

Behind Her Empire
Yasmin Nouri
Behind Her Empire is focused on highlighting self-made women leaders & entrepreneurs and how they tackle their career, money, family and life.Each episode covers their unique journey and what it really takes to build an empire with key lessons learned along the way. The goal of the series is to empower you to see what’s possible & inspire you to create financial freedom in your own life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 4, 2021 • 53min
#31: How a Bad Valentine's Day Sparked a Multi-Million Dollar Business Idea with Seema Bansal, Co-Founder of Venus ET Fleur
Seema Bansal is the co-founder of Venus ET Fleur, the company behind Eternity Roses, which are real roses that stay fresh for a full year, an invention that has permanently transformed the billion-dollar floral industry. Seema never set out to start a company in the floral business. In 2015, Seema was in a long-distance relationship with her now husband and business partner, Sunny. He sent her flowers on Valentine's Day and they looked horrible despite the large price tag he paid. This sparked their idea of creating a better experience and luxury flowers that actually looked great for a longer period of time. As their relationship began to bloom, so did their idea of transforming the online floral industry and that’s when their business was born. At the time, both Seema and Sunny were working for their family businesses and decided to leave to embark on a new journey together despite having no experience in the floral industry. Good thing they did, very early into their launch - their signature Eternity Roses became Instagram's most coveted bouquet after the Kardashians posted about the brand in 2016. Their multi-million dollar business has developed a loyal customer base which includes celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Oprah, Drake, Cardi B, and many more. We’ll chat with Seema about the skills she learned in her family plumbing business that have helped her as an entrepreneur, how social media was a game-changer when launching their brand, and the importance of prioritizing your mental health when being a leader of a high growth business. In this episode, we'll talk to Seema about: * Seema discusses her upbringing with Indian parents who immigrated to Canada to create a new life for themselves [3:14]* Seema shares her involvement in the family business from a young age & how it has impacted her business acumen today [7:34]* Why Seema decided to chart her own path and start Venus Et Fleur with her then boyfriend, now husband and co-founder, Sunny [12:56]* Seema talks about the early days of the business and why she decided to leave the family business to chart her own path [16:47]* How the company transitioned from a classic flower delivery service to shipping luxury flowers that lasted for a year [18:36]* As the key driver for all brand and marketing, Seema shares the challenges she faced early in the business when trying to gain awareness and traction with the messaging [23:58]* How influencer marketing and a shout out from the Kardashians completely changed the trajectory of the business [25:41]* Seema shares tips on how to think about business partnerships & opens up about what it’s like to work with her husband [33:21]* How COVID impacted the business and the changes they made to support the new environment we’re in [37:05]* Seema shares tips on how she stays inspired both in life and business [41:25]* How Seema handles burnout and shifts she’s made in her life as a leader to help create more balance [45:07]Follow Seema:* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seemabansalchadha/ * Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/VENUSETFLEUR/ * Venus Et Fleur Website: https://www.venusetfleur.com* Chiji Website: https://homeofchiji.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.

Dec 28, 2020 • 35min
#30: Focusing on What Matters, Overcoming Mom Guilt & Building Viral Businesses with Sharon Rechter, Co-Founder of First Media
Sharon Rechter is the co-founder of First Media, a multi-platform, content publisher that is dedicated to the do-it-all millennial woman. First Media's clever, lifehack style videos bring in over 1.7 billion monthly views on social media and their BabyFirst TV cable network reaches over 60 million US homes. Their social media brands, So Yummy, Blusher, and Blossom, have an average of 50mm views for every video post on social. Sharon truly embodies the mission of her business as an inspiring woman, mother, and entrepreneur. We’ll chat with Sharon on why she left her career as a lawyer, what it takes to make a video go viral on social media, why women need to talk more about money, and how she juggles being an entrepreneur & a mother of four. In this episode, we'll talk to Sharon about: * How growing up in an entrepreneurial family in Israel influenced Sharon. [1:32]* Learning that, as a woman, she had a different set of tools in a negotiation setting. [4:01]* Where Sharon got the confidence to ask for a raise early in her career. [8:23]* Hear about Sharon’s 24-hour depression budget when things go wrong. [9:35]* Taking on massive projects in the early days of First Media – like starting their own cable network – with virtually no experience. [11:09]* How Sharon and her partner, Guy, approached fundraising by leveraging interest. [2:58]* Starting BabyFirst TV without any children of her own and gaining women’s trust. [16:00]* Mastering the art and science of what makes a video shareable on social media. [18:22]* Learn how Sharon juggles her life as an entrepreneur and as a mother of four by letting go of guilt and being present wherever she is. [19:06]* Sharon shares the value and importance of writing down goals for both herself and children [21:56]* Sharon discusses how she thinks about growth & being cash flow positive in business [24:55]* How Sharon approaches the difficult conversation about money with her children. [26:10]* Money as a taboo topic and how Sharon thinks we can change that narrative. [29:09]Follow Sharon: * First Media: https://first.media/* BabyFirst TV: https://www.babyfirsttv.com/* So Yummy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soyummy/ * Blusher Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blusherglam/ * Blossom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blossom/ 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.

Dec 21, 2020 • 52min
#29: When to Double Down & When to Quit with Shalini Vadhera, Serial Beauty Entrepreneur
Shalini Vadhera is a beauty entrepreneur, celebrity make-up artist, bestselling author, and founder of a multi-million dollar global cosmetics company that started from her garage. Shalini’s journey was far from easy. Although her business scaled to over $20 million in revenue and found instant success in large retailers like Sephora and QVC, Shalini lacked mentorship and faced a whole host of challenges growing her business. She is passionate about sharing her story to help women entrepreneurs and creating environments for women and girls to strive in life and business, as seen in her ventures, Power Beauty Living, Ready Set Jet, and Ready Set Jet Academy, a social initiative to help lift women out of poverty by creating job opportunities and encouraging entrepreneurship.Shalini has worked with representatives from the United Nations to bring the art of living powerfully and beautifully to emerging women leaders and has also been recognized with the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award. As a social activist involved with many different businesses and initiatives, we’ll chat with Shalini about her learnings building & scaling multiple businesses, why you need to live your life on your own terms vs other people’s expectations, and tips she recommends for anyone who is looking to live a meaningful & fearless life.In this episode, we'll talk to Shalini about: * Why being bullied in school shaped Shalini's love for makeup and beauty. [3:52]* What it was like to be sent to India at 19 with $2,500 to start her own company. [5:40]* Dealing with rejection or negative comments – Shalini has learned to tune them out. [9:07]* Shalini's purpose versus the expectations of others – discover how her career has been a constant struggle between the two [12:37]* Shalini shares what it was like building her company in the early days & managing everything from her garage in San Diego [20:23]* The lack of support networks and resources for women in business back then. [23:20]* Shalini describes her fundraising experience and the importance of doing your own due diligence with investors [24:14]* What actually prompted her to exit the $20 million+ global beauty brand she'd built. [30:21]* How Shalini felt, having to leave her brand behind, and how she views it now – as a valuable life lesson in empowerment. [32:14]* How a Korean Master and getting struck by lightning inspired a spiritual awakening. [33:30]* Instead of seeing the worst case scenario, realize that you’re in control of your story. [45:55]* Key mistakes Shalini that sees women entrepreneurs making in their businesses. [46:37]* Advice for women who want to create a like-minded community or find a mentor. [49:06]Follow Shalini: * Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalinivadhera/* Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readysetjetofficial/* Website: https://readysetjetofficial.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.

