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
Sarah Flint is the executive chairman, creative director, and founder of Sarah Flint, a luxury shoe brand aimed at on-the-move women who need comfort just as much as fashion and style.
In 2013, Sarah was on a mission to create luxury shoes made from the finest materials that not only looked good but also felt amazing. Early on in her business, she was a full-time nanny and was looking to get her brand off the ground in the evenings and on the weekends. She devoted a lot of time to product creation and networking, and ultimately got into high-end retailers like Barneys, Bloomingdale’s, and Shopbop. This opened the door for many celebrities to take notice of her shoes, attracting women like Meghan Markle, Amal Clooney, and Lady Gaga.
Yet, even after all the success, Sarah still felt like something was missing as she battled to create a meaningful connection with her customers. The products she had been creating up to that point had very slim margins, and she knew that she had to change her business model. So, in 2017, she canceled all of her orders and decided to go down the direct-to-consumer (DTC) route. While investors doubted her decision, Sarah went with her gut and now has seen even greater success.
We’ll talk to Sarah about how she managed to pivot her business from the wholesale days to the COVID environment, what she did to break into the competitive luxury shoe market, and how she went about building her brand and cult following.
In this episode, we’ll talk to Sarah about:
* How learning disabilities made her overcompensate and try to prove herself. [4:14]
* When Sarah became aware of the massive opportunity in the women’s shoe market. [5:21]
* Her motivation for doing a manufacturing program in Italy and what it taught her. [7:04]
* How she overcame the obstacles of pattern work and comfort level in luxury shoes. [9:56]
* The challenge of working with big manufacturers as a young woman designer. [12:01]
* Making sacrifices, having mentors, and other advice for dealing with partners as a new business owner. [12:42]
* The first round of funding for Sarah’s business and how she continued to get investors. [16:25]
* Sarah shares how celebrities helped her to compete with the big brands in the market. [18:23]
* What it took, apart from a great product, for her to get noticed by famous women. [20:08]
* Insights into Sarah’s decision to close down her wholesale business and relaunch as a DTC company. [22:16]
* Why it was riskier for her to place her bets on well-known stores than to do it herself. [28:23]
* Learn about the brand’s successful direct selling and brand ambassador programs. [32:22]
* How COVID impacted her business and what she has done to shift and pivot. [35:35]
* Tips for supporting your mental health and maintaining balance as an entrepreneur. [41:12]
Follow Sarah:
* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xosarahflint/
* Company Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sarahflint_nyc/
* Website: https://www.sarahflint.com/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
For Behind Her Empire Listeners, Sarah has generously provided a discount code for $50! Use the promo below on your next purchase :)
$50 Off Discount Code: SARAHFLINT-BEHINDHEREMPIRE
Window of Availability: 11/30/20 through 12/31/20
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ellen Bennett is the founder & CEO of Hedley & Bennett, an LA-based culinary workwear and lifestyle brand that has transformed the way professional (and home) chefs dress forever. By making her dream into a reality, she has created the largest gourmet apron factory in the world.
Being raised by a single mother who made her feel safe to try new things and get comfortable with failure, Ellen had confidence instilled in her from a very early age. So much so that when she graduated high school, she packed her bags and moved to Mexico City without a plan for four years. Never one to settle, Ellen once again started over when she moved back into her childhood home after her time in Mexico. She hit the ground running, landing a job as a line cook in some of LA’s most acclaimed restaurants which sparked the idea for creating stylish, functional, durable, and beautiful aprons for chefs like herself.
Now at the helm of a multi-million-dollar empire, Ellen does not sugarcoat what it took to get there, nor does she believe that being an entrepreneur looks the same for everyone. As a businesswoman who is so open to learning, willing to fail and reiterate, and in possession of some seriously unwavering self-belief, Ellen’s story will leave you inspired and show you that you don’t have to have all the answers to make your dream a reality.
In this episode, we'll talk to Ellen about:
* How Ellen’s childhood, growing up between LA and Mexico, has influenced who she is today [2:22]
* The values that Ellen’s mom instilled in her early on and how it’s impacted her as an entrepreneur [4:08]
* Ellen’s decision to move to Mexico City at 18, a choice that changed the course of her life [8:07]
* Why Ellen chose to leave Mexico City after she had built a successful life for herself there [13:03]
* What happened when Ellen returned to LA and moved back in with her mom [14:50]
* How Ellen came up with the idea for Hedley & Bennett when she only had $300 in her savings [20:00]
* Ellen describes the power of community building to get her brand off the ground in the early days[25:48]
* Why there is no such thing as an overnight success [26:39]
* Ellen’s tips for entrepreneurs looking to self-fund their businesses early on [29:49]
* Ellen discusses how to think about investors & what motivated her to bring on a strategic partner[33:05]
* How the pandemic has affected Hedley & Bennett and the massive pivot they made [35:08]
* Hear how Ellen takes care of her mental health and the practices that ground her as a entrepreneur [38:44]
Follow Ellen:
* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmariebennett/
* Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hedleyandbennett/
* Website: https://www.hedleyandbennett.com/
* Oliver the Pig: https://www.instagram.com/oliverspigadventures/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lizanne Falsetto is the founder of thinkThin, health and wellness visionary, business media commentator, and adviser to the next-generation of entrepreneurs.
In 2000, after a decade of world travel and a successful career modeling internationally, Lizanne launched thinkThin from her own need of wanting to create a better-for-you, high protein nutrition bar for active women on the go. Starting small and humble, the company quickly scaled nationally and globally, establishing itself as one of the first gluten-free products on the shelves.
Over the course of her 15-year tenure as CEO, Lizanne raised two children as a single mom and scaled the company to become a multimillion dollar lifestyle brand with zero outside funding. Lizanne ultimately sold thinkThin for over $200 million.
Last year, Lizanne established Pink Talented Angels, a new company and platform to help educate, elevate and connect rising female founders. Lizanne is passionate and focused on building an exclusive ecosystem to support female entrepreneurs for a post COVID-19 world.
In this episode, we'll talk to Lizanne about:
* Lizanne's early years and her personal & familial connection to food and nutrition [02:28]
* The decision to pursue a career in modeling and forego college [3:28]
* How Lizanne's grandmother, travel and modeling inspired her to start thinkThin [6:46]
* The efforts that Lizanne made to educate herself and create awareness about her brand [12:01]
* Competition in the nutrition market and how Lizanne made a lane for the company [17:11]
* Lizanne's attitude and approach to self-funding and outside investment [22:15]
* Managing the different parts of life as women especially when it comes to business & family [27:21]
* The sale of thinkThin, entry into mentoring, and Lizanne's feelings post acquisition [31:29]
* Balancing feminine and masculine energy in the early days of building a company [35:39]
* The two kinds of entrepreneurs; strategic and tactical [42:26]
* Bouncing back from difficult times — Lizanne's reflections on divorce, her father's sickness, and a failed acquisition deal [47:06]
* The current era and the pandemic — Lizanne's perspectives on this moment, female entrepreneurship, and why it’s a great time to start a business [51:28]
* Lizanne's definition of wealth and how the meaning has evolved for her over time [54:04]
Follow Lizanne:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizannefalsetto/
* Website: https://www.lizannefalsetto.com/
* Pink Talented Angels: https://www.lizannefalsetto.com/about-pta/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nisha Dua is a General Partner at BBG Ventures, which she co-founded with Susan Lyne in 2014. BBG Ventures is an NYC-based seed fund investing in consumer tech start-ups with a focus on women and underrepresented founders.
Nisha believes the greatest untapped opportunity for venture capital lies in backing women who are using technology to address common life-challenges and transform daily habits. Women are the dominant users of the fastest-growing mobile and social platforms, and they make or influence 85% of consumer purchases. Nisha has invested in over 70 start-ups, including a few that you may know such as Zola, The Sill, Carbon38, and Lola.
In addition to her work at BBG Ventures, she founded BUILT BY GIRLS, a platform that encourages young women to enter tech by introducing them to opportunities, practical skills, and a network of women in the industry.
But before all of that, Nisha explored a variety of careers from being a singer, actress, lawyer, and consultant. In our interview, we’ll talk to Nisha about how to make career transitions in your life, incredible advice about raising money for your business and common mistakes too many entrepreneurs make.
