9 to 5ish with theSkimm

When Phoebe Gates started her company, Phia, her parents – yes, those Mr. and Mrs. Gates – wished her good luck and didn’t invest a penny. And while her last name lends it self to opportunities other people might not get. But instead of letting the nepo-baby convo overshadow her entrepreneurship, Phoebe shares why the pressure to live up to her family name actually is a positive thing. In this episode, Phoebe also shares: The values her parents instilled in her that have nothing to do with money or business Why she started a business with her roommate-turned-best-friend-turned- co-founder The most surprising founder skill she had to learn Her number one tip for speaking with confidence in business meetings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leah Garcia’s career path has never been a straight line. It’s ben more like a rodeo loop. She grew up as the daughter of ranchers, went to college on a rodeo scholarship and became a pro mountain biker. All that happened, then she had a career as a TV sports reporter, and now, the founder of Nulastin, a cult beauty brand she launched with zero investors, no pitch deck, and plenty of grit. Today, Leah shares how she connected the dots between all of these seemingly separate careers – and how she had fun while doing it. In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Leah also shares:  Why she loved the extreme nature of rodeoing and mountain biking How she built Nulastin with zero investors and zero clue of how to pitch The backstory of starting Nulastin in her 50s  Where boundaries end and burnout begins – and how she decides that  How she became comfortable with her lack of knowledge in business  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trinny Woodall went from recovering from addiction in her mid-20s to becoming one of the most beloved authorities in style and fashion. She landed a lucky break with a weekly style column in London, then parlayed her expertise into the TV show What Not to Wear. Life threw her some curveballs, from mourning loved ones to going through 16 rounds of IVF. Today, Trinny gets real about the sacrifices she had to make around those private battles because of her self-employment status.  In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Trinny also shares:  Why she made herself try a stint in finance Sacrifices she had to make for being self-employed Why she only took three weeks of paid family leave after having her daughter  What she learned from having her business fail during the dot com bubble Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norma Kamali started her career when women were expected to type memos in Mad Men-esque offices, not build their own empires. She came of age in 1960s New York City and since then, Norma's become one of the most influential names in fashion. Norma is responsible for iconic looks like Farrah Fawcett’s red swimsuit, the sleeping bag coat, and some of the earliest activewear, before “athleisure” was ever a thing. At 80-years-old, she’s showing no signs of stopping.  In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Norma also shares:  How a $29 flight and a basement boutique kicked off her career What it took to walk away from a toxic business – and marriage Why she took her brand to Walmart, even when people told her not to How learning to ask for help changed her life Why AI gives her a bigger creative high than anything else Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author, businesswoman, designer, and chef Joanna Gaines used to let guilt and anxiety consume her. As a mom of five children, and as one half of one of the most successful lifestyle brands in the country, Joanna is now battling her burnout by letting go of those feelings. This week, we spoke to Joanna about that shift to free herself from the pressure of expectations and what it’s unlocked for her, professionally and personally.  In this episode, Joanna shares:  How she and Chip built a loyal and diverse audience  Why she still has a “small business” mindset, despite all her success The realities of raising five children and running her business How she’s dealt with the pressure of other people’s expectations – and her own  Her favorite activities that spark creativity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nili Lotan’s career didn’t begin on the runway. It started in corporate fashion, where she spent over two decades working at major brands like Ralph Lauren and Liz Claiborne. Then, in her late 40s — newly divorced, with a 9-year-old at home and two kids heading to college — she launched her namesake brand from the ground up. No outside investors or business plan. Just instinct, confidence, and a commitment to designing for real women like herself. In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Nili also shares:    How she went from Israeli Air Force to the NYC fashion scene Why she thinks every woman needs a good pair of jeans The importance of betting on yourself, even when it’s scary Why it’s never too late to start something new How her own mom influenced her decision to be a working mom  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thasunda Brown Duckett, the President and CEO of TIAA, had a “meteoric rise” in the world of finance. As the former head of Chase Consumer Banking, and now as one two Black women who currently leads a Fortune 500 company, she realized early on that “work life balance” was a myth. Instead, Thasunda lives her life like it’s a diversified portfolio, allocating time and shifting her investment in different areas. So over time, she always outperforms. Tune in to learn how.  In this episode, Thasunda shares:  How to live your life like “a diversified portfolio”  Her secret to building relationships at work What it means to “rent your title, own your character” at work Why she almost turned down her dream role What you need to know to prep for retirement Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sali Christeson actively suppressed her idea for Argent for years. She was killing it at her job at Cisco – she didn’t have time to start her own company. But after spending over a decade in male-dominated companies, where business casual was a non-negotiable, Sali realized that most women’s workwear just…wasn’t working. Sali tells the story of how she went from wearing pocketless pants to building Argent, a brand that actually works for the lives women lead. In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Sali also shares:   How she set boundaries as an employee at Cisco – and how she implements those learnings as a founder Why getting good at networking landed her investors and opportunities  How she teaches female founders to reclaim their power instead of give it away Advice on how to advocate for yourself to be included in conversations  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abby Phillip, a journalist and author at CNN, reflects on her journey from aspiring doctor to leading media figure. She shares how being a first-generation American shaped her career and the importance of embracing failure during her time at Harvard. Abby candidly discusses the continual pressure of rejection in journalism and how she personally navigated the chaos surrounding major events, like the 2020 debates. Her secrets to combating burnout reveal a refreshing perspective on self-care amidst the frenzy of political reporting.

When Cathy Engelbert found out she was pregnant, she resigned from a decades-long climb to becoming a partner at Deloitte. In her mind, being a good mom and a good exec couldn’t coexist. But one male colleague saw her potential — and told her so. That changed everything. Cathy stayed, asked for the flexibility she needed, and learned to advocate for herself. She went on to become Deloitte’s first female CEO. Now? She’s leading one of the fastest-growing sports leagues as WNBA Commissioner. In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Cathy also shares:  How sports turned her from a shy kid to a bold leader Why the environments of Deloitte and the WNBA actually aren’t that different Her first 9-1-1 call as league commissioner – and the one trait that helped her get through it Why implementing Deloitte’s paid family leave policy was the “most courageous thing” she’s ever done One way she thinks the WNBA can be a model for the men’s leagues    Follow Cathy on IG: @wnbacommish Follow Carly and Danielle on IG: @carlyanddanielle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices