Nike. [11:42]

* Speaking about the power of networking and mentorship. [18:23] 

* The power of people and true relationships. [19:34]

* What she looks for in a founder. [20:53]

* The importance of the right advisors and some of her mentors. [22:46]

* Melanie reflects on being an angel investor and why it took her so long to do. [25:15]

* Taking the leap to leave Nike and steps to overcome imposter syndrome. [29:11]

* How the feedback processes have changed and some companies that she feels confident in. [33:40]

* Some top advice for thinking about your company as a brand. [0:38:14]

* Melanie and Yasmin each share the hacks that keep them anchored into their purpose. [44:27]

* Diving into greater detail on traits she looks for in a founder and what a founder-investor relationship needs. [47:02]

* Talking about founders who are focussed on the exit and the impact of that. [49:30]

* Who she thinks is and isn't the right fit for VC funding, and comments on fundraising [52:51]

* Melanie's comments on due diligence plus some great advice to founders. [56:45]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Melanie: 

* Melanie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniestrong/

* Website: https://nextventures.com/

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daria Burke is a recognized leader in the field of fashion & technology marketing and most recently served as the Chief Marketing Officer for JustFab, a fashion-subscription eCommerce site, and lifestyle fashion brand.

She is a visionary leader and storyteller and has held many leadership positions across a variety of industries. After moving to New York, she took a risk, left a reputable company, took a pay cut, and became one of the first employees of Rent the Runway. She has also worked for esteemed brands like Estee Lauder, Lancôme, and Yves Saint Laurent. She then served as the Head of Beauty Strategy, Growth, and Innovation at CVS, and transitioned to working at Facebook where she led their beauty, fashion, and retail partnerships. 

Daria was named as a 2020 “Woman to Watch” by AdAge, and has been recognized by Women’s Wear Daily, the CFDA, Vogue, and Forbes. She’s also an active angel investor and is a member of the Fast Company executive board.  

In today's episode, Daria shares the benefits of reinventing yourself and switching careers. We discuss the things that commonly hold us back from taking leaps like this, the challenges of putting your ego aside to become a beginner, and some of the lessons she has learned throughout her many career moves. 

We also discuss how to discover your strengths and double down on them, the importance of listening to your gut, and how to stop being a perfectionist & start living an inspired life. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Daria about:

* Three things that may be holding someone back from switching careers. [3:15]

* How Daria views the challenge of putting your ego aside to be a beginner. [6:05]

* Daria’s childhood and the influence of her grandmother on her life and ambitions. [8:34]

* How she realized she could have a life beyond the challenging circumstances of her childhood. [12:44]

* What it took to leave a reputable job to go work for Rent the Runway in its infancy. [19:50]

* What she learned from working at Rent the Runway. [22:41]

* Insight into CliftonStrengths and why it’s so beneficial to play into your strengths. [25:36]

* Daria’s fascination with internal transformation and insight into her process of reinvention. [31:21]

* Daria’s advice on how to get your mind to listen to your gut instinct. [37:41]

* The benefits of not forcing things but working from a place of inspiration and receptivity. [42:59]

* How Daria overcame being a perfectionist. [45:53]

* An example of a situation where Daria surrendered instead of being a perfectionist. [49:23]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Daria: 

* Daria Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dariaburke/

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Payal Kadakia is the founder of ClassPass, the revolutionary fitness and wellness platform which provides people access to the best boutique fitness classes, gyms, and wellness experiences around the world.

Prior to its acquisition by MindBody in October 2021, ClassPass was valued at over a billion dollars, with members logging more than 100 million workouts across 30,000 partner studios in over 30 countries. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Payal is also the founder and artistic director of the Sa Dance Company, which she founded in 2009 to increase awareness of Indian dance in the mainstream. 

Payal has been listed as one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People and was named in Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list. She is also the author of the new book, LifePass: Drop Your Limits, Rise to Your Potential, which hits shelves on Feb 15. 

In today’s episode, we touch on the ways that Payal’s Indian heritage has impacted the woman & entrepreneur she is today, why you have to ask yourself the hard questions in life, the importance of not getting wrapped up in what Payal calls the ‘false signals’ of success, as well as the benefits of choosing impact over perfection. We also candidly talk about the early days of building ClassPass, how it took over three years to gain any traction, the many lessons she learned along the way, and so much more. 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Payal about:

* How her Indian heritage has informed the woman that Payal is today. [4:30]

* Practical tips for taking a leap of faith: allow your vision to be your motivator! [11:30]

* The value of asking the hard questions and pursuing the goals you truly want. [13:55]

* How Payal approached the topic of risk-taking with her risk-averse parents. [19:40]

* When she realized that she had to follow her passions and start her own business. [22:27]

* Find out why she believes that it’s important to set boundaries with some people. [24:00]

* How to cultivate the right mindset while you are building your business. [26:57]

* Why Payal suggests starting with a problem you personally need solved as an entrepreneur. [28:17]

* The importance of not getting caught up in the “false signals of success.” [30:05]

* The crucial role that failure played in Payal’s journey as an entrepreneur. [31:33]

* How Payal overcame perfectionism and her suggestions for other entrepreneurs. [34:20]

* Hear the story of when Payal first knew that ClassPass was a success. [37:12]

* Why she believes that the universe opened doors for her when she started doing the work that aligned with her spirit. [39:02]

* Advice for women who have lost sight of their passions [40:26]

* How Payal juggles motherhood, dance, and business by letting her priorities guide her time. [42:22]

* Payal’s philosophy on guilt; when you love what you do, there’s no place for guilt. [43:34]

* How her dual identity has served her throughout her life and in her business. [45:12]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Payal: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/payal/ 

* Payal's Book: LifePass: Drop Your Limits, Rise to Your Potential - https://www.amazon.com/LifePass-Develop-Mindset-Techniques-Optimize/dp/179720694X

* ClassPass: https://classpass.com/

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The twists and turns in our lives can oftentimes help us to find renewed meaning and purpose, and our guest today, Sarah Jones Simmer, is a shining example of this. 

Sarah is currently the CEO of Found, and formerly the COO of Bumble, which she joined when it was a tiny company working out of a two-bedroom apartment. Throughout her career, Sarah has focused on working with mission-driven brands and has allowed her curiosity to lead her explorations. 

While working at Bumble, Sarah was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and made the brave decision to continue to work, which felt like a healthy and needed distraction from the aggressive treatment regime she was going through. At the time, Sarah’s role shifted to Chief Strategy Officer and was laser focused on “quarterbacking” Bumble’s IPO – which valued the company at a multi-billion dollar valuation and was quite iconic as the founder, Whitney Wolfe Herd, was the youngest female founder to take a US company public. 

Now cancer-free, Sarah's health journey has had a massive impact on the way she thinks about her life and work, and we are so lucky to hear all about this evolution in our conversation with her today. She also talks about the benefits of a non-linear career, what it means to find your personal purpose, why waiting for the perfect moment is a myth, and so much more! 

In this episode, we’ll talk to Sarah about:

* Looking back at Sarah's role in taking Bumble public. [3:19]

* The shift in perspective that Sarah experienced around the idea of timing. [4:28]

* Reflections on the winding journey leading up to Sarah's work at Bumble. [6:45]

* What initially drew Sarah to take up a position at Bumble when it was a small startup. [11:19]

* Stepping into a new role, learning, and using best judgment as your compass. [18:40]

* Lessons from mentors and leaders; how Sarah has absorbed wisdom from great women around her. [20:42]

* Sarah's experiences of breast cancer and how her life changed during 2020. [24:37]

* Putting together the IPO deal team and how much energy Sarah drew from its amazing members. [30:29]

* The decision to take on the role of CEO at Found and what inspired it. [33:52]

* Surprises and lessons since Sarah took up her latest leadership position. [39:30]

* Systems for collaboration during this remote work revolution. [42:38]

* Sarah's advice for finding meaning in work and personal life; a reminder about joy. [45:12]

* How walking has helped Sarah and the benefits of letting the mind wander. [49:25]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Sarah: 

* Website: https://joinfound.com/ 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinfound

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we discuss all things related to women’s health with someone who not only has incredible clinical experience, but also is an expert in the fields of nutrition, modern science, and spirituality. 

Dr. Deanna Minich is an internationally recognized health expert, scientist, researcher, and author with more than 20 years of experience in nutrition, mind-body health, and functional medicine. She is on the board of directors for the American Nutrition Association and has authored six books and over 40 scientific publications.

In this episode, Dr. Deanna shares her personal story of her own hormonal struggles and how she overcame PMS, endometriosis, anxiety, depression, and IBS. She also explains how this led her to realize how nutrition, mind, body, and spirit are all interconnected. 

