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
Monique Rodriguez is the founder and CEO of Mielle Organics, an all natural hair care and beauty brand.
Monique created Mielle Organics’ first product in her kitchen. Now, the brand has products in over 85 countries – and still pursues the same vision it did from when it operated out of Monique’s kitchen, with the same values.
Monique worked as a registered nurse for almost a decade. She pursued nursing initially to please her mother and secure a financially stable career. As a wife and mother of two girls, it was a big risk to leave her stable career path to pursue her passion. Yet she always had a love of beauty and haircare, and once she saw the engagement of her online community with the products she was creating in the kitchen, she decided to bet on herself and launch her own product, and that’s when Mielle Organics was born.
In 2021, Monique became the first Black woman to raise a non-controlling nine-figure investment, over $100M, in a deal with Berkshire Partners. In 2023, Monique made history again when Mielle Organics was acquired by Procter & Gamble in an unprecedented acquisition, the largest exit ever for a Black Female beauty founder, in which she will continue to serve as CEO of the company. As part of her deal with P&G, she also established Mielle Cares, the non-profit arm of her company, with a $10M donation that was matched by P&G.
In this week’s episode we discuss the many business ventures Monique tried that didn’t work out, why she decided to pursue her nursing career and the biggest skills she learned there that have propelled her when starting her own business. We also chat about her process of building a passionate community through social media, how that helped her create product market fit for her product, and the steps she took to find a chemist to work on her first batch that ended up selling out. Monique also ends on sharing insights on manifesting success, the exact steps she took to bring her ideas to life, her advice on navigating challenging situations both personally and professionally, and so much more.
In this episode, we'll talk to Monique about:
* Confronting fears and building self-belief. [03:33]
* Strong women in Monique's upbringing. [06:54]
* Leaving her comfort zone. [19:36]
* High-risk pregnancy experience in 2013. [22:16]
* Funding Mielle's early stages. [31:02]
* Starting Mielle at home and the initial orders. [34:51]
* Driving Mielle Organics' launch success.[36:08]
* Leaving nursing job to focus on Mielle. [37:21]
* Manifestation steps and vision importance. [40:08]
* Bringing in private equity, alignment with Berkshire. [54:58]
* Timeline of P&G acquisition. [57:32]
* Journaling and gratitude cultivation. [59:53]
* Business sale impact on Monique's life. [01:02:00]
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 BEHINDHEREMPIRE
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Follow Monique:
* Website: https://mielleorganics.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mielleorganics/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exquisitemo/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Have you heard of tapping? It’s a practice that combines psychology with physically tapping on acupressure points, relaxing the body so you can upgrade your thoughts. While it sounds complicated, it’s actually really easy to do—and you can feel a shift in as little as 60 seconds!
In today’s Hormone Happy Hour, Jessica Ortner of The Tapping Solution guides us through a quick practice to release stress. We all tried it and we’re never going back!
* How tapping can help reprogram the mind
* The nine meridian points you need to know
* How to reduce stress and anxiety by 42%
* The research behind this life changing tool
* Powerful stories supporting the benefits of tapping
* And more…
Founded in 2007 by siblings Nick, Jessica, and Alex Ortner, The Tapping Solution was created to provide people with the opportunity to release stress and find balance in their lives, all at their own fingertips.
During the next 15 years, The Tapping Solution became a worldwide favorite for everything EFT Tapping related, namely because of the New York Times Best-Selling books, programs, masterclasses, and annual Tapping World Summits that have reached millions of people worldwide.
In 2018, The Tapping Solution App made its debut and now has more than 19 Million sessions played in over 130 countries. The Ortners have guided millions of people across the globe to lower stress and anxiety in the body, and build a happier and healthier life.
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 Jessica:
* The Tapping Solution Website: https://www.thetappingsolution.com/
* The Tapping Solution Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetappingsolution/
* Jessica’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaortner/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jing Gao is the founder and CEO of Fly By Jing, the fastest-growing direct-to-consumer startup and Asian food brand.
Her first product, the Sichuan Chili Crisp, took the food world by storm in 2018, propelling Fly By Jing into the mainstream and spotlighting Jing as a leading expert in Sichuan flavors. Fly By Jing has since sold over 2 million jars of Chili Crisp to date, making it one of the fastest-growing condiments on the market and a household staple for many. Today, Chili Crisp can be found in thousands of grocery stores across the United States, coming a long way from the Kickstarter campaign that first led to its fame, and Fly By Jing has expanded into a multi-million dollar business.
In this week’s episode, we discuss Jing’s upbringing, the many countries she’s lived in growing up and how those experiences impacted her life. She talks about how she left her stable tech job to pursue a career in food full time, the way she evaluated her risks when becoming an entrepreneur and how she decided to move to the US without knowing anyone to start her product business. We also talk about the early days of the business when Jing first launched on Kickstarter, the multiple challenges she had when creating & shipping the product to customers, and how she created such an incredible, high growth brand from the power of word of mouth and community.
In this episode, we'll talk to Jing about:
* Jing’s childhood upbringing and relationship with risk. [2:32]
* What helped Jing overcome change and push herself outside her comfort zone. [9:45]
* What motivated Jing to quit her tech job and move to Shanghai for a new opportunity. [11:43]
* The relationship between food and Jing's personal identity and cultural heritage. [16:09]
* The significance of seizing opportunities and staying open to chances. [19:13]
* Jing's parents' viewpoint regarding her career journey. [21:07]
* Establishing a restaurant and the lessons Jing gained from this experience. [22:21]
* Choosing the right business partner. [27:15]
* The financial struggles encountered, and lessons learned while operating a restaurant. [28:54]
* Jing's shift towards creating her own products. [36:09]
* Why entrepreneurship is self-work. [42:34]
* The key stages in the launch of Fly by Jing. [45:12]
* Jing's latest cookbook and what's next for her and the business. [53:50]
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 Jing:
* Fly By Jing Website: https://flybyjing.com/
* Fly By Jing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flybyjing/
* Jing’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jingtheory/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Did you know that optimists are physically healthier?! That’s what the research shows. It turns out, a change in mindset makes us more resilient to life’s stressors and can literally change all aspects of our life for the better—including our health.
In this episode you’ll learn:
* The transformative power of optimism
* How to upgrade your mental and behavioral habits
* A new mindset around prioritizing rest
* The varying ways people are impacted by trauma
* How we can grow our inner resilience
* And more…
Dr. Sue Varma, MD, PC, DFAPA, is a distinguished psychiatrist and cognitive behavioral therapist based in New York City. With over two decades of private practice experience, Dr. Varma has made significant contributions to the field of mental health. Notably, she served as the pioneering medical director and psychiatrist for the esteemed 9/11 mental health program at NYU. Alongside her clinical work, Dr. Varma holds the position of Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York University (NYU) Langone Health. Her accomplishments have been recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), where she was honored as a Distinguished Fellow, the highest honor bestowed upon its members.
Dr. Varma has garnered national acclaim as a sought-after medical commentator, appearing on major news programs and networks. Her expertise has been instrumental in guiding the public through various mental health challenges, from trauma and resilience to stress management and relationship issues. Dr. Varma can frequently be seen discussing breaking news on the morning shows including the Today Show, CBS Mornings and GMA, as well as prime time specials and news documentaries. An accomplished author, Dr. Varma’s highly anticipated book, “Practical Optimism, The Art, Science and Practice of Exceptional Wellbeing” (Penguin Random House, 2/2024), offers valuable insights into promoting optimal mental health and wellness.
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. Sue:
* Pre-order her upcoming book: https://www.doctorsuevarma.com/book/
* Website: https://www.doctorsuevarma.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctorsuevarma/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week’s episode, I’m taking your top questions and giving you a behind-the-scenes look at my journey building my empire and business, beeya wellness! I have my incredible husband, Dhru Purohit, taking the mic today and acting as the host.
As always, I hope this episode brings a lot of value to you and a few of topics we'll be covering include:
I’d love to get your thoughts on the episode, and hear your feedback! DM me on instagram @yasminknouri or email me at yasmin@behindherempire.com - I’m always looking for ways to add value and help inspire you!
In this episode, we'll talk to about:
* Facing tough experiences and giving it your best shot. [01:20]
* Crying is an emotional release and a self-soothing process. [05:16]
* What’s something that somebody did for you? [08:32]
* What’s something you did for someone else? [12:33]
* Finding product validation and achieving product-market fit. [15:12]
* Understanding retention and identifying its contributing factors. [19:24]
* The reality in self-funding your business. [21:57]
* The most important part of company culture. [34:41]
* Importance of kind candor with your team. [38:23]
* Dealing with constructive criticism. [39:33]
* Early childhood wounds and overcoming feelings of unworthiness. [42:24]
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 BEHINDHEREMPIRE
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you’ve been around wellness spaces, you’ve likely heard of this week’s guest, The Food Babe. Or you may have seen her protein powder flying off the shelves at your health food store—does Truvani ring a bell? Today, we are joined by Vani Hari, a leader in the movement away from processed foods keeping major food companies accountable.
Raised by immigrants and desperate to fit in with her peers, Vani Hari begged her parents to assimilate into American food culture, which ultimately landed her in the hospital and on 9 prescription drugs when she should have been in the prime of her life. She eventually connected the dots between what she was eating and how she was feeling, which led to her work today.
In this episode you’ll learn:
* Shocking ingredients to avoid at the supermarket
* How processed food drives skin and hormone issues
* The truth about how our food is regulated in the US
* Batch cooking advice for busy women
* How to get kids to eat their vegetables
* And more…
Vani Hari is a revolutionary food activist, a New York Times best selling author, and was named one of the “Most Influential People On The Internet” by Time Magazine in 2015. Hari started FoodBabe.com to spread information about what is really in the American food supply. She teaches people how to make the right purchasing decisions at the grocery store, how to live an organic lifestyle, and how to travel healthfully around the world. The success of her writing and investigative work can be seen in the way food companies react to her uncanny ability to find and expose the truth.
Hari has influenced how major food giants like Kraft, General Mills, Subway, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, and Starbucks create their products, steering them towards more healthful policies. Hari’s activism has brought in worldwide attention as she has been profiled in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and more. Hari has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS News, NBC News, Fox News, The Dr. Oz Show, The Doctors Show and CNN. She lives in North Carolina and is the founder of Truvani, a start-up offering real food without added chemicals, products without toxins and labels without lies.
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 Vani:
* Website: https://foodbabe.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefoodbabe/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Carly Stein Kremer is the founder of Beekeeper’s Naturals, a company that focuses on products made from natural honey, bee propolis, royal jelly, and other byproducts of bee raising.
The idea for Beekeeper’s Naturals came after Carly was on a college abroad trip in Europe and experienced a terrible flare up. She suffered from chronic tonsillitis, an illness that dominated a majority of her life. So she went to a local pharmacy to find some relief, and stumbled upon a compound called propolis, a combination of tree and plant resin created by bees to protect the hive that also has over 300 compounds that are beneficial for human immunity. She quickly realized the power of this natural ingredient herself and that’s when the passion and idea for the company was born.
Fast forward to today, Carly and Beekeeper's Naturals have sold over 2M units of their hero product, Propolis Throat Spray, which sells one unit every 30 seconds. Beekeeper's Naturals is also currently ranked as Amazon's #1 brand in the Cold and Flu category. The company has quickly expanded from 5,000 retail locations to over 18,000 across major North American banners, including Target, CVS, and Walgreens, doubling revenue year-over-year.
In this week’s episode, we sat down with Carly to talk about her very windy journey starting the business – even though she had the idea in college, she ended up pursuing a job in finance and years later left her comfortable and reputable job at Goldman Sachs to start the company. We discuss the importance of securing your finances before taking the leap to start your business, why resilience was key to her own entrepreneurial journey, and how we can all cultivate it in our lives today. We talk about how she created her first products from her kitchen, the steps she took to create awareness in the early days when she was selling at farmer’s markets, and how she thought about fundraising throughout her journey. We also chat about how she tackles her anxiety and calms her nervous system, how she sets up her day to succeed, and so much more.
In this episode, we'll talk to Carly about:
* Resilience for business success. [03:35]
* Early challenges & health impact. [08:47]
* Propolis discovery during exchange program. [11:28]
* Career opportunities and creating first products. [17:16]
* Finance career, unhappiness, and coping with anxiety. [22:08]
* Goldman Sachs timeline & transition to entrepreneurship. [ 31:02]
* The early business traction. [36:32]
* Carly’s quote, “The individual with the calmest nervous system will win”. [53:58]
* Carly's commitment to "One-hour-to-react" principle. [59:26]
* Letting go of a false sense of urgency. [01:01:29]
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 Carly:
* Beekeeper’s Naturals’ Website: https://www.beekeepersnaturals.com/
* Beekeeper’s Naturals’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beekeepers_naturals/
* Carly’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carly.kremer/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Learning that our hormones fluctuate throughout the month—impacting our energy, metabolism and so much more—kind of changed our lives. In today’s conversation, we’re talking all about cycle syncing, and how you can practice it to support your body’s natural rhythm through food, exercise and all the other factors that contribute to how you feel in your body and life.
In this episode you’ll learn:
* Why you feel different throughout the month
* The #1 thing contributing to hormone imbalances
* How you can support your body through the phases
* The best way to exercise in each phase
* Which supplements make the biggest difference
Tanda Cook is a naturopathic physician, food expert, published author, international speaker, blogger, health coach and farmer who is wildly passionate about educating and inspiring women to take steps towards health. Dr. Katie Collier is a naturopathic physician with a shared mission. Together, these practitioners work to help people feel their best in both clinical practice and their monthly class, The Soapbox Docs.
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. Tanda:
* Website: https://drtandacook.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtandacook/
Follow Dr. Katie:
* Website: https://drkatiecollier.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkatiecollier/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Wende Zomnir is the co-founder of the legendary beauty brand, Urban Decay, and most recently the co-founder of Caliray, a beauty and wellness brand.
When Wende co-founded Urban Decay in 1996, there was no social media, and Sephora was still two years out from entering the U.S. She was a pioneer who broke the beauty industry with its “makeup as empowerment” attitude, eventually elevating it to the #1 brand spot at both Sephora and Ulta for years running – and is still one of the most successful beauty brands to date. After selling to L’Oreal in 2012 and spending her time leading the brand there, Wende eventually left and launched Caliray, a California-inspired brand focused on clean formulas, dirty minds and sexy sustainability.
In this week's episode, we discuss Wende's journey from her marketing career to launching Urban Decay, including her meeting with co-founder Sandy Lerner, who co-founded Cisco Systems. Wende reflects on the early, less glamorous days of Urban Decay, her resourcefulness, and how the brand became such a success. We also talk about her new brand Caliray, and the differences in starting a brand today compared to when Urban Decay launched and the biggest surprises & learnings so far. Wende shares her advice on why you need more than just passion to build a successful business, why having a strong self-worth is crucial in business, the biggest skills that entrepreneurs need for any brand and so much more.
In this episode, we'll talk to Wende about:
* The quote "Luck is when preparation meets opportunity". [02:34]
* Wende's early years in Texas and her relationship with makeup. [04:45]
* Wende's life prior to Urban Decay. [10:31]
* Connecting with the iconic Sandy Lerner. [12:09]
* Pitching the concept and securing orders.[14:44]
* Getting into Nordstrom and the crucial trait of resourcefulness. [19:13]
* Wende's response to imitators of the Naked Palette and advice for female entrepreneurs facing similar challenges. [25:00]
* Urban Decay's L'Oréal acquisition and transition. [28:31]
* Maintaining healthy boundaries: separating self-worth from business. [32:25]
* The inspiration for Wende’s new beauty brand, Caliray. [34:48]
* Challenge’s Wende had to navigate while building Caliray. [40:11]
* Essential skill during Urban Decay's early days. [43:10]
* Advice for entrepreneurs who are scared to put their idea out. [44:42]
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 Wende:
* Caliray Website: https://caliraybeauty.com/
* Caliray Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caliray/
* Urban Decay Website: https://www.urbandecay.com/
* Urban Decay Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbandecaycosmetics/
* Wende’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendezomnir/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Buckle up ladies, we get to do puberty AGAIN! Perimenopause, often referred to as the "second puberty," is characterized by shifts in our hormones and metabolism. In today's episode, we explore how to navigate this life phase with less symptoms such as weight gain, sleep issues and brain fog so you can have more energy and confidence.
In this episode you’ll learn:
* The truth about weight loss resistance
* What leads to sleep issues in perimenopause
* How to support healthy testosterone levels
* What to do when coming off birth control
* How hormones can be partners for a great life
Dr. Mariza Snyder is a functional practitioner, women’s hormone expert and the author of eight books. For the past twelve years, she has lectured at wellness centers, conferences, and corporations on hormone health, essential oils, nutrition, and detoxification. She has been featured on Dr. Oz, Oprah Magazine, Fox News Health, MindBodyGreen and many publications. Dr. Mariza is also the host of the top rated Essentially You Podcast, (with over 3 million downloads) designed to empower women to become the CEO of their health. Check out her website, drmariza.com, for women’s hormone tips, including recipes and remedies.
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. Mariza:
* Website: https://drmariza.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmariza/
* Check out her hormones and metabolism reset program here: https://go.drmariza.com/lp/metabolism-reset-course/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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