Behind Her Empire

Samia Gore is the founder and CEO of Body Complete Rx, a plant-based health and wellness nutritional supplement brand.After giving birth to her fourth child, Samia was on a weight loss journey and was looking for natural, organic alternatives to help jumpstart her healthier lifestyle. She was sharing all her personal routines and tips online, and after building a large community of like-minded people on her social, she decided to create her own supplements that would cater to women like her. After building and self-funding the brand for years, Samia was able to leave her day job and take her $5,000 investment and build a company that has generated over $10 million in sales - all within four years! Samia is the first Black female founder to break significant ground in the nutritional supplement industry.We'll talk to Samia about what it's like to self-fund her business before seeing it grow, how she draws on self-trust to navigate fear & anxiety, and how having faith has helped her stay centered as an entrepreneur. She also shares her experience of overcoming imposter syndrome with education, her wisdom around dealing with naysayers, the realities of scaling a business that started as a one-person operation, and so much more.In this episode, we'll talk to Samia about:* Addressing imposter syndrome with education. [3:05]* The roadblock that a lack of finances can create to pursuing a business. [3:20]* What to do about naysayers. [4:16]* The influence that Samia’s powerhouse mom has had on her life and career. [5:05]* Why an index card with a few wellness goals written on it was so significant to Samia. [6:26]* The main message she wants to communicate: try to be your best self! [9:01]* How Samia’s interest in wellness transformed into a business. [9:59]* The early, self-funded, DIY days of Samia’s supplement business as a full-time employee and mother. [15:41]* How Samia built awareness about her brand before a celebrity picked up on it. [17:05]* The role of Samia’s existing community in boosting growth. [19:47]* Why Samia recommends that everyone starts out by doing everything required to run their business. [20:27]* The bootstrapping process of funding her business with no loans or support. [22:37]* Marketing an unknown product on Vitamin Shoppe. [24:28]* Samia’s initial approach to managing a full-time job alongside her business. [26:31]* The success that followed taking the plunge and working on her business full-time. [28:01]* How Samia approached naysayers with a simple philosophy. [28:50]* Navigating fear with self-trust. [30:47]* The role of ritual, prayer, and meditation in recentering faith and trust in her life. [32:57]* Why Samia keeps a tight schedule with an early bedtime. [34:40]* The inner work Samia is doing on the theme of self-worth. [35:48]* Remaining mindful that there are seasons for everything and it’s not all pretty. [37:57]* What she wishes someone would have told her at the start of her career. [39:30]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Samia:* Website: https://bodycompleterx.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samiagore/ Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re mixing things up! In this behind-the-scenes Behind Her Empire episode, we take a look at our very own Yasmin Nouri’s journey as a podcast host and first-time entrepreneur. Yasmin’s husband, Dhru Purohit, graciously steps into the role of host to talk to her about the origin story of Behind Her Empire and why she decided to start the podcast.You’ll gain some insight into the ups and downs that Yasmin experienced along the way as we dive into what motivated her to start her company, Beeya, and how hearing the vulnerable stories of other entrepreneurs helped her overcome her own hurdles of self-doubt.You’ll also hear Yasmin’s advice for anyone looking to start their own business, plus so much more. We’re always looking for ways to add value and inspire you on your journey, so be sure to tune in today for some relatable examples and actionable lessons from the host of this very podcast, Yasmin Nouri!In this episode, we'll talk to Natalie about:* Where Yasmin’s passion for women in business comes from. [2:06]* Examples of some of the incredible women that inspired Yasmin. [5:36]* The book that she wanted to write and how it evolved into this podcast. [7:51]* The importance of leaning into your natural abilities as an entrepreneur. [12:53]* Unexpected struggles and successes that came with starting a podcast. [14:12]* How you can benefit from pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. [19:23]* Overcoming old narratives, insecurities, and limiting beliefs to start a business. [20:49]* The value of focusing on the impact you’re making, not the numbers. [24:58]* How this podcast has led to immense personal growth for Yasmin. [28:10]* A look at Yasmin’s entrepreneurial journey and her evolution as a leader. [33:22]* The steps that took her in the direction of starting a wellness company. [37:04]* How long it took to get Beeya off the ground, from concept to launch. [42:48]* Finding a complementary partner to leverage both your strengths and weaknesses. [48:50]* Challenges Yasmin encountered when it came to product development. [49:42]* The value of asking dumb questions! [53:35]* Actionable lessons about marketing and branding from the Beeya story. [54:24]* Why Yasmin and her business partner decided to self-fund their business. [58:00]* A candid look at how it’s going and what keeps Yasmin motivated. [1:02:28]* We close this special episode with an understanding of Yasmin’s ‘why.’ [1:07:40]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Website: https://beeyawellness.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starting a business is always a risk, particularly if you’re forfeiting a stable career trajectory to do so. Our guest today is living proof that pursuing your passions pays off. Natalie Mackey is the founder and CEO of clean makeup and skincare brand, Winky Lux. Natalie took the bold leap of leaving her career in finance to start her own business (which came from a “failed” idea) and Winky Lux has now grown to over $100 million in sales, both online and in Target and Ulta Beauty stores nationwide.In our conversation with Natalie, we find out all about her entrepreneurship journey, from raising funds to choosing and building relationships with suppliers and creating brand awareness and virality with your product. Natalie shares Winky Lux’s commitment to its customers and how the brand is differentiated in such a saturated, competitive market. In life and in business, women, in particular, feel like they have to do it all, and today, we hear Natalie’s advice for letting go of the pressure of perfectionism, as well as how having a kid helped her become a better entrepreneur and a stronger leader, and so much more.In this episode, we'll talk to Natalie about:* What it takes to be great, according to Natalie. [2:13]* What motivated her to leave her finance career and start her own business. [4:23]* Her first foray into the world of business. [8:03]* Why she chose to pivot to the beauty products industry. [9:28]* The fascinating genesis story of Winky Lux. [13:59]* How Natalie differentiated Winky Lux in such a saturated market. [18:18]* Winky Lux’s first products. [20:22]* The process of choosing suppliers and building supplier relationships. [22:04]* How Natalie and co. built awareness around the brand early on. [29:35]* An example of the surprising success of an experimental product. [32:30]* Examples of failed ideas and investments. [34:41]* Natalie shares the story of Winky Lux inventory catching alight and how they handled it. [35:57]* Winky Lux’s commitment to pleasing and communicating with its customers. [37:44]* Winky Lux’s fundraising journey. [39:18]* How having a kid helped her become a better entrepreneur and a stronger leader. [48:11]* Natalie’s advice for letting go of perfectionism and feeling like you have to do it all. [52:55]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Natalie:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natmack1/ * Winky Lux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winky_lux/ * Website: https://www.winkylux.com/ Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back to new episodes starting this week (yay!) and we’re beyond excited to have the lovely Cayli Cavaco Reck, skincare entrepreneur and founder/CEO of Knockout Beauty, a full-service beauty business that is focused on conscious beauty for the modern-minded. Cayli has always been always dealing with some kind of skin issue throughout her life. As a teenager, Cayli struggled with acne and the medication that she was put on to resolve her skin issues sent her into a state of emotional turmoil. Then in her 30s, she was battling melasma after a laser procedure went awry. After years of battling and overcoming her skin issues, she wanted to share her personal skincare journey and everything she learned with women everywhere. As a side project, she started an IG account called “Knocking on Forty”. She immediately struck a chord with followers and garnered a large community of women who were looking for a more holistic approach to skincare. A year later, Cayli completely switched careers and launched her first brick-and-mortar store... and the rest was history. She now has a successful direct-to-consumer business as well as retail locations in both NY and LA. In today’s episode, Cayli talks about the connection between mindset and success, her approach to cultivating an abundance mindset, the value in being disciplined as an entrepreneur, the power of small changes, and some of the foundational wisdom that she has drawn from various mentors over the years (including her powerhouse parents!).In this episode, we'll talk to Cayli about:* Exploring the link between mindset and success. [3:05]* Cayli’s approach to fostering an abundance mindset and “handling hard better.” [7:04]* Some of the key lessons that Cayli learned from her powerhouse parents. [15:17]* Cayli shares the story of her personal skincare journey. [20:07]* The study that Cayli did that inspired her to change her career. [25:36]* What Cayli discovered to be the key to turning followers into customers. [26:37]* Advice for fostering community. [28:12]* Why discipline is such an important trait for entrepreneurs to cultivate. [28:54]* The value in being led, as well as leading. [31:07]* Cayli’s initial idea for Knockout Beauty. [32:56]* When Cayli realized that Knockout Beauty was going to be much more than a side hustle. [33:37]* The inevitable challenges of being an entrepreneur, and a tip for how to deal with them. [36:12]* Examples of the different types of capital that exist. [39:29]* Cayli’s approach to funding and growing her business. [40:35]* Don’t underestimate the power of small, incremental changes. [43:54]* Balancing work and family as an entrepreneur. [45:58]* Cayli’s greatest dream and greatest fear. [46:35]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Cayli:* Knockout Beauty Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knockoutbeauty/ * Website: https://knockoutbeauty.com/ Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MaryRuth Ghiyam is the founder & CEO of MaryRuth Organics, a family-friendly wellness brand offering over 130 high-quality, vegan, non-GMO vitamins and supplements. MaryRuth began her personal journey into the health and wellness space after the unexpected passing of her brother and her father, as well as her mother’s diagnosis of two benign brain tumors.While working as a health coach in 2013, MaryRuth struggled to find supplements to recommend to her clients that were easy-to-take and didn’t make them nauseous on an empty stomach. She made a small batch of a sugar-free Raspberry Liquid Morning Multivitamin and the rest is history. MaryRuth went from $700,000 in debt to creating a $100+ million wellness company – before taking on any investors – and is on a bold mission to show how micro-actions can give you the momentum to move forward every day.We talk to MaryRuth about her biggest tips for overcoming adversity and how she got herself out of debt & gained financial freedom. We also touch on the power of time blocking to organize your life and how MaryRuth built a highly profitable wellness empire without any prior connections in the industry, plus so much more.In this episode, we'll talk to MaryRuth about:* Advice for women feeling constrained by their circumstances: keep moving forward! [2:38]* Insight into MaryRuth’s childhood and the losses that informed her wellness journey. [4:50]* The experience that shifted her perspective on the value of financial independence. [6:37]* Some of the realizations that MaryRuth had about debt management. [11:22]* The importance of building confidence in yourself and proper time management. [16:46]* How MaryRuth's clients inspired the idea for her first liquid vitamin product. [19:23]* How the decision to marry her husband impacted her life (and her business!) [22:31]* Structure creates freedom; how time blocking keeps MaryRuth anchored. [29:10]* Time blocking tips: be realistic about what you can achieve in a day. [38:18]* The early stages of how MaryRuth cultivated awareness about her products. [42:32]* Internal matches external: why she chose to focus on developing the best product and customer service she could before investing in marketing. [45:17]* How MaryRuth built a financially healthy business with no outside investments. [46:31]* Learn about the negative cashflow conversion cycle that MaryRuth Organics uses. [50:44]* Some of the biggest mistakes that MaryRuth sees entrepreneurs make. [53:17]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow MaryRuth:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryruthorganics/* Website: https://www.maryruthorganics.com/Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Payal Kadakia is the founder of ClassPass, the revolutionary fitness and wellness platform which provides people access to the best boutique fitness classes, gyms, and wellness experiences around the world.Prior to its acquisition by MindBody in October 2021, ClassPass was valued at over a billion dollars, with members logging more than 100 million workouts across 30,000 partner studios in over 30 countries. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Payal is also the founder and artistic director of the Sa Dance Company, which she founded in 2009 to increase awareness of Indian dance in the mainstream. Payal has been listed as one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People and was named in Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list. She is also the author of the new book, LifePass: Drop Your Limits, Rise to Your Potential, which hits shelves on Feb 15. In today’s episode, we touch on the ways that Payal’s Indian heritage has impacted the woman & entrepreneur she is today, why you have to ask yourself the hard questions in life, the importance of not getting wrapped up in what Payal calls the ‘false signals’ of success, as well as the benefits of choosing impact over perfection. We also candidly talk about the early days of building ClassPass, how it took over three years to gain any traction, the many lessons she learned along the way, and so much more. In this episode, we’ll talk to Payal about:* How her Indian heritage has informed the woman that Payal is today. [4:30]* Practical tips for taking a leap of faith: allow your vision to be your motivator! [11:30]* The value of asking the hard questions and pursuing the goals you truly want. [13:55]* How Payal approached the topic of risk-taking with her risk-averse parents. [19:40]* When she realized that she had to follow her passions and start her own business. [22:27]* Find out why she believes that it’s important to set boundaries with some people. [24:00]* How to cultivate the right mindset while you are building your business. [26:57]* Why Payal suggests starting with a problem you personally need solved as an entrepreneur. [28:17]* The importance of not getting caught up in the “false signals of success.” [30:05]* The crucial role that failure played in Payal’s journey as an entrepreneur. [31:33]* How Payal overcame perfectionism and her suggestions for other entrepreneurs. [34:20]* Hear the story of when Payal first knew that ClassPass was a success. [37:12]* Why she believes that the universe opened doors for her when she started doing the work that aligned with her spirit. [39:02]* Advice for women who have lost sight of their passions [40:26]* How Payal juggles motherhood, dance, and business by letting her priorities guide her time. [42:22]* Payal’s philosophy on guilt; when you love what you do, there’s no place for guilt. [43:34]* How her dual identity has served her throughout her life and in her business. [45:12]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Payal: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/payal/ * Payal's Book: LifePass: Drop Your Limits, Rise to Your Potential - https://www.amazon.com/LifePass-Develop-Mindset-Techniques-Optimize/dp/179720694X* ClassPass: https://classpass.com/Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jane Wurwand is the Founder and Chief Visionary of Dermalogica, the number one professional skincare brand in the world.At the young age of 24, Jane immigrated to California and saw a distinct lack of continuing education with skin therapists in the US. Without a college degree or network, she set out to launch her own skin therapy education with only $14,000 in a small classroom in Los Angeles. This led her to also develop a line of skincare products and a system of teaching salon owners how to use them which is now a multi-million dollar international brand with a cult-like following.  Under Jane’s leadership, Dermalogica has grown to be the leading professional skincare brand, used by more than 100,000 skin therapists in more than 100 countries. Dermalogica sold to Unilever in 2015 and the brand continues to be the most respected and requested professional skincare line in the world. In 2018, Jane launched FOUND/LA, a nonprofit initiative offering funding, mentorship, unique incubator programs, and educational resources for entrepreneurs who have been underserved. She also recently published her book, “Skin in the Game”, which Harvard Business Review called ‘brilliant’, and is the go-to guide for readers looking for their true purpose and the opportunity to live their biggest life.We’ll talk to Jane about how to turn your pain into the key to your success, find a deeper significance in life by connecting the dots, and use your authenticity as a tool for materializing your dreams.In this episode, we talk to Jane about:* Advice for women who feel that their baggage is holding them back. [3:34]* The five important words Jane’s mother spoke to her as a child. [7:23]* How Jane moved to South Africa in the '70s and the lessons she learned. [9:29] * Advice for building up a sense of trust in yourself by taking small steps of bravery. [17:14]* The lesson about the value of human connection Jane learned from an early client. [22:05]* Connecting the dots to find a deeper significance: How Jane moved to the US. [26:48]* The paucity of skills in LA and how Jane got the idea to start her company. [33:19]* How Jane built up a network of clients and secured a space to work in LA. [42:35]* The 20 percent rule and the story of how Jane developed Dermalogica. [46:28]* Relentless industriousness; how Jane found manufacturers for her products. [51:10]* The value of being authentic and how this helped Jane pitch her ideas. [59:11]* Getting into debt with her chemist and how Jane paid it back. [1:01:25]* Raising money versus self-funding and why Jane took the latter route. [1:06:46]* How tiny the amount of funding women receive is and how Jane is addressing this. [1:10:01]* The thought process leading to Jane selling Dermalogica to Unilever. [1:15:15]* Advice from Jane for women who around believing in their inner power. [1:19:51]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Jane:* Jane Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janewurwand/ * Website: https://www.dermalogica.com/ * Jane's Book: Skin in the Game: Everything You Need is Already Inside You: https://www.amazon.com/Skin-Game-Everything-Already-Inside/dp/1400224306* Found/LA: https://www.foundla.org/ Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Loren Ridinger is the Co-Founder of internet retailing giants, Shop.Com and Market America.Although Loren is now recognized as an internet mogul who has changed the face of the beauty and e-commerce industries over the past two decades, her life started with very humble beginnings. She moved to Greensboro, NC at a young age, worked in retail when she was sixteen, and at eighteen, Loren and her husband, JR, took a chance on their dream to make it easy for people to shop online at a time when most people didn’t even have computers in their home. Twenty-nine years later, their companies Market America and Shop.com generate over a billion dollars in annual sales and serve more than 10 million customers. The company is still headquartered in Greensboro, NC, and is quite global with offices in nine other countries. Loren also founded the award-winning cosmetics line Motives and is recognized for her work in publications like Forbes, Elle, and Vogue, where she was included in their 100 Most Influential Women issue. In today’s episode, we dig into the top five themes that will allow anyone to be successful with their dreams: 1) importance of belief & visualization, 2) being your true, authentic self, 3) having the right people around you, 4) goal setting the 'right' way, and 5) always doing the hard things first.In this episode, we’ll talk to Loren about:* The importance of women sticking together and supporting each other. [2:40]* How Loren’s mother profoundly influenced her life. [3:48]* Building a business with a baby; challenges and how Loren dealt with them. [6:22]* What Loren learned from her mom and dad’s different styles of parenting. [8:46]* Why Loren did the training to become a flight attendant. [10:26]* The importance of deciding what you want to do with your life and not letting anyone else decide that for you. [12:15]* Where the inspiration for Loren and her husband’s businesses, SHOP.com and Market America, came from. [14:00]* Barriers that Loren and JR faced when starting to build their businesses. [15:52]* The process that Loren went through to make sure that she was surrounded by the right people, and her “mental vacation” philosophy. [19:02]* Traits that are essential in people who Loren allows into her tribe. [23:17]* Why Loren doesn’t make New Year's resolutions. [24:26]* How Loren manages her time and ensures that she is sticking to her goals. [26:30]* Loren’s drive to be constantly learning, and ways she does this. [30:21]* Assign dates to your goals, and why Loren thinks about her weeks in goals, not days. [31:23]* Stepping out of your comfort zone is essential to success; it’s actually more uncomfortable inside the box than outside of it. [35:58]* A major issue that Loren experienced with her health and how she dealt with it; faith over fear [42:19]* Ways that Loren balances her work life and her family life; although she is adamant about the fact that everyone is different and there is no magic formula. [50:27]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Loren:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenridinger/* Market America: https://www.marketamerica.com/* SHOP.com: https://www.shop.com/* Motives Cosmetics: https://www.motivescosmetics.com/ Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Sara Gottfried is a World-Renowned Physician, Hormone Expert, Speaker, and 4x New York Times Best Selling Author.Dr. Gottfried’s interview marks the start of our first podcast in the world of health and wellness. One of the biggest myths that women have on their path to building their empire is that they have to sacrifice their health in order to be successful. This couldn't be further from the truth!Starting this week, in addition to my interviews with incredible founders, I’m going to be bringing on the top experts in women’s health to help you better understand your biology and how to personalize your health to achieve the success you deserve. In today’s episode, Dr. Gottfried helps us understand how hormonal imbalances are impacting every area of our life, including energy levels, weight gain, and debilitating PMS. She also discusses how addressing the root causes can radically change your life for the better.Dr. Gottfried is a global keynote speaker who practices evidence-based integrative, functional, and precision medicine. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University and Director of Precision Medicine at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health where she focuses on career longevity for female CEOs.In this episode, we'll talk to Dr. Sara about:* The key role that hormones play in our bodies as a whole. [2:43]* Why it is important for us to make sure our hormones are in balance. [3:35]* How hormones show up in our lives, with a focus on estrogen and progesterone. [4:26]* Why testosterone is particularly important for female entrepreneurs. [6:36]* The role of insulin in making you crave carbs and sugar. [8:40]* Lifestyle factors that lead to modern women having hormonal imbalances. [12:22]* Dr. Gottfried tells the story of her journey to finding hormonal balance and health. [17:15]* The stress gap and how women tend to experience more stress than men. [22:05]* Why 88% of Americans are in a state of metabolic dysfunction. [30:29]* An explanation for why cutting out carbs is more effective for men than women. [35:32]* Her goal: for women to have the best metabolic health throughout their lives. [37:05]* Two methods to help you manage blood glucose in the body. [40:10]* The misinformation around carbs and why we actually need them as women. [43:26]* Emotional eating and why it isn’t constructive. [48:00]* Why food timing is important with a 14 hour overnight fast being ideal. [49:00]* Alcohol and its role in metabolic health, and overall health. [51:00]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Dr. Gottfried:* Website: https://www.saragottfriedmd.com/* Her Book: Women, Food, and Hormones: A 4-Week Plan to Achieve Hormonal Balance, Lose Weight, and Feel Like Yourself Again: https://amzn.to/3lopln5Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dubbed by the New York Times as ‘the woman who dresses America’, Jenna Lyons, is a fashion icon and the co-founder/CEO of the beauty brand, LoveSeen. Having kicked off her career as an intern at Donna Karan, Jenna went on to join the design team at J.Crew, eventually becoming its President. She is recognized as the main driver behind its incredible rise to success, and is a regular feature in print and online media, including having been recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people.After 27 years at J.Crew, Jenna was finally ready to start her own empire. She launched her company LoveSeen, a direct-to-consumer beauty brand that is reinventing fake lashes, which was largely inspired by her genetic condition that impacts her lash growth. And she was most recently, the Executive Director and main star of her reality competition show, Stylish with Jenna Lyons on HBO Max.  In this episode, you'll learn how Jenna's challenging childhood influenced her attitude toward finances and her love of fashion today. Living in New York in the 1980s, she discovered a new standard of beauty that was in stark contrast to what she had known as a child. Jenna reflects on working with Mickey Drexler, former CEO and Chairman of J.Crew Group, managing people, and navigating the public eye. You'll also hear why Jenna decided to reinvent herself later in her career, how she coped with leaving J.Crew, and what she loves about working in beauty over fashion.In this episode, we’ll talk to Jenna about: * The impact of Jenna’s mother’s attitude towards financial independence on how she approaches money today. [3:10]* How knowing you can take care of yourself affects fear and trust in relationships. [4:30]* What it was like to grow up with a genetic disorder and how sewing a skirt led to a popular girl in school asking Jenna to make one for her too. [6:40]* What it was like to live in New York in the late 1980s. [9:04]* How Jenna didn’t meet the standard of beauty in the beach town she grew up in. [10:30]* The discovery of Antonio Lopez as a pivotal point in discovering her own beauty. [11:38]* How she came to intern at Donna Karan and study at Parsons University in the 90s. [12:35]* The listing that led Jenna to take a job at J.Crew without asking about the salary. [13:35]* The dramatic change at J.Crew that completely turned things around [17:20]* What it was like working with Mickey Drexler (CEO of JCrew); his alchemy skills, attunement, and insight. [18:18]* How she needed to develop skills to manage people she worked with. [21:20]* Entering the public eye starting with Domino Magazine, then Vogue with Annie Leibovitz, and the internal struggle Jenna experienced. [25:01]* Find out how Jenna navigated different transition periods in her life. [28:29]* The nine-month period of silence that helped her regroup and see what’s important. [29:10]* What Jenna loves about the beauty scene: she doesn’t have to think about size. [36:05]* How Jenna realized the significance of eyelashes and decided to start her business. [37:00]* How admitting that you don’t know things can open you up to learn new things. [42:00]Follow Jenna:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennalyonsnyc/* Website: https://loveseen.com/ * LoveSeen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveseen/* Stylist by Jenna HBO Max: https://www.stylishwithjennalyons.com/ This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.