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She built a skincare empire from a YouTube channel, survived a very public launch controversy, and walked away with a $355M exit. Naturium founder Susan Yara is giving us the unfiltered story of how she built one of beauty's most unexpected brands — and why the best advice she ever got was to never fall in love with what she was building. From predicting her own creator peak to landing in all 1,400 Target doors to selling to E.L.F. Beauty, this is the blueprint ambitious founders actually need.In this episode, we cover:🎥 Why Susan started planning her exit from the creator economy before anyone else saw it coming📊 The analytics move that proved she could convert her audience into real customers🔥 The launch controversy that could have killed Naturium — and why it didn't🏪 How Naturium went into all 1,400 Target doors and why you should always ask for more💰 When and why to take investment as a founder scaling into big box retail🤝 What the E.L.F. acquisition process actually looked like from the inside — including the Spain trademark that almost killed the deal🚀 Why Susan stayed with the brand after the sale and what she's building next✨ Tune in to hear how one of beauty's most unlikely founders built, scaled, and sold a brand entirely on her own terms.Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festivalTo follow along with Create & Cultivate:https://www.instagram.com/createcultivatewww.createcultivate.comTo connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnsonTo connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton

We Put Ourselves on the Spot So You Don't Have To | Live Q&A from Austin, TXWe took the stage at Future Summit in Austin, Texas in front of hundreds of incredible women entrepreneurs and opened it all the way up. No filter, no script — just real questions from real founders and the honest answers you actually need to hear. From pitching investors to scaling past your revenue ceiling, this one is packed with tactical, no-BS advice.In this episode, we cover:- 💡 How to pitch investors when you don't have traction yet — and what to do instead- 📈 Why your business model might have a revenue ceiling and how to break through it- 🏗️ Whether to build your product or your audience first- 💸 The biggest money mistake Marina made in year one (a $30K lesson)- 🤝 How to find a co-founder who actually aligns with your values- 👊 How to beat imposter syndrome — including what Martha Stewart had to say about it- 🎟️ How to run profitable events no matter your budget✨ Tune in to learn how to date with clarity and call in connection that actually feels good.Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festivalTo follow along with Create & Cultivate:https://www.instagram.com/createcultivatewww.createcultivate.comTo connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnsonTo connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton

Katie Lloyd, Chief Operating Officer at The Bevy and professional matchmaker with a background in finance, explains modern dating for high-achievers. She busts the myth that success scares partners. She discusses how CEO energy can block chemistry. She outlines conscious dating practices, checking your nervous system, and how attachment styles shape patterns.

Bria Johnson, Chief Style Strategist and founder of Iconic with Style, helps high-performing women align their visual presence with leadership goals. She talks about the embodiment gap and why first impressions form before you speak. Short, practical takes cover fit as a confidence tool, dressing like the leader you’re becoming, and translating presence for Zoom and meetings.

Rebecca Hessel Cohen, founder and creative director of LoveShackFancy, built a vintage-inspired fashion and lifestyle world. She recounts how one bridesmaid dress grew into clothing, home, and playful collaborations. Conversation covers sticking to a romantic aesthetic, using drops and experiences to create buzz, and ambitious plans like cafés and hotels.

Dr. Catha Fischer, board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and Medical Director at Spring Fertility, offers clear, compassionate guidance. She explains fertility versus ovarian reserve. She discusses when to consider egg or embryo freezing and what age means. She walks through fertility assessment, the day-to-day of egg freezing, costs, and storage strategy.

Cosmopolitan is one of the most recognizable brands in media with more than six decades of history. So what does it take to evolve a legacy title for a completely new generation of readers and platforms?In this episode, we sit down with Willa Bennett, the editor in chief of Cosmopolitan and Seventeen, to talk about the real work that goes into modernizing a brand that people think they already know. From redefining the core editorial mission to building platform-specific content to navigating rapid shifts in media, Willa shares how she approaches reinvention without losing what made Cosmo iconic in the first place.They get into:• What it means to lead a legacy brand through a cultural shift• How Cosmo balances reinvention with its long-standing identity• The editorial strategy behind connecting with multiple generations• Why curation, storytelling, and POV matter more than ever• How Willa thinks about leadership, mentorship, and building a creative teamIf you have ever wondered how major brands stay relevant or what it looks like to lead through change, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the strategy, focus, and intuition it takes to evolve an icon.Tune in for a conversation about reinvention, vision, and the future of women’s media.Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festivalTo follow along with Create & Cultivate:https://www.instagram.com/createcultivatewww.createcultivate.comTo connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnsonTo connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton

Influencer culture is feeling stale as social media fatigue takes over. The pressure to perform success is impacting women founders, pushing them to prioritize personal branding over authenticity. Discussions reveal how early social media creators showcased unique content, while monetization led to a loss of originality. The hosts highlight a growing desire for offline experiences and suggest that disconnecting from social platforms could reignite creativity. They explore the balance between using AI for information and retaining creative authenticity.

Kasturi Mudulodu, President of Commerce at GoDaddy and former engineer/product leader, helps small businesses simplify commerce. She discusses why a single, connected system matters. Short takes cover unifying online and in-person sales, practical AI for small biz, and choosing tools that let you experiment and scale.

Liv Schreiber has built a business around something we all crave: real connection. This week she joins Jaclyn and Marina to talk about what happens when you stop trying to “network” and start genuinely connecting. As the founder of *Hot and Social* and *Camp Social*, Liv helps women find friendship, confidence, and opportunity in the most unexpected places.They get into:* How showing up solo can change your life and career* Why connection is the most underrated business strategy* The story behind building Hot and Social and Camp Social* What it really means to build a community that lasts* How friendship and business can actually go hand in handIf you’ve been craving deeper connections or looking to meet the right people in your life and work, this one will remind you that sometimes the best opportunities start with a simple hello.✨ Tune in for a conversation that proves community is the strategy.Join Us for 2026 World’s Largest Festival for Women in Business here: https://www.createcultivate.com/festivalTo follow along with Create & Cultivate:https://www.instagram.com/createcultivatewww.createcultivate.comTo connect with Jaclyn Johnson: https://www.instagram.com/jaclynrjohnsonTo connect with Marina Middleton: https://www.instagram.com/marinaamiddleton