Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff

Latest Episodes:

Dress Your Best, Help Those With Less: Blythe Hill of the Dressember Foundation Dec 08, 2020

Show notes

This episode involves the frank discussion of adult and child trafficking, as well as sexual abuse. It contains information that may be sensitive to some listeners.

Often by the time December hits parties are in full swing, and there’s no shortage of reasons to throw on something fancy and celebrate the season. Of course this holiday season is a little different from most, but that doesn’t mean you need to stay in your PJ’s until the spring thaw. The Dressember challenge encourages people to wear a dress or a tie daily throughout the month, and for good reason.

Founded by Blythe Hill, the Dressember Foundation works to support efforts against human trafficking from every angle, from rescue and rehabilitation to vocational training, as well as working with targeted industries to stop trafficking before it starts. Now in its 7th year, the Dressember Foundation has raised over $10 million across 6 continents. Listen in to see how you can get involved, and learn why fundraising this year is more crucial than ever before.

Thanks for listening!

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Big Ideas

Understanding the pervasiveness of sex trafficking within the U.S. and around the world.
How to approach upsetting information in a way that feels empowering rather than overwhelming.
The impact of COVID on trafficking.

Guest Website

Dressember

Fundraise

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Self Care as Self Preservation: Skin Care Queen Joanna Vargas Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

In the early days of Rebecca’s career, she received a phone call from a friend, asking if she would be interested in getting free facials in exchange for social media coverage of a new spa. Rebecca didn’t know it at the time, but the person about to become her favorite new aesthetician was the one and only Joanna Vargas, also just starting out with her own business, making a go of it in New York.

The incredible success Joanna has had belies the fact that not only did she and her husband fund a new business with their own credit cards, but she was also met with more negativity than support when she declared she wanted to start her own spa. While it took a big leap of faith, Joanna knew it was the only option. Joanna’s faith in herself, along with her belief that skin care is rooted in personal health and wellness, has fueled her business, taking her from a 300 square foot rental space to spas on both coasts and 27 products under her name!

Thanks for listening!

Big Ideas

The challenges Joanna faced in starting her own company, and how she made diversity a priority from the start.
Skin care as more than just an aesthetic practice.
Recommendations for how to best care for your skin, regardless of your budget.

Links

Glow From Within
Joanna Vargas Skin Care

@jvskincare

@joannavargasnyc

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Listen More Than You Talk: Liyia Wu, Founder and CEO of ShopShops Nov 24, 2020

Show notes

COVID may still be going strong, but so are shoppers. This year may not have been the business boon is typically is for retail stores, but virtual shopping has seen a rise unlike anything before. At first glance it may seem as if online shopping has reached its zenith; after all, you can virtually find anything you want within the time it takes to perform a few quick key strokes. But one person has envisioned something better.

Liyia Wu, former Parsons grad and fashion designer herself, has spent the last few years working to innovate remote shopping with her app,ShopShops. Using the ShopShops app, it’s as if your best friend, who’s also a fashion expert in her field, is FaceTiming you during the retail experience of a lifetime. You can ask questions, ask her to try stuff on, and best of all, buy anything you like right then and there. Though the app first launched in China, Liyia is now launching ShopShops stateside with the one and only Rebecca Minkoff as her partner, so charge your phone and get ready to add this season’s must-haves to your wardrobe!

Thanks for listening!

Big Ideas

The challenges that come with starting your own company as a woman in a male-dominated space, and the pressures of balancing family and work.
The importance of working at the grassroots level and getting comfortable pitching to both clients and potential investors.
How to best navigate the tech world as a woman.

Guest Website

ShopShops Website

ShopShops App

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Healthy From the Start: Catherine McCord Helps Kids and Parents Make Mealtime a Memorable, Educational Experience Nov 17, 2020

Show notes

Most new (and experienced!) parents are familiar with the scenario: you either don’t know what’s appropriate to feed your children, or their distinct preferences – dare we say pickiness! – make it difficult to sit down to the table without preparing a separate meal for each member of the family.

Catherine McCord certainly found herself in that situation. While she’d spent her career creating fantastic meals for both restaurants and catering companies from coast to coast, she was stumped at how to best feed her first child. Out of that quandary Weelicious was born. What started as a blog aimed at helping parents teach kids how to eat well has now developed into several recipe books, and naturally the launch of a family-focused meal subscription box, One Potato. Not only is Catherine passionate about how to get kids involved in making healthy choices, but her focus on creating wholesome, organic food on a budget makes it more accessible as well.

Thanks for listening!

Big Ideas

Tips for how to teach kids to eat a variety of healthy foods, and how to get them to participate in their own healthy choices.
How to create healthy, organic meals on a budget.

Links

One Potato

Weelicious

Wise Traditions Podcast

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Being Your Own Best Advocate: Erin Gallagher, Co-Founder of Have Her Back Nov 10, 2020

Show notes

When Erin Gallagher was working at a PR firm during the height of the #MeToo movement, she knew that the fair treatment of women and marginalized communities was something that her workplace needed to emphasize for their clients. What began as an initiative started working for someone else soon became the impetus to start her own consultancy, one that focuses entirely on the equity of women and people of color.

The fair treatment of BIPOC communities and women is long overdue, and the snail’s pace at which real change seems to occur can be disheartening. Erin’s venture, Have Her Back, has made its goal to partner with the biggest companies in the world in order to shake things up and effect change from the top down.

Thanks for listening!

Big Ideas

Adapting a business during the pandemic. [07:20]
How do we work towards equity for women and BIPOC when progress seems so slow? [09:08]

Guest Website

Have Her Back

@HaveHerBack

@eringogallagher

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To Double Back or Double Down: Shannon Watts Works to End Gun Violence in America Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

Please be aware, this episode contains discussion of gun violence and suicide as it pertains to adults, children and teens.

It may be surprising to learn that among national polls, 90% of Americans favor stronger gun laws that require background checks before any gun sale takes place. Even 80% of gun owners and 70% of NRA members agree. Why, then, does it seem like gun control is such a polarizing issue?

When Shannon Watts watched the events of the Sandy Hook shooting unfold, and the consequent response that more guns were the answer, she knew in her gut that something had to change. Inspired by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, she founded Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. For far too long gun lobbyists have influenced politicians to make laws that favor the quick and easy access that essentially equates to more gun sales annually. Shannon’s organization, which has chapters in every state, continues its work to ensure that the 400 million guns in this country are subject to laws that keep citizens as safe as possible.
Text the word, “Ready,” to 64433 to get involved.

Thanks for listening!

Big Ideas

Where to start if you want to make big changes in the world but are unsure of how to go about it. [02:50]
What does gun control really mean? [05:09]
Why the U.S. has such high rates of gun violence compared to other countries. [10:02]

Links

Fight Like a Mother
Emerge America

Guest Website

Moms Demand Action

Students Demand Action

@MomsDemand

@StudentsDemand

@ShannonRWatts

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Progress Over Perfection: Sarah Paiji Yoo of Blueland Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

Let’s face it: the burdens of plastic consumption are overwhelming. We try our best to recycle, hoping our used ketchup bottles and takeout containers are reincarnated as earth-friendly reusable water bottles, but the truth is that countless amounts of plastics continue to clog landfills and waterways each year. When Sarah Paiji Yoo discovered that microscopic bits of plastic even make their way into our drinking water, she decided she had to do something.

Sarah and her co-founder started Blueland as a starting point for changing the way we think about cleaning products, and the containers they come in. After discovering most cleaning products contain 90% water, Sarah envisioned a tablet that could then be mixed with water at home, minimizing the need to buy plastic-packaged products every time. The biggest lesson she’s learned? It’s nearly impossible to have a “perfect” solution to plastic at this point, but that’s not a reason to give up trying.

Thanks for listening!

Big Ideas

The disturbing fate of plastics and why we need to change that.
The challenges Blueland encountered in product development.
How reaching beyond the eco-conscious market actually broadens the environmental impact.

Guest Website

Blueland

@Blueland

@spaiji

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Tiny But Transparent: Melissa Clayton of Tiny Tags Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

Tiny Tags is a small company, and Melissa Clayton likes it that way. After working as a CPA early on in her career, eventually the entrepreneurial genes she inherited from her father began to activate, stirring within Melissa the desire to start her own company.

Ironically, Melissa didn’t know a whole lot about jewelry making when she got the idea for a line that would celebrate the many facets that motherhood can take. What she has learned, however, is that “everybody you meet knows something you don’t.” A chance encounter on a plane put her in touch with a woman who would help her learn the ins and outs of running a jewelry company. Since then, Melissa has been met with lessons that have taught her how important it is to adhere to the vision that feels most authentic to the company, regardless of what anyone else might think.

Thanks for listening!

Big Ideas

The importance of having a supportive community when raising children.
How to work effectively with a spouse or family member.
The value in focusing on what is authentic to the company rather than trying to cast a wide net.

Guest Website

Tiny Tags

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Think Outside the Box: Katie Rosen Kitchens of FabFitFun Oct 06, 2020

Show notes

Back in 2010, the zenith of subscription boxes was just beyond the horizon - a small glimmer in the consumer’s eye. Katie Rosen saw this as an opportunity not to be missed. These days, while they may be ubiquitous across multiple markets, Katie has found a way to keep FabFitFun one of the most sought-after subscription boxes on the market, even after 10 years.

Inspired by beauty boxes but unsatisfied with the (small) size of the samples, Katie sought to create boxes that would get customers excited, including full sized products at a fraction of the price. By relying on consumer feedback from day one, and creating community beyond simply selling, the company has garnered a loyal following that now boasts over a million members worldwide.

Thanks for listening!

Big Ideas

Keeping afloat in saturated markets. [05:20]
How to grow a loyal following within your brand’s community. [10:00]

Guest Website

FabFitFun

Instagram

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Get Your Own Seat: Suzanne Lerner of Michael Stars Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

How often do people consider the ethics behind the brands they buy? While it’s becoming increasingly popular to make sure your money is going somewhere “woke,” it’s still not quite the norm. Suzanne Lerner, then, was ahead of her time when she and Michael founded the company of the same name in the 1980’s, and made it their mission to support equality in all its various facets.

While the company has had to pivot and grow over the years, the heart of their mission has remained the same. Suzanne regularly puts their company profits towards charitable organizations, and has recently paired with Gloria Steinem to support voting initiatives in addition to work for gender and racial equity. As Suzanne puts it, “It’s okay to make a profit, but it’s even better to give it away.”

Thanks for listening!

Big Ideas

Advice for getting a new product in stores. [04:37]
How to progress in business when your partner is unable to continue in their role. [07:53]
Advice for working with margins. [14:24]

Links

Ms. Foundation
ERA Coalition
A Call to Men
Black Voters Matter
Voto Latino
March On

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