Behind Her Empire

Alexandra (Alex) Carter is a world-renowned negotiation expert, bestselling author of the book, Ask for More, and Columbia Law School Professor.The image that most of us have in our heads when we think about negotiation is people speaking over one another, fighting for the prize. But this is not what it takes to be a masterful negotiator. In fact, quite the opposite. As Alex explains in our conversation today, it’s about asking skillful questions, listening, and understanding how you can fulfill someone’s needs.  We’ll chat with Alex about her journey, and some of the formative negotiating experiences she has had along the way to help us understand why we need to all ask for more. While we might believe we are taking something away from someone when we negotiate, we are actually contributing to the upliftment of all of those around us when we get what we are worth. We talk about ways of turning a no into a yes, why negotiation is not only about money, and the value of taking time when you make decisions. Alex’s actionable, simple tactics are easy to implement, and you will undoubtedly achieve the results you are looking for if you follow her advice!In this episode, we’ll talk to Alex about: * Even in the most turbulent times, you can always ask for more. [2:35]* Hear what Alex was like growing up, the social struggles she felt she had, and how she discovered her passion for teaching and leading. [4:28]* When Alex unearthed her love of negotiation and how she applied it to her own life. [6:48]* The story of how Alex negotiated her first salary and what she learned from this. [8:09]* Why negotiation is more about asking great questions than anything else, according to Alex. [10:22]* Stories of clients Alex worked with who negotiated their salaries and improved their standing in their companies. [13:16]* No does not have to be the end of the line; it’s an opportunity to ask about the other person’s concerns. [14:51]* How Alex thinks about questions and the role they play in negotiation. [17:19]* What Alex sees in her work with women and their thoughts of negotiation. [20:41]* Alex’s take on why negotiations are opportunities to steer relationships. [23:20]* How Alex, as a speaker, has turned no's into yes’s when negotiating speaking fees, and what other entrepreneurs can learn from this. [26:40]* Negotiating does not always have to be about money; you can find other ways to get value. [30:49]* The top three biggest mistakes people make when they negotiate. [33:50]* You are already enough, so go out there and ask for what you want. [38:32]* Unless you are working in an emergency room, you don’t have to make a decision on the spot. [39:42]* Alex’s struggles with imposter syndrome and what we can learn if we have this challenge. [42:38]* When you use your voice, you are inspiring others to do the same. [44:44]* Why Alex always knew she would be where she is today. [47:01]* Everyone, even those you look up to, struggle with imposter syndrome. [49:24]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 Alex: * Website: https://alexcarterasks.com/ * Alex’s Book: Ask For More - 10 Questions to Negotiate Anything: https://alexcarterasks.com/book/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandrabcarter/ 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.

As we gear up for the holidays & get ready for more incredible interviews in the new year, ⁠we’re taking the opportunity to highlight our top 5 most popular episodes from 2021. Even if you are an avid listener of the podcast, chances are you may have missed one of these game-changing interviews.Marcus Lemonis is known for helping struggling businesses get back on their feet through investing his own money on the hit TV show, The Profit. Despite being a household name and TV personality, Marcus’ influence is far beyond television. He is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in America, serving as chairman and CEO of the multi-billion dollar company Camping World. He also is one of the biggest champions out there when it comes to small business entrepreneurs, and specifically women entrepreneurs. He’s created The Lemon-AID Foundation and seeded it with $50 million of his and his wife’s own capital to focus on backing talented founders, especially women and minorities who haven’t had equal access to resources and guidance in their careers.Marcus is unapologetically vulnerable, open to sharing all parts of himself, and truly generous in wanting to help others succeed. In today’s wide-ranging interview, we talk about how to work through fear of failure & embarrassment, the realities of burnout in entrepreneurship, why Marcus believes women are better business leaders, the importance of embracing your strengths & your flaws to be truly comfortable in your own skin, and so much more.In this episode, we'll talk to Marcus about: * How the fear of embarrassment holds us back and what we can do to move past these feelings. [4:00]* Acknowledging that privilege plays a role in taking chances. [6:01]* It is okay that you feel embarrassed; it is something we all experience. [8:50]* How Marcus uses clothes to make himself feel comfortable in his skin. [9:59]* The freedom that comes when you lean into what makes you unique. [12:45]* It is important not to make money the ultimate benchmark of success. [14:09]* The influence that Marcus's mother and grandfather had on him. [16:39]* Marcus's ultimate mission with the work that he does. [18:48]* Some of the reasons that Marcus thinks women are better businesspeople. [19:26]* You do not have to care what other people think; it is the way you think about yourself. [20:59]* Why Marcus believes the principles of running a coffee shop or a large corporation are the same. [23:17]* How entrepreneurs can develop a consumer point of view. [26:30]* Who Marcus believes should not be entrepreneurs. [28:21]* Why Marcus prefers the term business owner rather than entrepreneurship. [30:07]* Marcus's experience of burnout and why he believes business owners can’t have work-life balance. [31:11]* You have to curate your own mental, physical, and emotional health regimen. [33:13]* Marcus's advice for those of us who feel like we are not enough. [36:23]* What wealth means to Marcus at this stage in his life. [38:47]* Hear the two questions that Marcus asks Yasmin. [39:58]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 Marcus:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcuslemonis/* Website: https://www.marcuslemonis.com/* One Hundred Percent with Marcus Lemonis Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1572332094 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.

Jesse Draper is the Founding Partner of Halogen Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investing in consumer tech companies led by female and co-ed teams.With women making up to 80 percent of household purchasing decisions, Jesse and her team are betting big on early-stage, female-founded companies with billion-dollar potential. Jesse is a fourth generation venture capitalist as well as the creator and host of the Emmy-nominated television series, The Valley Girl Show.She is a fierce advocate for investing in women and the opportunity for using technology and innovation to solve some of the biggest issues facing women and families today. After creating Halogen Ventures in 2015, she now has more than 70 companies in her portfolio, including theSkimm, Babylist, ThirdLove, and The Flex Company.Jesse was listed by Marie Claire Magazine as one of the ‘50 Most Connected Women in America’ and she is also a regular investor and tech personality on Cheddar, CNBC, and CNN.In this episode, we have a candid conversation about why Jesse didn’t think she could be a venture capitalist and how she overcame her own fears and beliefs about imposter syndrome, and she shares her advice for anyone looking to manage burnout: delegate and make time for rest. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at what investors are looking for, from founder traits to the biggest mistakes that founders make, and so much more.In this episode, we talk to Jesse about:* Starting on the topic of rejection; why a ‘no’ isn’t necessarily a bad thing. [3:10]* How Jesse’s upbringing shaped her as a fourth generation venture capitalist. [7:35]* Her perception of success in her 20s and how it evolved with entrepreneurship. [14:18]* Find out why Jesse believes more women should prioritize networking. [21:48]* Overcoming her fears and beliefs about imposter syndrome; just try it! [26:21]* Jesse’s advice for managing burnout: delegate and make time to rest and plan. [30:10]* Learn more about her experience of fundraising while pregnant and during COVID. [37:07]* Three mistakes women are making when raising money: not showing confidence, overcomplicating the pitch, and underselling themselves. [40:16]* What investors look for, from a willingness to pivot to an ability to problem solve. [43:20]* Some of the red flags Jesse cautions founders against, including the tendency to overpromise and underdeliver. [47:37]* Jesse’s suggestions for women to feel more empowered when it comes to money. [51:56]* Two simple ways to take control: do it yourself and put your money to work. [55:17]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 Jesse:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessecdraper/ * Website: https://halogenvc.