We also talk about how our thoughts can directly impact our health, what foods can be used to enhance your mood, why flow is so vital for women, the importance of having variety in your diet and so much more!

In this episode, we'll talk to Dr. Deanna about:

* The most underrated pillars of women’s health according to Dr. Deanna Minich. [2:28]

* Dr. Deanna’s personal hormonal struggles and how they have influenced her views on health. [3:40]

* How painting and color helped Dr. Deanna on her healing journey. [7:55]

* How our thoughts can directly impact our health. [12:50]

* An example of one of Dr. Deanna’s patients whose health was greatly impacted by her thoughts. [19:04]

* The impact of purpose and meaning on our health. [21:43]

* How Dr. Deanna utilizes the chakra system in her work. [24:48]

* What is important for women to understand when it comes to food and your mood. [28:35]

* An example from Dr. Deanna’s life about the benefits of going with the flow and not being too rigid. [32:39]

* What Dr. Deanna means when she talks about flow and why it’s so important for women. [36:46]

* Some of Dr. Deanna’s favorite foods for positively impacting your mood. [39:47]

* How the color orange is linked to the reproductive cycle of a woman’s body. [43:35]

* The importance of having variety in your diet. [47:25]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Dr. Deanna:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannaminich/

* Website: https://deannaminich.com/

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Risking everything you have to pursue a dream can be the scariest but most rewarding thing a person can do in their life. Today’s guest has done just that. Sarah Gibson Tuttle is the CEO and founder of Olive & June, an innovative at-home nail-care brand that's disrupting the industry. 

Sarah spent a decade in equity sales trading at Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan. She never thought she'd become an entrepreneur until her love for Drybar inspired her to create the same thing, but for nails. Although everybody thought her idea was crazy, Sarah was confident it would work and put all her savings into the first flagship store. Olive & June is now successfully democratizing nail care with their full suite of at-home mani and pedi products. 

In today's episode, we talk about how life's curveballs can be the biggest gift to sending you on a new path to rediscover your purpose and Sarah explains what it was like for her to ditch her safe corporate job to follow her passions, what kept her in her previous job for so long, and how her divorce added to her motivation to shake things up. She also shares the fears and imposter syndrome she overcame on the journey and the importance of therapy in her personal and professional life. 

Tuning in, you’ll hear how Sarah got funding, how she built a strong community around her brand, and how she has successfully pivoted over the years (especially during COVID). She also shares the importance of delegating and how, as a wife, mother, and entrepreneur, she manages it all. For a very vulnerable real conversation on what it takes to build a multimillion-dollar company from scratch, tune in today!

In this episode, we’ll talk to Sarah about:

* What inspired Sarah to leave her job and found Olive & June. [00:50]

* What holds people back from making the same type of career leap. [03:20]

* How passion keeps Sarah in this entrepreneurial journey despite its hardships. [05:21]

* What kept her in her job as an equity sales trader for so long. [08:52] 

* How her divorce added to her motivation to shake things up. [14:34]

* How she built connections to get interviews in talent management and the benefits of resistance. [19:36]

* The importance of therapy in Sarah’s personal and professional journey and how her divorce made her more empathetic. [24:50]

* The fear and imposter syndrome she felt when she put her life savings into her first store. [28:03]

* Sarah’s thoughts on the value of community and how she built one for her brand. [31:02]

* The importance of having a vision but also being flexible. [39:05]

* How Olive & June pivoted during the pandemic and supported their community. [40:09]

* Sarah’s approach to fundraising and what her relationship with her investors looks like. [42:32]

* The best investment advice Sarah received but didn’t appreciate at the time. [46:18]

* How she balances all the different aspects of her life. [50:22]

* What it was like for her to build a team, delegate responsibilities, and give up control. [54:39]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE

Follow Sarah: 

* Sarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gibsontuttle/

* Olive & June Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliveandjune/

* Olive & June website: https://oliveandjune.com/

* Get 20% off your first nail system - use code: BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sallie Krawcheck is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ellevest, a digital-first investment platform working to help close the gender wealth gap by “redefining investing for women.”

Sallie’s professional mission is to help women reach their financial and professional goals… or as she says to get more money in the hands of women. She’s definitely on her way as Ellevest recently announced they have $1Bn under management. Before launching Ellevest in 2016, Sallie was one of the highest-ranked women ever to have worked on Wall Street: She was the CEO of Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney, US Trust, Citi Private Bank, and Sanford C. Bernstein. She was also CFO for Citigroup. Prior to that, Sallie was a top-ranked research analyst covering the securities industry.

Sallie is widely recognized as one of the most influential women in business. She has been recognized by Inc. as a "Top Female Founder", called "The Last Honest Analyst" by Fortune magazine, and was named the seventh most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. We’ll chat with Sallie about her journey leaving her small hometown to high-powered positions in Wall Street, how she dealt with two public firings and the many career pivots that led her to start Ellevest. We'll also discuss why women need to talk more about money and start investing in order to close the gender wealth gap. 

In this episode, we'll talk to Sallie about:

* Sallie’s experience of school, difficulties she faced, and how this made her resilient. [6:22]

* The impact that being bullied had on Sallie’s will to succeed in life. [7:19]

* How Sallie landed in investment banking after going to school for journalism. [8:13]

* The shame and guilt Sallie felt around hating a career she thought she wanted. [10:37]

* How Sallie carved out time to find out what she truly wanted to do with her life. [11:41]

* Dealing with rejection and the power of a growth mindset to keep pushing. [15:22]

* Sallie’s take on why being a woman on Wall Street helped her in many ways. [16:47]

* What happens when women are seen to be looking for power and attention. [18:14]

* Sallie’s two public firings and the lessons she learned from both of them. [20:25]

* How Sallie, whose identity was attached to her career, dealt with being fired. [23:42]

* Women have been socialized into believing men are better at money. [29:00]

* The stress that comes with running your own business and the loneliness you face. [30:14]

* Sallie’s experience raising funds for Ellevest and why it differed from other startups. [36:21]

* What Sallie wishes they had done differently in her company. [39:32]

* The value of networking and why women need to do a better job of it. [40:38]

* Some first steps women who have not invested can take to get started. [43:30]

* If you feel nervous about investing, start small and watch what happens. [48:40]

* Why Sallie does not like the idea that women have to strive for work-life balance. [49:35]

* We need to normalize failures because striving to be perfect puts extra pressure on women. [55:11]

* The reason that men are better at taking risks, according to Sallie. [56.39]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Ellevest:

* Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevest/

* Website: https://www.ellevest.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Alli Webb, serial entrepreneur, NYT best-selling author, and the co-founder of Drybar.

Everything that Alli does, she does with wholehearted passion. From beauty school to the PR industry to stay-at-home mom to founder, Alli has successfully held many roles throughout her life and has learned countless valuable lessons along the way, many of which she shares with us in today’s episode. 

Alli’s mobile blow-out business, which she started in 2009 after being a stay-at-home mom for almost 5 years, catalyzed the idea for Drybar. In 2010, Alli opened the first Drybar in Brentwood, CA. 10 years later and over 150+ locations across the U.S., Drybar exploded into a nationally recognized and highly sought-after brand. 

Alli also diversified the Drybar business, creating a line of products and tools, which she sold to Helen of Troy for $255 million. 

Alli has been on the cover of Inc Magazine’s “How I Did This” issue, named the “100 Most Creative People in Business” by Fast Company, featured on Fortune magazine’s “40 Under 40” list, and recently Inc. magazine recognized her as one of “The 100 Women Building America’s Most Innovative and Ambitious Businesses.” 

We speak with Alli about the many transitions in her life from dropping out of college to going to beauty school despite what others thought, to being a stay-at-home mom to then building her massive empire at Dryar. Despite all the success Alli’s had in her life, we talk about the tough times in her life, how she’s tackled depression and heartbreak, and the new chapter she’s in today both personally and professionally.

In this episode, we'll talk to Alli about:

* Alli’s upbringing, and when her desire to become an entrepreneur began to form. [2:37]

* The focus and drive with which Alli approaches all endeavors. [6:48]

* Why Alli chose to go to beauty school, and the different career that she pursued afterwards. [9:00] 

* Highs and lows that Alli experienced as a stay-at-home-mom. [15:56]

* The mobile blow-out business that Alli built when her children were young. [17:14]

* The motivation behind Alli’s decision to found Drybar, and what differentiates this salon from the rest. [19:16]

* Economic conditions at the time of the founding of Drybar. [22:16]

* Fear and optimism that Alli felt prior to starting Drybar, and the [23:07]

* Some of the challenges that Alli overcame during the early days of Drybar. [25:06] 

* The continuous learning process that Alli’s experience with Drybar has been. [28:10]

* What the last few years have looked like for Alli, since taking a step back from Drybar. [29:05]

* Alli candidly shares the various reasons that led to her divorce after 16 years of marriage, and the depression that she experienced afterwards. [29:55]

* Factors that helped Alli get through her depression, and the headspace she is currently in. [32:45]

* Traits that Alli adopted when she was running Drybar, and how she has changed since. [37:43]

* Canopy; the company that Alli is currently working for, and how they are reimagining humidifiers [42:32] 

* Where the idea for Canopy originated, and how Alli got involved. [45:19]

* Advice for anyone who is struggling to find their purpose in life. [47:30]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Alli:

* Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/alliwebb/

* Drybar: https://www.drybar.com/

* Canopy: https://getcanopy.co/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MaryRuth Ghiyam is the founder & CEO of MaryRuth Organics, a family-friendly wellness brand offering over 130 high-quality, vegan, non-GMO vitamins and supplements. 

MaryRuth began her personal journey into the health and wellness space after the unexpected passing of her brother and her father, as well as her mother’s diagnosis of two benign brain tumors.

While working as a health coach in 2013, MaryRuth struggled to find supplements to recommend to her clients that were easy-to-take and didn’t make them nauseous on an empty stomach. She made a small batch of a sugar-free Raspberry Liquid Morning Multivitamin and the rest is history. 

MaryRuth went from $700,000 in debt to creating a $100+ million wellness company – before taking on any investors – and is on a bold mission to show how micro-actions can give you the momentum to move forward every day.

We talk to MaryRuth about her biggest tips for overcoming adversity and how she got herself out of debt & gained financial freedom. We also touch on the power of time blocking to organize your life and how MaryRuth built a highly profitable wellness empire without any prior connections in the industry, plus so much more.

In this episode, we'll talk to MaryRuth about:

* Advice for women feeling constrained by their circumstances: keep moving forward! [2:38]

* Insight into MaryRuth’s childhood and the losses that informed her wellness journey. [4:50]

* The experience that shifted her perspective on the value of financial independence. [6:37]

* Some of the realizations that MaryRuth had about debt management. [11:22]

* The importance of building confidence in yourself and proper time management. [16:46]

* How MaryRuth's clients inspired the idea for her first liquid vitamin product. [19:23]

* How the decision to marry her husband impacted her life (and her business!) [22:31]

* Structure creates freedom; how time blocking keeps MaryRuth anchored. [29:10]

* Time blocking tips: be realistic about what you can achieve in a day. [38:18]

* The early stages of how MaryRuth cultivated awareness about her products. [42:32]

* Internal matches external: why she chose to focus on developing the best product and customer service she could before investing in marketing. [45:17]

* How MaryRuth built a financially healthy business with no outside investments. [46:31]

* Learn about the negative cashflow conversion cycle that MaryRuth Organics uses. [50:44]

* Some of the biggest mistakes that MaryRuth sees entrepreneurs make. [53:17]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow MaryRuth:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryruthorganics/

* Website: https://www.maryruthorganics.com/

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bassima Mroue is the CEO and co-founder of SkinTē, the first-ever collagen sparkling tea at the intersection of beauty, food, and wellness. 

Passionate about developing purpose-driven brands, inspiring women, and destigmatizing self-care, Bassima calls on her diverse professional experience to revolutionize the way we approach beauty and wellness from the inside out. She has over a decade’s worth of experience working with big brands like Nike and Spanx and, as a board member of the Sara Blakely Foundation, she is also an active supporter of female empowerment. 

While at the height of her career, Bassima’s body started shutting down, and she was diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis. She also had to undergo impromptu back surgery to correct her painful sciatica and was encouraged by her surgeon to take collagen every day to assist her in her post-op recovery. After seeing how quickly she bounced back, Bassima realized the power of collagen but she knew there must be a better-tasting way to consume it, and the idea for SkinTē was born.

In this episode, Bassima speaks candidly about her health journey and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing self-care. Tuning in, you’ll find out how she does that as the CEO of a rapidly growing business and hear the story of how she partnered with two other women founders to create an easy, effective, and more delicious way to get your daily collagen intake. 

We also touch on what the early days of building SkinTē looked like, the scrappiness it takes to get a beverage product to market, the power of your intuition in business, and some of the biggest lessons she’s learned from the corporate world to now building her purpose-driven brand.

In this episode, we'll talk to Bassima about:

* The power of believing in yourself and why Bassima thinks women find it difficult. [2:59]

* Insight into her upbringing and how it informed the businesswoman she is today. [5:09]

* Understanding Bassima’s health journey and the role her hormones have played. [7:51]

* How her unconventional approach served her when she became an entrepreneur. [15:16]

* What her experience of working with Sara Blakely was like. [16:33]

* Tips for tapping into your intuition using what Bassima calls micro self-care. [18:45]

* Where the inspiration for SkinTē came from; to serve a personal need. [22:21]

* Insight into the early stages of SkinTē and the research and development that went into their first product. [25:51]

* The importance of gratitude, nourishing relationships and seeking mentorship. [31:50]

* Breaking through the fear of asking for money by borrowing from how men think. [34:21]

* Bassima’s perspective on postponing stress; you only have so much energy! [39:02]

* The advantages of being a woman in business and leveraging your feminine energy. [43:52]

* Tips for building your brand: keep it rooted in purpose. [47:12]

* Challenges Bassima had to overcome as she grew her brand, including fundraising. [50:34]

* The value of trusting your intuition when vetting investors and doing due diligence. [53:36]

* Common mistakes that Bassima sees women in business making, including the belief that their advisors always know best. [54:59]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Bassima:

* Website: https://skinte.com/

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bassimamroue/

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Lauren Wang, the Founder & CEO of The Flex Co., a top-selling sustainable period care brand known for creating a more comfortable period for everyone

After suffering from chronic yeast infections for 15 years related to tampon use, it dawned on Lauren that it was time to change the status-quo--not just for herself, but for menstruators everywhere. She set out to create period products that were more innovative, sustainable, and made for the 21st century. 

Launched in 2016, The Flex Co. has now become the leading brand in sustainable period care, holding a whopping 43% share of the market, and more than doubling its revenue annually throughout the pandemic. While the products offered are clearly in-demand, most of The Flex Co’s success can be attributed to Lauren’s marketing expertise and her genuine desire to understand her client’s needs.

Tune in today as we discuss why it took five years for Lauren to commit to launching The Flex Co., and why she didn’t want to be her own company’s CEO starting out. We dive into how her upbringing helped her build the resilience and financial savvy to make a success of her company, and how she moved into an industry she knew very little about after a career in marketing. 

Lauren gives some great advice to fellow female founders, including why listening to customers is more important than listening to investors, why it’s key to understand the areas that you are most passionate about, how to think about growth & marketing, and so much more!

In this episode, we'll talk to Lauren about:

* Welcome to Lauren Wang, CEO, and Founder at The Flex Company. [00:49]

* Lauren's upbringing, and how it affected the way she thinks about finances. [03:29]

* Why the jump from a stable marketing job to being an entrepreneur was not something Lauren expected to make! [05:19]

* How Lauren’s personal health journey inspired her to found The Flex Co., and how she grew into the role of CEO. [06:58]

* Where the idea for the Flex Disc came from, and the design aspects Lauren had to consider when developing her products. [10:31]

* The catalyst that motivated Lauren to move into product design [17:11]

* Why Lauren finally gave up her full-time job to work on The Flex Co. and the process of fundraising. [20:58]

* How the focus on customers gave Lauren the confidence to pursue her idea, and why it’s core to The Flex Co’s success. [23:21]

* The role Amplify and Y Combinator had on the birth of The Flex Co., and Lauren’s advice on where to find resources. [26:56]

* Going viral: how Lauren’s marketing expertise gained her 10 000 pre-orders before launch! [30:25]

* The challenges Lauren faced, and how she maintains her resilience. [32:53]

* Why women don’t back themselves as entrepreneurs, and how Lauren overcame this. [35:11]

* How being honest with yourself about what you’re passionate about will help you succeed. [38:13]

* The common mistakes Lauren sees female entrepreneurs make. [39:53]

* Some of the early indicators that hinted at the success The Flex Co. was heading for. [43:49]

* Balancing the investors and values alignment. [46:31]

* How Lauren educated her potential customers about a novel product: humor! [48:09]

* What’s next for Flex: the release of plant-based, and reusable discs, and something totally new. [49:35]

Follow Lauren:

* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenschultewang/

* Flex Website: https://flexfits.com/

* Flex Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flex/

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heela Yang is the co-founder and CEO of Sol de Janeiro, an award-winning body care line that aims to capture the beautiful and vibrant energy of Brazilian culture.

The path to running a successful business and a life in entrepreneurship can look many different ways, and today's story is a particularly unique one. Heela had a picture-book corporate career, a great life in New York, and a bright future that seemed quite clear. It took falling in love, moving to Brazil, and some major moments of inspiration and epiphany to completely upend this!

Heela was in awe of the empowered ethos of the women in Brazil, who seemed so celebratory and confident in their own skin; it was this that Heela wanted to bring to the beauty industry, and that is exactly what she did with Sol de Janeiro. 

The brand launched in 2016 with the Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and became Sephora’s best-selling skin care cream a few months after its launch. They have now expanded to include fragrance and haircare, and are bringing in over $100 million in revenue. 

In our chat today, we get to hear it all from Heela, as she talks about falling pregnant immediately after moving to Brazil, her early years in South Korea before her family moved to the US, what self-belief means to her, and the importance of finding the right partners and support system on your journey. We also get into some interesting thoughts on meditation, mental health, the importance of staying true to your gut when building an authentic & unique brand, and so much more!

In this episode, we'll talk to Heela about:

* Overcoming hurdles in order to truly believe in yourself; Heela's advice. [2:37]

* The impact of Heela's upbringing and early years in South Korea. [7:00]

* Reflections on the important period when Heela's life changed, and she met her husband. [11:03]

* How Brazilian culture began to rub off on Heela and her self-confidence. [14:02]

* The first steps in starting a company and Heela's mindset at the time. [18:39]

* Why developing a mission for a brand is central to its success! [20:10]

* Creating the first product and building everything from the bottom up. [23:00]

* The timeline for launching the brand and getting involved with Sephora. [26:21]

* The connection between business and pregnancy, and advice from Heela for managing both. [31:43]

* Heela's meditation practice and how it has helped her in multiple ways. [36:04]

* Sol de Janeiro's partnership with L'Occitane, and how this has leveled up the business. [37:40]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow Heela:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soldejaneiro/

* Website: https://soldejaneiro.com/

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April Gargiulo is the Founder and CEO of Vintner's Daughter, a cult favorite nutrient-powered skincare brand. Vintner’s Daughter was founded on the principles of unparalleled quality and efficacy, inspired by April’s background in the world of fine winemaking and its uncompromising standards.

Admittedly, she knew very little about the skincare industry when she first founded the brand in 2013, but one thing she knew well was how to extract the finest ingredients from plants. After suffering from cystic acne and hyperpigmentation her whole life, April discovered the products she was using were actually made from cheap synthetics, and it was then that she decided to create her own all-natural, multi-beneficial skincare. She launched the Vitner’s Daughter brand with just one product: the Active Botanical Serum, which famously attracted the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Watts, Hailey Bieber, and others who swear by its skin-clearing benefits.

In today’s conversation, April offers some insight into the process of starting her business from her living room with absolutely no knowledge of the beauty industry and she explains how throwing out the rulebook allowed her to stand out in a highly saturated market. We also discuss how she grew into a multimillion-dollar business with only one product and zero investors, the power of meditation and staying true to yourself, and so much more! 

In this episode, we'll talk to April about:

* Why April describes herself as risk-averse and how she overcame that tendency. [3:05]

* How growing up with two entrepreneurial parents influenced who April is today. [4:38]

* Life before the business: from interior design to winemaking. [5:44]

* The story of the sabbatical April took, the apothecary she visited, and how it inspired her first product, the Active Botanical Serum. [14:35]

* Some of the other business ideas she had before settling on Vintner's Daughter. [17:15]

* What the early days of the company were like as she developed her first product. [18:50]

* Times when April questioned herself and what motivated her to persevere. [21:50]

* Building brand awareness with very few marketing dollars through word of mouth. [25:25]

* Scaling, running a business from her living room, working mom hours, and more! [27:13]

* Focusing on a single SKU versus participating in a ‘new-and-next’ mentality. [29:05]

* How April stays aligned with her vision by focusing on impact. [31:46]

* Insight into her fundraising philosophy, building a multimillion-dollar business with zero investors, and her retail strategy. [33:45]

* The importance of having a community of advisors when building a business. [0:37:42]

* April shares the powerful impact of meditation and staying true to herself. [39:10]

This episode is brought to you by beeya: 

* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. 

* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10

Follow April:

* Website: https://vintnersdaughter.com/ 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintnersdaughter/

Follow Yasmin: 

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.