Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff

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Stop and Smell the Revenue: Talking Flowers and Fundraising With Christina Stembel Sep 10, 2019

Show notes

We’ll address the big question first: Christina Stembel of Farmgirl Flowers really did grow up on a farm. Growing up in northern Indiana, Christina was expected to fulfill her womanly duties as a wife and mother while her brother went off to college. But Christina had other plans. She hightailed it to New York within two weeks of graduating from high school and started working.

Christina did not grow up with a lot of people cheering her on and wishing her success, and that made her strive for it all the more. Over some years and many different ideas, she saw that the floral industry held an opportunity to do exactly what she desired in starting her own business: disrupt the status quo, create scalability, and do good in the world.

While not without its challenges (who knew the floral industry could be so cutthroat?), Christina has scaled from 56K her first year of business to $31 million 8 years later. As Christina fondly says, success is the best revenge.
(In partnership with Capital One Spark Business)

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Big Ideas

Less than 3% of women get funding from venture capital. Discussing the disparity in capital support between male and female founders. [09:36]
The value in trusting your instincts. [32:00]

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Yes WIE Can: Talking Institutional Change with Dee Poku-Spalding Sep 03, 2019

Show notes

This episode is in partnership with SAP Success Factors.

Dee Poku remembers what it was like when she worked for big movie studios. No need to make her own travel plans, or worry about her computer getting fixed. All that was taken care of; just walk out the door and a car will be there to take you where you need to go.

All that changed when she decided strike out on her own, and it took some adjusting. Dee could no longer let the weight of her employer’s name bolster her confidence. It took time to be able stand tall and tell people about an enterprise they had never heard of. Her self-assuredness grew, however, and Dee saw how people responded to her differently simply by the way she delivered her message.

Today Dee is the founder of multiple ventures aimed at supporting women in business. Her events encourage women to work towards positions of leadership, give them skills necessary to navigate the male-dominated workforce, and let their creativity shine.

Thanks for listening!

Big Ideas

The payoffs inherent in taking a grassroots approach, calling upon those you know, and creating a greater network to support your movement. [11:40]

The critical importance of raising girls who are comfortable talking about money and asking for what they need. [22:26]

How the term “empowerment” has become problematic. [29:10]

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99 Problems But A Bed Ain’t One: Problem-Solving With Ariel Kaye Aug 27, 2019

Show notes

Bed. We spend a third of our lives there, and yet oftentimes, our beds, or what we put on them, become somewhat of an afterthought.

Ariel Kaye sought to change that. After spending some years in advertising, Ariel came to a point where she was looking for more excitement, and more of a direct way to connect with people. She had always been passionate about interior design and home goods, going so far as to maintain her own blog on the subject in her free time. As she was pondering a change in career, it dawned on her that there were little to no direct to consumer options for bedding. That is when the idea for Parachute Home was born.

Now in its fifth year and about to open the fifth brick and mortar (!), Ariel fondly recalls the early days when she would drive around in her car, delivering orders directly to buyers in Los Angeles.

Growth and success have come with their own challenges. Here Ariel discusses entrepreneurial ups and downs, what makes her passionate about her company, and how at the heart of it all it’s really about building relationships.

Thanks for listening!

Big Ideas

The changes that come with viewing your business as relationship-based rather than transaction-based. [15:56]
The invaluable importance of knowing your customer base well and growing with their needs. [17:27]

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“I Say Yes to Everything”: The Adventurous Spirit of Katie Couric Aug 20, 2019

Show notes

This episode is in partnership with SAP SuccessFactors.

She’s self-described as “messy” and can play the piano by ear – as long as it’s in the key of C. No, we’re not talking about Katy Perry – Katie Couric is here, she’s caffeinated, and she’s ready to sing for you!

A household name for decades, it only makes sense that after years in broadcast news, Katie has finally taken the entrepreneurial plunge and started her own media company. Excited to tackle controversial issues and educate the public, Katie is taking the reigns as her own boss to share timely stories in her uniquely sympathetic, yet fearless voice.

One of the greatest interviewers of our time, Katie reflects upon the fact that it is the balance between being kind and being tough that drove her career to its success. Now in a new era, Katie continues to inspire women of all ages to ask questions, be fearless, and learn to move gracefully through moments of discomfort.

Thanks for listening!

Big Ideas

The value in bringing positive energy to the workplace. [15:01]
Ageism as being socially acceptable, and in contrast, the beauty and gifts inherent in aging. [18:26]
The importance of true listening and fruitful communication. [33:05]

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Jill Kargman: Gucci Kneepads & Not Giving a F*** Aug 13, 2019

Show notes

Jill Kargman is not your neighborhood soccer mom and she doesn’t play one on TV, either. Her dark sense of humor and love of all things goth might put her out of place at most “mommy and me” gatherings, but this is especially true on the swanky Upper East Side where she originates.

However, Jill isn’t one to waste her time worrying about what other people think. Instead, she worked her alchemical writing magic and spun this into comedy gold, using her position in society as inspiration for the screenplay – turned book – turned TV show, Odd Mom Out. She also plays the feature role in the show, utilizing the talent honed from acting in numerous plays during her time at Yale.

Jill’s creative journey has taken her from arduous internships to writing rooms to the confines of her home office and back again. Jill now plans to return to the big screen as she sets out to script a film inspired in earnestness by the life of her teenagers.

Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Follow Superwomen on Instagram.

Big Ideas

Trusting yourself and listening to your gut. [12:55]

“Better sorry than safe.” The importance of pushing beyond your comfort zone to do the things that are important to you. [30:58]

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Amy Shecter on Creativity, Failure and Growth Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

This episode is in partnership with SAP SuccessFactors.

How would your life be different if you were less afraid to make mistakes, to “fail”?

Amy Shecter doesn’t think women let themselves fail enough, and she thinks it’s high time we become less risk-averse. Statistically, she says, women will only take risks when they feel 95-100% confident in a favorable outcome, versus the average man, who will take the same risk at only 50% confidence. And what, really, is there to lose? Most of the time a supposed failure simply means you’re that much closer to the next success.

Amy spent years in fashion and footwear before delving into the world of fitness and beauty. She immediately saw it as an expanding consumer market. Now the CEO of Glamsquad, a company that brings hair, nail and makeup artists to your door, Amy finds excitement not only in great products and services for clients, but also in the fact that Glamsquad gives freelance beauty professionals a platform to support themselves.

Thanks for listening!

Big Ideas

Why saving time is so valuable to consumers. [09:15]

H-Commerce - the home as a new basis for services and revenue. [11:20]

“Competition” as an opportunity to seed the market. [18:28]

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Rachel Blumenthal’s Not Sweating the Small Stuff Jul 30, 2019

Show notes

The fashion world was the last place Rachel Blumenthal envisioned her career. Growing up on Cape Cod surrounded by adults with “practical” careers, it never occurred to her that a job in fashion might be a viable option. However, when a series of internships and a stroke of luck landed her a job at Yves Saint Laurent, Rachel found herself in the midst of it all.

Despite the fact that she was immersed in a creative environment, the job itself was lacking in that aspect, and on a whim Rachel made herself a ring for fun. That ring was noticed by friends who worked at a magazine, and with just one product she was asked to be featured as a designer in the publication. Overnight she was forced to create a legitimate company, find a buyer and create a website or risk losing the feature. This type of resourcefulness laid the groundwork for what became an incredibly successful jewelry line, Rachel Leigh, and what led to multiple ventures beyond that, most recently, Rockets of Awesome, a subscription-based clothing line for children.

Here Rachel discusses her creativity, her work ethic, and how passionate drive is the key to a successful business.

Big Ideas
If a good opportunity presents itself, find every way you can to make it work for you. [04:21]
Mitigating risk when starting a business. [09:31]
Giving yourself grace when making mistakes. [18:37]

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Amanda de Cadenet: Girlgazing Her Way Through the Glass Ceiling Jul 23, 2019

Show notes

Amanda de Cadenet is a force to be reckoned with. She’s had more noteworthy careers than most people achieve in a lifetime. Amanda began her career in television at the age of 15. Not for the stardom or the glamour, but out of pure necessity to support herself. The show, in which she and other presenters interviewed bands such as Nirvana and Oasis, proved to be a hit. While Amanda had found success, by the age of 22 she was ready for a change, and moved to L.A. to work as a photographer.

After experiencing firsthand the frustration of being passed over time and again for photography jobs which she was qualified for, Amanda began to produce and interview women on her own show, “The Conversation.” “I’m always interested in peoples’ really low moments, because I want to know how they came back from it. Because we’re all going to have them, no one’s exempt. My question has always been, ‘well how did you get up off the ground one more time? How did you make it through that?’ Because that’s ultimately what we have to share on the other side of it.”

Continuing on her quest to promote intersectional gender equality Amanda has also spearheaded the #girlgaze movement, encouraging female-identifying individuals to share their unique point of view under that hashtag in the hopes of illuminating the multifaceted jewel that is the female point of view.

This episode is in partnership with SAP SuccessFactors.

Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Follow Superwomen on Instagram.

Big Ideas
The gift of vulnerability and the strength that lies within that. [2:46]
Learning how to navigate the most challenging parts of life and move forward. [15:12]
Decisions based on choice vs. need. [32:29]

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Noria Morales and Sarah Robinson Transition from Fashion World to Family Business Jul 16, 2019

Show notes

It may not seem like the most obvious progression, but after spending the early parts of their careers in the demanding world of fashion, Noria Morales and Sarah Robinson decided to go out on a limb and pursue a venture near and dear to them as new mothers – creating a parent-friendly play place. Through their (and many parents’) desire to find a place where children could have fun and adults could relax came the inspiration for The Wonder, a Tribeca-based space that includes multiple play areas, adults-only zones and a café, in addition to classes and programming to keep kiddos engaged.

Drawing on the skills they learned while working at MAC, Target and Lucky Magazine, Sarah and Noria discuss the hurdles they overcame to launch a business while working full time, all while managing motherhood and family duties. It wasn’t easy, but things worth doing rarely are!

Big Ideas
The value of staying the course through the toughest parts of launching a company. [11:38]

The importance of taking time to visualize the best possible outcome, and leaning on friends for advice when you need it. [30:11]

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Life Lessons With Noor Tagouri Jul 09, 2019

Show notes

Journalist and all-around amazing human being, Noor Tagouri joins us this week for a wide-ranging conversation. She talks about how she found success in her career while remaining true to herself, the importance of giving a voice to marginalized communities in the media, and much more. This episode is in partnership with SAP SuccessFactors.

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