Stay ConnectedBehind Her Empire is focused on highlighting self-made women leaders & entrepreneurs and how they tackle their career, money, family and life.
Each episode covers their unique journey and what it really takes to build an empire with key lessons learned along the way. The goal of the series is to empower you to see what’s possible & inspire you to create financial freedom in your own life.
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Copyright: © Yasmin Nouri
In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes from last year with Kat Hantas. Kat is the co-founder of 21 Seeds Tequila, one of the fastest-growing flavored tequilas.
Kat’s had an interesting journey - from thinking she wanted to be a doctor, then pivoting to the entertainment industry, and then being a stay-at-home mom for many years. She never would have thought that she’d launch a business in the liquor industry. It wasn’t until she started noticing that her evening wine wasn’t making her feel good and her doctor recommended that she move away from fermented spirits and into distilled spirits.
In the process of exploring tequila options, Kat came up with the idea to start 21 Seeds Tequila - a fresh natural tequila made with real fruit. She was making this in her kitchen for years, until one day the demand became so much that her friend inspired her to start selling the bottles. This sparked the idea and Kat co-founded the business with her sister and good friend to make it a reality.
The business was acquired by Diageo in just three years in March 2022 and the deal marked one of the largest female-founded liquor acquisitions to-date.
In this podcast episode, Kat opens up about her journey with imposter syndrome and shares tips on overcoming it in her career in the entertainment industry and entrepreneurial ventures. She discusses her transition from being a stay-at-home mom to launching 21 Seeds, highlighting the challenges of finding a distillery, creating product-market fit, and building a supportive network. Kat ends by sharing the playbook she used in marketing and the importance of knowing your customer, and so much more.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Kat about:
* Impostor syndrome and its impact on women's aspirations. [03:44]
* From medical school to the entertainment industry. [07:10]
* Experience at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and starting her production company. [12:14]
* Film "Taking 5," hiatus, and focusing on family. [16:55]
* Kat's journey as a stay-at-home mom, health challenges, and 21 Seeds inspiration. [22:00]
* From a hobby to launching 21 Seeds Tequila after nine years. [25:38]
* Significance of co-founders in 21 Seeds' success. [30:00]
* Challenges in the male-dominated tequila industry without expertise. [35:56]
* Launch process and diligent preparations for 21 Seeds. [42:24]
* Fundraising process and key lessons learned. [44:07]
* Early momentum and unique marketing for 21 Seeds. [49:49]
* Diageo's acquisition: a milestone in female-founded liquor business. [55:25]
This episode is brought to you by Beeya:
* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.
* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Kat:
* Website: https://www.21seeds.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/21seeds/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathantas/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Know someone with multiple sclerosis? Dr. Terry Wahls brings hope to nearly 3 million people with MS worldwide. In this inspiring episode, she shares her incredible story of reversing her progressive MS symptoms. From using two walking sticks to eventually riding her bike, her journey highlights the transformative power of food, targeted supplementation and determination. Dr. Wahls' experience illuminates new possibilities for those living with MS.
In this episode you’ll learn:
* Who is most likely to get autoimmune conditions
* Top foods to start eating today for less autoimmunity
* Supplements to support multiple sclerosis
* The role of sleep in autoimmunity
* Life changing perspective for staying healthy
* And more…
Dr. Terry Wahls is more than a doctor. She’s an educator, a speaker, an author, and she’s also a patient. In 2000, she was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Dr. Wahls was determined not to let the disease control her life, so she began doing her own research. In December 2007, she began the Wahls Protocol® — a therapeutic diet and lifestyle program that focuses on functional medicine and nutrient-rich foods.
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Dr. Wahls:
* Website: https://terrywahls.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drterrywahls/?hl=en
* FREE online MS and Neuroimmune Summit from 8/20 to 8/26 https://drtalks.com/multiple-sclerosis-summit-2024/?oid=77&ref=2476&uid=768
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes from last year with Anastasia Soare. Anastasia is an iconic beauty mogul, eyebrow queen, and founder/CEO of Anastasia Beverly Hills.
From moving to the US from Romania without speaking any English with minimal financial means to founding one of the fastest-growing brands in the beauty industry, Anastasia’s story is nothing short of incredible. Her brow-shaping technique, known as the Golden Ratio, placed her ahead of the curve, leading to what is now a celebrity favorite, a beloved product line, and billion dollar empire.
Anastasia created a new category for brows in service, pushing through multiple instances of people not believing in her or her vision. Her path has been anything but easy, and today’s conversation is an honest look at what it took to build her empire over the past 25-years.
Anastasia’s work has graced the faces of Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and Victoria Beckham, to name a few, and her brand has more than 20 million followers across Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
In this episode, Anastasia shares her story of courage and confidence, leaving the safety of working for other people to pursue her dreams and create a new category for eyebrows. Anastasia believes that failure is a necessary stop on the road to success and gets real about the mistakes she’s made along the way. Her path has not been easy and we get a real behind the scenes look in her journey building her business to the cult-following brand it is today, and how with confidence and self-belief, anyone can realize their biggest passions and dreams.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Anastasia about:
* Anastasia’s upbringing and her female role models. [03:12]
* Leaving Romania in search of a better life for herself and her family. [04:58]
* Her first job in the US before becoming the Eyebrow Queen. [08:12]
* Developing the Golden Ratio for eyebrows based on the fine art principle. [11:12]
* Leaving the the salon to focus on her own endeavors. [18:09]
* Starting a new line of products for herself. [28:37]
* Failures on the road to success. [31:57]
* Flipping houses, stocking Nordstrom, and flying all the time. [34:37]
* Misconceptions around what business is actually like. [35:30]
* Common mistakes made by women in business. [36:06]
* Becoming the first beauty brand to have an online presence. [41:29]
* Challenges of a family business and what she loves about working with her incredible daughter. [44:49]
* Her hard-working and creative daughter, who is a cornerstone of the business. [48:01]
* Self-funding the business and the decision to bring in an investor. [49:00]
This episode is brought to you by beeya:
* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances.
* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Anastasia:
* Website: https://www.anastasiabeverlyhills.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anastasiasoare/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anastasiabeverlyhills/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes from last year with Katerina Schneider. Katerina is the Founder and CEO of Ritual, a personal health brand bringing a new level of transparency to the health & wellness industry. While pregnant and in search of a prenatal she could trust, Katerina took matters into her own hands and pioneered a new standard of high-quality multivitamins and supplements that are backed by science. Now as one of the most trusted brands in the category, Ritual has had more than a million customers and has the top-selling online prenatal multivitamin.
In this week's episode, we delve into Katerina's family's immigration journey, arriving in the US with only $50 & a suitcase, and how it has influenced her views on success and money. We explore her transition from finance to a different career path & the role of relationships in her journey. We also touch on the significant pivots Ritual made in terms of product, branding, & marketing very early on, as well as the biggest challenges she faced. Katerina also shares how she incorporates wellness in her life as a mother of three and business owner, highlighting the importance of being a little selfish when it comes to self-care, & so much more.
We talk to Katerina about:
* Migrating to the US with her family with only $50 and a suitcase. [03:27]
* Katerina’s finance career and involvement in a major US bank failure. [06:07]
* Working at Universal Music, rebuilding her confidence, & discovering passions. [12:45]
* Katerina’s transition to a new industry. [14:42]
* Advice on embracing uncertainty and trusting the process. [18:53]
* Ritual's inspiration rooted in Katerina's personal experience during her first pregnancy.[21:51]
* How Katerina thrived being both a mother and entrepreneur. [29:31]
* The original idea of Ritual and how it changed over time. [34:46]
* Taking care of yourself, building habits, and going back to the basics. [41:39]
* Why EVERYONE should start a business, and knowing when to take that leap. [47:47]
Episode is brought to you by Beeya:
* If you're struggling with hormonal imbalances, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances
* Get $10 off with promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Katerina:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katandkale/
* Website: https://ritual.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Do you believe in the power of your mind? It turns out, one of the most powerful tools for healing happens to be right between your ears. Not only is there science to prove it, but there are endless stories of people restoring their health through these subtle mental shifts—which we got to hear from Kelly Gores, the woman behind the award-winning Heal documentary.
In this episode you’ll learn:
* Where to start with mindset work
* How to shift from fear to love for healing
* The real power of visualization
* How words can impact our bodies
* And more…
Kelly Noonan Gores has been working in entertainment since she was seven years old. In 2012, she transitioned from acting and started Elevative Entertainment with the intention to create conscious media that informs, empowers, and inspires. She is the writer, director, and producer of the 2017 award-winning feature-length documentary Heal, and, due to the film's popularity, wrote the companion book. To continue the conversation around healing, consciousness, and personal transformation, she founded and hosts The HEAL Podcast. She is a mother, a seeker, a meditator, and loves to read, write, play sports, travel and spend time in nature. For more information, visit her websites at thehealbook.co and healdocumentary.com.
This episode is brought to you by Beeya:
* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.
* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10.
Follow Yasmin:
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
Follow Kelly:
* Website: https://healwithkelly.co/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healwithkelly/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes from last year with Denise Woodard. Denise is the founder and CEO of Partake Foods, an allergy-friendly snack company.
Denise's journey began back in 2016, while juggling a day job and the new role of mom to a daughter with multiple food allergies. Frustrated by the lack of tasty options available for her little one, she took the advice of her babysitter and decided to "do something about it." From there, Partake Foods was born.
Denise started creating recipes in her home kitchen and began selling cookies out of her car to get the word out about her business. With no prior experience in the food industry, Denise had a lot to learn and made mistakes along the way. However, she was determined to make it work, and self-funded the business using all of her savings and even selling her engagement ring to make ends meet.
As the business grew, Denise knew she needed more funding to take it to the next level. So, she set out on a fundraising journey and dealt with many rejections that eventually led her to the right partner, Jay-Z's venture fund, Marcy Venture Partners. To date, she has raised up to $19M, making her the first Black woman to raise over $1 Million publicly for a CPG food startup.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Denise about:
* What holds people back from their biggest goals and dreams. [03:22]
* How Denise’s parents shaped her identity. [05:10]
* Her parents’ definition of success and its influence on her. [07:18]
* What Denise would have done differently in her corporate career. [08:30]
* Denise's entrepreneurial nature. [10:59]
* The benefits of working on side hustles while employed full time.[12:05]
* What big brands can’t recreate no matter how much money they have. [13:01]
* The 2016 incident that motivated Denise to solve a problem for her daughter. [18:45]
* How Denise’s nanny motivated her to create a business. [20:41]
* The early days of Partake Foods and overcoming challenges. [22:08]
* Barriers to entry in the food allergy consumer market. [29:27]
* How their product list has changed over time. [30:22]
* Raising money beyond bootstrapping. [30:50]
* Managing stress and burnout. [33:48]
* Investors who initially said no but later wanted to participate. [37:48]
* Fundraising advice for other entrepreneurs. [38:30]
* Why it is a mistake to try to grow too quickly. [40:15]
* What’s keeping Denise up at night at this stage of the business. [43:02]
* How Denise involves her daughter in the business as chief taste tester. [45:45]
* Advice for women balancing life at home with running a business. [47:44]
This episode is brought to you by Beeya:
* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.
* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10.
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Denise:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/partakefoods/
* Website: https://partakefoods.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Gabby Reece is a volleyball legend, host of The Gabby Reece Show podcast which ranks No. 1 in the mental health category, New York Times bestselling author, and serial entrepreneur.
Together with her husband, big-wave surf pioneer and entrepreneur Laird Hamilton, they run the plant-based food company Laird Superfood along with many other businesses in the health and wellness category, including Laird Apparel and XPT.
In our episode together, we talk to Gabby about one theme in her life that stands out: being an outsider and how it’s shaped every single life and career move she’s had. She shares her experiences of not fitting into conventional family structures, being a tall athlete in a non-traditional sport, and feeling like an island in her personal and professional life. Gabby emphasizes the importance of embracing who you are and finding the lessons and skills needed to navigate your unique path.
We also talk about her journey building Laird Superfood with her husband and a behind the scenes look into what it takes to create a wellness brand with high-quality products. Gabby shares tips for embracing discomfort and seeing challenges as part of the journey, why we should all trust the universe, and so much more.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Gabby about:
* Why being an outsider has been a recurring theme in Gabby's life. [02:04]
* Managing the urge to fit in during her teenage years. [05:24]
* Gabby’s strong survival patterns throughout her life. [07:35]
* How Gabby manages motherhood and business. [11:32]
* The unfolding of Gabby's wellness journey. [16:58]
* Mindset similarities between sports and business. [19:07]
* Adaptability and resilience in life. [22:27]
* The origin of the idea for Laird Superfood. [26:01]
* Gabby's other entrepreneurial ventures.[30:33]
* The philosophy behind Laird Superfood. [33:40]
* Gabby's transition from professional athlete to entrepreneur. [34:57]
* The importance of having a clear why and purpose. [27:22]
* What keeps Gabby motivated and inspired. [41:37]
* How Gabby and her husband handle scrutiny. [43:14]
* Managing investors and stocks. [45:32]
* The most important do's and don'ts when starting a business with your partner. [48:07]
* Balancing feminine and masculine perspectives. [51:50]
* Advice on trusting oneself. [55:50]
* Why women shouldn't overcompensate by doing things like men. [58:51]
This episode is brought to you by Beeya:
* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.
* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Gabby:
* Website: https://gabriellereece.com/
* Website: https://lairdsuperfood.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lairdsuperfood/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabbyreece/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ever experience constipation or anxiety? Many women can relate… Get ready to dive into the complex connections between the gut-brain axis, mental health, and hormones with returning guest Dr. Mary Pardee, a leading expert in gut health. We debunk myths, highlight the latest research, and provide actionable strategies to nurture both gut health and mental well-being.
In this episode you’ll learn:
* What to implement today for better gut health
* How mental health impacts amenorrhea
* What to do if your digestion gives you anxiety
* If probiotics are really worth it
* How fasting can impact constipation
* And more…
Dr. Mary Pardee became a Functional Medicine specialist focusing on gut-brain health to fill the void left by her own journey, longing for a doctor who would truly listen, empathize and uncover the root causes of her health challenges. From childhood through early adulthood, she battled chronic stomach issues including constipation, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and reflux. Traditional medical treatments provided temporary relief through medications, but failed to address the underlying issues. Driven by her own struggles, Dr. Pardee returned to school with a mission to heal herself and others. Today, she is grateful to have overcome gastrointestinal symptoms and regained her quality of life, no longer constrained by dietary restrictions. Her focus has since shifted to longevity and preventative medicine, where she helps individuals extend both their lifespan and health span.
This episode is brought to you by Beeya:
* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.
* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Dr. Mary:
* Website: https://www.modrnmed.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.marypardee/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Katie Rosen Kitchens is the co-founder and editor in chief of FabFitFun, a beauty and lifestyle subscription box company.
Back in 2010, Katie and her co-founders saw a chance to create a brand that felt like your best friend who knew everything about fashion and beauty. They started FabFitFun as an editorial brand, built a cult following, and then launched their subscription boxes. They were one of the first to offer full-sized products at a fraction of the cost. They've sold over 38 million subscriptions and have become the go-to destination for discovering and indulging in the latest trends. Katie has led the company’s evolution from a female-focused media brand to a dynamic force at the intersection of content, community, and commerce.
In this week's episode, Katie shares the importance of chasing dreams over money, the power of storytelling for brands, her biggest learnings from her TV and writing career, and how FabFitFun grew from a side hustle to a full-time business. Katie walks us through their mission to deliver happiness to their customers and build trust every step of the way, which has been crucial to their success. She discusses the transition from running a media company to a subscription consumer goods company, curating the first box despite many rejections, and the many mistakes she faced while scaling the brand. Katie also shares insights on her relationship with her co-founders, how letting go of anxiety and perfection will help achieve goals, why you should always start before you’re ready, and so much more.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Katie about:
Strategies for confronting the uncertainties in life. [03:29]
Happy accidents that led to the founding of FabFitFun. [04:38]
Katie's upbringing and lessons on freedom and happiness. [08:12]
Blogging and connecting with her co-founders. [11:06]
How the subscription model idea came in the early days. [13:50]
Testing products and learning from failures. [17:06]
Handling rejection and her sources of motivation. [21:13]
Overcoming logistical challenges in shipping subscription boxes. [24:27]
Katie's crisis management strategies. [27:52]
Maintaining an open communication with customers. [31:16]
Qualities of an effective storyteller. [31:58]
Key factors that contributed to the growth of FabFitFun. [35:55]
Balancing the launch of subscription boxes with motherhood. [42:02]
Relationship with her co-founders. [48:03]
Division of responsibilities among Katie and her co-founders. [50:33]
Embracing imperfection and taking the leap. [53:34]
This episode is brought to you by Beeya:
* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.
* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Katie:
* Website: https://fabfitfun.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabfitfun/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katieakitchens/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Emily Hikade is the founder and CEO of Petite Plume, a luxury sleepwear brand made with the highest quality fabrics.
For over a decade, Emily worked for the CIA, serving overseas in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. During this time, she was also a mother to four young boys, none of whom knew about her career. Everything changed when she was on a mission and the plane she was in nearly crashed, almost taking her life. The thought of her children growing up without their mother was unbearable, and she knew she had to make a drastic change in her lifestyle. In 2015, while still living and working abroad, she bootstrapped and launched Petite Plume. Since its launch, Emily has grown the business into one of the most well-known luxury pajama brands, with a cult following and celebrity fans like Jimmy Fallon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Hart, and Prince George, to name a few. This self-funded brand has doubled year over year since its inception and has been profitable since its first year.
In this week’s episode, Emily takes us through her journey from growing up in Wisconsin, where her fascination with travel and passion for languages began, to her remarkable career as a CIA officer, navigating war zones and negotiating with affiliates of terrorist organizations. She shares about starting Petite Plume as a side hustle in East Africa and navigating challenges like horrible Wi-Fi on location, self-funding the business, and creating awareness with no connections in the retail space. Emily also talks about her strategic approach to business, emphasizing the importance of slow, organic, year-over-year growth, and how she avoids burnout while leading a growing business and being a mother of four. She discusses the biggest lessons she has learned running Petite Plume for nearly a decade, and so much more.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Emily about:
* Emily’s childhood and her fascination for travel. [02:54]
* Working in the White House and starting a career with the CIA. [03:05]
* Emily’s pivotal experiences as a CIA Officer. [05:36]
* The origin of the idea for Petite Plume. [15:46]
* Building Petite Plume as a side hustle in a foreign country. [18:42]
* Getting into 200 stores during the first year. [21:13]
* Being self-funded over the past nine years. [23:37]
* Prince Charles wearing their flagship product, the pajamas. [27:44]
* Emily’s transferable skills as a CIA Officer to entrepreneur. [33:48]
* How Emily prevents burnout. [35:70]
* Perspective on stress as a CIA Officer and entrepreneur. [42:10]
* The surprising aspects of building Petite Plume. [47:26]
This episode is brought to you by Beeya:
* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.
* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Emily:
* Website: https://www.petite-plume.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petiteplume/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyhikade/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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