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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Copyright: © Yasmin Nouri
Rebecca Hessel Cohen is the Founder and CEO of LoveShackFancy, a fashion and lifestyle brand know for its unique floral prints and bohemian dresses.
LoveShackFancy was born out of necessity when Rebecca was in search of the perfect bridesmaid dresses and was out of luck. After creating her own designs, she garnered lots of support from family and friends and began selling dresses from the trunk of her car and the rest was history. Born and raised in New York, Rebecca was surrounded by fashion starting at the age of 4 and her story is nothing short of spectacular. Today, LoveShackFancy has gained mass appeal from her vintage-inspired details, flattering silhouettes and playful dresses and ultimately catering to all age groups.
The ultra feminine super-maximalist clothing and lifestyle business now has 17 retail locations in the U.S. and is continuing to expand. What started out as a dress company in 2013 has evolved into an all-encompassing lifestyle brand selling fragrances at Sephora to kid’s clothing and a home collection that is set to launch later this month.
In this week’s episode we chat about her upbringing surrounded by fashion, her early career as a fashion editor and why she felt like it was time to do something different in her life despite her incredible career. We talk about how her interest making a few pieces of clothing turned into a successful side hustle and eventually years later, her full time gig. Rebecca opens up about how many people told her that the feminine prints and vibe would never sell, and that her brand’s name was horrible - and why she didn’t let that stop her. We also chat about the unglamorous days of building the brand, overcoming fears in business, and using social media for success. She stresses setting boundaries, LoveShackFancy's mission, and shares dos and don'ts for running a business for over a decade.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Rebecca about:
* Rebecca's upbringing influenced her early fashion and confidence. [04:03]
* Impact of Rebecca's mom on her upbringing. [06:31]
* Rebecca’s fashion ideation process. [08:32]
* The concept of LoveShackFancy. [10:25]
* Starting LoveShackFancy as a side hustle and career pivot. [13:49]
* Dealing with the fear of change. [21:14]
* Confidence in LoveShackFancy’s vision. [23:36]
* LoveShackFancy’s first store and Rebecca’s key learning. [27:14]
* Juggling high in-store demands and early social media presence. [31:13]
* Balancing business with motherhood. [33:37]
* Launching fragrance and partnering with Sephora. [40:30]
* Going viral on TikTok and its business impact. [47:04]
* Maintaining her creative momentum. [52:26]
* Discoveries during a decade with LoveShackFancy. [55:30]
* Rebecca's belief in operating without a business plan. [58:33]
* Upcoming plans for LoveShackFancy. [01:03:13]
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/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Rebecca:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becknyc
* LoveShackFancy Website: https://www.loveshackfancy.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are you struggling with your hormones after trying everything?! Today’s episode might be the missing piece for you. Our guest, a board-certified toxicologist, struggled with fertility—and finally got pregnant when she started embracing a low-toxin lifestyle. Join us for an empowering conversation where we discuss the truth about toxins, plus a realistic approach to removing them from your life and body.
In this episode you’ll learn:
* The #1 most toxic ingredient in personal care products
* How toxin exposure can impact fertility and what to do
* The truth about conventional pads and tampons
* What to keep in mind when choosing natural deodorant
* The easiest ways to reduce toxins in your everyday life
* And more…
Dr. Yvonne Burkart, PhD, DABT is a Board-Certified Toxicologist, Coach, and Corporate Consultant. She is a 22-year veteran of Toxicology with expertise in reproductive toxicity, particularly endocrine disruption, infertility, cancer, and glutathione homeostasis. She has also served as a Senior Toxicologist in the flavor and fragrance chemical industry where she helped to ensure the safety of flavor ingredients.
After witnessing firsthand the power of a low tox lifestyle, Dr. Yvonne began a mission to help consumers slash their toxic exposure with confidence and ease.
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/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Dr. Yvonne:
* Website: https://dryvonneburkart.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dryvonneburkart/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jesse Draper is the Founding Partner of Halogen Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investing in consumer tech companies led by female and co-ed teams.
With women making up to 80 percent of household purchasing decisions, Jesse and her team are betting big on early-stage, female-founded companies with billion-dollar potential. Jesse is a fourth generation venture capitalist as well as the creator and host of the Emmy-nominated television series, The Valley Girl Show.
She is a fierce advocate for investing in women and the opportunity for using technology and innovation to solve some of the biggest issues facing women and families today. After creating Halogen Ventures in 2015, she now has more than 70 companies in her portfolio, including theSkimm, Babylist, ThirdLove, and The Flex Company.
Jesse was listed by Marie Claire Magazine as one of the ‘50 Most Connected Women in America’ and she is also a regular investor and tech personality on Cheddar, CNBC, and CNN.
In this episode, we have a candid conversation about why Jesse didn’t think she could be a venture capitalist and how she overcame her own fears and beliefs about imposter syndrome, and she shares her advice for anyone looking to manage burnout: delegate and make time for rest. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at what investors are looking for, from founder traits to the biggest mistakes that founders make, and so much more.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Jesse about:
* Starting on the topic of rejection; why a ‘no’ isn’t necessarily a bad thing. [3:40]
* How Jesse’s upbringing shaped her as a fourth generation venture capitalist. [7:52]
* Her perception of success in her 20s and how it evolved with entrepreneurship. [12:33]
* Find out why Jesse believes more women should prioritize networking. [20:04]
* Overcoming her fears and beliefs about imposter syndrome; just try it! [24:27]
* Jesse’s advice for managing burnout: delegate and make time to rest and plan. [28:30]
* Learn more about her experience of fundraising while pregnant and during COVID. [35:50]
* Three mistakes women are making when raising money: not showing confidence, overcomplicating the pitch, and underselling themselves. [38:30]
* What investors look for, from a willingness to pivot to an ability to problem solve. [41:33]
* Some of the red flags Jesse cautions founders against, including the tendency to overpromise and underdeliver. [45:50]
* Jesse’s suggestions for women to feel more empowered when it comes to money. [50:10]
* Two simple ways to take control: do it yourself and put your money to work. [53:47]
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/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Jesse:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessecdraper/
* Halogen Ventures Website: https://halogenvc.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week’s episode, we’re sharing a conversation with our friend Amanda Hendy who interviewed us for her new podcast, The Hendy Show. We’re talking all things beeya, seed cycling, hormones and how they impact everything from our metabolism to how we sleep at night.
In this episode you’ll learn:
* Why balanced hormones are key for feeling good
* What led Yasmin to seed cycling
* The biggest factors impacting hormones
* Why women should rethink daily alcohol use
* How to build a plate for balanced blood sugar
* Why you wake up around 3am every night
* And more…
Amanda Hendy is an entrepreneur, venture investor, advisor, and attorney with an endless curiosity and a passion for bringing ideas to life. Amanda advises many early-stage companies and venture-funds, serves on multiple company boards, is an active angel investor, and is always open to new adventures.
Amanda created The Hendy Show to showcase the incredible work of her guests as well as the motivations driving each of them. But more than that, The Hendy Show, is a manifestation of Amanda’s own purpose that is rooted in the belief that with access to information and inspiration, anything is possible. Amanda’s aim is to inform and inspire listeners to envision and pursue the greatest possibilities for themselves and each other.
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/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Amanda Hendy:
* Website: https://www.thehendyshow.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandahendy/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Melanie Strong is a founding partner of Next Ventures, a VC firm she co-founded with Lance Armstrong that focuses on building the next generation of sports, health and wellness brands.
Melanie has spent her entire life in the sports industry. She’s a lifelong runner and started her career as a journalist at Runner's World magazine. She then applied for a position at Nike despite not having the “right” pedigree, college background, and experience.
Good thing she did because she ended up having an incredibly successful career at Nike, spending most of her time at Nike building high-performing teams all over the world and holding positions from the VP of Global Brand Marketing for Nike Women to the GM of Nike Skateboarding.
After 18 years at Nike, Melanie had the opportunity to break into the world of venture capital. She left her very stable career to start from scratch and become a first-time investor AND fund founder. In our conversation, Melanie opens up about how she faced her fears when reinventing herself later in her career and overcoming the imposter syndrome she felt when breaking into a male-dominated industry.✨
You'll also hear some honest reflections on the founder-investor relationship and who is the right fit for VC funding, along with some empowering advice for founders seeking funding. We also discuss the importance of authentic relationships in life & business, how to build a unique brand in the environment we’re in today, and so much more!
In this episode, we’ll talk to Melanie about:
* Learning from others' success and embracing self-confidence. [3:18]
* Melanie's upbringing and her positive mindset. [7:33]
* Melanie's diverse jobs before Nike. [9:26]
* Inspiration and starting at Nike. [12:02]
* Networking and mentorship's impact. [16:30]
* The power of people and true relationships. [17:45]
* What she looks for in a founder. [19:08]
* Melanie reflects on being an angel investor and why it took her so long to do. [23:23]
* Taking the leap to leave Nike and steps to overcome imposter syndrome. [27:18]
* Changes in feedback processes and trusted companies. [31:37]
* Some top advice for thinking about your company as a brand. [36:15]
* Melanie and Yasmin each share the hacks that keep them anchored into their purpose. [41:50]
* Diving into greater detail on traits she looks for in a founder and what a founder-investor relationship needs. [45:02]
* Impact of exit-focused founders. [47:30]
* Suitability for VC funding and fundraising insights. [50:50]
* Melanie's comments on due diligence plus some great advice to founders. [54:45]
This episode is brought to you by beeya:
* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances.
* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Melanie:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniestrong/
* Website: https://nextventures.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Yasmin and Kaya here, co-founders of beeya! Join us for a roundup of things we’re loving right now—including all things health, hormones and life as we’re setting ourselves up for the new year.
In this episode you’ll learn:
* One hack that will transform your workday
* Kaya’s favorite planner (she’s tried them all)
* The clean skincare products we’re loving
* Yasmin’s go-to practice for overwhelm
* What goals we’re setting for the new year
* And more…
Here are the products and brands we mentioned:
* MATE (organic clothing): https://matethelabel.com/
* PACT (organic clothing): https://wearpact.com/
* Walking treadmill: https://rb.gy/op0vt9
* Hatch alarm clock: https://www.hatch.co/
* beeyavibe magnesium: https://beeyawellness.com/products/beeya-vibe
* High performance planner: https://www.highperformanceplanner.com/
* Peach & Lily (clean skincare): https://www.peachandlily.com/
* The tapping solution: https://www.thetappingsolution.com/
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/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Kaya:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayapurohit/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Neha Kumar is a serial entrepreneur and investor. She’s the co-founder of Full Glass Wine, a DTC wine consolidation business, and co-founder of New Money Ventures, a consumer fund and brand studio focused on empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Beyond her reputable banking career, Neha has worked at several startups over the years and, most recently, served as the COO and CFO of Create & Cultivate which sold to Corridor Capital in 2020.
Neha shares her unique perspective when it comes to building a successful company as both an operator and investor. In this episode, we learn about how she serendipitously landed in banking, why she chose to leave to start her own business, and how she prepared to do so. She also fills us in on the greatest challenges she faced transitioning from corporate to launching her first business, why it didn’t work out, and what she wishes she knew before going into it.
We also chat about why it’s never too late to re-create yourself and your life, what people get wrong with the concept of work-life balance, why you shouldn’t start a business around your passion, and so much more.
In this episode, we'll talk to Neha about:
* Why Neha believes you have to constantly find yourself to be resilient. [2:49]
* How to find yourself without being influenced by others’ expectations. [5:09]
* Impact of Neha's parents' values on her life. [7:11]
* Advantages of achieving financial independence. [9:57]
* What prompted Neha’s banking career. [11:10]
* Transition from banking to startups - preparation and motivation. [14:59]
* Inspiration behind Neha's entrepreneurship journey. [16:56]
* Her greatest challenge transitioning into the startup space. [17:25]
* The importance of embracing your wholeness. [20:41]
* Insights Neha wished she knew before her first business. [22:00]
* Neha's decision to let go of her business. [24:21]
* Neha's definition of entrepreneurship. [27:09]
* The difference between self-interest and selfishness. [30:03]
* Importance of separating business ideas from hobbies. [31:05]
* Misconceptions about work-life balance. [37:25]
* How Neha balances her priorities. [41:07]
* Motherhood in the professional world. [45:32]
* Support from Neha's job after childbirth and its impact on motherhood. [46:56]
* Qualities Neha seeks in founders as an investor. [54:08]
* Evaluating resilience in a founder. [55:44]
* Advantages of passion in business. [59:34]
* Significance of team building and individual empowerment. [1:03:41]
* Lessons from motherhood: letting go and having faith. [1:07:24]
This episode is brought to you by beeya:
* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances.
* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Neha:
* New Money Ventures Website: https://newmoneyventures.co/
* Maie Wines Website: https://drinkmaie.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nehatkumar/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As we navigate the complexities of modern living, achieving and maintaining hormonal balance can feel like an uphill battle. Functional medicine goes beyond conventional methods, focusing on root causes rather than merely alleviating symptoms—an empowering approach that’s slowly becoming the norm, and we're diving deep in today's episode!
In this episode you’ll learn:
* Easy functional tips anyone can implement
* The most important labs to run for hormones
* When in your cycle to run hormones labs
* Top contributors to hormone imbalances
* Why conventional medicine can fall short
Dr. Soyona Rafatjah is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and Co-Founder and Medical Director of PrimeHealth. Dr. Rafatjah is passionate about helping her patients reach their health goals. She helps them address the root cause of their issues and focuses on disease prevention in addition to treatment. Her patients feel in control of their health with the knowledge and tools she gives them.
Through an intimate, patient-physician partnership, and a whole-body approach, she and her patients develop a personalized treatment plan which adjusts to their needs and environment over time.
Labs we talk about in the episode:
Go to UltaLabs.com/PrimeHealth and scroll to the bottom to find the "PrimeHealth - Women's Health" panel for a full thyroid panel, reproductive hormones (E, P, T, LH, and FSH), adrenal hormone (DHEA-S), nutrient markers (Vit D, B12, homocysteine), iron studies (iron, TIBC, ferritin), metabolic markers (glucose, insulin, hba1c), anemia markers (Hb & Hct), and inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, ferritin, and reverse T3).
2) Inside Tracker - click this link or use code PrimeHealthPro25 for 25% off your entire order. We recommend the Ultimate Panel, which includes a ton of digestible information but keep in mind that this does not include a full thyroid panel (only TSH).
This episode is brought to you by beeya:
* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances.
* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Dr. Soyona:
* Website: https://primehealthdenver.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primehealthdenver/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Halle Tecco is an entrepreneur, angel investor, and podcast host passionate about fixing our healthcare system. She is the founder of Natalist, a women’s health company focused on evidence-backed fertility and pregnancy essentials, which was acquired by Everly Health in October 2021. She also founded and ran Rock Health, an early-stage digital health venture fund. And most recently, she’s the co-founder and Chair of Cofertility, a human-first fertility ecosystem rewriting the egg freezing and egg donation experience.
In this week’s episode, we talk to Halle about overcoming perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and the realities of entrepreneurship. On the hunt for the next big investment, Halle searched high and low to find a company to back that was approaching fertility in a way that she had envisioned. When she couldn’t find the perfect company to invest in she decided to create it herself. Natalist was the first company to create a more evidence-based approach to reproductive care. We chat about her journey in corporate, to then investor, and finally start-up founder and the biggest surprises and lessons she’s learned along the way.
In this episode, we'll talk to Halle about:
* How Halle’s upbringing and family business impacted the way Halle thinks about entrepreneurship. [07:27]
* The biggest takeaway Halle had from business school. [13:08]
* Establishing the VC firm, Rock Health, during business school. [19:55]
* How Halle secured partnerships for Rock Health. [24:07]
* A hurtful experience when a reporter wrote negative and unfavorable articles about Halle. [26:39]
* Experiencing impostor syndrome. [28:29]
* Overcoming insecurities and being a people pleaser. [30:15]
* Recognizing when people-pleasing hinders success and the strategies to address it. [34:32]
* The idea behind Halle's company, Natalist. [40:04]
* Identifying the suitable operator and selling the company. [42:24]
* Why Halle prefers engaging in work rather than managing people. [45:58]
* Serving as a CEO during the first 18 months and the importance of people management. [48:04]
* Promoting work-life balance and creating a healthy work culture. [49:32]
* Selling Natalist in 2021 at its peak. [52:03]
This episode is brought to you by beeya:
* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances.
* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Halle:
* Website: https://www.halletecco.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/halletecco/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Did you know that, on average, the peak age for body confidence is 60? It’s surprising but true! The good news is we don’t have to fear changes in our body as we age, and there is SO much we can do to support ourselves as we transition through perimenopause, menopause and beyond—which is what we dive into in today’s episode!
In this episode you’ll learn:
* Early signs of perimenopause
* How to use food as medicine in the transition
* Why you might be gaining weight in this stage
* How hormones impact brain health
* How to get your libido back
* And more…
Dr. Harper has an understanding of the symptoms and concerns that women face as she herself is one of six sisters and has a grown up daughter. Her areas of expertise include Perimenopause and Menopause, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Premenstrual Stress disorder, Healthy Aging and Weight Management. She believes in the early management of symptoms to stay youthful and healthy.
She has given educational lectures to GPs on: Menopause, Mood and Sex; Menopause Myths and HRT- Putting the Risks of HRT into Perspective; Mood Disorder during the Menopause Transition; Breast cancer and HRT. She has acted as an Advisor on best practice for women going through the menopause transition in the workplace to companies—such as Coutts bank and Mylan pharmaceuticals, Channel 4 and filmed a webinar for PricewaterhouseCoopers.
This episode is brought to you by beeya:
* Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances.
* Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Dr. Shahzadi:
* Website: https://theharperclinic.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drshahzadiharper/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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