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
Cate Luzio is the founder and CEO of Luminary, a membership-based career and personal growth platform and collaboration hub.
Walking away from your career when you're at the top of your game might sound like a huge gamble, but one that has certainly paid off for today’s guest. In 2018, Cate left an incredibly successful banking career to found Luminary to help women see a path toward advancement by arming them with the tools, resources, and community to propel them to the top.
Although Cate was highly respected in the financial services world, having led multi-billion dollar businesses, she was acutely aware of the imbalance in the number of women who were rising to corporate leadership positions. Giving back has always been a foundational aspect of Cate’s life, and it is this spirit that led her to create a platform to help women on a path toward advancement.
In today’s episode, Cate shares tips on how women can succeed in the corporate world and the importance of networking & community especially when looking for a career change.
We also hear about the pivots Luminary has made during the pandemic, how to overcome the loneliness synonymous with entrepreneurship, and the value of truly reciprocal relationships in life & business.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Cate about:
* Insights into Cate’s childhood and a story that highlights the lessons her parents instilled in her. [2:51]
* Cate’s path after college and the conversation that changed her career trajectory. [5:25]
* How Cate landed in the world of banking, a sector she had never considered working in. [8:28]
* Advice Cate has for women who want to succeed in the corporate world. [11:09]
* What happened when Cate left her banking job and felt caught between two worlds. [15:12]
* How not working gave Cate space to come up with the plan for Luminary. [16:44]
* Cate’s tips for writing business plans. [17:37]
* The value of going all-in on your dreams; you can always go back to your job later. [20:30]
* How Luminary managed to pivot during COVID and how Cate managed this stressful time. [22:01]
* How Cate’s corporate skills helped her navigate the pandemic crisis. [24:18]
* The pivots Luminary has made were never a part of the business plan. [24:58]
* Why it was so important for Cate to self-fund her business. [27:20]
* There is so much value in being able to put your own money into your business. [29:47]
* How Cate reached out to fellow entrepreneurs and the network she has created. [30:58]
* The most common mistakes Cate sees early-stage entrepreneurs making. [33:02]
* You need to cultivate reciprocal relationships, not just transactional ones. [35:13]
Follow Cate:
* Luminary Website: http://www.luminary-nyc.com/
* Luminary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bealuminary/
* Cate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cateluzio/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Desi Perkins is a digital content creator and Founder/CEO of her eyewear brand, Dezi, and skincare line, Dezi Skin.
Before becoming a mega beauty influencer with over 4 million Instagram followers and over 3 million Youtube subscribers, Desi was working as a cocktail waitress looking to make a change in her life but wasn’t sure which step she was going to take.
It all started with a last-minute Halloween costume that went viral in 2012. She used her background in art and what she learned on YouTube with special effects make-up to help make her husband’s skeleton costume come to life. This costume served as publicity for her skills and little did she know, would jumpstart her career in beauty and lead her to become the serial entrepreneur she is today.
In this episode, we talk about taking chances and why you should always, even if only in a small way, do what lights your heart up because you never know where it could lead you. Desi also shares her biggest mistakes and lessons she’s learned in business, advice on dealing with negative comments online, how she’s balancing new motherhood with running her company, and even starting a second one, and so much more.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Desi about:
* What Desi’s upbringing was like and the massive influence her mom had on her. [2:39]
* The biggest lessons Desi gained from her time in the service industry and working as a cocktail waitress. [4:51]
* When Desi decided to transition out of the service industry and pursue something more aligned with what she wanted to do. [6:18]
* How Desi capitalized on the attention she got from doing Steven’s Halloween makeup in 2012. [7:55]
* The power of taking chances, even when you don’t know how things will work out. [8:47]
* The first YouTube video Desi made and how she overcame her nerves around putting herself out there. [10:20]
* There is so much room to grow with your audiences on social media platforms. [11:12]
* All you have to do sometimes is start because there’s no harm trying something. [11:48]
* How Desi deals with negative comments online. [12:50]
* There are double standards in the way men and women who succeed are treated. [13:49]
* You have to let yourself feel what you are feeling. [15:39]
* Desi’s top tips for women who are looking to create content and community online. [15:41]
* The biggest lessons Desi learned from starting her own business. [17:14]
* Fears Desi had around starting her business and how she managed to move past them. [20:42]
* Why Desi, who has a range of interests, decided to start an eyewear business. [23:45]
* How Desi handled becoming a new mother while starting a new business. [0:25:39]
* The change Desi has experienced in her identity becoming a mother. [29:11]
* Desi’s decision to share her fertility journey online and how it was received. [30:48]
* The gratitude Desi feels getting to spend so much time with her family while also doing her dream work. [32:59]
* How Desi manages to stay creative as a content creator. [34:26]
Follow Desi:
* Dezi Skin Website: https://deziskin.com/
* Dezi Website: https://dezi.co/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desiperkins/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aishwarya Iyer is the founder and CEO of Brightland, a modern olive oil company that champions authenticity in the olive oil industry and celebrates good design & California living.
Aishwarya was living in New York City for years, enjoying all the restaurants the city had to offer before she started cooking at home. She started to make more meals at home but, instead of feeling better, she realized she was feeling worse, and ultimately ended up having chronic stomach issues.
To her surprise, she learned that the olive oil that she was using in her cooking was the main issue, discovering that 70% of the olive oil Americans consume is either rotten, rancid, or has been adulterated. After years of research into the olive oil industry, Aishwarya decided to change the game and started Brightland in 2018 with a mission to transform the relationship we have with our food.
We talk to Aishwarya about her path to finding her calling after years of feeling unfulfilled, the steps she took to build the courage to launch her business, how she overcame the inner critic that so many of us struggle with, and what it takes to disrupt an industry & launch a product with little experience.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Aishwarya about:
* An introduction to Aishwarya, her childhood, and how it influenced her. [2:15]
* How Aishwarya knew that going to NYU was the right step to take at the time. [4:57]
* Marrying creativity and entrepreneurship, even in a corporate space like L'Oréal. [6:32]
* The value of startup experience in learning what it means to move quickly. [8:04]
* How Aishwarya’s fascination with olive oil started with personal interest. [9:15]
* What her thought process was at the time and how she built the confidence to bring her entrepreneurial vision to life. [11:23]
* Find out how Aishwarya overcame her inner critic using various methods. [12:54]
* The infinite value of knowing what you want, and how a vision board can help. [14:13]
* What support Aishwarya had during the transition into launching her own business. [14:37]
* The early stages of Brightland and why Aishwarya says product is everything. [15:34]
* Her rationale for launching direct-to-consumer and the relationships it enabled. [17:35]
* Creating awareness about her product as a first-time entrepreneur; from building a following prior to launch to securing media placement. [18:48]
* What didn’t work in the early days and what Aishwarya learned from those issues. [20:22]
* Why dwelling on mistakes is pointless. [21:29]
* Why Aishwarya’s experience in venture capital discouraged her during fundraising. [21:55]
* Navigating which investors are the right fit for your business; having support is key. [23:30]
* Some of the challenges Aishwarya has encountered, including the labor placed on female founders to become influencers. [23:58]
* How to hone in on your authenticity without getting caught up in comparisons. [25:28]
* Managing and avoiding burnout as the founder of a rapidly growing business. [27:39]
* The most common mistakes that Aishwarya sees young entrepreneurs making. [29:48]
* A little-known fact about her that she is proud of: she is a classical Indian dancer. [31:35]
* Aishwarya’s definition of wealth: health and waking up feeling optimistic. [32:13]
Follow Aishwarya:
* Website: https://www.instagram.com/wearebrightland/
* Instagram: https://brightland.co/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Rebecca Minkoff is the co-founder and creative director of her namesake company Rebecca Minkoff, a global lifestyle brand that spans apparel, handbags, accessories, footwear, and jewelry. She has also created a community of superwomen through her platform, Female Founder Collective, and is dedicated to devoting resources and time to promote and uplift other women-owned businesses.