In this episode, we'll talk to Nisha about:
* Nisha opens up about her upbringing with Indian parents & how their expectations academically impacted her early career [2:51]
* Nisha shares tips on how to make big career leaps & why she decided to leave law [9:06]
* After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Nisha discusses why she had to make a career change & re-evaluate what success looks like [16:12]
* How Nisha gained the confidence to take on a new opportunity in business despite having no “formal” experience [23:54]
* How a business she was running led her to founding BUILT BY GIRLS [27:36]
* How Nisha’s varied career path led her to venture capital and launching her own fund [33:22]
* Nisha explains how founders should think about raising money & why venture capital isn’t for everyone [39:07]
* After seeing over 7,000 pitches, Nisha explains key themes that make a great founder [44:38]
* How to think about storytelling when you’re a founder and why it’s critical in your business [51:22]
Follow Nisha:
* BBG Ventures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbgventures/
* BBG Ventures Website: https://www.bbgventures.com/
* Built By Girls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtbygirls/
* Built By Girls Website: https://www.builtbygirls.com/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Misha Nonoo is a New York-based womenswear designer who is known for her sustainable, sleek, and timeliness ready-to-wear pieces.
From the time Misha was a young girl, she was fascinated with fashion and empowering women as she witnessed the dichotomy of women’s roles growing up in Bahrain as well as London. Her upbringing gave her an appreciation for different cultures and an understanding of women’s lives in different places. After gaining recognition from a reputable buyer for a few pieces she created for herself, Misha decided to launch her namesake fashion brand with the goal of having her customers feel strong, confident, and empowered in all aspects of their life.
Misha was the first designer to use social media as a venue for fashion shows, debuting her Spring/Summer 2016 collection on Instagram, and was a pioneer in using the made-to-order business model which promotes sustainability in an industry that is known for producing so much waste. Misha is also passionate about using her business as a platform for change and most notably collaborated with her dear friend, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, for the Smart Works charity where for every shirt sold, Misha donated one to the work wardrobes of women in need.
Misha won industry recognition when she became a finalist for the 2013 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and was named one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30,” as well as Crain’s New York Business’ “40 under 40.”
In this episode, we'll talk to Misha about:
* Misha shares what life was like growing up between the Middle East and Europe [3:08]
* Misha talks about her love of fashion and why she ended up going to business school vs fashion school [7:50]
* Why Misha’s move to NYC during the financial crisis was a pivotal moment in her career and life [11:46]
* How Misha decided to launch her own brand and why she thinks “beginner's luck” was in her favor [14:53]
* The realities of what life looked like when Misha was working her full time job and launching her clothing line [20:16]
* Misha opens up about a difficult period in her life when she was dealing with her divorce & massive restructuring of her business [27:11]
* How Misha became the first fashion designer to use social media as a venue for her fashion shows despite the many skeptics at the time [32:13]
* Misha shares her experience and advice when it comes to fundraising [40:07]
* What sustainability means for Misha in her life and business [44:47]
* Misha talks about life as a new mom and how she’s designed her life to manage motherhood & entrepreneurship [50:52]
* The importance of women supporting women and why it’s key to Misha’s mission [54:30]
Follow Misha:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mishanonoo/
* Website: https://mishanonoo.com/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Karissa Bodnar is the Founder and CEO of Thrive Causemetics, a high-performance vegan, cruelty-free direct-to-consumer cosmetics brand.
Karissa grew up on a farm in Washington state and always loved creating makeup since she was a young girl. After working as a make-up artist to pay her way through college, she landed a job at Clarisonic and then was working in L'Oréal’s luxury division. Karissa never aspired to start her own business until she lost her dear friend, Kristy, to cancer at just 24 years old. As Karissa reflected on the generous life Kristy lived, she felt inspired to take action on her passion and create a brand that was truly bigger than beauty. A month later, Thrive Causemetics was born. Starting out, Karissa self-funded the business, made formulas on her kitchen counter, and fulfilled orders all out of her 1-bedroom apartment.
Six years later, Karissa has built a company with philanthropy at its core. Thrive Causemetics has donated over $100 million in funds and products to women's charities since inception. However, none of this could have been done if it weren’t for the success of her products. Thrive Causemetics has grown to be a multi-million dollar company and is known for its best sellers which include Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara (one was sold every 5 seconds), Infinity Waterproof Eyeliner, and the Buildable Blur CC Cream.
Acknowledging her amazing work and success, Karissa has been named in Forbes’ 30 Under 30, Forbes’ America's Richest Self-Made Women, Marie Claire’s Most Powerful Women and Inc.’s Badass Female Founders list.
In this episode, we'll talk to Karissa about:
* Karissa shares her childhood living on a farm and how it impacted her creativity at a young age [3:06]
* How working at Clarisonic really change the trajectory of her career and what she thought was possible [8:54]
* How the passing of Karissa’s best friend, Kristy, inspired her to re-evaluate her purpose and start a company [11:20]
* Karissa shares how she designed her life to self-fund the new brand she wanted to launch [14:40]
* Karissa discusses why trial and error was essential to creating awareness for her new products [19:20]
* The importance of hustle and grace when launching a business & how Karissa landed a spot on Good Morning America [26:14]
* Karissa walks through what helped the company go viral after two years of slow growth [32:00]
* Key advice and tips she gives to other entrepreneurs looking to build a business [35:10]
* Karissa explains how constant rejections in the early days pivoted the way she thought about the business [40:36]
* How Karissa manages her mental health during difficult and challenging times [43:36]
* The toughest lesson Karissa learned on her entrepreneurial journey [45:13]
* How to build a network and the importance of reaching out to people who can help you with your goals [47:46]
Follow Karissa:
* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karissabodnar/
* Thrive Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ThriveCausemetics/
* Thrive Website: https://thrivecausemetics.com/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ashley Merrill is a serial-entrepreneur and investor whose personal mission is to elevate and empower all women & girls.
In 2012, Ashley just started business school and in the same month realized she was pregnant with her first child. The news lit a now-or-never fire and pushed Ashley to overcome her fears and launch the company she had been thinking about for years, Lunya, a luxury sleepwear line that provides confidence to the modern woman. In our interview, we’ll have an honest conversation about why we need more successful women in business, what the journey was like starting a high growth business while raising two young kids, and the importance of partnership in your marriage.
Ashley is also the Chairwoman of Outdoor Voices, an activewear brand, founder of Lahgo, a men’s luxury sleepwear line, and her newest project, the Deep, a platform for curious people that will change the way we have conversations with each other.
In this episode, we'll talk to Ashley about:
* Ashley opens up about her college experience and how she landed in culinary school [4:05]
* Ashley shares how to make an impact and be in an industry despite not fitting “the mold” [8:42]
* How Ashley pivoted her career and found the confidence to make the leap [11:33]
* How the idea of Lunya came about and why motherhood motivated her to actually go for it [14:51]
* Ashley shares her unique story on launching Lunya while she was in labor [18:51]
* Ashley walks through how she funded the business and how the VC landscape has shifted over the years [21:36]
* Why we need to have more successful women businesses [30:15]
* Ashley opens up about her life and marriage starting a high growth business with two young kids [31:16]
* Ashley discusses her definition of wealth and why she equates it to freedom [44:05]
Follow Ashley:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley__merrill/
* Lunya: https://www.lunya.co/
* Lahgo: https://lahgo.co/
* The Deep: https://www.thedeep.life/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lindsey Boyd is the co-founder of The Laundress, a premium collection of eco-friendly laundry and home cleaning products.
Before starting the company, Lindsey was working in high-end fashion in NY as a manager of Chanel’s Ready-to-Wear division. While working in the industry, Lindsey noticed a real need and void in the market. Although consumers were willing to spend a lot of money on their clothes, they were spending even more money on dry cleaning - which was not only toxic but also damaging to their garments. After years of researching and understanding how detergents work, Lindsey and her college friend turned business partner, Gwen Whiting, decided to launch eco-friendly detergents that were gentle enough to be used at home on dry-clean only items.
They bootstrapped, crowdfunded and took a small SBA loan to launch their business For years the company struggled to make a profit, but they eventually grew a cult and loyal following, and in 2019, sold to Unilever for a reported $100 million dollars.
In this episode, we'll talk to Lindsey about:
* Lindsey explains why she decided to switch majors to pursue her interest in fashion & business [2:38]
* Lindsey discusses her side hustles and how that impacted her confidence as an entrepreneur [7:23]
* How Lindsey and her co-founder explored different businesses & decided on the Laundress [14:18]
* Lindsey describes how she created her business plan and key advice on creating goals [21:52]
* Lindsey shares how she formulated and created laundry products with no experience [26:56]
* How Lindsey self-funded the business and didn’t take outside capital [34:30]
* Lindsey walks through how she dealt with rejections and skeptics [38:08]
* How Lindsey weathered the 2008 financial crisis and created a profitable company [44:26]
* How Lindsey deals with her mental health as an entrepreneur [48:58]
* Lindsey explains her experience selling her company for a reported $100 million [51:14]
* Key lessons and advice Lindsey shares with all new entrepreneurs [55:10]
Follow Lindsey:
* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindseyjuliaboyd/
* The Laundress Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelaundress/
* The Laundress Website: https://www.thelaundress.com/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Janice Bryant Howroyd is the founder and CEO of the ActOne Group, a multi-billion dollar global business providing workforce solutions.
Janice’s entrepreneurial journey started with very humble beginnings. As a temporary secretary for her brother-in-law’s company, Janice saw an opportunity in the market where other executives were looking for quick and effective clerical help. She decided to branch off on her own and start an employment agency with only $1,500 in her pocket - $900 of which she borrowed from her mother. 40 years later, the company earns over a billion dollars in sales and is in 19 countries with over 17,000 clients.
Janice has been recognized on Forbes’ list of America's Richest Self-Made Women and is known to be the first black woman to own and operate a billion-dollar company. Janice is incredibly talented, passionate, and a fierce business mentor who shares a wealth of knowledge around what it means to be authentic and successful on your entrepreneurship journey.
In this episode, we'll talk to Janice about:
* How Janice’s childhood and Southern upbringing during the civil rights era impacted her as a person & leader [3:20]
* Why Janice’s college experience was instrumental in her adult framing [8:24]
* Janice shares how a quick trip to LA became a career defining moment and led Janice to start her first business [15:13]
* Advice on how to create a sustainable business and why it’s important to build a company around your own personal values [25:30]
* Janice describes how she started her business with a $900 loan from her mother [27:53]
* Why COVID is the best time for anyone to pivot their career or start their own business [36:23]
* Janice describes what it was like to be a young woman founder in an industry that was dominated by older white males [37:37]
* The most important advice that she wants every woman to know [40:35]
* How she learned to be unapologetically herself in life and business [42:59]
* Janice shares tips based on her journey on managing motherhood and entrepreneurship [45:47]
Follow Janice:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jbryanthowroyd/
* Personal Website: http://askjbh.com/
* Company Website: https://www.actonegroup.com/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kelly Rutherford is an activist and actress who has impressed audiences with her roles in Melrose Place, Gossip Girl, and most recently, Dynasty and Pretty Little Liars.
Kelly is also known for her very high-profile and public custody battle she had with her ex-husband. A California judge went on to rule that it was in the best interest of the kids to live with their father in Monaco which is something Kelly fought for six years with every dollar she had. The fight for her kids impacted her not only emotionally but also financially and it was at this point, Kelly had to rebuild her life from the ground up.
After getting to know Kelly more than what’s portrayed in the spotlight, it’s really who she is as a person that truly sets her apart - the grace, kindness, love, and positivity she has even after going through such a difficult experience is incredibly admirable. Kelly shares how through her struggle she found her true strength and power. And also how shifting her perspective towards joy and happiness changed her life in even the darkest of times.
Kelly is a loving mother of two, an activist for women and children, an artist, entrepreneur, and a beautiful woman both inside and out.
In this episode, we'll talk to Kelly about:
* How moving consistently as a child taught Kelly to adapt and adjust to life’s circumstances [2:50]
* Kelly shares her motivation behind becoming an actress and desire to become financially independent [4:55]
* How Kelly deals with constant rejection and disappointment in Hollywood [10:43]
* Kelly describes how her role as Lily Vander Woodson in Gossip Girl came about and what it taught her about trust & life [13:28]
* What George Clooney taught Kelly about confidence and getting rid of doubt [16:34]
* How Kelly dealt with the pain and anxiety around her very public child custody battle [19:07]
* Shifting your perspective to only focusing on the good and finding alignment in your life [23:13]
* How Kelly rebuilt her life after declaring bankruptcy and how she became a better parent when she noticed all the blessings in her life [29:45]
* Why money is energy and how we can shift our focus around poverty consciousness & allow abundance in our lives [36:21]
Follow Kelly:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyrutherford/
Follow Yasmin:
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/
* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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