This week, our host Erica Wenger wraps up an incredible Season 4 of Dear Twentysomething! 🎉

Join us as we reflect on some of the most memorable guests and standout moments from the season. Erica shares her takeaways, favorite conversations, and the wisdom we’ve gathered along the way. Plus, a sneak peek at what’s in store for Season 5!

Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or just discovered the show, this episode is the perfect way to celebrate how far we’ve come and where we’re headed next!

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Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week, we chat with Melanie Strong!

Mel started her career as a first grade teacher and journalist. A fateful interview with her running hero Joan Benoit Samuelson led to a long-shot interview for an entry level job at Nike. She spent 17 years there, where she led several businesses including Nike Women and Nike Skateboarding, and worked on the launch of the Nike Running and Training Club apps.

Mel started angel investing and advising early stage founders in 2017, and left Nike to co-found venture capital firm Next Ventures in 2019. There she's focused on innovative technology investments across health, wellness and sports in companies like Oura ring and Outside. She serves on the boards of Outdoor Afro and USA Cycling, and most weekend you can find her riding her mountain bike on the trails where she lives in Hood River Oregon.

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Melanie Strong: @girlstrong

Next Ventures: @nextventures

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week, we chat with Jacqueline Blackburn!

Jacqueline is a Principal at Decisive Point and leads the acceleration portfolio. Jacqueline graduated from the United States Naval Academy and led forward-deployed teams in the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Community. She was responsible for training and building small teams for no-fail missions in the Middle East and Africa.

Prior to Decisive Point, she spent several years at J.P. Morgan working closely with founders and building out their early-stage Technology and Disruptive Commerce practice.

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Jacqueline Blackburn: @therealistjac

Decisive Point: @decisivepointvc

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we’re back with another solo episode featuring the host herself, Erica Wenger! 

At just twenty-four years old with startup businesses of her own in her back pocket, a podcast, and her new chapter in venture capital, Erica faces the daily challenge of what it means to strive for balance. Like most of us, there never seems to be enough hours in the day to tackle the workload, and how often is the challenge of time management and burn-out at our own expense…

In this episode, Erica breaks down her strategies, goals, and approach at managing her own mental health as a busy entrepreneur. Erica shares quotes that keep her mind at bay and tips to maintain a healthy balance between attending work as well as attending personal needs. Evaluating the negative effects of burnout and navigating through stressful times are just a glimpse into the stories this week.

Twentysomethings, if you’ve experienced burnout or are battling mental health struggles of your own, this is the episode for you. Listen in for tips on how to achieve balance as life gets stressful with our very busy and ambitious host, Erica Wenger!

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Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Emma Bates. Emma Bates is the co-founder of new disruptive social media platform Diem, designed for women and non-binary people. Diem is a new social universe aiming to tackle the inequality that exists for women and non-binary folks IRL and on social media. Diem is providing a safe, alternative space for women & non-binary folks to share knowledge about the things we don’t talk about openly, marking a move away from performative content and towards a more equitable, personal experience. 

In this episode, the pair trace back to Emma’s upbringing in the UK before moving to NYC in 2016. Emma covers everything from her War-Studies major in college, gender equity advocating, and how a blog she started at 19 with 100k+ readers became her untraditional entry into the world of marketing. Emma's work has been featured in Forbes, HuffPost, Entrepreneur and The Cut for her unique approach to marketing, community building, and partnerships. 

Twentysomethings, get ready for an episode blending passion and purpose with the incredible Emma Bates!

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Emma Bates: @emmashbates

Diem: @askdiem

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Kim Johnson, evaluating the nature and relevance of Community itself and how it applies to the world of business and twentysomethings. Kim is the Head of Community at Geneva, an NYC based messaging app for groups, clubs, and communities of all shapes and sizes. Her work at Geneva focuses on helping brands, creators, and community leaders of all kinds build their communities from the ground up. Before joining the team at Geneva she built Community at Glossier from the ground up for five years.

In this explained episode, the pair reflect on Kim’s college experiences and ideals that shaped her fascination with the need for community in the workplace. Transforming the blogging community into a brand for Glossier, this first job for Kim evidently shaped her career, with a community focused element in business. In breaking down what exactly a community is and means, Kim reveals it's relevance in the workplace and necessity in our daily lives. Shifting her career towards Geneva, she now works to maintain a platform that offers people a space to build an online community of their own, embodying several visions and purposes.

With the rapid growth of internet presence in our day to day lives, we’re finding a need for community more than ever before. Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour with the woman behind the scenes of several groups we know and love today, Kim Johnson!

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Kim Johnson: @kimjohnson._

Geneva: @geneva (and website here)

Glossier: @glossier (and website here)

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Jessica Wenger McPhaul. Jessica is an Emmy-nominated costume designer and the founder of NAKED REBELLION, a nude lingerie brand offering products for every shade on Earth. Having graduated from FIDM and spent over ten years in the Costumers’ Union moving from set to set, Jessica found the inspiration for her brand when faced with challenges in finding undergarments designed for all skin shades and body types. From “House of Cards” to NAKED REBELLION, Jessica’s here for an inside scoop on her journey to entrepreneurship!

In this episode, the pair go back to the beginning of Jessica’s journey as a teen in Scottsdale, AZ who found her start in the world of costume design as a result of a criminal littering charge. Incorporating her passion for fashion into a “yes mentality,” Jessica reveals the trials and tribulations of her twenties and the decisions she made to land her success. Conversations on ditching college, production craziness, and starting a business with loved ones are the tip of the iceberg to this week’s episode.

Twentysomethings, if you’re doubting the idea that everything happens for a reason, get ready for an hour with the remarkable and ambitious Jessica Wenger McPhaul as she breaks down the luck and perseverance that landed her to a business and career of her own!

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Jessica Wenger McPhaul: @jesswengermcp

Naked Rebellion: @naked.rebellion (and website here)

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we’re bringing you another solo episode with the host herself, Erica Wenger! Erica received a masters degree from USC in social entrepreneurship where she gave a TEDx Talk, pitching the idea of just how social entrepreneurship will change the world. TED is a non-profit organization aiming to change the world one idea at a time in the form of short, powerful talks. TEDx was designed to propel their tradition of informative story-telling into local communities making knowledge more accessible, and therefore more powerful. 

In this episode, Erica takes us behind the scenes into her extensive and rewarding experience as a TEDx speaker. Discussing her experiences in and out of the classroom, Erica recalls the stress, preparation, and achievements that crafted her TEDx journey. This episode offers context behind the ideas Erica shares in her talk with an emphasis that profit and purpose are not mutually exclusive elements of business.

Twentysomethings, you might’ve listened to a TEDx talk before, but this week we find out what it takes to lead one. Get ready for this short and sweet inside scoop into the perspective of a TEDx speaker with our host, Erica Wenger!

