Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff – Details, episodes & analysis

Most people think better skin comes from more products and pricier treatments. But Jordan Harper knew better. With no safety net, she built Barefaced to simplify skincare down to what actually works.  This week on SUPERWOMEN, I’m joined by Jordan Harper, Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Barefaced, to talk about what she learned after years of treating patients in cosmetic dermatology and why she decided to build a brand rooted in trust, not trends. Jordan shares what the skincare industry gets wrong, how relationships drove early growth, and the lessons that came from expensive mistakes. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Jordan Harper, Founder & CEO of Barefaced (01:35) What years of patient care taught her about skincare (07:47) Serving people before selling anything (08:55) The unsexy growth strategy that paid off (18:01) The tradeoffs behind success (19:16) When hiring “experts” goes wrong (25:30) Why Barefaced has a 90% customer retention rate (30:30) The four essential products for any skincare routine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Too much of a good thing adds up fast. What starts as a little treat or “just one more thing” can quickly turn into clutter (and somehow… a very full apartment). This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sat down with Isan Elba, Founder & CEO of Beauty Access and Beauty Forward, two initiatives rethinking how the beauty industry approaches waste, access, and community. We talk about how a simple gifting event sparked her passion for giving back, how curiosity builds real confidence, and why creators don’t have to choose between making money and making an impact. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Isan Elba, Founder & CEO of Beauty Access & Beauty Forward  (01:46) The problem with donating beauty products (09:52) Making money without losing your values (12:07) When self-care becomes too much (14:57) Choosing better brands in a wasteful industry (18:24) Moving past performative good (22:39) Turning passion into long-term work (28:26) How to get involved with Beauty Forward Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but no one said they had to be real. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I’m joined by Melinda Maria, founder and CEO of the $40M jewelry brand that’s redefining luxury. From selling handmade pieces in Starbucks to seeing her designs on the red carpet, she’s built an empire without caving to investors, gimmicks, or the pressure to conform. We discuss how focusing on one thing helped her brand stand out, making “fake” diamonds feel more aspirational than the real thing. Two decades in, Melinda still owns 100% of her business, crediting every major decision to what’s right for the brand, not her ego. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Melinda Maria, founder of Melinda Maria Jewelry (03:45) Moving to big cities with $2,000 and no plan (07:18) Making luxury accessible for every woman (10:44) Turning down retailers to go all-in on e-commerce (15:43) Slow growth is the winning strategy  (21:05) Trade-offs between work and personal life (24:39) Inside Melinda Maria Jewelry’s first flagship store  (28:59) Why you need to build brand equity (31:13) Luxury isn’t about price, it’s about how you feel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy this video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! On a mission to help as many women as possible to heal their acne, Danielle Gronich aka The Acne Guru and Kayleigh Christina, a holistic nutritionist, partnered to create Clearstem, the first-ever toxin-free skincare brand that tackles acne and anti-aging simultaneously. Both Danielle and Kayleigh have struggled with acne. After trying to resolve her skin issues for years, Danielle became an esthetician and founded the San Diego Acne Clinic. In a last ditch attempt to solve her problem acne, Kayleigh met Danielle after becoming a patient. They immediately connected and spent hours discussing skincare. This naturally led to the creation of Clearstem. While Danielle and Kayleigh agree that navigating a co-founder relationship is challenging, they are dedicated to solving problems immediately when they arise and learning to laugh even under the most stressful circumstances. While their business continues to grow, Danielle and Kayleigh remain committed to their mission, keeping peace and happiness at the center of everything they do.  Be sure to use the code “Superwomen” at checkout to unlock a 15% discount on all Clearstem Skincare products. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, ⁠Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success.⁠ Follow Superwomen on ⁠Instagram⁠. Guest Website: clearstemskincare.com Social Media: @clearstemskincare @danielle.the.acne.guru @kayleigh.christina @sandiegoacneclinic Big Ideas:  The “Meeting of the Minds” aka how Clearstem was founded Organically building a skincare line Laughing and pivoting in stressful situations Focusing on finding solutions How to navigate the co-founder relationship by learning communication styles and not letting problems fester Understanding why women suffer from adult acne Creating multi-functional skincare products to target both acne and anti-aging Taking the business to the next level and turning it in the direction of growth Prioritizing peace and happiness in entrepreneurship Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy this video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! As Mielle Organics celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, founder and CEO Monique Rodriguez promises an enormous celebration! And there sure is a lot to be excited about.  In recent years, the Queen of Hair has broken barriers and given Black female founders everywhere a reason to celebrate. After losing her son during a high-risk pregnancy in 2014, Monique founded Mielle. Her turn to God and faith during this time led Monique back to her true purpose of working in the beauty and hair care space after working as a nurse for almost a decade. Through sharing her hair journey on social media Monique began to heal and was inspired to build a brand of natural hair products. She has experienced incredible success since the launch of her brand. Not only is Monique a self-made millionaire, but she has accomplished two historic milestones within two years: first, by becoming the first Black woman ever to raise the largest non-controlling investment of over $100 million with Berkshire Partners, and second, by being acquired by Proctor & Gamble, the largest exit a Black female beauty founder has ever made.  The focus of Monique's brand has always been her online community and keeping her consumers' needs at the forefront. While Monique remains CEO of the company, she believes the real work has just begun. She now puts her focus on her real-life community, including her family and her non-profit Mielle Cares. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Guest Website: mielleorganics.com Social Media: @mielleorganics @exquisitemo @mielle.cares Big Ideas: Questioning the traditional route to success How a tragic loss led to a deeper relationship with God and revealed true purpose Using social media as a healing outlet and following what makes you happy Using a nursing background to formulate hair care products Starting small and honoring your journey Establishing an e-commerce brand with an upward trajectory of growth Building a brand in the natural hair space by focusing on connecting with the consumer  The challenges of scaling a business and raising capital as a Black woman business owner The importance of hiring the right team of people and building your business’ infrastructure How mindset is the foundation of success Building generational wealth with a brand exit strategy Links: Mielle Cares New Voices Foundation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy this video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Despite working on multi-million dollar projects and hosting her own design television show, Toronto-based Ali Budd of Ali Budd Interiors didn't set out to be a superstar. According to her, she isn't even goal-oriented. In response to her father's advice not to make a decision based on fear, Ali enrolled in an interior design school. Having worked under some of Canada's top designers, Ali decided to start her own business in 2010. Divorced with two small children, Ali found herself even more motivated to succeed, fueling her current success. She now manages a team of ten women and is one of the most sought-after designers in North America. The key to Ali's success is not following a prescribed path and being open to opportunities that come her way, including her new TV show, House of Ali, streaming on Hulu. With this "authentic reality" show, Ali hopes to celebrate and uplift women in the interior design world. Guest Website: alibuddinteriors.com Social Media: @alibuddinteriors Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Big Ideas:  How to make choices not based on fear How to use a personal failure as motivation to succeed How to build a business organically  The learning curve of hiring the right people to execute your creative visions How to navigate difficult client personalities Learning to pay attention to and follow your gut How to deliver bad news to someone Changing the way groups of women are portrayed in reality TV What someone should do if they can’t afford an interior designer Links: Watch House of Ali #BreaktheHate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy this video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! In the age of cancel culture, former music journalist turned independent war correspondent, Eve Barlow, is refusing to be silenced. Upon sending an infamous tweet advocating that Jewish synagogues not be defaced during 2020 protests, Eve's career ground to a halt and she was blacklisted. After antisemitism forced Eve into silence, she began her Substack blog "Blacklisted" as a voice for the Jewish people and to continue advocating for their rights. As the Israel-Hamas War erupted on October 7th, Eve has committed even more deeply to shedding light on the atrocities that are occurring in Israel. Check out Eve's best-selling Substack and the recommended books if you are interested in learning more during this sensitive time. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Big Ideas:  - How Eve Barlow’s music journalism career began - The infamous “whoopsy moment” - Hate Names - How Eve Barlow’s Career was wiped from view overnight - Addressing anti-semitism - Forging a new path on Substack after being silenced - How Non-Jewish people can educate themselves more  Book Recommendations: How to Fight Anti-Semitism By: Bari Weiss Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor By: Yossi Klein Halevi Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth By: Noa Tishby Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy this video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! A professional dancer's career is not easy. A complete commitment of your time, body, and most importantly your heart is required. It is for this reason that many women end their careers early or wait until later in life, after retiring, to have children. Dancer Eran Bugge is blazing a new path in the modern dance world by showing the industry that she has room in her heart for both dance and a child. Eran always assumed that she would retire and then become a mom, but then the pandemic hit and changed everything. Not ready to give up performing and not knowing when the pandemic would end, Eran and her husband decided to have a baby. After having a child and returning to dance, Eran became one of the first women since the 1980s to do so. Being a mother has allowed Eran to expand her heart even more while doing what she loves. Social Media: @eranbugge Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Big Ideas: -How you get started on the trajectory to becoming a professional dancer -How the world of dance is not conducive to becoming a parent -How the pandemic changed everything -Dancing while pregnant and the effects of pregnancy on a dancer’s body -Balancing life as a professional dancer and mother -How motherhood changes you as a dancer Links: paultaylordance.org/discover/dancers/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy this video podcast on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠! In this special “In Her Skin…Care” episode, Michelle Lee, beauty expert and founder of Monologue, is back for an encore episode and is sharing a behind-the-scenes peek into her “skincare wardrobe.” Michelle Lee has a long and winding career arc primarily spent in the publishing world, including nearly six years at Allure Magazine as editor-in-chief. Then, in July of 2021, Netflix offered her a deal she couldn't refuse. She quickly relocated her family to Los Angeles and accepted the VP-Head of Global Editorial and Publishing position. As a result of burnout after a year and a half, Michelle decided to start her own PR and marketing agency, Monologue. The mission of Monologue is to bring beauty and lifestyle brands to life and tell their stories.  Guest Website: hellomonologue.com Social Media: @heymichellelee Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Hey Superwomen, if you happen to be in Dallas you can experience the Augustinus Bader brand at their first pop-up store located in the West Village next door to Sephora. The brand will open its doors on November 16th and will be there until the end of December. So stop by for all of your critical skincare needs. They will also be offering their epic spa services, currently only available in New York City, in this location. So be sure to book your Bader glow just in time for your holiday parties. As my listener, you’re going to get 20 percent off with the code “superwomen” when you shop in-store and it is valid for product purchases, not services. Go get that glow ladies! Big Ideas:  - How to get through moments of uncertainty when nothing seems to be working out - How to be creative and scrappy  - How to apply journalism skills to other fields - Dealing with the parts of entrepreneurship you might not like - Being your own boss and owning your time - Advice for those looking to be a founder in the beauty industry - A behind-the-scenes look at Michelle Lee’s “skin care wardrobe” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Enjoy this video podcast on ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠! To all the modern-day moms out there doing the most, we see you. And you deserve an outfit that sees you too. With 75 percent of unpaid care labor falling into the hands of women, the need for closing the economic inequality gap has never been greater. Writing and fashion brand consultant Melissa Magsaysay and fashion designer Andrea Racey, cofounders of Duster, have created a contemporary house dress (inspired by the duster worn by Filipino women to do housework) that not only carries women through their day-to-day work, but also sparks a larger conversation about women's work, both visible and invisible. Melissa and Andrea are driven by their brand's mission to honor ALL that women do and ease the burden in women's lives. Guest Website: shopduster.com Social Media: @shopduster Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Big Ideas:  - The cost of women performing the majority of unpaid care labor  -The unsexy “oh shit” moments of bootstrapping a fashion brand - The value of a co-founder partnership - Untieing your worth from your work - How the look of women’s work has changed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices