The Real Reel

Episode 201: After over 25 successful years in the beauty business, there’s no denying that Korres skincare has withstood the test of time. From a small pharmacy in Greece to the shelves of Sephora and beyond, the evolution of this established brand is worth talking about, and today, Natalie has the privilege of doing just that when she sits down with their founder, Lena Korres. The two dive into the controversial topic of "clean beauty," the personal nature of skincare, how Korres stands out from the competition, and everything Lena has learned from building an established brand since the 90s. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the ultimate success story and the power of consistency, both in life and business.  Today’s episode dives into:   The oversaturation and confusion within the "clean beauty" space   Why skincare is beyond personal and there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all product   Lena’s background as a chemical engineer and the reality of being a female in the field    What prompted her to develop clean beauty products in the first place  The importance of connecting face-to-face with customers and building a trusting relationship with the community    What launching a "clean beauty" product was like back in the 90s and their first ever product   Understanding that adapting is necessary and the power of sticking to your mission    Lena’s current role within the brand and her true thoughts on having a specific "road map" as a founder     Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Shop and follow @korres   Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   The Farmers Dog - Get 50% off and free shipping on your first box of fresh, healthy food at thefarmersdog.com/REALREEL  Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order  Apostrophe - Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/REALREEL when you use our code: REALREEL   Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/realreel  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 200: It is no secret that being in your 20s is a wild ride, with so much unknown and no clear roadmap of what’s to come next. After a long-awaited trip back to Honduras to visit family, Nat’s feeling sentimental about this decade thus far and reflecting on all she’s learned in her 26 years. On this episode, it’s just Nat and the microphone, as she shares everything she wishes she would’ve known before entering this phase of her life including all the things nobody tells you but you inevitably come to learn with age. From friendships to careers to comparisons to mindset shifts and everything in between, there’s a lot of ground to cover, and Nat’s getting deep. Whether you’re just entering your 20s, in the midst of these amazing years, or have already experienced the ups and downs of this life stage, there’s comfort in knowing you’re not alone on the journey. Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.  Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   The Farmers Dog - Get 50% off and free shipping on your first box of fresh, healthy food at thefarmersdog.com/REALREEL  Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order  Apostrophe - Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/REALREEL when you use our code: REALREEL  Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/realreel  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 199: If you typically find yourself shopping at any of the major grocery stores like Whole Foods, Publix, Walmart, or Costco (just to name a few), it's highly likely that you're already very familiar with Kevin’s Natural Foods. After almost a decade of business, there’s no denying the name they’ve made for themselves and the reliable reputation they’ve cultivated... and on today’s episode, Natalie has the honor of connecting with Kevin himself! As a co-founder and COO, Kevin McCray has definitely learned a thing or two over the years, and today he’s (literally) dishing out all the behind-the-scenes, nitty-gritty details of building a business from the ground up. From the autoimmune disorder and lifestyle shift that inspired his products to his thought process as an entrepreneur and everything that’s contributed to his success in the consumer food space, this episode is rich with the ingredients necessary to take your ideas to the next level.  Today’s episode dives into:   Why some of the best products never actually make it into the consumer space   The power of persistence and other traits that make a successful founder    Kevin’s autoimmune disorder and the major diet and overall lifestyle shift that came along with the diagnoses   The lightbulb moment that led him to create Kevin’s Natural Foods   A breakdown of their product development and the integral role of focus groups    Sous vide style cooking and why Kevin swears by it for his products    The decision to use his name in the branding and the importance of story-telling    How he landed his products at major retailers like Costco and Walmart     Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Follow @kevins.natural.foods   Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   The Farmers Dog - Get 50% off and free shipping on your first box of fresh, healthy food at thefarmersdog.com/REALREEL Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order Apostrophe - Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/REALREEL when you use our code: REALREEL  Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/realreel  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 198: Natalie is no stranger to the world of content creation. With nearly a decade under her belt as a social media personality, she’s experienced the natural ebbs and flows of the business. From the phases of rapid growth to more slow and steady progression, she’s seen and experienced it all. In this episode, after a year of feeling slightly removed from her online presence, Nat’s candidly sharing where she truly stands with social media, the goals she has for this year, and her detailed plan of attack to achieve them. Plus, she gives us an honest update on her New Year’s intentions, including but not limited to dry January and her mindset on travel. Nat knows she isn’t alone in her content creation journey and is dishing out her tips and best practices for growth, productivity, and consistency to help you get that much closer to where you envision yourself! Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.  Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Episode 197: Are you curious about gut health but have no idea where to start? If the answer is yes, you’ve come to the right place. This week, Natalie is interviewing Supergut founder and CEO, Marc Washington, to discuss what the recent hype about the gut microbiome is really all about in a way that’s digestible (no pun intended) and easy to understand. Marc gets candid about the personal tragedy that led him to create Supergut, the importance of finding your "north star" as an entrepreneur, his recommendations for achieving a healthy gut, and where he sees the health industry 10 years. Tune in for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, life, health, and, most importantly, trusting and honoring your gut.   