Despite being a household name and global fashion powerhouse, Rebecca opens up about the many obstacles she’s faced to build her iconic brand and multi-million dollar business.
We’ll dive deep into the early days when Rebecca was a young aspiring designer in NY, the lessons she’s learned in the highest highs and lowest lows, mistakes founders are making when raising capital & building a sustainable brand, and her candid thoughts on work-life balance.
Rebecca’s journey and unspoken rules will show you that having faith, working hard, and staying committed to your dreams will allow you to make success happen on your own terms.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Rebecca about:
* How Rebecca fared during the pandemic and decisions she took to look after her mental health. [3:07]
* The role that Rebecca’s mom played in her life and how she instilled independence in her early on. [5:19]
* Why Rebecca chose not to pursue dancing and decided to go with design instead. [7:21]
* The decision Rebecca made to move to New York at 18 to pursue design. [8:55]
* It took Rebecca many, many years to pay herself a six figure salary. [10:23]
* Rebecca shares her experience during 9/11 and how it changed her life. [11:24]
* How Rebecca’s I Love NYC t-shirt became a viral fashion item. [13:00]
* Why being fired turned out to be a blessing in disguise. [13:41]
* The money-related fears Rebecca had when she was starting out. [14:42]
* The story of Rebecca’s famous Morning After Bag and how it grew in popularity. [15:48]
* When Rebecca’s brother officially joined the business. [0:20:03]
* Rebecca’s advice for owners who are looking to raise capital for their businesses. [20:45]
* There are specific conditions that come with taking external capital. [22:41]
* How Rebecca thought about profitability and how it has changed over time. [23:43]
* The confidence Rebecca had around being on social media early on, despite the backlash. [26:49]
* A tough time the business faced and how they overcame it. [28:27]
* There will always be problems and you have to build resilience to get through them. [30:16]
* How Rebecca gains perspective during the tough times she has been through. [31:20]
* Why Rebecca chose to title her book Fearless and what the word means to her. [33:16]
* The value of networking and the role it has played in Rebecca’s success. [35:15]
* The unique way Rebecca views mentors in her life. [38:11]
* Why Rebecca thinks that balance is a dirty word and why we should have boundaries instead. [39:47]
* The struggles Rebecca has had around comparison and how she views it now. [42:08]
* The value that being a mother added to Rebecca’s life. [44:35]
Follow Rebecca:
* Website: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaminkoff
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liavalenciakey
* Rebecca’s Book - The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success: https://www.rebeccaminkoff.com/products/fearless-the-new-rules-for-unlocking-creativity-courage-and-success
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lia Valencia Key is the founder of Valencia Key, a jewelry line with beautiful, unique pieces that feature inspirational messages designed to empower women.
Raised in an impoverished Philadelphia neighborhood, Lia lived in a homeless shelter with her mother, sister, and brother. Even in the darkest of times, her mom told her, "your predicament does not determine your destiny." She encouraged Lia to never leave the house without wearing her sparkling earrings because they would serve as reminders of the light within and the potential she had in her life.
Lia went on to rise above her challenges and honored her mom’s legacy by believing in herself, defying all odds, and going after her dreams. She received her master’s degree and then became a world-renowned cosmetologist and stylist. Lia is now focused on inspiring others to believe in their dreams through her jewelry line.
We’ll chat with Lia about how she broke many barriers in her life and followed her passions as an entrepreneur, the power we all have within us to create the life we want, and tips we can use in our lives today on overcoming fear and living a brave life.
All BHE Listeners: Enjoy 25% Off & Access to Lia’s 5 Strategies to Handling Fear on Your Joy Journey to Success here: https://www.valenciakey.com/behind-her-empire
In this episode, we’ll talk to Lia about:
* The question Lia’s mother asked her which had a profound impact on her life. [3:05]
* Lia’s poverty-stricken upbringing in Philadelphia, and the tragedy that struck her family when she was young. 3:44]
* How Lia’s time in a homeless shelter had begun to impact her, before she decided she was going to lead rather than follow. [7:20]
* Completion as one of the key guiding principles in Lia’s life. [10:44]
* Choices that Lia made to help her change her circumstances. [11:02]
* The undergraduate and Master's degrees which Lia received. [11:15]
* How Lia’s creativity has guided her decisions, and how her experience at a * Creative and Performing Arts High School changed her life. [11:37]
* The three female pillars in Lia’s life. [13:02]
* Why Lia ended up sweeping floors for a while even though she had a Master's degree, and why it didn’t bother her. [16:43]
* What Lia loves about cosmetics. [18:02]
* When Lia first learned about QVC, and the determination with which she tried to get a job there. [18:20]
* The importance of speaking your dreams to the world. [19:12]
* A chance encounter which finally connected Lia with QVC. [21:56]
* Earrings and a message that Lia’s mother gave her before she died, which later sparked the idea for Valencia Key. [26:05]
* Lia shares why she believes it is so important to carefully choose the people you surround yourself with. [28:23]
* Gifting something to the world is Lia’s purpose, and she explains how she does this through her business. [33:12]
* Advice from Lia about how to handle fear, and the power of embracing who you are. [38:49]
* One of the things that Lia is most proud of. [42:33]
* Valencia Key’s first collection, Prosperity, and the meaning behind it. [43:56]
* True wealth; as defined by Lia. [44:50]
Follow Lia:
* Website: https://www.valenciakey.com/
* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liavalenciakey
* Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valenciakeydesign/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Eva Yazhari is the seasoned investor, entrepreneur, author, and CEO of Beyond Capital, an early-stage impact investment fund that is dedicated to improving lives and helping create access to basic goods and services.
Eva started her career going up the ranks in Wall Street and working alongside top hedge fund managers in NY. Although she was thriving in her position and enjoyed investing, Eva felt like she wasn’t making a big impact in her life and was yearning to find meaning & purpose. This led her into the world of impact investing and becoming more aware of living, both personal and professional, in a way that aligns with her values.
In the broad-ranging interview, we’ll talk to Eva about how to find meaning in the work you do, steps to find your purpose, what impact investing is, and how you can incorporate it in your day to day life. Eva shares her business insights with us as well; what she looks for in the people and businesses she invests in. We also touch on steps to getting over perfectionism, the importance of having an abundance mindset, and how we can carry these values forth with us in the world.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Eva about:
* How Eva’s upbringing and the values she learned when she was younger impact her today. [2:02]
* The role that Eva’s grandfather, an adventure-loving doctor, played in her life. [5:12]
* The core attributes that underpin the work that Eva currently does. [8:15]
* Eva’s experience on Wall Street; what she loved and some of the challenges. [9:06]
* The first steps Eva took towards a more fulfilling professional path. [12:31]
* Work Eva has had to do around prioritizing and distilling her values. [14:04]
* What having an abundance mindset means to Eva, and how she lives it. [16:43]
* Some of the mistakes that are occurring in mainstream investing. [20:06]
* How to get conventional investors on board with social investing ideas. [22:02]
* What inspired Eva to write her book, The Good Your Money Can Do. [23:10]
* Key things that stand out to Eva when looking to invest in a business. [28:25]
* The traits that Eva believes make businesses sustainable. [32:04]
* Standout characteristics that Eva looks for in leaders she’s investing in. [34:44]
* How Eva approaches self-care with everything she has on her plate. [36:22]
* What toxic mother culture is and how Eva avoids it. [38:15]
* There is so much shame around women getting help behind the scenes. [40:29]
* Work should feel good and it’s fine to enjoy what you do. [42:50]
* How Eva has managed to overcome perfectionism in her life and career. [44:26]
Follow Eva:
* Website: https://www.evayazhari.com/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consciousinvestor/
* The Good Your Money Can Do: https://w
ww.amazon.com/Good-Your-Money-Can-Conscious/dp/154450991X
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Additional Resources:
* Dare to Lead: https://daretolead.brenebrown.com/
* The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/15-Commitments-Conscious-Leadership-Sustainable-ebook/dp/B00R3MHWUE
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jamila Souffrant is the founder and CEO of the popular financial blog and podcast, Journey to Launch, where she shares her journey to reach financial independence while helping others do the same.
Is this really what you want to do for the rest of your life? This was the question that Jamila asked herself a few years ago on a four-hour commute from Brooklyn to New Jersey for work while she was pregnant with her first child. This sparked an “Aha!" moment for her that led her down the path of learning how to gain financial independence with the goal of retiring early on her own terms.
Jamila has now become a go-to financial thought leader in the personal finance space and is passionate about helping others reach financial freedom in an easy and attainable way. She has been featured in notable media outlets such as Money Magazine, CNBC, CBS, Business Insider, and more.
In this episode, Jamila talks about her Jamaican heritage and how being raised by a young single parent shaped her view on finances. She shares the story of how she went from an unfulfilling job in corporate America to finding the courage she needed to step out on her own, explains her original goal of reaching financial independence by 40, and how this has evolved over the years, as well as what financial freedom really means to her. She also reflects on some of the common mistakes people make with their money, the importance of having a good money mindset, and how anyone can start taking steps in their life to achieve financial freedom.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Jamila about:
* Hear about Jamila’s upbringing and how being raised by a single parent shaped her view of finances. [2:20]
* Jamila shares her journey: how she switched careers and took ownership of her finances. [4:42]
* What Jamila learned from the side hustles she had along the way. [7:33]
* How binging on financial podcasts helped her shift her mindset and enabled her to change careers. [9:02]
* Her initial goal to reach financial independence by 40 and how she defines financial independence now. [10:35]
* How her goal shifted from being about money to being about freedom and flexibility. [11:31]
* The importance of having the right money mindset. [14:07]
* When Jamila realized that Journey to Launch could be a successful business. [17:29]
* The importance of networking with others in the space. [19:11]
* The importance of consistency and perseverance. [21:06]
* Why you should focus on your own journey and not compare it with anyone else’s. [21:45]
* How she knew she had something to offer: find something that’s missing and create it. [24:37]
* How Jamila grew her business through consistency, collaborations, community, and media, as well as sharing her own journey. [26:27]
* The greatest challenge she faced in the early days and how she overcame it: watching the money depleting faster than her income was growing. [29:56]
* Some of the common mistakes people make with their money. [33:39]
* How Jamila defines success now and what the next steps are for her business. [37:31]
* How she juggles her high-growth business and being a mom of three. [38:50]
* Jamila’s self-care rituals and how she supports her mental health. [40:29]
* What she’s proud of that people may not know: her Jamaican heritage and showing Jamaican girls, Black girls, and women in general what is possible. [41:43]
Follow Jamila:
* Journey to Launch: https://journeytolaunch.com/
* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamilasouffrant
* Journey to Launch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/journeytolaunch/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Loren Ridinger is the Co-Founder of internet retailing giants, Shop.Com and Market America.
Although Loren is now recognized as an internet mogul who has changed the face of the beauty and e-commerce industries over the past two decades, her life started with very humble beginnings. She moved to Greensboro, NC at a young age, worked in retail when she was sixteen, and at eighteen, Loren and her husband, JR, took a chance on their dream to make it easy for people to shop online at a time when most people didn’t even have computers in their home.
Twenty-nine years later, their companies Market America and Shop.com generate over a billion dollars in annual sales and serve more than 10 million customers. The company is still headquartered in Greensboro, NC, and is quite global with offices in nine other countries.
Loren also founded the award-winning cosmetics line Motives and is recognized for her work in publications like Forbes, Elle, and Vogue, where she was included in their 100 Most Influential Women issue.
In today’s episode, we dig into the top five themes that will allow anyone to be successful with their dreams: 1) importance of belief & visualization, 2) being your true, authentic self, 3) having the right people around you, 4) goal setting the 'right' way, and 5) always doing the hard things first.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Loren about:
* The importance of women sticking together and supporting each other. [2:40]
* How Loren’s mother profoundly influenced her life. [3:48]
* Building a business with a baby; challenges and how Loren dealt with them. [6:22]
* What Loren learned from her mom and dad’s different styles of parenting. [8:46]
* Why Loren did the training to become a flight attendant. [10:26]
* The importance of deciding what you want to do with your life and not letting anyone else decide that for you. [12:15]
* Where the inspiration for Loren and her husband’s businesses, SHOP.com and Market America, came from. [14:00]
* Barriers that Loren and JR faced when starting to build their businesses. [15:52]
* The process that Loren went through to make sure that she was surrounded by the right people, and her “mental vacation” philosophy. [19:02]
* Traits that are essential in people who Loren allows into her tribe. [23:17]
* Why Loren doesn’t make New Year's resolutions. [24:26]
* How Loren manages her time and ensures that she is sticking to her goals. [26:30]
* Loren’s drive to be constantly learning, and ways she does this. [30:21]
* Assign dates to your goals, and why Loren thinks about her weeks in goals, not days. [31:23]
* Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential to success; it’s actually more uncomfortable inside the box than outside of it. [35:58]
* A major issue that Loren experienced with her health and how she dealt with it; faith over fear [42:19]
* Ways that Loren balances her work life and her family life; although she is adamant about the fact that everyone is different and there is no magic formula. [50:27]
Follow Loren:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenridinger/
* Market America: https://www.marketamerica.com/
* SHOP.com: https://www.shop.com/
* Motives Cosmetics: https://www.motivescosmetics.com/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Divya Gugnani is the CEO and Co-Founder of Wander Beauty, a clean, cruelty-free beauty brand that creates multitasking, beauty essentials
Divya began her career in the world of finance and has extensive experience in investment banking, private equity, and venture capital. She calls herself an “accidental entrepreneur” and eventually left finance to pursue her newfound passion as an entrepreneur. After co-founding multiple businesses with two successful exits, and having two children, Divya found her former beauty rituals tossed to the wayside as she became more time-starved than ever.
Balancing a thriving career and motherhood, Divya realized there were no beauty brands speaking directly to her - a woman who loves beauty and maintains a fast-paced lifestyle. That’s when Divya’s fourth business, Wander Beauty, was born. With 30+ beauty awards in six years, including Allure Best of Beauty Awards, Wander Beauty has become a favorite of editors, influencers, and customers alike. Celebrity devotees include Heidi Klum, Emma Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, Molly Sims, and more.
We’ll chat with Divya about the challenges that come with being an entrepreneur, common mistakes that she sees other entrepreneurs making, her biggest learnings over the years (both personal and professional), and why relationships are the most important element in business and life.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Divya about:
* The event which led to Divya’s dad becoming an entrepreneur and why her dad’s experiences put her off entrepreneurship. [3:12]
* Why Divya’s mother took her to a yogi clinic in India when she was little, and how meditation changed her life. [6:12]
* What Divya learned in her first job that she has carried with her throughout her life. [08:12]
* Why Divya decided to go back to business school and self fund an MBA, and what she gained from the experience. [9:53]
* The curiosity that led Divya into the world of entrepreneurship, even though she loved her finance job. [11:37]
* Challenges that Divya experienced during her first entrepreneurial stint and why she now doesn’t mix her personal and business relationships. [13:50]
* Reasons that Divya’s first solo business was not able to scale, and why she believes it would be a success today. [15:23]
* Driving forces behind Divya’s second venture; intelligent shopping recommendation technology. [16:58]
* The realization Divya had just after giving birth to her second child in the space of two years. [22:03]
* Upsides and downsides of working from home while starting Wander Beauty. [23:07]
* Personal experiences that inspired the creation of Wander Beauty, and what the brand provides to the people who use it. [23:38]
* Divya’s relationship with her business partner, Lindsey, and how their skill sets complement one another. [24:43]
* How Wander Beauty differentiates itself from other beauty brands. [26:22]
* Early days of hustling for the small Wander Beauty team, and how this paid off. [28:34]
* Advice on fundraising; raise what you need plus a little bit more. [30:03]
* Constant difficulties that CEOs face, and the number one way to alleviate them. [31:45]
* Divya’s mindset when it comes to balancing her work life, family life, and personal life. [33:40]
* A common mistake that Divya often sees entrepreneurs make, and her suggestion for a better way to do things. [35:32]
Follow Divya:
* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgugnani/
* Wander Beauty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wander_beauty/
* Wander Beauty Website: https://www.wanderbeauty.com/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Behind Her Empire Featured Entrepreneur:
* Lia Lee, founder of UNLIT, a plant-based adaptogen recovery drink that helps to relieve your hangover symptoms.
* Learn more about UNLIT: https://unlit.co/
* Follow UNLIT on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getunlit/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Catherine McCord is the co-founder/CEO of One Potato, an organic family-friendly meal delivery service, and founder of Weelicious, a website dedicated to helping parents expose their children to wholesome, delicious homemade food.
Throughout the 90s, Catherine was considered one of the world’s top supermodels, posing for the cover of Vogue, walking the runway for Donna Karen and Calvin Klein, and appearing in movies that included Matt Damon, The Rock, and Jennifer Anniston. But then, 9/11 happened. Catherine was living in New York City and her perspective on life changed instantly. Although her career was soaring, she realized life was too short and wanted to follow her passion for food.
After graduating from culinary school, Catherine had her first son, who experienced health issues from a sensitive stomach. Although she could cook a four-star meal, she had no idea how to cook for her child and realized that this was a common occurrence for mothers. She began playing around with different recipes and decided to start her blog, Weelicious, to document her journey, build community as a new mother, and share her recipe ideas.
Fast forward to today, Weelicious has grown into a widely popular health and lifestyle brand, three cookbooks, and her most recent venture, One Potato, the first organic home meal delivery kit, which has grown over 200% in the past year.
We’ll chat with Catherine about how she pivoted her career, from model to serial entrepreneur, the importance of building a community when launching your brand, and how she manages to build her empire while also being a mother to three young kids.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Catherine about:
* Hear about Catherine’s upbringing and how it influenced her perspective on food. [2:42]
* What it was like being both an international model and an ordinary high school student. [4:30]
* How her understanding of money has evolved; how she learned the gift of saving. [7:37]
* How the tragedy of 9/11 helped Catherine realize her passion for food. [9:35]
* Catherine’s experience of being a woman in the male-dominated restaurant industry. [11:51]
* Her next steps towards starting a blog (and a family). [12:53]
* Advice for entrepreneurs that are just starting out: don’t be afraid to ask for advice! [14:52]
* When Catherine realized that she had a marketable idea and built a business. [16:15]
* She outlines the process of writing her first cookbook, starting with leaning into the expertise of other authors. [17:24]
* Learn how Catherine lets her children lead through her companies. [20:12]
* Find out where it was in her journey with Weelicious that One Potato came to life. [21:31]
* The value of finding the right partner, aligning your values, and creating a community around the launch of your brand. [24:16]
* Using word of mouth to market One Potato when they didn’t have any funding. [25:28]
* Advice for entrepreneurs looking to build a community: be authentic, start with just two social media platforms, and share your passion. [27:19]
* Approach fundraising as a definite strategy and a learned skill that takes practice. [34:15]
* Catherine cautions against taking it personally when investors don’t “get” your product. [40:38]
* Her advice for dealing with rejection, starting with knowing your audience. [0:41:39]
* The biggest mistake Catherine sees entrepreneurs making: thinking they will be wildly successful in two years or less. [48:17]
Follow Catherine:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weelicious/
* Weelicious Website: https://www.weelicious.com/
* One Potato Website: https://onepotato.com/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Behind Her Empire Featured Entrepreneur:
* Niloofar Mirani, founder of Niloofar, a snack company with a mission to introduce Persian cuisine and culture.
* Learn more about Niloofar: https://www.niloofarmix.com/
* Follow Niloofar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niloofarmix/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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