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. Mary Pardee is a functional medicine practitioner and naturopathic medical doctor who specializes in integrative gastroenterology, hormones, and gut-brain health. She is also the Founder of Modrn Med, a telemedicine and virtual wellness company.We’ll talk to Dr. Pardee about what the heck gut health is and why it plays such a big role in your happiness, energy, confidence, and overall well-being. 74% of people live every day with embarrassing and uncomfortable issues such as bloating, constipation, reflux, or irregular stools. It doesn’t have to be this way! We’ll dive deep into the impact that your gut health has on your hormones, mental health, and physical health and the importance of prioritizing self-care. Dr. Pardee shares how the majority of our immune system is tied to the gut, and the role stress and emotion have on our microbiome. We also discuss details on your menstrual cycle and steps you can take today to get your body back in balance and thrive both inside and out.In this episode, we talk to Dr. Pardee about:* Things that are negatively impacting your gut health and what you can change. [02:09]* What Dr. Pardee means by “gut” and why it’s called the second brain. [4:24]* How Dr. Pardee ended up in naturopathic medicine: becoming the doctor that she didn’t have. [6:34]* The link between childhood trauma and stress-related conditions, and gut disorders. [12:45]* How gut health can affect your mental health, and vice-versa. [13:37]* Dealing with acute stress: the type of stress that humans have evolved to cope with. [14:24]* How holding tension in different areas can cause headaches and stomach issues. [17:11]* Constipation in women: what the frequency and size of a bowel movement should be. [18:32]* How gut health is tied to hormonal health and methods you can use to manage this. [20:18]* Why tracking your cycle can be helpful for women and couples. [24:33]* Dr. Pardee's perspective on under-eating: what it is, why it happens and how it affects your physical health. [26:38]* Understanding why you might not want to eat in the morning. [29:26]* Why Dr. Pardee tells women to try things and the importance of following your intuition. [32:24]* Dr. Pardee's three recommendations to improve gut health: movement, a morning routine, eating real foods. [33:00]* How the elimination diet works and why Dr. Pardee uses it for her patients. [36:43]* What some of the rituals and tools are that Dr. Pardee uses to improve her mental health. [40:08]* Why women in business need to feel their feelings. [44:02]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. Pardee:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.marypardee/* Modrn Med Website: https://www.modrnmed.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.

Natalie Gordon is the CEO and Founder of Babylist, the fastest-growing universal baby registry in the U.S.In 2011, after she closed down her first business and did some consulting projects to make ends meet, Natalie came up with the idea for Babylist after becoming frustrated with the options available for baby registries at the time. What started as a side-project that launched two weeks before her first son was born, has become a multimillion-dollar empire that just keeps growing. Over the past 10 years with relatively little VC funding, Natalie has grown Babylist into the third largest baby registry service online. More than half of US parents registered with Babylist in 2020, creating 1.2 million registries last year alone. The company has doubled its revenue each year for the past three years and is on track to make $250 million in revenue this year.We’ll talk to Natalie about how her “failure” with her first business set her up for success with Babylist, how she balanced new motherhood with growing a new company, why you shouldn’t compare yourself to others, steps she took to scale her company without significant VC funding, and so much more.In this episode, we talk to Natalie about:* Why being scared is no reason to wait: the tips and tools Natalie uses to overcome her fear. [2:55]* What it was like growing up in Canada as a math geek and how Natalie moved into the world of computer science. [6:17]* How Natalie made the leap from a secure job to chasing her dreams. [7:55]* Why Natalie’s first startup failed and the lessons learned. [10:01]* The product-market fit and why this is crucial to every business. [14:02]* Why Natalie chose to found Babylist: filling a niche she identified. [15:51]* The yardsticks Natalie selected to define whether or not she continued to grow Babylist, or move on. [26:06]* Creating brand awareness: the different phases Babylist went through. [27:09]* What drove Natalie to join the accelerator program, 500 startups. [29:35]* How to tell when it’s time to hire a team. [31:29]* The lesson Natalie has had to learn over and over throughout her career. [34:04]* Why raising money is less important than an investor who aligns with the company values. [35:28]* Facing the COVID-19 pandemic: how Babylist thrived rather than just survived. [38:38]* Handling external stressors and how Natalie guided her company through the pandemic with transparency. [43:19]* Why an uncomfortable level of focus helped Natalie steer Babylist in the right direction. [44:59]* Saying “not yet” to every great idea: the importance of focus and good company culture in attracting the right kind of employee. [46:09]* Advice from Natalie to her audience: don’t compare yourself to others. [50:15]* How Natalie handles rejection. [52:12]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 Natalie:* Babylist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babylist/ * Babylist Website: https://www.babylist.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. Stephanie Estima is a chiropractor with a special interest in metabolism, functional neurology, and body composition who has devoted her time to analyzing hormones and creating a system to help women naturally overcome painful periods. She's the creator of the Estima Diet, host of the Better! podcast, and author of the best-selling book, The Betty Body. She's had over 3.5 million article reads with her content on Medium and has helped thousands of women lose weight, regulate hormones, and get off medications with her signature program. In this episode, you’ll hear Dr. Estima break down what may be contributing to your own hormonal imbalances and PMS as well as what is “common” vs “normal”. Dr. Estima shares why you don’t need to live with painful periods and how it can be corrected through stress management, movement, and nutrition. We also chat about how your cycle can be incredibly empowering and ways to balance your hormones so you can achieve better health, a better mind, and a more fulfilling and successful life.In this episode, we talk to Stephanie about:* Why we shouldn’t consider painful periods as normal. [2:31]* How Dr. Stephanie sees your menstrual cycle as a hormone report card. [3:56]* How women may be contributing to their hormonal imbalances starting with stress. [5:28] * The need for non-exercise activity thermogenesis, or NEAT, for reducing stress [7:49]* The role of nutrition in balancing your hormones. [9:18]* Dr. Stephanie’s personal experience of painful periods. [10:19]* Why we shouldn’t follow male-led protocols for how we treat our bodies. [15:20]* The different phases of a woman’s hormonal cycle. [19:25]* The role of estrogen and testosterone in a woman’s body during week two. [23:05]* How luteinizing hormone affects your body in the second week of your cycle. [26:06]* The role that progesterone plays in week three of your cycle. [27:23]* What happens in week four of our cycles when our hormones drop. [29:21]* How patriarchal society is based on male circadian rhythms. [30:29]* What the negativity bias is and how to use it to propel you forward. [32:39]* Tips to be more in tune with your body to be empowered by your natural cycle. [35:08]* Why we need to be gentle with ourselves and how we can make nutrition easy. [46:50]* What Dr. Stephanie likes about Beeya and seed-cycling. [48:41]* How your exercise plan should change with your cycle. [50:16]* Dr. Stephanie’s encouragement for any women who have given up hope. [56:51]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 Stephanie:* Stephanie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.stephanie.estima* Hello Betty with Dr. Estima: https://hellobetty.club* Dr. Estima's book: The Betty Body: A Geeky Goddess' Guide to Intuitive Eating, Balanced Hormones, and Transformative Sex: https://www.amazon.com/Betty-Body-Intuitive-Balanced-Transformative/dp/1544519095 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.

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.

Sandra Campos is an internationally recognized retail technology CEO, entrepreneur, and retail executive.A child of entrepreneurial, immigrant parents, Sandra’s upbringing was characterized by a focus on education, helping out in her family’s tortilla business from a young age, and experimenting with her own entrepreneurial ventures in fashion. Sandra’s love for fashion and buying led her to New York City, where she was thrown completely in the deep end. Over the years, Sandra worked multiple jobs, paid off debt, and ate potatoes for lunch; all of which taught her resilience, grit, and never giving up. Sandra has been instrumental in launching brands like DKNY, Polo Jeans as well as her own venture with Selena Gomez which grew to over $100M in annual sales turnover per year over the course of six years. She then became president of Global Brands Group, which owned brands like Bebe, BCBG, and Juicy Couture. She most recently was the CEO of the iconic brand, Diane Von Furstenberg.  Now, she’s the CEO of retail tech start-up Project Verte and the founder of Fashion Launchpad, an online education platform. Sandra advises various startups, is part of the advisory group for Athena Technology Acquisition Corp (a SPAC on the NYSE), and is on the Board of Directors for Big Lots. We talk to Sandra about changing careers from a small town in Texas to the runways of New York, making a major life pivot after getting divorced and raising her three children as a single mom, setting goals (and the magic number), listening to your inner voice and so much more!In this episode, we talk to Sandra about:* Sandra’s family history, the environment that she grew up in, and the role that her upbringing has played in her success. [3:20]* What Sandra has learned from her mother about financial management. [11:50]* Exposure to entrepreneurship that Sandra’s children have had from a young age. [16:27]* Push and pull factors that drove Sandra into the business world. [24:08]* Milestones that Sandra has set for herself throughout her life, and the value she sees in this practice. [30:17]* Three: the magic number when it comes to goal setting. [33:10] * Why, as an entrepreneur, you need to learn to say no. [34:32]* Challenges that Sandra was faced with after she made the decision to get divorced. [38:58]* Sandra’s involvement in her entrepreneurial venture with Selena Gomez. [40:19]* Something Sandra wishes she had done differently when she left the corporate world. [45:54]* Advice from Sandra about figuring out what balance means to you personally. [50:50]* Sandra shares what she learned about leadership from working alongside Diane von Furstenberg. [52:48]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 BEHINDHEREMPIREFollow Sandra:* Sandra Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandracamposnyc/* Fashion Launchpad: https://fashionlaunchpad.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.

Hitha Palepu is a serial entrepreneur, investor, activist, and author. Currently, Hitha is the CEO of Rhoshan Pharmaceuticals and author of her latest book, We're Speaking: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris: How to Use Your Voice, Be Assertive, and Own Your Story. She also runs #5SmartReads, a social series that compiles five must-read articles every day to keep her community informed. As a multi-hyphenate, Hitha is used to things not working out, but this has never stopped her from trying. She has always been able to see the lesson where most others have not, and this trait has helped her succeed. In this wide-ranging conversation, we hear about Hitha’s incredibly inspiring family, the impact they had on her, and some of the values that were instilled in her early on. We talk to Hitha about her time in the corporate world, why she ultimately decided to go out on her own, and the many lessons she learned from her first “failure” in the start-up world. Hitha also shares how she became an angel investor focused on women-founded businesses, the inspiration around her latest book, why we should all “eat no for breakfast” and so much more.In this episode, we talk to Hitha about:* What holds most people back from getting started on something. [2:54]* The impact that Hitha’s immigrant parents had on her. [4:29]* How being treated like an adult at a young age influenced Hitha. [8:12]* The path Hitha thought she would go on when she went to college and where she needed up. [10:42]* Hitha’s time in the corporate world and what this taught her. [14:00]* What led Hitha to start her blog, which has morphed into other things and the value of having a side project. [16:28]* All of the lessons that Hitha learned from running her blog. [17:18]* You should do things that make you light up, even if you don’t have an end game in mind. [18:20]* The reflective period and subsequent pivot that happened when Hitha was pregnant. [22:50]* How Hitha came to be a serious investor. [26:32]* What Hitha typically looks for in companies she invests in. [29:55]* Why women founders and CEOs aren't allowed to "fail" in the media. [31:58]* There is so little room for women to fail and make a comeback. [34:00]* The need to have a flexible culture for parents. [35:45]* How Hitha divides her time and where her priorities lie. [37:42]* Insights into Hitha’s upcoming book. [42:34]* The influence that Kamala Harris had on Hitha. [44:04]* What surprised Hitha the most when she was writing the book. [46:30]* How motherhood has changed Hitha’s life. [49:35]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about beeya’s seed cycling bundle. * Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIREFollow Hitha:* Hitha Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hithapalepu/* Hitha's Book: We're SpeakingThe Life Lessons of Kamala Harris: How to Use Your Voice, Be Assertive, and Own Your Story: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/hitha-palepu/were-speaking/9780316283052/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.