Anatomy of a Leader with Maria Hvorostovsky

Eva Alexandridis, the Founder of 111SKIN is eloquent, elegant and enlightened. Growing up in Bulgaria with limited access to beauty products she, together with her husband Yannis - a plastic surgeon, created a skincare brand that now offers a luxurious, sensorial experience and is stocked in some of the most iconic stores in the world. We spoke about the long, difficult journey of building the brand, making assumptions about team members based on the companies they come from, trust, being burnt and so much more.  WE DISCUSS 02:13 - Eva growing up in Bulgaria & birth of 111Skin 08:54 - How to make the idea happen 15:37 - Future of the brand 19:11 - The effect of the pandemic 21:48 - Eva’s secrets to success and advice to people starting now 26:38 - Achieving balance of work and life 34: 20 - On Leadership 39:10 - Being a woman in business 41:40 - Advice to younger self / trust 47:31 - Eva’s skincare routine and top product EPISODE #19: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-YIz5pEMM9vigbYOxK2Kw EVA ALEXANDRIDIS: LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/eva-alexandridis-77705735 111SKIN: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/111skin-ltd Website:https://111skin.co.uk/ Instagram: @111SKIN - https://www.instagram.com/111skin/ Facebook: @111SKIN - https://www.facebook.com/111SKIN/ Pinterest: @111SKIN - https://www.pinterest.com/111skin/_shop/ TikTok: 111skinofficial - https://www.tiktok.com/@111skinofficial? YouTube: 111SKIN - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLtq4PNvXgpR5zQJzSlB7YA Twitter: @111SKIN - https://twitter.com/111Skin MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/?hl=en Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo HVO Search: www.hvosearch.com Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

“Once the person earns your trust, let them shine. No brands are built by one person.” In Episode #19 I spoke with Eva Alexandridis, Founder of 111SKIN about her upbringing in Bulgaria, creating 111SKIN with her plastic surgeon husband Yannis, trusting her team and on being burnt. EPISODE #19: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-YIz5pEMM9vigbYOxK2Kw EVA ALEXANDRIDIS: LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/eva-alexandridis-77705735 111SKIN: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/111skin-ltd Website:https://111skin.co.uk/ Instagram: @111SKIN - https://www.instagram.com/111skin/ Facebook: @111SKIN - https://www.facebook.com/111SKIN/ Pinterest: @111SKIN - https://www.pinterest.com/111skin/_shop/ TikTok: 111skinofficial - https://www.tiktok.com/@111skinofficial?lang=en&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1 YouTube: 111SKIN - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLtq4PNvXgpR5zQJzSlB7YA Twitter: @111SKIN - https://twitter.com/111Skin MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/?hl=en HVO Search: www.hvosearch.com Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

In Episode #18 I spoke with Simon Whitehouse, the CEO of Eco-Age, who was also the first CEO of JW Anderson (I may have had something to do with that). We talked about being and acting yourself, parents as role models, empathy, taking a moral path, fairness, men crying at home and at work, leading with your conscience, the most valuable function in a team, being a first time CEO, the dynamic of being a CEO to a Creative Founder and the different paths to being a CEO. This is one of the most unfiltered and candid conversations so far… But you’ll be the judge of that. WE DISCUSS 01:54 - Growing up - never been comfortable with being a leader 12:20 - Empathy - How would I like my mother to be treated? 14:30 - When Simon is not so nice and concept of fairness 17:39  - Seeing dad cry - being and acting yourself 22:34 - Two different routes to becoming a CEO 24:19 - Role at JW Anderson - expressing your emotions 31:17 - Building and leading a high performing team 35:28 - Relationship between CEO and Creative Founder 40:29 - The role of general manager is to set the tone of the culture 42:21 - Dealing with challenging situations 44:22 - What does being a leader mean - challenge and psychological safety 50:55 - How having a baby shaped Simon’s view of business and life 56:43 - What would have saved Simon a lot of hassle 01:01:41 - Advice to younger self 01:08:42 - Simon being obnoxious 01:11:22 - The Impossible Question EPISODE #18: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-YIz5pEMM9vigbYOxK2Kw SIMON WHITEHOUSE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-whitehouse-a065472/ Instagram: @simonsrockyroad - https://www.instagram.com/simonsrockyroad/?hl=en ECO-AGE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecoage/ Instagram: @ecoage - https://www.instagram.com/ecoage/?hl=en EBIT™ Instagram: @enjoybeingintransition - https://www.instagram.com/enjoybeingintransition/?hl=en MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/?hl=en Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo HVO Search: www.hvosearch.com Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

“The chain is as strong as its weakest link” In Episode #18 I spoke with Simon Whitehouse, the CEO of Eco-Age, who was also the first CEO of JW Anderson (I may have had something to do with that). We talked about being and acting yourself, parents as role models, empathy, taking a moral path, fairness, men crying at home and at work, leading with your conscience, the most valuable function in a team, being a first time CEO, the dynamic of being a CEO to a Creative Founder and the different paths to being a CEO. This is one of the most unfiltered and candid conversations so far… But you’ll be the judge of that. EPISODE #18: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-YIz5pEMM9vigbYOxK2Kw SIMON WHITEHOUSE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-whitehouse-a065472/ Instagram: @simonsrockyroad - https://www.instagram.com/simonsrockyroad/?hl=en ECO-AGE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecoage/ Instagram: @ecoage - https://www.instagram.com/ecoage/?hl=en EBIT™ Instagram: @enjoybeingintransition - https://www.instagram.com/enjoybeingintransition/?hl=en MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/?hl=en Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo HVO Search: www.hvosearch.com Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

Vanessa Jacobs is all about action, grabbing the tiger by the tail and taking that first step. After a career in investment banking and consulting, she started what she calls her side ‘mummy hustle’. Little did she know that this would turn into a full on successful startup The Restory - a leading luxury aftercare company providing services for the likes of Harrods, Harvey Nichols and most recently Manolo Blahnik. In Episode 17 we take a look into the story behind The Restory, lessons learnt about starting a side hustle, taking the leap from consulting to startup, burnout and everything in between. WE DISCUSS: 02:21 - The birth of The Restory 07:14 - See a need - fill a need 09:31 - Vanessa’s biggest business challenge 15:54 - The hardest thing for a start-up 18:15 - Fuel for the fires 20:02 - (Believing) 22:41 - What is leadership 27:04 - Growing up and moving to London 31:20 - Advice for consultants who want to start their own business 32:32 - Understanding failure / Taking care of yourself 35:27 - Advice for Vanessa’s younger self 40:11 - The “Impossible” question 41:53 - What Vanessa is most proud of VANESSA JACOBS LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/vanessajacobs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vljacobs THE RESTORY Twitter: https://twitter.com/therestory_/status/930832106330230784 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therestory_/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-restory/ EPISODE #17: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-YIz5pEMM9vigbYOxK2Kw (change this) MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo HVO Search: www.hvosearch.com/ Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

“Once I commit myself, I'm really all in. And I'm, as I said, a bit of a masochist about it” Vanessa Jacobs is all about action, grabbing the tiger by the tail and taking that first step. After a career in investment banking and consulting, she started what she calls her side ‘mummy hustle’. Little did she know that this would turn into a full on successful startup The Restory - a leading luxury aftercare company providing services for the likes of Harrods, Harvey Nichols and most recently Manolo Blahnik. In Episode 17 we take a look into the story behind The Restory, lessons learnt about starting a side hustle, taking the leap from consulting to startup, burnout and everything in between.  VANESSA JACOBS LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/vanessajacobs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vljacobs THE RESTORY Twitter: https://twitter.com/therestory_/status/930832106330230784 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therestory_/ EPISODE #17: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC-YIz5pEMM9vigbYOxK2Kw MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

Steve Dennis is a retail industry veteran, keynote speaker on retail innovation, podcast host, and has recently revised his bestselling book “Remarkable Retail - How to Win & Keep Customers in The Age of Disruption”. Steve is President of Sageberry Consulting, Strategic Advisor, Senior Forbes Contributor and holds an MBA from The Harvard School of Business. In Episode 16 we talk about the current retail environment, fostering a culture of experimentation, mapping out the customer journey and, of course, how to be remarkable. WE DISCUSS: 04:24 - What retailers got wrong before the pandemic 06:30 - New retail strategies - what new tricks must old dogs learn? 14:10 - The end of scarcity 19:59 - Experimentation, innovation, trial and error 24:12 - The importance of risk and failure 29:09 - What we need in our retail leaders 38:01 - Challenges for legacy retailers and advice for next 5-10 years 42:00 - Read this one chapter of Steve’s book 45:40 - Meeting customers at different levels 51:18 - What to do with the old version of Remarkable Retail? STEVE DENNIS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenpdennis Instagram: @Stevenpdennis - https://www.instagram.com/stevenpdennis Twitter: @Stevenpdennis - https://twitter.com/StevenPDennis  Website: https://stevenpdennis.com RetailWire: https://www.retailwire.com/author/steve-dennis Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevendennis Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/remarkable-retail Books: https://stevenpdennis.com/remarkable-retail/ Keynote Speaking: https://stevenpdennis.com/speaking/ EPISODE #16: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://youtu.be/aD8LItLQ_fM MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

“The main reason I wrote the book was for that retailer who is slowly sinking into oblivion, and thinking that a slightly better version of mediocre is enough to win” Steve Dennis is a retail industry veteran, keynote speaker on retail innovation, podcast host, and has recently revised his bestselling book “Remarkable Retail - How to Win & Keep Customers in The Age of Disruption”. Steve is President of Sageberry Consulting, Strategic Advisor, Senior Forbes Contributor and holds an MBA from The Harvard School of Business. In Episode 16 we talk about the current retail environment, fostering a culture of experimentation, mapping out the customer journey and, of course, how to be remarkable. STEVE DENNIS LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenpdennis Instagram: @Stevenpdennis - https://www.instagram.com/stevenpdennis Twitter: @Stevenpdennis - https://twitter.com/StevenPDennis Website: https://stevenpdennis.com RetailWire: https://www.retailwire.com/author/steve-dennis Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevendennis Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/remarkable-retail Books: https://stevenpdennis.com/remarkable-retail/ Keynote Speaking: https://stevenpdennis.com/speaking/ EPISODE #16: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://youtu.be/aD8LItLQ_fM MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

Grace Fodor is an age warrior, brand strategist, and founder of Studio 10 cosmetics, leading the pro-age revolution. In this time of ageism, she inspires, empowers and encourages women across the globe to appreciate their unique blend of beauty, experience and vibrance. In Episode 15 we have a heart-to-heart about struggles, perceptions and decisions of midlife women in the workplace. We also discuss Grace’s outlook on social media, business, gender and leadership and how mediocre practices are limiting not only our women but also organisations. It’s inspiring to hear Grace talk about her journey into midlife and beyond. She elaborates on her struggles, growth and insight as a woman in business. Her view is that it’s never too late to bloom. WE DISCUSS: 3:48 - The philosophy of Studio 10 6:47 - Grace’s insight into the pro-age movement and age relevance 16:29 - All about Studio 10 and Grace’s business background 21:05 - Humanising a brand 26:09 - The dilemma and the demands of the limelight / Authenticity 34:24 - Gender and roles 41:33 - Vision, inspiration and leadership 51:03 - Stress - past, present and future 56:22 - Resting to work 1:05:44 - What to focus on GRACE FODOR   LinkedIn:https://uk.linkedin.com/in/grace-fodor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio10makeup/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/grace_fodor  AFA: https://www.advocatesforageing.com/grace-fodor     STUDIO 10 BEAUTY   Website: https://studio10beauty.com/  Twitter: @studio10beauty - https://twitter.com/studio10beauty  Facebook: @studio10beauty - https://www.facebook.com/studio10beauty/  Pinterest: @studio10beauty - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/studio10beauty/ EPISODE #15: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://youtu.be/OTS6AbSJXQ4 MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!

“Focus on yourself. Compete against yourself." In Episode 15 I speak with Grace Fodor, an Age Warrior, Brand Strategist, and Founder of Studio 10 cosmetics. Grace is a leader in the pro-age revolution. In this time of ageism, she inspires, empowers and encourages women across the globe to appreciate their unique blend of beauty, experience and vibrance. We have a heart-to-heart about struggles, perceptions and decisions of midlife women in the workplace. We also discuss Grace’s outlook on social media, business, gender and leadership and how mediocre practices are limiting not only our women but also organisations. It’s inspiring to hear Grace talk about her journey into midlife and beyond. She elaborates on her struggles, growth and insight as a woman in business. Her view is that it’s never too late to bloom. GRACE FODOR LinkedIn:https://uk.linkedin.com/in/grace-fodor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio10makeup/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/grace_fodor AFA: https://www.advocatesforageing.com/grace-fodor STUDIO 10 BEAUTY Website: https://studio10beauty.com/ Twitter: @studio10beauty - https://twitter.com/studio10beauty Facebook: @studio10beauty - https://www.facebook.com/studio10beauty/ Pinterest: @studio10beauty - https://www.pinterest.co.uk/studio10beauty/ EPISODE #15: You can listen to the full episode here OR WATCH it on YouTube - https://youtu.be/OTS6AbSJXQ4 MARIA HVOROSTOVSKY: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: @MariaHvo - https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ Clubhouse: @MariaHvo - https://www.clubhouse.com/@mariahvo Get in touch if you need help HIRING your senior leadership team LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Subscribe, Rate, and leave a REVIEW. The best review will get a mention in the next episode!