This episode dives into:   Marc’s true feelings about the ongoing saturation of the wellness space    The importance of having a "why" as an entrepreneur    How he turned a tragic loss into a meaningful career in the health industry   Defining the "scare" and what encourages people to make a lifestyle change    Gut health: what it is, why it’s so important, how to feel it, and how to achieve it    What to know when evaluating if a "health" product is legitimate   Small changes to your lifestyle that will have a big impact on your overall wellbeing   Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Check out and follow @supergut Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 196: New Year, new goals? Let’s get into it. Nat’s shaking things up this week with a fitting and timely live recording of Rella’s most recent webinar to discuss all things goal setting alongside a robust panel of ladies! In this special episode, she’s joined by TikTok star and podcast host Sarah Baus, Busy Blooming founder Tess Barclay, and Rella’s very own Head of Product, Natacha Bomparte. The ladies get candid about goal setting, the struggle of maintaining goals, tips to hold themselves accountable, and some of their personal and professional intentions for the year ahead. Whether you’re an aspiring influencer, entrepreneur, business owner, or just tuning in for some quality banter, this conversation will reinvigorate you to keep your dreams alive and might even steer you in the right direction. After all, slow growth is still growth.  This episode dives into:  The process of deciding which goals and intentions to focus on for the year  Why we need to normalize quitting goals early if need be and listening to our gut   Best practices to track, check in, and maintain your goals    Examining what makes a good goal and why the cringier, the better  The practice of keeping personal and business goals separate    Tips to avoid burnout and why we need to treat rest as a form of productivity    A sneak preview of a new and exciting Rella feature for creators   Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Follow @sarahebaus, @tessbarclay and @natacha.bomparte Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 195: As the Head of Product and Community at Rella, there’s no denying that today’s guest is an integral part of Natalie’s everyday life. On this episode, Natalie is joined by her right-hand gal, Natacha Bomparte, to touch base after the holidays and start the year off on a productive note. After spending more time together than they do with most people in their lives, it is no surprise that their working relationship has evolved into a beautiful friendship that has further transitioned into a sisterly bond. The two address their dynamic, their appreciation for a healthy working environment, and their approach to resolutions for the year ahead. Your heart will be warmed and your motivation will be high after this one; don’t miss it!  Today’s episode dives into:    Natacha’s role at Rella and how it’s evolved over time    Advice on how to make your work life less mundane  The evolution of their relationship from co-workers to friends    Healthy working environments and why they are key to a company’s success    How to stay motivated while working from home    How Natacha approaches goals and her true thoughts on having a routine  Why comparison is ultimately the thief of joy    What Natacha would tell her newly graduated self if she could go back in time     Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Follow Natacha @natacha.bomparte and @rellasocial Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 194: Hello 2023! There’s no denying that it’s been a whirlwind year for Natalie. With plenty of growth, unexpected change, success, and tons of learning, Nat is kicking off the New Year in a real (reel) way with a special solo episode to reflect on 2022, sharing some of her personal and professional intentions for the year ahead. Tune in as she dives into a detailed recap of the past year's highs and lows, from the break-up to officially launching Rella to the incredible friendships she's made. Nat’s also using this episode as an opportunity to highlight the areas of her life that could use some love, revealing her unfiltered mindset around drinking, putting herself out there, slowing down, and prioritizing her overall health.   Here’s to another amazing year of keeping it real (reel), friends! Happy New Year!  Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.  Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 193: From the snowy streets of Salt Lake City to the bright lights of Hollywood and back, today’s guest has one heck of a story to tell. Natalie has the honor of speaking with Lindsay Arnold, a So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars alum, to learn about her journey as a professional dancer turned mom, influencer, fitness instructor, and business owner. Lindsay’s sharing how her passion for movement landed her the career of her dreams, her first-hand experience on reality TV, and how she manages to wear so many hats at once! Tune in for an inspiring and relatable conversation that simultaneously feels like a comforting coffee date with one of your besties. Enjoy!     Today’s episode dives into:    The benefits of feeling motivating stress when it comes to your profession    Lindsay’s first-hand experience with mom-shaming online and her true feelings toward social media     How her relationship with movement began and the origin story of her career as a professional dancer    Behind the scenes of her experience on So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars   Why she ultimately decided to take a step back from DWTS  What led her to create The Movement Club  The contrast between her current life and her life when she was dancing full time     Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Follow Lindsay @lindsarnold and check out @themovementclub   Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 192: What if you could turn your biggest insecurity into your greatest strength? On today’s episode, Natalie has the pleasure of connecting with SUPERDRIP founder and CEO, Brett Mirman to find out how she did just that. After struggling her whole life with a chronic skin condition called hyperhidrosis, Brett ultimately found a way to channel her frustration into the product and community of her dreams. The two leave no stone unturned as they dive into the complexities of running your own business, creating a product from scratch, cultivating a strong community, and staying in your own lane. This episode might even inspire you, as it did Natalie, to view your insecurities in a different light and to take action on whatever’s holding you back from embracing them. So tune in and remember: you never know where embracing your flaws and turning to confidence might lead you.   Today’s episode dives into:    The complex reality of running your own business   Why having a strong sense of self is essential when starting a brand from scratch    Where Brett adopted her love of branding and learned the value of working for others    The "AHA" moment that led her to create SUPERDRIP Her journey through product development and budgeting   Community and why it’s been essential to the success of her business     Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Follow Brett @brettmirman and check out @getsuperdrip  Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:  Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices