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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. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 2013, Sarah Flint built her brand with the goal of creating luxury shoes made with the finest materials that fit and felt amazing. She ultimately launched her luxury footwear brand to high-end retailers like Barneys, Bloomingdale's, and Shopbop. Despite many celebrities taking hold of her shoes, from Meghan Markle, Amal Clooney, and Lady Gaga, she felt like something was missing. She wasn’t able to create a meaningful connection with her customers and was designing closer to 200 products a year that had very slim margins. Knowing she had to revamp her business to survive, Sarah canceled all orders in 2017 and decided to (a move that many investors didn’t agree with) to launch her direct to consumer brand which has seen explosive growth over the years. Sarah has gained significant recognition in the industry. In 2016, she was appointed to the CFDA, the association of America’s most well-known designers, and was sponsored by Michael Kors and Zac Posen. She’s also been featured on Forbes “30 Under 30” list and has regular coverage in Vogue, People, InStyle, Town & Country, and NY Times.We’ll talk to Sarah about how she managed to pivot her business from her wholesale days to the environment we’re in now, what she did to break into the very competitive luxury shoe industry, and how she went about building her brand & cult following. 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/drsabrinakayFollow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out 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/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.