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Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Erica's TEDx Talk: How social entrepreneurship will change the world

TEDx Website: here

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Courtney Claghorn. You probably know Courtney best as the Co-Founder of Sugared + Bronzed, everyone’s go-to sugaring hair removal and sunless tanning destination. Having revolutionized airbrush tanning with a proprietary solution and revived an all-natural, ancient Egyptian form of hair removal called sugaring, Courtney created the flawless destination we all know and love. With locations across California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas, this is just the beginning for Sugared + Bronzed. 

In this episode, the pair backtrack Courtney's journey to Sugared + Bronzed starting with her college experience between Colorado and Los Angeles. Morphing her passion for film with her career in entrepreneurship, Courtney reveals several parallels between the industries. Conversations of improv acting, dreadful work-shifts, and building an empire with the love of your life are just a peek into this week’s episode. 

Twentysomethings, if you’re feeling unsure of your next move, get ready for this episode where “trusting the process” becomes a lifestyle with the inspirational Courtney Claghorn!

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Courtney Claghorn: @courtneyclaghorn

Sugared + Bronzed: @sugaredandbronzed (and website here)

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Aleyna Dogan, breaking down the seemingly complex nature of NFTs, the web3 space, and why it's relevant to twentysomethings.

Aleyna is both an entrepreneur and writer currently working at VaynerNFT. Having started NFTimes, the weekly comprehensive NFT newsletter last July, she continues to expand her role in the new web3 world. With a focus on the grave importance of techno-philosophy issues, she now consults and assists the on-boarding of artists, especially women, LGBTQ+ and people from other underrepresented groups into the web3 space. 

In this explained episode, the pair reflect on Aleyna’s upbringing in Turkey and the lifelong fascination with technology that ultimately led her towards her college education at NYU. Aleyna takes us through her journey from the sparking curiosity of fake news and crafted algorithms to a full blown writing career in the web3 space. Conversations focused on explaining the web3 space, how NFTs work, and the future of the internet are the tip of the iceberg in this week’s episode. 

With NFTs emerging as a common topic of conversation, how many of us truly know what they are, how they work, and what role we play in this new web space? Twentysomethings, your answers are finally here! Lock in on this one-hour explained episode featuring the woman who writes the content you read, Aleyna Dogan!

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Aleyna Dogan: @aleynadogan

VaynerNFT: @vaynernft (and website here)

NFTimes : website here

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Ashley Merrill. As founder of Lunya and Lahgo, Ashley is reinventing sleepwear for modern women and men, respectively; both brands share a simple mission: to champion rest in people’s lives. Ashley is also cofounder of The Deep, a media platform that makes philosophy and personal exploration accessible through thought provoking questions, and the Chairwoman of Outdoor Voices. 

In this episode, the pair recall Ashley’s SoCal native upbringing and the choices and obstacles throughout her twenties that brought her fortune and success later down the road. Ashley recalls the intrinsic motivation and ambition that pushed her along her path as she left law and culinary in the past and hustled her way into the world of venture capital trading income for experience. Conversations on the philosophy of debate, employing her mother, and how to vision and work towards your life are just a glimpse into this hour-packed episode. 

Twentysomethings, if you’re feeling lost in career direction, this is the episode for you, get ready for this one-hour interview that will leave you pumped up with the ambitious Ashley Merrill!

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Ashley Merrill: @ashley_merrill

Lunya & Lahgo: @lunya (and website here)

The Deep: @thedeep.life (and website here)

Outdoor Voices: @outdoorvoices (and website here)

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

The million dollar question, Who is Erica Wenger? 

This week we kick off Season 2 with an introduction to the host herself, Erica Wenger! Last season, Erica interviewed different guests each episode with a heavy focus on their lives and careers during their twenties, breaking down individual journeys to success. We’re excited to welcome this new space for a behind-the-scenes look into the life of the host herself and listen in on some of Erica’s experiences during her twenties as she navigates her way through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and venture capital. 

For this week’s episode, we jump back to Erica’s upbringing in Manhattan Beach and how she transformed her ambition into reality. At just twenty-four years old with startup businesses of her own in her back pocket, a podcast, and her new chapter in venture capital we finally get an inside look into the real inspiration behind this podcast. Conversations on her TEDx experience, how to manage mental health during times of hustle, and the busy lifestyle of a young entrepreneur are just a slice of some the episodes to come.

Twentysomethings, mark your calendars for back to back episodes each week in Season 2 as we share a variety of episodes focused on inspiring twentysomethings everywhere.

See you next Tuesday!

Follow us!

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Sarah Moret. Sarah is the founder and CEO of Curie, a personal care brand that makes safe and clean body basics that "do their damn job." Like most good ideas, Curie was born out of a personal need and eliminates the struggle to find natural personal-care products that were both non-toxic AND effective. Sarah bootstrapped the brand on $12k savings, and within six months Curie was hitting six-figure revenues with zero marketing budget; ultimately growing the brand from one cult-favorite natural deodorant to a staple purchase sold in stores nationwide. 

In this episode, the pair reveals Sarah’s journey to entrepreneurship and the detailed preparation that went into the “Shark Tank” debut that launched Curie into the public eye. Sarah recalls her hustle into the world of venture capital and the experiences that ultimately kick-started her career. The passion and hustle embedded in her journey to Curie are but two key ingredients for Sarah's recipe to a successful business. Conversations on the rarity of safe AND effective body products, the hidden blessing of rejection, and the complex preparation behind seemingly effortless branding are just a glimpse into this episode. 

Twentysomethings, if you’ve ever considered starting a business of your own, get ready for this one-hour interview that will leave you wanting more with the inspiring Sarah Moret!

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Sarah Moret: @sarahjmoret

Curie: @curiebod and (and website here)

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething 

This week, our host, Erica Wenger, goes solo to break down the secrets to hosting a standout curated tech event.

From timing it just right to crafting the perfect guest list. Erica shares insider tips on how to create an event that’s both high-value and high-impact. You’ll learn what makes a great tech gathering, how to foster meaningful conversations, and the key elements that separate a forgettable meetup from an exclusive must-attend experience.

Whether you’re planning your first event or looking to elevate your approach, this episode is packed with expert insights to help you curate a tech event that people will be talking about long after it’s over.

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Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Kara Goldin. Kara is the Founder & CEO of Hint, Inc., best known for its award-winning Hint® water, the leading unsweetened flavored water. Navigating the world of large companies and startups in many industries including media, tech and consumer products, Kara found success in the world of entrepreneurship. Listed as The Huffington Post’s one of six disruptors in business, alongside Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, Kara established her space in the realm of business.

In this episode, the pair backtrack Kara’s climb to success and reveal the highly anticipated secrets to a powerful startup. Conversation of house-painting business inspiration, coffee with the pioneers of tech, and the bay area tech hustle are but the tip of the iceberg covering Kara’s vast journey to entrepreneurship. The two breakdown the necessities to staying the path and pursuing a passion in just one hour! Kara takes us behind the scenes of working side by side with the pioneers of E-commerce and tech media as she strived to carve the path for the industry we all know today. A now active speaker & writer, Kara currently hosts the podcast The Kara Goldin Show where she interviews founders, entrepreneurs, and other disruptors across various industries. From tech, to beverage, to books, the pair cover it all in this week’s episode! 

Twentysomethings, make sure your AirPods are charged for this one-hour interview with one of the most recognized businesswomen of our time, Kara Goldin! 

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Kara Goldin: @karagoldin

Hint: @hint (and website here)

The Kara Goldin Show: Apple Podcasts here and Spotify Podcasts here

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Moj Mahdara. You might know her best as the Co-Founder and Former-CEO of Beautycon, the globally-recognized community for content creators, celebrities, fans, and brands. Moj Mahdara’s expertise in the beauty, wellness, and CPG market formed the brains behind the driving brand vision for Beautycon and its growth initiatives, launching the brand globally; where her strategic media partnerships, content development, market intelligence, and e-commerce built the community empire we all know and love over the past 5 years. 

In this episode, the pair reveal a lot of the “unknown” about Moj; piecing together the mosaic of her journey to a successful marketing career building from her foundation of childhood immigration, trauma, and alienation. Conversation of survival strategy in early twenties, the future of cryptocurrency, and the stigmatized nature of mental health are only the beginning. The two create the space for a call to action towards the mental health crisis, leaving behind a trail of compassion and wisdom. As a now active investor and working on her first book, Moj focuses on bringing the industry together via Beauty United.org. 

Twentysomethings, you won’t want to miss this episode with the resilient Moj Mahdara, as she reveals the character development that drove her towards a life she once only dreamt of and a business that connects and inspires thousands.

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Moj Mahdara: @moj

Beautycon: @beautycon and (and website here)

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Alli Webb. You probably know Alli best as the co-founder of Drybar, the whimsical salon that made blowouts as accessible and budget-friendly as your favorite skinny vanilla latte. The pair shuffles through memories of Alli’s twenties as she supplemented college for a life in New York City and navigated her way through different job opportunities. Conversations on failed interviews, walking dogs down Madison Avenue, and raising two kids are just a glimpse into this week’s episode. Fueled by a determination to manage her curly hair and a passion for exploration in her twenties, Alli discloses her secrets to success in the beauty industry. Yes, she’s an extremely successful entrepreneur and investor. But yes, she’s also just like you—a woman who survived a public divorce and found love on the other side. A mom who bravely and full heartedly sent her son to rehab. A person who loves to give back and finds value in not only how well her ventures do, but how they make people feel—how she makes people feel.

Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour with the ambitious Alli Webb, as she reveals the inspiration and drive behind a simple start-up business that transformed into the Drybar empire.

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Alli Webb: @alliwebb

Drybar: @thedrybar (and website here)

Squeeze: @squeeze (and website here)

Okay Humans: @okayhumans (and website here)

Beckett + Quill: @beckettandquill (and website here)

Canopy: @get.canopy (and website here)

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Melissa Rivers. New York Times bestselling author and award-winning producer, Melissa Rivers is an entertainment journalist and correspondent, an equestrian, an Ivy League graduate, an accomplished public speaker and an animal advocate. While her professional achievements are plentiful, it is her role as a single parent to her son Cooper that Melissa calls her greatest accomplishment.

As co-creator, executive producer and co-host of E!’s wildly successful “Fashion Police,” Melissa shared with viewers her candor, quick wit and meticulous eye for fashion, which she honed throughout her years covering the Red Carpet. Melissa also starred opposite her mother, Joan Rivers, during four seasons of WEtv’s hit reality series, “Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best?”

Melissa remains an in-demand speaker and lecturer, and is the New York Times bestselling author of both “Joan Rivers Confidential: The Unseen Scrapbooks, Joke Cards, Personal Files, and Photos of a Very Funny Woman Who Kept Everything”, released in 2017, and "The Book of Joan: Tales of Mirth, Mischief, and Manipulation", which debuted in 2015.

Melissa continues to co-manage the “Joan Rivers Classics Collection” on QVC with business partner David Dangle, as well as develop the myriad projects she and her mother created together.

A philanthropist and an advocate, Melissa ardently supports a number of charitable causes including PETA, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the Entertainment Industries Council, Our House Grief Support Center, and Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. Melissa has received distinguished accolades and awards from both Our House and Didi Hirsh Mental Health Services for her openness in discussing the suicide of her father, Edgar Rosenberg, and for addressing with honesty, dignity and respect, the subjects of death and grieving.

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Melissa Rivers: @melissarivers

Pre-order Melissa's NEW book"Lies My Mother Told Me: Tall Tales from a Short Woman", releasing April 12, 2022: Website here

Melissa Rivers' Group Text Podcast: Apple Podcasts here

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Karen Cahn. Karen is the Founder & CEO of IFundWomen, the world’s largest funding marketplace for women-owned businesses and the people who want to support them with access to capital, coaching, and connections all designed to launch and grow profitable, sustainable businesses. Since founding IFundWomen, thousands of women-owned companies, who started their businesses on the IFundWomen platform, have raised over $135M in early-stage capital and have created over 30,000 jobs helping to fuel the startup and small business economy. 

Named to Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Female Founders of 2020, and The City and State of New York’s Most Responsible CEOs of 2020, Karen is a true pioneer in tech and media. Karen was an early Google Intrapreneur, spending 10 years leading sales teams in search, display, and video. Most notably, in 2006, Karen started the Branded Entertainment business at YouTube by making powerful and substantive connections between big, global brands and creators, resulting in the creation of the first native video ad experiences that helped creators make exponentially more money from their YouTube videos. Karen then went on to spend three years at Aol where she started Aol’s female creative economy in video by funding and monetizing dozens of women-produced, premium-quality video series, resulting in Aol nabbing its first-ever Emmy nod. 

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Karen Cahn: @karencahn

iFundWomen: @iFundWomen and (and website here)

iFundWomen Show Podcast: Apple Podcasts here and Spotify Podcasts here

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Stacey Stewart. Stacey is the President and CEO of March of Dimes and is currently serving as its fifth President. She heads the organization leading the fight for the health of all moms and babies and is responsible for all aspects of the organization's strategy, vision and operations.

Stacey came to March of Dimes from United Way Worldwide, where she held several positions, most recently serving as U.S. President of United Way, the nation's largest nonprofit organization. There she provided strategic direction for more than 1,000 local United Ways. She was also responsible for United Way's national efforts in education, financial stability and health as well as guiding efforts to enhance the brand and grow revenue. She spearheaded the transformation of United Way from a pass-through fundraiser to a leading organization for local community impact. Prior to becoming the United Way U.S. President, she served as Executive Vice President, Community Impact Leadership and Learning. In this role, Stacey developed global partnerships to advance community impact in more than 40 countries.

As a business veteran, Stacey has also held a number of senior roles, including Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President for the Office of Community and Charitable Giving at Fannie Mae, as well as President and Chief Executive Officer for the Fannie Mae Foundation. Additionally, Stacey has an extensive background in finance and investment banking, having served as Vice President for Pryor, McClendon, Counts & Co., and as a senior associate for Merrill Lynch, specializing in financings for state and local governments.

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Stacey Stewart: @marchofdimesceo

March of Dimes: @marchofdimes (and website here)

March for Babies: Website here

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Kelly Rutherford. Kelly Rutherford is a mother, actress, and entrepreneur. You may know her as Megan Lewis from soap opera Melrose Place or from Gossip Girl where she played the iconic role of Lily van der Woodsen. After decades in the entertainment industry, Kelly has more recently entered the world of entrepreneurship.

Kelly is currently the co-founder of two business: Sovereign Collective and Whyzzer. Sovereign Collective is a global shopping website where go-to partner for businesses abroad to scale and be discovered. Their mission is to help brands abroad reach a greater audience, tell the stories behind the world's best creators, and make scaling easy, efficient, and meaningful.

Kelly's other venture, Whyzzer, is building a creator-focused app centered on educating its users. Their mission is to create the education of tomorrow, building a globally available database of knowledge, experience and expertise. They are still in the early stages, but Kelly gives a sneak peek to our listeners in the episode.

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Kelly Rutherford: @kellyrutherford

Sovereign Collective: @shopsovereigncollective (and website here)

Whyzzer: @whyzzer (and website here)

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Taylor Frankel. Taylor Frankel is one of the savvy, female founders of NUDESTIX and NUDESKIN. Embodying the easy-going ideals of the millennial generation, Taylor was the natural inspiration to her mother, Jenny Frankel, who developed the brand. Growing up surrounded by beauty, Taylor believes beauty is a lifestyle. She was always drawn to the industry and created NUDESTIX for a minimalist,natural and no-fuss look and most recently, she launched NUDESKIN to provide a simple, multi-tasking vegan powered skincare regimen for a confident, nude-faced look. Taylor actively serves as the Chief Brand Officer and brand spokesperson for the brand. She oversees the overall brand vision and creative for both the NUDESTIX and NUDESKIN teams and continues to inspire through her efforts to advocate for Love Is Louder, a movement by The Jed Foundation in support of Mental Health Awareness, The Canopy Project and WWF in support of the environment and wildlife, and Beauty Be Change in support of spotlighting under-represented artists and content creators in the beauty industry.

With a deep understanding and aptitude for social media, Taylor drives the brand and creates loyalists wherever she goes. Taylor was featured in Nylon’s 25 Gen Z’ers Changing the World, served as a contributor for PopSugar, featured on QVC and is an ongoing host for media and consumer facing masterclasses in support of Nudestix global retailers, from Sephora, Nordstrom and Selfridges.

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Taylor Frankel: @taylorfrankel

NUDESTIX: @nudestix (and website here)

NUDESKIN: @nudestixskin (and website here)

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton. Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton is a second generation Colombian-American who grew up watching her mother treat patients in her cosmetology spas in Queens and Manhattan not knowing one day she would reflect on that experience to launch a new self care movement.

After recognizing the lack of affordable, aspirational spa services in NYC, Cyndi, along with her husband and a team of partners, opened Chillhouse with a goal to modernize the spa industry and become an authority in self-care. Cyndi mainly noticed a gap between the more antiquated, traditional spas and the on-the-go, modern millennial, fueling her Chillhouse empire and earning her the title: Queen of Chill.

In creating Chillhouse, the team sought out to provide easy, attainably-priced, tried & true services to stressed out New Yorkers in a modern setting, ensuring Chillhouse was a place with something for everyone. Chillhouse has grown into a shining example of what a new-age spa can be, with the mission of easing you into the deepest form of self-care through trendy, updated services and a wellness cafe. Chillhouse's concept resonated widely, making it the go-to online & physical destination to FIND YOUR CHILL™. Along with its chic Soho flagship, Chillhouse creates self-care rituals for chill-seekers everywhere through their line of clean beauty and wellness products - including press-on nails, face & body oils, candles and more - aimed at maximizing your “me time.”

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Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton: @cyndiramirez (and on Fireside here)

Chillhouse: @chillhouse (and website here, The Chill Times here)

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Erin Levine. Erin Levine is a California-based attorney specializing in Family Law since 2005. Erin was an undergraduate student at the University of California in Santa Barbara and attended law school at the University of San Francisco. After owning and managing the Levine Family Law Group in Oakland, CA for over a decade, Erin became disillusioned with the broken, inefficient and expensive system and set out to change it. In 2018, she founded the online platform Hello Divorce. Hello Divorce was created to help people navigate the divorce process on their terms, quickly and affordably with less stress. Its services are currently available in California, Utah, Colorado, and Texas with plans for immediate expansion into additional states in 2021. As Founder and CEO of Hello Divorce, Erin’s goal is to provide everyone who wants a divorce access to easy, affordable, and ethical legal assistance. 

Her passion and approach to family law has been guided by her own experience with the legal system. As a child, Erin was the victim of violence and as a teen, she was the plaintiff in a civil action and a witness in a criminal action. It was stressful, intimidating, and confusing and Erin was determined to not let anyone else feel that way. Her goal is to leave clients ready to embark on a fresh start and feeling empowered.

Erin has been recognized by James I. Keane Memorial Award for Excellence in eLawyering, Women Founders Network, American Bar Association “Women in LegalTech”, and the Duke Law & Tech Accelerator’s Grand Prize Winner to name a few. And featured in publications such as; Vice, TechCrunch, Entertainment Tonight, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Women’s Health.

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Erin Levine: @erinlevine (and on Fireside here)

Hello Divorce: @hellodivorce (and website here)

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Grace Clarke!

Grace Clarke is the founder of GGC Consulting, redefining how brands grow by building community-powered flywheels, not funnels, growing brands like Graza, Madewell, Jones Road, Estee Lauder, Target, Google.

She is also the founder of GraceAI, a marketing strategy and calendar generator (basically an AI clone of her brain). She also runs the Gen Z Board of Directors, an insights network of young people, is an artist, and splits her time between New York and Paris.

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Grace Clarke: @graceclarke

GGC: grace-clark.com

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Ali Kriegsman. Ali is the Co-founder and COO of Bulletin, a B2B wholesale marketplace backed by Y Combinator, Kleiner Perkins and other top venture funds. Her mission is to help founders and small business owners, and especially women, redefine the word "success." As a first-time founder, Ali felt like she couldn’t relate to the glamorous entrepreneurs on her Instagram feed who were peddling typical markers of success like glossy magazine covers, getting verified on social media, or hitting massive revenue milestones. In reality, she thought, building something from nothing is a confusing and emotional challenge you sign up for every single day, and it's a journey filled with more failures than wins. It's unglamorous, taxing, and endlessly stressful, and fuels the intense fear that if things don’t work out, you've failed miserably. Ali believes that if you're launching a business from scratch and sign up for that struggle, you're already ahead of so many others who would prefer to defer a dream, stay stuck, and wonder "what if?"

A recipient of "Forbes 30 Under 30" and named one of Fast Company’s "Most Creative People in Business," Ali has helped thousands of brands expand their distribution and sell in both offline and online stores all around the US and. Canada. She is a salesperson, self-taught publicist, marketer, and growth strategist and has experience scaling both bootstrapped and venture-backed businesses. Her first book, How to Build a Goddamn Empire, is the no bullsh*t book on entrepreneurship you've always needed, and it is now available in both hardcover and audiobook formats. Using the questions she's most frequently asked as her guideposts, Ali writes about her experience launching and growing Bulletin directly from the trenches, and features words of triumph, failure and wisdom from 30 other women-owned businesses. The book has been featured and lauded by The Today Show, Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine and more, and her publisher, ABRAMS, has doubled down on the project and expanded publication *globally* to the UK, Australia, Finland, Denmark, South Africa, Germany and other European countries. The book, which just came out in April, is already in its third print run in the US.

Since the book's release and aspart of her digital book tour, Ali has partnered with Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine and The Female Quotient, Rebecca Minkoff and The Female Founder Collective, Yelp, Meetup, Shopify, TaskRabbit and more. Through her work, Ali has cultivated an extensive network of entrepreneurs including Ally Love, Sophia Amoruso, Jaime Schmidt, Jaclyn Johnson and others, and her digital book launch yielded over 15,000 attendees for her panels, workshops and fireside chats.

Follow us!

Ali Kriegsman: @alikriegs (and on Fireside here)

Bulletin: @bulletin.co (and get involved here)

How to Build a Goddamn Empire by Ali Kriegsman: buy here

Wanting by Luke Burgis (mentioned in conversation): buy here

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Sabeena Ladha. Sabeena is the founder and CEO of the good-for-you cookie dough company, DEUX. DEUX is a food brand that is completely revolutionizing how we view traditionally sweet desserts because they’re making them HEALTHY for you with immune boosting and stress relieving ingredients like zinc, elderberry, maca, ashwagandha, and more. Made to be baked or eaten straight from the jar, their enhanced cookie dough is an absolute game changer! Because it’s vegan, gluten free, and full of healthy ingredients, you can eat as much as you want!! DEX has been featured in publications like Forbes, Who What Wear, POPSUGAR, CNBC, and more. You may have even seen her pitching DEUX to the sharks on Shark Tank last Friday! But of course, Sabeena had a long career in various business roles before embarking on her journey as a food entrepreneur.

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Sabeena Ladha: @sabeenaladha (and on Fireside here)

DEUX: @eatdeux (and website here)

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with GloZell Green. GloZell Green, 'the Queen of YouTube', is a classically trained performer and hugely popular Internet personality. She has performed at the World Famous Comedy Store, The Laugh Factory, and other venues; appeared on Showtime at the Apollo, The Steve Harvey Talent Show, The Dr. Oz Show, 20/20, MTV, and Vstrong; has been featured in Ebony Magazine, Cosmopolitan, People, and on ABC News; and has interviewed President Obama at the White House. GloZell established her YouTube channel in 2008, with video interviews, comedy about her life and song parodies. By 2015, the channel had accumulated more than four million subscribers and more than 700 million total views. Her most popular videos include her cinnamon challenge video, which has accumulated more than 58 million views, and "The Cup Song" video, with more than 29 million views.

Eager to entertain, dedicated to making people laugh, comedian and video superstar GloZell Green is game for any challenge, no matter how silly, gross, or absurd. Her crazy video stunts have propelled her into the ranks of legendary funny ladies such as Ellen DeGeneres, Whoopi Goldberg, Tina Fey, Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, and Phyllis Diller—and made her an inspiring icon for a new generation. 

Follow us!

GloZell Green: @glozell (and on Fireside here)

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week, we chat with Meg Jay, PhD. Dr. Meg Jay is a clinical psychologist and author who specializes in adult development. She has over 15 years of experience listening to, teaching, researching, writing and speaking about our twenties — the critical period of adult development. Meg argues that our twenties are the critical period of adult development — and that this group is a critical part of the economy and workforce that needs to be better understood. Her TED talk about “Why Your 20s Matter" was named by Forbes.com as one of five bright, inspiring ideas from the 2013 conference in Long Beach, California. Mashable.com chose it as one of 15 TED Talks That Will Change Your Life.

Her most recent book, Supernormal: The Untold Story of Adversity and Resilience, is a revolutionary and illuminating examination of those who have overcome childhood adversity to become high-functioning adults. Dr. Jay’s book, The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now, weaves the latest science of the twentysomething years with compelling, behind-closed-doors stories from twentysomethings themselves. It details what psychologists, sociologists, neurologists, economists, and reproductive specialists know about the unique power of the twentysomething years. The Defining Decade was named a Best Book of 2012 by Slate.com and was nominated for a Books for a Better Life Award.

Dr. Jay is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Virginia. She received a doctorate in clinical psychology, and in gender studies, from the University of California, Berkeley. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Psychology Today, and NPR.

Follow us!

Meg Jay: no Instagram (website here and on Fireside here)

Meg Jay's Books: Supernormal (2017), Defining Decade (updated, 2021 version)

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week, we chat with Darleen Santore, known to many as Coach Dar. As a Board Certified Occupational Therapist, business executive, author and speaker, she is passionate about helping people break through barriers to achieve their goals. Recently named Senior Fellow of PathNorth – an organization of world leaders and CEOs of Fortune 100 companies, her powerful message continues to reach a global audience. As a mental skills and leadership coach, she blends a knowledge of science, psychology and achievement with her personal passion for life. The result? Individuals, corporate executives and professional athletes & teams aim higher and achieve more. Additionally, Coach Dar is a trailblazer for Phoenix women and was awarded the Most Inspiring Woman from WNBA. It is her unique style and approach during transformational seminars, high impact speaking engagements, and exclusive one-on-one sessions that has helped people say no to the status quo, to raise the bar in their lives, to break free so they can breakthrough, and to reignite their hearts to live a purposeful life.

From her experience as a Board Certified Occupational Therapist, to a healthcare executive, to Chief Operating Officer of a record label, to Chief Performance Officer at a fast growing jewelry company, to a mentor to global leaders, CEOs and athletes, Darleen has a proven track record of leading people and inspiring positive changes that impact lives.

Follow us!

Coach Dar: @thecoachdar (website here and on Fireside here)

Coach Dar's "Raise the Bar" Masterclass: website here (use code DEAR20 for 20% off)

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week, we chat with Poppy Jamie. Poppy Jamie is one of the world’s leading entrepreneurs, podcast hosts and speakers in the mental wellbeing and mindfulness space, on a mission to democratize conversation and tools for emotional and mental health. Poppy is the founder of the award-winning Happy Not Perfect mindset app, host of the chart topping Not Perfect podcast and author of Happy Not Perfect: Upgrade Your Mind, Challenge Your Thoughts and Free Yourself From Anxiety.

Poppy kicked off her career while studying at the London School of Economics when she became the youngest television host at ITN. After graduating, Poppy moved to Los Angeles to work with MTV, ITV and later launched Pillow Talk with Poppy, Snapchat’s first chat show. Then in 2015, Happy Not Perfect was born out of a clear need for a tool to deal with anxiety. Poppy received hundreds of messages from viewers opening up about their stress and anxiety. With her mom being a neurotherapist, Poppy decided something needed to be created to help everyone manage their mental wellbeing better. Whilst developing Happy Not Perfect, Poppy co-founded accessories brand Pop & Suki with actress Suki Waterhouse. The brand celebrates the meaning of friendship. The following year in 2016, Poppy delivered a TEDx talk 'Addicted to likes’, which focused on the harmful effect social media has on our mental health. In 2017, Forbes named Poppy one of their 30 under 30s and she was appointed as the youngest board member of the Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital Advisory Board at UCLA to help consult on the well-being of students.

Follow us!

Poppy: @poppyjamie (and on Fireside here)

Happy Not Perfect: @happynotperfect (and buy the book here)

Not Perfect Podcast: on Apple Podcasts here and Spotify here

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week, we chat with Shaniqua McClendon. Shaniqua has worked in politics for a decade and currently serves as Political Director for Crooked Media, home to the popular podcast, Pod Save America. In this role, Shaniqua led the creation of their voter engagement program, Vote Save America and volunteer engagement program, Adopt a State, which has educated millions of voters, recruited hundreds of thousands of volunteers and raised millions of dollars for progressive causes and candidates. Prior to Crooked Media, Shaniqua worked on Capitol Hill, serving as a policy advisor to Senator Kay R. Hagan and Congresswoman Alma S. Adams. Shaniqua earned a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communications and a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She serves on the Register Her Board and was a fellow at the USC Center for the Political Future.

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Shaniqua: @shaniquam (and on Fireside here)

Crooked Media: @crookedmedia and website here

Vote Save America: @votesaveamerica and website here

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week, we chat with Vanessa Dew who is the Co-Founder of Health-Ade Kombucha. Vanessa founded Health-Ade Kombucha in 2012 alongside her best friends and husband-and-wife team, Justin and Daina Trout. As Chief Sales Officer, Vanessa brings an invaluable knowledge of sales and marketing amassed from years spent at a major pharmaceutical company before leaving to help start Health-Ade Kombucha. Through her expertise in channel penetration and people management, Vanessa has led Health-Ade’s sales team to boost availability in key channels and markets, while cultivating the Health-Ade brand as a whole. The brand is now available in 35,000 stores including Whole Foods, Target and Trader Joes.

Originally from Los Angeles, Vanessa is a first-generation Asian American who has always had an interest in science as well as the entrepreneurial bug, even as a little kid. She received her BS in Biochemistry from UC San Diego and an MBA from the University of Southern California. One of her passions is to give back to the community and other entrepreneurs and serves as a USC Marshall Mentor, advises several young CPG companies, and is an active member of the Female Founder Collective, Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO) and Asian Business Association (ABA). Further, she’s an advisor of GoldHouse with the goal of helping to uplift other Asian American entrepreneurs. She has been awarded the NextGen Innovation Award and has spoken on her entrepreneurial journey from Singapore to NYC. Her interests and hobbies include cooking, travelling, experiencing the food scene in LA and beyond, staying active and hanging out with her husband, Kevin, their son, Oliver, and pup, Dubu.

Follow us!

Vanessa: @v_dew (and on Fireside here)

Health-Ade Kombucha: @healthade and website here

RAPID Decision-Making (technique mentioned during show): more info here

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week, we chat with Tracy Tutor who is a luxury real estate agent and star of Million Dollar Listing LA. Continuously being ranked in the top 10 at Douglas Elliman, Tracy Tutor is an integral part of their Sports & Entertainment division. She has an undeniably strong presence and a confidence that has propelled her into the rooms of some of the most powerful people in LA, representing some of the most noteworthy brands in real estate, and iconic architects such as Frank Gehry, John Lautner, and Pierre Koenig. Tracy has consulted for the luxury five-star hotel and resort, Amangiri in Canyon Point, Utah on the sales of over $400 million dollars in branded real estate. From being the first female real estate broker on Million Dollar Listing LA, Tracy’s on-screen persona is revealed in her Instant Wall Street Journal bestselling book: "Fear Is Just a Four-Letter Word." A 21 year veteran in luxury real estate sales, Tracy is currently leading an exclusive virtual series intended to empower women using her raw and always uncensored attitude with one singular mission: provide a no-nonsense guide to analyzing big egos, deflecting power plays, and taking control of any room.

Following the successful launch of the West Hollywood Edition, Tracy has exclusively represented the luxury development which has 100% sold in 2021 with sale prices ranging from $4M - $26.5M totaling nearly $200M, breaking records in Los Angeles for price per foot. Other significant sales in 2020 include Kristin Tutor's Holmby Hills Mansion, listed at $29,000,000, followed by $40,000,000+ sales in December alone.

A native to California, Tracy has lived all over Los Angeles, from Hidden Hills to the Hollywood Hills. Growing up the daughter of Ronald Tutor, one of the most successful civil and building contractors in the country, Tracy was introduced to Real Estate at an early age. Shortly after graduating from the University of Southern California, she went to work for her father, acquiring a wealth of knowledge and a steadfast work ethic. After almost three years at Tutor/Perini, Tracy transitioned into a career in residential real estate and has never looked back. While expanding her business worldwide and taking on more new developments, Tracy strives to maintain a work-life balance by spending time with her family and friends.

Follow us!

Tracy: @tracytutor and website (and on Fireside here)

Fear Is Just a Four-Letter Word (book written by Tracy, mentioned during show): book here

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week, we chat with Lavinia Errico who is the visionary founder behind Equinox Fitness Clubs. She is a nationally acclaimed workplace and wellness entrepreneur and a speaker of essential truths on the subjects of Values-Driven Entrepreneurship, Developing Next Generation Leadership, The Women-Led Workplace, Spiritual Entrepreneurship, Keeping the Soul in Success, The Habits of Success, Building Your Brand, Culture Shifts, and Joy in the Hustle. A sought after board member, consultant, and angel investor in diverse startup companies across a multitude of industries, Lavinia inspires and transforms individuals and organizations with her unique and often disruptive take on how to create a richer, more authentic, inspiring, and joyful career and life journey.

Follow us!

Lavinia: @lavinajoy (and on Fireside here)

Joy in the Journey Journal (practice created by Lavinia, mentioned during show): PDF here

Conversations with My People (show hosted by Lavinia, mentioned during show): Watch here

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Eli Weiss!

Eli has spent the last decade building and operating early-stage startups. He is particularly known for his work around the convergence of Customer Experience and Customer Retention at DTC brands such as Jones Road Beauty, OLIPOP, and many more. 

After years of building brands that put the customer first, he’s switched to the tech side to help build the future of Customer Retention at Yotpo.

Follow us!

Eli Weiss: @eliweisss

Yotpo: @yotpo

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week, we chat with Beatrice Dixon who is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Honey Pot Company. An empowering black female entrepreneur, Beatrice has been a recipient of the Sundial and Unilever’s multimillion-dollar New Voices fund; was 1 of the first 40 women of color to raise over one million in venture capital; and has been featured in T-Pain's School of Business, the BuzzFeed Ladylike series, The Today Show, CNN, The New York Times, Entrepreneur, ELLE, and Essence to name a few. When Beatrice was younger, she had been suffering with bacterial vaginosis for eight months when one night, an ancestor appeared to her in a dream and provided her with a list of ingredients to heal herself. From that visionary dream, the formula for a powerful and effective herb-powered vaginal wash was created. In 2014, Beatrice launched The Honey Pot Company, a plant-derived vaginal wellness line created with a goal of providing humans with healthy alternatives to traditional feminine care products that are free of unwanted chemicals, carcinogens and sulfates. The rest is history. Through her diverse background and experience, Beatrice continues to make a mark in the world of natural health and retail with a truly revolutionary approach to feminine health and sexual wellness.

Follow us!

Beatrice: @iambeadixon (and on Fireside here)

The Honey Pot Company: @thehoneypotco (and website here)

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week, we chat with Lara Stein who is the Co-Founder and CEO of Boma Global. Prior to founding Boma, Lara was the Executive Director of Women’s March Global, where she built the Women's March Global platform and oversaw all Women's March initiatives outside of the US. Previously Ms. Stein was Managing Director of Global Development at Singularity University, responsible for Singularity University's global expansion and implementation of vision and strategy. Prior to her time at SU, Lara was the founder and director of the TEDx program at the TED Conferences, creating and leading the effort to bring TED to the world by developing a program that granted free licenses to third parties to organize independent TED-like events. Stein also currently sits on the board of Equality Now, dedicated to creating a more just world for women and girls and Lalela, a non-profit dedicated to education through the arts in South Africa.

Follow us!

Lara: @citizenstein (and on Fireside here)

Boma Global: @bomaglobal (and website here)

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week, we chat with Jaime Schmidt who is the entrepreneur and the founder of Schmidt's Naturals, a brand of natural personal care products that she started in her kitchen in Portland, Oregon in 2010. Jaime is known for modernizing natural personal care products, including the customer-favorite deodorant, and bringing them to the mainstream market. Under her leadership, Schmidt’s grew into a household name lining the shelves of retailers including Target, Costco, Whole Foods, Walmart and CVS across 30 countries. In 2017, Schmidt’s partnered with CPG giant Unilever, with Jaime continuing as the brand’s founder.

Jaime is the co-founder of Color, an investment portfolio that specializes in the consumer product industry, retail and ecommerce, brand positioning, and M&A. She is the author of “Supermaker: Crafting Business on Your Own Terms,” a personalized guide on how to put your business on the map, turning your passion into profit.

She is regularly profiled in prominent press including Inc., Entrepreneur, Forbes and Fast Company. Jaime is an inaugural member of the Inc. Founders Project and has also been recognized as 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs, PNW Entrepreneur of the Year, Women of Influence and Executive of the Year.

Follow us!

Jaime: @jaimeschmidt (and on Fireside here)

Schmidt's Naturals: @schmidtsnaturals

Color: @colorinvests

Going Public: @goingpublic

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week, we chat with Shira Lazar who is the Founder and CEO of the Emmy Nominated digital media brand, What's Trending. In 2018, she became the host of the afternoon drive show "Lets Go There" weekdays on the first national LGBTQ+ station Channel Q syndicated and on Radio.com. While in quarantine in April 2020, Shira launched PeaceInside.Live, a wellness community and platform offering virtual classes, workshops and retreats. Peace Inside Live is constantly working to break down the barriers of entry to make tools for well-being accessible for all via community experiences and workplace programs.

As a leading broadcaster and interviewer in the digital space, Shira has been the face of the biggest live-streams on the web from awards shows to red carpet premieres including, The Oscars, The Grammys, Tony Awards among many others. She has also been named one of Fast Company’s Most Influential Women in Technology, Huffington Post’s “Women in Tech to follow on Twitter”, honored on the Variety Women of Impact list and Cynopsis Top Women In Digital. A digital trailblazer, she speaks at conferences around the world, is a regular contributor on The Huffington Post, Inc. and Entrepreneur and has appeared frequently on networks like Cheddar, Bloomberg TV, CNN and Fox News Channel discussing Internet culture and digital trends.

Follow us!

Shira: @shiralazar (and on Fireside here)

What's Trending: @whatstrending

Peace Inside Live: @peaceinsidelive

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Brett Perlmutter!

Brett is the founder of Bulletpitch. Bulletpitch is redefining venture through media. Their flagship product is a publication that highlights and performs high-level diligence on top-tier startups. The publication has become a staple for 1000s of investors and has helped companies raise millions of dollars by being featured. Bulletpitch also has an events arm, where they have hosted everything from intimate breakfasts, pitch events, and large gatherings of 500+. 

Brett is also the GP and syndicate lead for  Bulletpitch+, an investment syndicate, which offers deal-by-deal investment opportunities to hundreds of LPs.

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Brett Perlmutter: @brettperl

Bulletpitch: @bullet_pitch

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Nihal Mehta!

At Eniac, they call Nihal the human Rolodex, thanks to the thousands of connections he has made with some of the world’s top companies and brands. He developed many of these connections (and scar tissue!) over the past 20+ years while founding five startups: Philly2nite -> UrbanGroove -> Chapter 7 bankruptcy; ipsh! -> acquired by Omnicom (NYSE: OMC); buzzd -> LocalResponse -> acquired by BlueCava.

Early in his career, Nihal honed his ability to spot top entrepreneurial talent by investing in Admob (acquired by Google), Swiftkey (acquired by Microsoft), Tapad (acquired by Telenor), Tala, and Uber, to name a few. Nihal and his wife are now angel investors and LPs in almost 100 underrepresented founders and fund managers.

Nihal is a co-founder of the non-profit “Project Ahimsa,” providing scholarships to disadvantaged youth in India, where his parents immigrated from in the early 1970s. Nihal also recently co-founded initiatives like Help Main Street to help restaurants survive the pandemic, and The 100k Pledge, a social justice tracker of economic empowerment to Black communities. You might catch him running down the Hudson River weekday mornings with founders and his #pitchandrun crew.

Outside of the office Nihal loves to spend time with his wife Reshma and is a big supporter of her non-profit Girls Who Code and her initiative “Moms First.” Around town, you will usually see him with his sons Shaan and Sai and beagle-bulldog Stanley. Nihal is the life of the party, which is why he always spearheads Eniac events.

Nihal graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Philosophy and a BSE in Computer Science.

Follow us!

Nihal Mehta: @nihalmehta

Eniac Ventures: @EniacVC

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week our host, Erica Wenger, takes a step back to reflect on the highs, lows, and lessons of 2024 while looking ahead to the opportunities of 2025.

In this episode, she shares her personal process for year-end reflection, breaking it down into eight fool-proof buckets to help you identify what went well, what didn’t, and how to grow. From celebrating wins to recalibrating for the future, she provides actionable insights and tools to help you visioncast your best year yet.

Whether you're wrapping up the year or gearing up for 2025, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical steps to set your sights on 2025 with clarity and intention.

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Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Dennis Hegstad!

Dennis is an experienced entrepreneur and founder, having co-founded LiveRecover, an SMS marketing company for Shopify merchants that scaled to thousands of users and drove over $100 million in additional revenue.

He also founded OrderBump, a Shopify app for upsells, which he quickly grew and sold within just 100 days.

Currently, Dennis is the co-founder of Vigilance, and Internet Research Unit.

Follow us!

Dennis Hegstad: @dennishegstad

Internet Research Unit: @IRU_DCE

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Lisa Mayer!

Lisa Mayer is the co-founder & CEO of Boss Beauties, a next gen tech company backed by Serena Ventures, the $100M+ venture fund founded by world class athlete Serena Williams. Boss Beauties inspires & elevates the next generation of women & girls to be everything they want to be through technology, content, and education.

Boss Beauties was first born in emerging tech and they have had massive traction in the web3 space, launching multiple collections of digital collectibles that consumers have spent over $50M collecting and trading since 2021. They also partnered with Mattel & Barbie launching the first collection of digital collectibles celebrating the 250 careers Barbie has had since its inception. 

Lisa’s work has impacted thousands of high school and college-aged girls all over the world spanning across 15 countries and over 400 educational institutions. In addition to Barbie, Lisa has grown the brand to highlight & celebrate women through live events and global collaborations with partners that include Rolling Stone, Marvel, and the New York Stock Exchange and her work has been featured by Forbes, Fortune, and Apple.

Follow us!

Lisa Mayer: @lisacmayer

Boss Beauties: @BossBeauties

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Mac Reddin!

Mac Reddin is the Founder and CEO of Commsor. At Commsor he's focused on building tools to enable companies to embrace Go-to-Network, a more sustainable way to grow compared to traditional direct Go to Market motions.

Prior to Commsor he bootstrapped and exited various businesses across gaming, fashion, and software.

Follow us!

Mac Reddin: TheTeaGuns

Commsor: @Commsor

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week, we chat with Lauren Berson-Sugarman!

Lauren Berson is an executive turned entrepreneur with 20 years of experience building brands, products, and communities across a diverse set of industries.

Lauren is the founder and CEO of Conceive, a digital health platform aiming to change fertility outcomes and experiences through community, evidence-based education, and coaching. Her focus on this problem and intention behind the company is deeply personal. She welcomed her daughter into the world after three challenging years filled with heartbreak, misinformation, and failed treatment. Conceive is the solution she wished she had. 

Prior to Conceive, Lauren was VP, Global Head of Strategy and M&A at WW (formerly Weight Watchers), a Senior Partner at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), and Strategic Product Partnerships lead at Google. Lauren is an active angel investor and advisor. She also serves as a board member for the JCCA, a child welfare agency in NYC.

Follow Us!

Lauren Berson: @LaurenBerson

Conceive: @conceive

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Ben Lang!

Ben has spent his life hopping between New York, Tel Aviv, and San Francisco. He is a builder, former founder, and community guy, always in multiple places at one time.

He was an early member of the Notion team, where he led community for nearly 5 years. He actively makes angel investments and advises a few select startups.

He’s helping world-class talent discover what’s next through next play.

Follow us!

Ben Lang: @benln

next play: @nextplayso

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Nik Sharma!

Nik is the CEO of Sharma Brands, a strategic initiatives firm working with a wide range of brands to help grow and scale revenue across digital platforms.

Nik is one of AdWeek’s Young & Influential, Forbes 30 under 30, Business Insider's up and coming Investors to Watch, and an investor and advisor to some of the fastest-growing brands in commerce.

Follow us!

Nik Sharma: @mrsharma

Sharma Brands: @sharmabrands

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Sieva Kozinsky!

Sieva is a founder of Enduring Ventures, a long-term holding company that buys wonderful businesses and holds them forever. Sieva is a lifelong entrepreneur who started Enduring Ventures with Xavier Helgesen, taking inspiration from Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway model.

Together with investors, they own stakes in over 20 companies, including Somewhere.com, Scribe Media, and Abstract. Sieva is a founder of Enduring Ventures, a long-term holding company that buys wonderful businesses and holds them forever. Sieva is a lifelong entrepreneur who started Enduring Ventures with Xavier Helgesen, taking inspiration from Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway model.

Together with investors, they own stakes in over 20 companies, including Somewhere.com, Scribe Media, and Abstract. 

Follow us!

Sieva Kozinsky: @sievakozinsky

Enduring Ventures: @enduring.ventures

Erica Wenger: @erica_wenger

Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething