Claim Your Confidence with Lydia Fenet

Latest Episodes:

Finding Your Sunshine with Michelle Kelly Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

“Creating sunshine” is a phrase that Michelle Kelly is undoubtedly familiar with. CEO of Lilly Pulitzer, one of the most renowned heritage brands in the country, Michelle has led with infectious joy and boundless optimism since 2016, and has been able to push the company forward while still never losing sight of its core vision: helping women feel as good as they look. In this episode of Claim Your Confidence, we talk about the various positions Michelle has held at Lilly Pulitzer over her twenty years with the brand, the responsibilities of a CEO on the micro and macro level, and what it means to “see the success” of a business.
Don’t miss this interview where we discuss:

The story behind the Lilly Pulitzer, its values, and how Michelle balances honoring the brand’s heritage while also continuing to innovate
How sometimes careers are spiral staircases, not ladders
The importance of taking things one step at a time, and Michelle’s advice to young women trying to navigate balancing their careers with their personal lives
How Michelle was first introduced to the Lilly Pulitzer brand, and the path that led her to eventually becoming CEO of the company
The ways in which Michelle plans to lead Lilly Pulitzer into the future, and her focus on helping customers create their own sunshine

Find Michelle Kelly:
www.lillypulitzer.com
IG: @lillypulitzer
LinkedIn: Michelle McQuality Kelly
Follow Lydia:
www.lydiafenet.com
IG: @lydiafenet
LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

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Recorded at The Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.
Thank you for listening.

Finding Your Strength with Stephanie Kramer Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

If you’re a woman who is in the working world or has ever been in the working world, Stephanie Kramer is here to provide you with a new way to think about pregnancy at work. Chief Human Resources Officer at L’Oréal USA and author of Carry Strong: An Empowered Approach to Navigating Pregnancy and Work, Stephanie is dedicated to a people-first approach and supporting others as they balance intersections of their work and personal lives. In this interview, we discuss Stephanie’s own experiences becoming a working mother, why she wrote Carry Strong, and how pregnancy can (and should) be a time of empowerment for women.
Don’t miss this episode of Claim Your Confidence where we talk about:

How Stephanie, like many other women, factored motherhood and its future impact on her career into her major decision while in college
Stephanie’s early career, her experiences working abroad, and how she balanced becoming a mother with her passion for her job
How discussions surrounding pregnancy in the workplace have progressed in recent years, and the work that still needs to be done to provide women with the support they need
Stephanie’s process of writing Carry Strong, how the stories she heard inspired her within her own life, and how she hopes the book can become a resource for women everywhere
The work Stephanie does as Chief of Human Resources at L’Oréal, and how she strives to create a supportive environment that gives everyone permission to bring their whole selves to the workplace

Find Stephanie Kramer:
www.carrystrongproject.com
IG: @carrystrongpregnancy
LinkedIn: Stephanie Kramer
Follow Lydia:
www.lydiafenet.com
IG: @lydiafenet
LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

Finding Your People with Ariel Kaye Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

If you are a person who loves making your home look more beautiful by the day, or if you’re someone who’s interested in launching a business, Ariel Kaye’s story will undoubtedly inspire you. Founder and CEO of the ubiquitous lifestyle brand Parachute, which offers premium quality bedding, furniture, and other everyday essentials, Ariel draws upon her decade of experience in the advertising and brand development field to provide customers with nothing short of the best. In this episode, we talk about Ariel’s passion for interior design, the leap of faith she took to start her own company, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who will support you through thick and thin.
Don’t miss this interview where we discuss:

How Ariel’s experience working on interior design projects as a hobby led to the foundation of Parachute
Her background in advertising and consumer behavior research, what it taught her about building a brand, and how she implemented that knowledge in the next chapter of her career
The idea behind Parachute, the brand’s story from conception to launch, and the ways in which it has expanded over the years
How oftentimes all it takes is a vote of confidence from someone in your life to allow you to see your true capabilities
The balance between family and work, and how Ariel has navigated raising children while also being a full-time entrepreneur

Find Ariel Kaye:
www.parachutehome.com
IG: @arielkaye
LinkedIn: Ariel Kaye
Follow Lydia:
www.lydiafenet.com
IG: @lydiafenet
LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

