The Burnouts with Phoebe & Sophia

Jasmin Larian Hekmat, founder of Cult Gaia and mastermind behind the iconic Ark Bag, shares her inspiring journey from crafting flower crowns in her kitchen to building a $50 million fashion brand without any venture capital. She delves into her relentless creativity and unique design philosophy, explaining how she transforms wild ideas into coveted accessories. Jasmin discusses marketing strategies that turned ordinary products into viral sensations and emphasizes the importance of community engagement and originality in a competitive industry.

In this engaging discussion, Grace Beverley, a dynamic founder who built multimillion-pound brands like TALA and Shreddy before 25, shares her inspiring journey. She candidly talks about the pressures young female founders face, curating a balance between ambition and personal challenges like grief. Grace debates the biased questions women encounter from investors and highlights the hidden costs of visibility in business. Tune in for insights on managing multiple ventures and evolving in the creator economy while maintaining authenticity.

In this conversation, Steve Madden, the footwear designer and entrepreneur who transformed $1,100 into a global fashion empire, shares his inspiring journey. He discusses the pivotal moment of dropping out of college, his innovative design instincts, and the viral success of his Mary Jane shoe. Steve reflects on hard lessons during the 'Wolf of Wall Street' era and the loyalty of his team. He touches on the impact of Gen Z on his brand, his thoughts on dupe culture, and the fashion trends he both loves and loathes, offering invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Alli Webb, founder of Drybar and creator of Messy, transformed a mobile blowout idea into a $255 million beauty empire. She discusses the explosive rise of Drybar and the challenges she faced post-sale, including identity loss and personal struggles. Alli shares valuable lessons on navigating entrepreneurship and the pitfalls of rapid growth. She also reflects on her new venture, Messy, which champions natural hair, highlighting the importance of embracing imperfections and the emotional connection with her brand.

Founder, creative director, and cultural icon Emily Oberg has built one of the most recognizable lifestyle brands of our generation: Sporty & Rich.In this episode of The Burnouts, Emily Oberg sits down with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni to unpack her journey from Complex producer to fashion entrepreneur, building a multimillion-dollar business rooted in wellness, design, and timeless style, without ever taking a dollar of outside funding.Emily opens up about turning a Tumblr moodboard into a global brand, growing from $5K in savings to $40M in annual revenue, and the realities of running a company after a public breakup with her business partner. She shares what it’s really like to scale quickly, navigate burnout, and stay creatively fulfilled while leading a 40-person team.Plus: how she built Sporty & Rich without investors, why preorders fueled her early success, what she’s learned about leadership (and ego), and the importance of building a world. (not just a brand).Whether you’re dreaming of launching your own label, staying independent as a founder, or defining success on your own terms, this conversation is a masterclass in creative control, discipline, and staying true to your vision.Chapters00:00 – From retail in Canada to Complex Media02:00 – Leaving corporate life to build her own path03:00 – The Tumblr that became Sporty & Rich06:00 – Bootstrapping a brand: preorders, savings & hustle07:00 – Meeting her business partner and early growth12:00 – Going from $100K to $30M in sales14:00 – Covid and the sweatsuit boom15:00 – Scaling challenges and factory chaos17:00 – Knowing your strengths & hiring smart18:00 – Opening the first Sporty & Rich store19:00 – Expanding into wellness with Central Sport22:00 – Lessons from mistakes & customer mishaps23:00 – Facing scrutiny as a female founder27:00 – Emily’s leadership philosophy & advice for women29:00 – Sporty & Rich today: $40M in sales, still 100% owned🔗 FOLLOW USPhoebe GatesSophia KianniEmily Oberg🔥 FOLLOW THE BURNOUTSInstagramTikTokLinkedIn📲 Support What We’re BuildingPhoebe and Sophia aren’t just your hosts—they’re the founders of Phia, a new fashion-tech app helping shoppers find the best prices across retail and resale. Download Phia for free in the App Store.About The BurnoutsThe Burnouts brings you raw, unfiltered conversations with today’s top founders, creators, and culture-shaping entrepreneurs. Hosted by Stanford roommates turned startup co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, the show goes beyond the headlines to share the real stories, lessons, and mindsets that define your 20s.Past guests include Paris Hilton, Chelsea Handler, Kris Jenner, Karlie Kloss, and other visionaries redefining the brands—and the blueprints—of our time.Subscribe now for the insider playbook to build your dream career. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In a captivating discussion with Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, Simon Squibb, a multi-millionaire entrepreneur and founder of the Give Without Take movement, shares his incredible journey from homelessness to success. He reveals how losing his father at 15 reshaped his perspective on life and success. Simon emphasizes the importance of sales skills, authentic relationships, and turning adversity into motivation. He also discusses the real value of mentorship and urges aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their passions and start now.

In this conversation, Bryan Johnson, an entrepreneur and longevity researcher, shares his quest to become the healthiest person alive after selling Venmo. He dives into biohacking, revealing the staggering $2M he spends annually on health optimization, from blood plasma treatments to rigorous sleep protocols. Bryan challenges hustle culture’s lies, advocates for the power of sleep, and discusses the impact of food toxins on our well-being. His insights encourage a shift in priorities for entrepreneurs towards health and longevity.

Sophia Amoruso, founder of Nasty Gal and author of Girlboss, shares her incredible journey from thrift store seller to CEO. She candidly discusses the meteoric rise and fall of her brand, detailing lessons learned through bankruptcy and recovery. Sophia emphasizes the importance of empathy in leadership and how failure can be a powerful teacher. Now, as an investor with Trust Fund, she redefines success and champions the entrepreneurial spirit, offering invaluable insights on resilience, risk, and making meaningful connections.

Lilly Singh, a comedian, creator, and author, transitioned from an immigrant upbringing to becoming a YouTube sensation. She shares how storytelling serves as a tool for gender equity and the inspiration behind her raunchy sex comedy, Doing It, aimed at normalizing female sexuality. Lilly discusses the challenges of authenticity in the age of algorithms, the importance of connection with her audience, and her commitment to supporting South Asian creators through her initiative, Hyphenate. She emphasizes the value of therapy, negotiating pay, and unlearning the need for likability.

Rainn Wilson, best known as Dwight Schrute from The Office, shares his journey from fame to fulfillment. He reveals how the success of the show didn’t bring him happiness and discusses his battles with burnout. Rainn dives into his transformation through spirituality and mental health practices, highlighting daily routines that ground him. He shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from The Office and emphasizes the importance of finding purpose over chasing external milestones. This candid conversation is filled with insights on success, self-acceptance, and meaningful work.