Dec 14, 2020 • 1h 3min
#28: Finding Your Dream Job & Unlocking Your Passion with Sarah LaFleur, Founder of MM.LaFleur
Sarah LaFleur is the Founder and CEO of M.M.LaFleur, a fashion company creating practical, inspired wardrobes for the modern, professional woman.From an early age, Sarah was exposed to high-end fashion through her mother who worked in the industry. When Sarah graduated from college and started shopping on her own for work clothing, she realized the experience and clothes were lacking despite spending so much money on them. After starting her career at Bain as a consultant, Sarah moved to private equity but left abruptly because of cultural problems at her firm. At this difficult point in her life, Sarah felt like she had nothing else to lose, and despite having no fashion experience, decided to take a risk & create clothing that professional women, like herself, were looking for.In this episode, we talk with Sarah about the windy journey that led her to entrepreneurship, how the business grew from -$2,000 in their bank account to a multi-million dollar company, how they tripled their revenue overnight from one specific strategy that ended up saving their company and how she turned the crisis of covid into a brand-defining moment. In this episode, we’ll talk to Sarah about:* How Sarah’s multicultural upbringing & family impacted the way she thought about her various careers [3:28]* Sarah shares why her 20s were painful as she was on a constant search for the “perfect job” [10:03]* Why Sarah decided to leave her dream job & how it was the lowest moment in her professional career [13:02]* Sarah talks about she manages her mental health & how therapy has been a gamechanger for her [18:48]* Early stages of the business & how Sarah created a brand for working women despite having no connections or experience in the fashion industry [21:37]* Sarah talks about the early days of starting M.M.LaFleur and how serendipity led her to meet her co-founder & head designer, Miyako [25:25]* Sarah explains how she thinks about constructing her clothing and how she thinks through the perfect fit for the modern woman [28:27]* Sarah shares how she funded the business, the importance of a side hustle to help pay bills, and the most important lesson she wants all entrepreneurs to know [30:38]* How M.M.LaFleur gained traction in the early days and created loyal fans of the brand [36:56]* Sarah’s experience fundraising & lessons she learned along the way [39:32]* The one strategy Sarah implemented that not only saved their business but generated millions of dollars in sales [45:06]* How Sarah turned the COVID crisis into a brand-defining moment for her company [53:49]Follow Sarah:* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmlafleur/ * Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmlafleur/ * Website: https://mmlafleur.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.

Dec 7, 2020 • 40min
#27: Quitting Your Miserable Job & Stepping Into Purpose with Gail Becker, Founder of CAULIPOWER
Gail Becker is the founder and CEO of CAULIPOWER, a company revolutionizing our favorite comfort foods by making them better and better for you. As a mother of two sons with Celiac disease, Gail was always desperate for nutritious gluten free options. She found hundreds of thousands of recipes for cauliflower pizza to make for her kids - and they loved it. However, it took forever to make and as a working single mom, she wanted an easier and faster option which was nowhere to be found. Although Gail had a lucrative career as a media executive, it wasn’t until her father passed away that she realized she wanted to follow in his footsteps as an entrepreneur. This pushed Gail to leave her corporate job and bring her calling to life. In January 2017, Gail launched CAULIPOWER and was determined to create a product that everyone can enjoy, that is nutritious, convenient, and tastes good.Since launching, Gail scaled the company to over $100million in less than three years and completely disrupted the food industry to become the #1 better-for-you pizza and #8 frozen pizza brand in the U.S.We’ll chat with Gail on her money lessons, why she decided to leave her well-paying job to start a business with zero food experience, the importance of having the courage to ask for help & say “no”, and advice for balancing work & family life. In this episode, we’ll talk to Gail about:* Her parents who survived the Holocaust and how they shaped her independent nature and appreciation of food. [3:10]* The 3 events which led to Gail removing herself from the corporate world and founding CAULIPOWER. [6:20]* The self-doubt that Gail still experiences, and why this actually benefits her business. [9:00]* Why starting a business later in life helped to fast-track the process. [12:14]* The importance of utilizing your own expertise as well as not being afraid to ask for help. [12:14]* Relatability, accessibility, timing, and taste are the main elements that allowed Gail to scale CAULIPOWER in the way that she has. [15:40]* The majority of people didn’t think what Gail wanted to do was possible, but she proved them wrong. [17:30]* You need to learn everything about the industry you are entering into and then figure out how to differentiate yourself. [18:14]* Gail explains how the road to success has been full of challenges and why you need to expect that when embarking on the journey of starting a business. [19:21]* How Gail self-funded CAULIPOWER in the beginning and at a later stage, why she was selective in who she took money from. [22:04]* The lifestyle change Gail experienced after leaving corporate America; “half as rich and twice as happy”. [31:40]* Gail shares important money lessons for all women & what she learned about taking charge of her own finances after her divorce. [34:45]FREE OFFER: To receive a coupon link for any free CAULIPOWER product, simply send them a DM on social media @CAULIPOWER and mention ‘Behind Her Empire Podcast’ :)Follow Gail:* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gailbecker/ * Company Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/caulipower/* Website: https://eatcaulipower.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.

Nov 30, 2020 • 47min
#26: Taking Control of Your Own Destiny with Sarah Flint, Founder of Sarah Flint
Sarah Flint is the executive chairman, creative director, and founder of Sarah Flint, a luxury shoe brand aimed at on-the-move women who need comfort just as much as fashion and style. In 2013, Sarah was on a mission to create luxury shoes made from the finest materials that not only looked good but also felt amazing. Early on in her business, she was a full-time nanny and was looking to get her brand off the ground in the evenings and on the weekends. She devoted a lot of time to product creation and networking, and ultimately got into high-end retailers like Barneys, Bloomingdale’s, and Shopbop. This opened the door for many celebrities to take notice of her shoes, attracting women like Meghan Markle, Amal Clooney, and Lady Gaga. Yet, even after all the success, Sarah still felt like something was missing as she battled to create a meaningful connection with her customers. The products she had been creating up to that point had very slim margins, and she knew that she had to change her business model. So, in 2017, she canceled all of her orders and decided to go down the direct-to-consumer (DTC) route. While investors doubted her decision, Sarah went with her gut and now has seen even greater success. We’ll talk to Sarah about how she managed to pivot her business from the wholesale days to the COVID environment, what she did to break into the competitive luxury shoe market, and how she went about building her brand and cult following.In this episode, we’ll talk to Sarah about:* How learning disabilities made her overcompensate and try to prove herself. [4:14] * When Sarah became aware of the massive opportunity in the women’s shoe market. [5:21]* Her motivation for doing a manufacturing program in Italy and what it taught her. [7:04]* How she overcame the obstacles of pattern work and comfort level in luxury shoes. [9:56]* The challenge of working with big manufacturers as a young woman designer. [12:01] * Making sacrifices, having mentors, and other advice for dealing with partners as a new business owner. [12:42] * The first round of funding for Sarah’s business and how she continued to get investors. [16:25] * Sarah shares how celebrities helped her to compete with the big brands in the market. [18:23] * What it took, apart from a great product, for her to get noticed by famous women. [20:08] * Insights into Sarah’s decision to close down her wholesale business and relaunch as a DTC company. [22:16]* Why it was riskier for her to place her bets on well-known stores than to do it herself. [28:23]* Learn about the brand’s successful direct selling and brand ambassador programs. [32:22] * How COVID impacted her business and what she has done to shift and pivot. [35:35] * Tips for supporting your mental health and maintaining balance as an entrepreneur. [41:12] Follow Sarah:* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xosarahflint/* Company Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sarahflint_nyc/ * Website: https://www.sarahflint.com/ Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/For Behind Her Empire Listeners, Sarah has generously provided a discount code for $50! Use the promo below on your next purchase :) $50 Off Discount Code: SARAHFLINT-BEHINDHEREMPIREWindow of Availability: 11/30/20 through 12/31/20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 23, 2020 • 46min
#25: How to Start Before You’re Ready with Ellen Bennett, Founder of Hedley & Bennett
Ellen Bennett is the founder & CEO of Hedley & Bennett, an LA-based culinary workwear and lifestyle brand that has transformed the way professional (and home) chefs dress forever. By making her dream into a reality, she has created the largest gourmet apron factory in the world.Being raised by a single mother who made her feel safe to try new things and get comfortable with failure, Ellen had confidence instilled in her from a very early age. So much so that when she graduated high school, she packed her bags and moved to Mexico City without a plan for four years. Never one to settle, Ellen once again started over when she moved back into her childhood home after her time in Mexico. She hit the ground running, landing a job as a line cook in some of LA’s most acclaimed restaurants which sparked the idea for creating stylish, functional, durable, and beautiful aprons for chefs like herself.Now at the helm of a multi-million-dollar empire, Ellen does not sugarcoat what it took to get there, nor does she believe that being an entrepreneur looks the same for everyone. As a businesswoman who is so open to learning, willing to fail and reiterate, and in possession of some seriously unwavering self-belief, Ellen’s story will leave you inspired and show you that you don’t have to have all the answers to make your dream a reality.In this episode, we'll talk to Ellen about: * How Ellen’s childhood, growing up between LA and Mexico, has influenced who she is today [2:22]* The values that Ellen’s mom instilled in her early on and how it’s impacted her as an entrepreneur [4:08]* Ellen’s decision to move to Mexico City at 18, a choice that changed the course of her life [8:07]* Why Ellen chose to leave Mexico City after she had built a successful life for herself there [13:03]* What happened when Ellen returned to LA and moved back in with her mom [14:50]* How Ellen came up with the idea for Hedley & Bennett when she only had $300 in her savings [20:00]* Ellen describes the power of community building to get her brand off the ground in the early days[25:48]* Why there is no such thing as an overnight success [26:39]* Ellen’s tips for entrepreneurs looking to self-fund their businesses early on [29:49]* Ellen discusses how to think about investors & what motivated her to bring on a strategic partner[33:05]* How the pandemic has affected Hedley & Bennett and the massive pivot they made [35:08]* Hear how Ellen takes care of her mental health and the practices that ground her as a entrepreneur [38:44]Follow Ellen:* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmariebennett/ * Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hedleyandbennett/* Website: https://www.hedleyandbennett.com/ * Oliver the Pig: https://www.instagram.com/oliverspigadventures/ 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.

Nov 16, 2020 • 58min
#24: Solving Your Own Problem & Creating Millions Along the Way with Lizanne Falsetto, Founder of thinkThin
Lizanne Falsetto is the founder of thinkThin, health and wellness visionary, business media commentator, and adviser to the next-generation of entrepreneurs.In 2000, after a decade of world travel and a successful career modeling internationally, Lizanne launched thinkThin from her own need of wanting to create a better-for-you, high protein nutrition bar for active women on the go. Starting small and humble, the company quickly scaled nationally and globally, establishing itself as one of the first gluten-free products on the shelves. Over the course of her 15-year tenure as CEO, Lizanne raised two children as a single mom and scaled the company to become a multimillion dollar lifestyle brand with zero outside funding. Lizanne ultimately sold thinkThin for over $200 million.Last year, Lizanne established Pink Talented Angels, a new company and platform to help educate, elevate and connect rising female founders. Lizanne is passionate and focused on building an exclusive ecosystem to support female entrepreneurs for a post COVID-19 world.In this episode, we'll talk to Lizanne about: * Lizanne's early years and her personal & familial connection to food and nutrition [02:28]* The decision to pursue a career in modeling and forego college [3:28]* How Lizanne's grandmother, travel and modeling inspired her to start thinkThin [6:46]* The efforts that Lizanne made to educate herself and create awareness about her brand [12:01]* Competition in the nutrition market and how Lizanne made a lane for the company [17:11]* Lizanne's attitude and approach to self-funding and outside investment [22:15]* Managing the different parts of life as women especially when it comes to business & family [27:21]* The sale of thinkThin, entry into mentoring, and Lizanne's feelings post acquisition [31:29]* Balancing feminine and masculine energy in the early days of building a company [35:39]* The two kinds of entrepreneurs; strategic and tactical [42:26]* Bouncing back from difficult times — Lizanne's reflections on divorce, her father's sickness, and a failed acquisition deal [47:06]* The current era and the pandemic — Lizanne's perspectives on this moment, female entrepreneurship, and why it’s a great time to start a business [51:28]* Lizanne's definition of wealth and how the meaning has evolved for her over time [54:04]Follow Lizanne:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizannefalsetto/* Website: https://www.lizannefalsetto.com/* Pink Talented Angels: https://www.lizannefalsetto.com/about-pta/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.

Nov 9, 2020 • 55min
#23: How to Change Your Career with Nisha Dua, Co-Founder of BBG Ventures
Nisha Dua is a General Partner at BBG Ventures, which she co-founded with Susan Lyne in 2014. BBG Ventures is an NYC-based seed fund investing in consumer tech start-ups with a focus on women and underrepresented founders. Nisha believes the greatest untapped opportunity for venture capital lies in backing women who are using technology to address common life-challenges and transform daily habits. Women are the dominant users of the fastest-growing mobile and social platforms, and they make or influence 85% of consumer purchases. Nisha has invested in over 70 start-ups, including a few that you may know such as Zola, The Sill, Carbon38, and Lola.In addition to her work at BBG Ventures, she founded BUILT BY GIRLS, a platform that encourages young women to enter tech by introducing them to opportunities, practical skills, and a network of women in the industry. But before all of that, Nisha explored a variety of careers from being a singer, actress, lawyer, and consultant. In our interview, we’ll talk to Nisha about how to make career transitions in your life, incredible advice about raising money for your business and common mistakes too many entrepreneurs make. In this episode, we'll talk to Nisha about: * Nisha opens up about her upbringing with Indian parents & how their expectations academically impacted her early career [2:51]* Nisha shares tips on how to make big career leaps & why she decided to leave law [9:06]* After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Nisha discusses why she had to make a career change & re-evaluate what success looks like [16:12]* How Nisha gained the confidence to take on a new opportunity in business despite having no “formal” experience [23:54]* How a business she was running led her to founding BUILT BY GIRLS [27:36]* How Nisha’s varied career path led her to venture capital and launching her own fund [33:22]* Nisha explains how founders should think about raising money & why venture capital isn’t for everyone [39:07]* After seeing over 7,000 pitches, Nisha explains key themes that make a great founder [44:38]* How to think about storytelling when you’re a founder and why it’s critical in your business [51:22]Follow Nisha:* BBG Ventures Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbgventures/* BBG Ventures Website: https://www.bbgventures.com/* Built By Girls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtbygirls/* Built By Girls Website: https://www.builtbygirls.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.

Nov 2, 2020 • 1h
#22: How to Be Brave in Business with Misha Nonoo, Founder of Misha Nonoo
Misha Nonoo is a New York-based womenswear designer who is known for her sustainable, sleek, and timeliness ready-to-wear pieces. From the time Misha was a young girl, she was fascinated with fashion and empowering women as she witnessed the dichotomy of women’s roles growing up in Bahrain as well as London. Her upbringing gave her an appreciation for different cultures and an understanding of women’s lives in different places. After gaining recognition from a reputable buyer for a few pieces she created for herself, Misha decided to launch her namesake fashion brand with the goal of having her customers feel strong, confident, and empowered in all aspects of their life. Misha was the first designer to use social media as a venue for fashion shows, debuting her Spring/Summer 2016 collection on Instagram, and was a pioneer in using the made-to-order business model which promotes sustainability in an industry that is known for producing so much waste. Misha is also passionate about using her business as a platform for change and most notably collaborated with her dear friend, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, for the Smart Works charity where for every shirt sold, Misha donated one to the work wardrobes of women in need. Misha won industry recognition when she became a finalist for the 2013 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and was named one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30,” as well as Crain’s New York Business’ “40 under 40.”In this episode, we'll talk to Misha about:* Misha shares what life was like growing up between the Middle East and Europe [3:08]* Misha talks about her love of fashion and why she ended up going to business school vs fashion school [7:50]* Why Misha’s move to NYC during the financial crisis was a pivotal moment in her career and life [11:46]* How Misha decided to launch her own brand and why she thinks “beginner's luck” was in her favor [14:53]* The realities of what life looked like when Misha was working her full time job and launching her clothing line [20:16]* Misha opens up about a difficult period in her life when she was dealing with her divorce & massive restructuring of her business [27:11]* How Misha became the first fashion designer to use social media as a venue for her fashion shows despite the many skeptics at the time [32:13]* Misha shares her experience and advice when it comes to fundraising [40:07]* What sustainability means for Misha in her life and business [44:47]* Misha talks about life as a new mom and how she’s designed her life to manage motherhood & entrepreneurship [50:52]* The importance of women supporting women and why it’s key to Misha’s mission [54:30]Follow Misha:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mishanonoo/ * Website: https://mishanonoo.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.