Finding Your Purpose with Felita Harris Aug 08, 2023

Show notes

Over the course of her career, Felita Harris has held senior executive roles at some of the most esteemed fashion houses including Donna Karan Collection and Alexander Wang. Today, she utilizes her breadth of experience to give back, both as a Chief Strategy and Revenue Consultant at her company Felita Harris Consultancy, and as a founding board member at RAISEfashion, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting BIPOC designers and advancing equity in the fashion world. In this interview, we discuss Felita’s entry into the fashion industry, how she’s navigated confidence boosts and busts alike, and how she’s shifted in her career from seeking position to seeking purpose.
Don’t miss this episode where we talk about:

How living abroad in Italy for three years as a teenager taught Felita to explore and helped her find her voice
The moment she decided to transfer schools and start a career in fashion
Trusting the process, how to navigate career wins and pivot points, and how the people you meet along the way will push you to where you need to be
Felita’s experiences working for major fashion houses including Donna Karan Collection, Alexander Wang, and Lela Rose
The work Felita is doing now through her consultancy agency and RAISEfashion, and her mission to lead with philanthropy

Find Felita Harris:
www.felitaharris.com
IG: @msfelitaharris
LinkedIn: Felita Harris
Follow Lydia:
www.lydiafenet.com
IG: @lydiafenet
LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

Finding Your Spark with Zibby Owens Aug 01, 2023

Show notes

Zibby Owens is the one person in New York City who every author wants to meet. Founder and CEO of Zibby Media, author, publisher, podcaster, and more, Zibby has been dubbed “NYC’s Most Powerful Book-fluencer” by Vulture, and has built her brand around a love for books, writing, and connecting with others. In this episode of Claim Your Confidence, we talk about how Zibby found her voice as an author, literature’s power to bring people together, and Zibby’s growing media empire.
Don’t miss this interview where we discuss:

Zibby’s award-winning podcast Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books, how she first got started, and how it has grown
The process of writing (and rewriting) a book, and how Zibby’s memoir Bookends was twenty years in the making
How processing loss and grief can give you a new perspective on life
Zibby’s passion for writing, and how she’s built a brand around uplifting authors and strengthening connections among readers
The balance Zibby has found between running an ever-growing company and raising her four children

Find Zibby Owens:
www.zibbyowens.com
IG: @zibbyowens
Facebook: Zibby Owens
Follow Lydia:
www.lydiafenet.com
IG: @lydiafenet
LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

Finding Your Turning Point with Lauren Buitta Jul 25, 2023

Show notes

If you’re not entirely sure what a career in national security would entail, look no further than Lauren Buitta to elaborate. Founder and CEO of Girl Security, Lauren has utilized her past career experience to help make the national security field more accessible and equitable for women. She has been named one of fifty women making the world a better place by InStyle, and one of the most influential people in security by Security Magazine. In this interview, we discuss where Lauren’s interest in the national security field stemmed from, what inspired her to found Girl Security, and how Girl Security is helping equip young women to enter the national security workforce.
Don’t miss this episode of Claim Your Confidence where we talk about:

Lauren’s interest in understanding the human experience and the full scope of how policy can affect communities in the U.S. and around the globe
How majoring in political science in college led to Lauren working at a national security think-tank post-grad, and her experiences being one of few women in the field
The importance of diversity in the national security workforce, and how it leads to better policy outcomes
How Lauren had the idea for Girl Security long before she founded the company, and what prompted her to finally take the leap and invest in her idea
The common misconceptions around what working in national security is like, and how Girl Security is working to help inform younger generations about the importance and breadth of national security and the opportunities that can be found in the field

Find Lauren Buitta:
www.girlsecurity.org
IG: @laurenbuitta
LinkedIn: Lauren Bean Buitta
Follow Lydia:
www.lydiafenet.com
IG: @lydiafenet
LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

Finding Your Platform with Brandice Daniel Jul 18, 2023

Show notes

A proud fashion outsider, Brandice Daniel has the perfect balance of unmatched experience in fashion buying and production and immense entrepreneurial skill. Founder and CEO of the premier agency Harlem’s Fashion Row and nonprofit program ICON360, Brandice has dedicated her career to bridging the gap between multicultural designers and the fashion industry, and has been featured in Vogue, the New York Times, Good Morning America, and more. In this episode, we talk about how she first began pursuing her love of fashion, the origin story of Harlem’s Fashion Row, and the mission behind Brandice’s work.
Don’t miss this interview where we discuss:

Brandice’s childhood as the middle daughter, and how her parents inspired her to prioritize giving back
Moving from Memphis to New York City at the beginning of her career and how Harlem’s vibrant community helped Brandice find her footing in an unfamiliar place
How she organized her first fashion event, and how that moment led to the establishment of Harlem’s Fashion Row
Making lightning strike twice and maintaining momentum after a success
How more often than not, your visions and goals will take years of planning and effort before they become a reality

Find Brandice Daniel:
www.brandicedaniel.com
IG & Twitter: @brandicedaniel
LinkedIn: Brandice Daniel
Follow Lydia:
www.lydiafenet.com
IG: @lydiafenet
LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

Finding Your Vulnerability with Aya Kanai Jul 11, 2023

Show notes

Aya Kanai is an American fashion editor who has been at the helm of nearly every fashion magazine you can imagine – Marie Claire, Health, Teen Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and more. A master of executing creative visions, Aya has taken on roles from stylist to editor to director, and now serves as the Head of Editorial and Creative for Google Shopping. In this interview, we discuss the trajectory of Aya’s career from fashion assistant to Editor in Chief, her latest role at Google, and what it’s like to take a leap of faith and adapt to a new industry.
Tune in to this episode where we talk about:

Aya’s life growing up in New York City, and what it’s like to now raise her daughter there
Her passion for art and art history, and how she became a puppeteer after college
Aya’s career in the fashion magazine industry, her experiences entering and adjusting to the tech industry, and the ups and downs that come with any career shift
How sometimes bad things happen to good people, and the steps you can take to rebuild confidence that’s been shaken
What parents can do to help nurture and fortify their children’s confidence as they grow up

Find Aya Kanai:
www.ayakanai.com
IG: @ayakanai
LinkedIn: Aya Kanai
Follow Lydia:
www.lydiafenet.com
IG: @lydiafenet
LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

Finding Your Opportunity with Kara Goldin Jul 04, 2023

Show notes

If you’ve ever been to any major grocery store chain like Target, Walmart, or Whole Foods, you’ve most likely seen Hint® water–the award-winning unsweetened flavored water–on the shelves. Kara Goldin, the founder of Hint, Inc., never thought that she would start a company or become an entrepreneur. Yet, by seizing an opportunity to follow her interests, Kara revolutionized the beverage industry for the better and is now revered as one of the most innovative entrepreneurs in her field. In this episode of Claim Your Confidence, we talk about how Kara took the leap of courage to start Hint, Inc., her media, tech, and consumer products background, and where the idea for Hint® water came from.
Don’t miss this interview where we discuss:

Kara’s childhood growing up in Phoenix, Arizona, how her parents and older siblings influenced her, and how she first started learning about business at a young age
How she found a “research ground” for learning about different career paths while she was still in college, and how she later landed her first job in New York City through tenacity and gumption
The importance of taking a chance regardless of the potential outcome, and that failures oftentimes provide the best learning experiences, paths to new opportunities, or at the very least a great story
How a personal health decision led Kara to develop Hint® water and found Hint, Inc.
Navigating an unknown industry, the lessons Kara has learned as an entrepreneur, and how she shares her story

Find Kara Goldin:
https://karagoldin.com/podcasts
IG, Twitter: @karagoldin
Facebook, LinkedIn: Kara Goldin
Follow Lydia:
www.lydiafenet.com
IG: @lydiafenet
LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

Finding Your Initiative with First Lady Donna Edwards Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

Sensitive Content Warning: This episode discusses events of human sex trafficking that may be distressing to some listeners. Being the first lady of Louisiana is not a role that comes with an instruction manual, yet First Lady Donna Edwards has served as such with diligence and compassion since 2016. From navigating the political world as her husband ran for state representative and later governor to becoming involved in various nonprofit organizations, in this interview Lydia and Donna talk about the defining moments of Donna’s life until now, and how she uses her voice to make an impact.
Don’t miss this episode where we discuss:

How staying true to yourself and living authentically can help you persevere in the face of adversity
Donna’s passion for teaching, and the importance of the arts and physical education in a well-rounded curriculum
Her experiences living on-base during her husband’s military career and what she took away from her family's frequent cross-country moves
The numerous causes Donna supports through the Louisiana First Foundation including Louisiana Fosters, Teach MAM (Music, Art, Movement), and LFF Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness
How we can support anti-human trafficking causes and protect our children from potentially dangerous situations both in-person and online

National Human Trafficking Hotline:
24 hours, 7 days a week
Call: 1-888-373-7888 or Text HELP to 233733
Humantraffickinghotline.org
State of Louisiana Hotline:1-855-4LA-KIDS or 1-855-452-5437
Find Donna Edwards:
https://louisianafirstfoundation.com
IG: @firstladyofla
Twitter: @FirstLadyOfLA
Facebook: First Lady Donna Edwards
Follow Lydia:
www.lydiafenet.com
IG: @lydiafenet
LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

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