Trailblazers

This week we chat with Kim Johnson, evaluating the nature and relevance of Community itself and how it applies to the world of business and twentysomethings. Kim is the Head of Community at Geneva, an NYC based messaging app for groups, clubs, and communities of all shapes and sizes. Her work at Geneva focuses on helping brands, creators, and community leaders of all kinds build their communities from the ground up. Before joining the team at Geneva she built Community at Glossier from the ground up for five years.In this explained episode, the pair reflect on Kim’s college experiences and ideals that shaped her fascination with the need for community in the workplace. Transforming the blogging community into a brand for Glossier, this first job for Kim evidently shaped her career, with a community focused element in business. In breaking down what exactly a community is and means, Kim reveals it's relevance in the workplace and necessity in our daily lives. Shifting her career towards Geneva, she now works to maintain a platform that offers people a space to build an online community of their own, embodying several visions and purposes.With the rapid growth of internet presence in our day to day lives, we’re finding a need for community more than ever before. Twentysomethings, get ready for an hour with the woman behind the scenes of several groups we know and love today, Kim Johnson!Follow Us!Kim Johnson: @kimjohnson._Geneva: @geneva (and website here)Glossier: @glossier (and website here)Erica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Jessica Wenger McPhaul. Jessica is an Emmy-nominated costume designer and the founder of NAKED REBELLION, a nude lingerie brand offering products for every shade on Earth. Having graduated from FIDM and spent over ten years in the Costumers’ Union moving from set to set, Jessica found the inspiration for her brand when faced with challenges in finding undergarments designed for all skin shades and body types. From “House of Cards” to NAKED REBELLION, Jessica’s here for an inside scoop on her journey to entrepreneurship!In this episode, the pair go back to the beginning of Jessica’s journey as a teen in Scottsdale, AZ who found her start in the world of costume design as a result of a criminal littering charge. Incorporating her passion for fashion into a “yes mentality,” Jessica reveals the trials and tribulations of her twenties and the decisions she made to land her success. Conversations on ditching college, production craziness, and starting a business with loved ones are the tip of the iceberg to this week’s episode.Twentysomethings, if you’re doubting the idea that everything happens for a reason, get ready for an hour with the remarkable and ambitious Jessica Wenger McPhaul as she breaks down the luck and perseverance that landed her to a business and career of her own!Follow Us!Jessica Wenger McPhaul: @jesswengermcpNaked Rebellion: @naked.rebellion (and website here)Erica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we’re bringing you another solo episode with the host herself, Erica Wenger! Erica received a masters degree from USC in social entrepreneurship where she gave a TEDx Talk, pitching the idea of just how social entrepreneurship will change the world. TED is a non-profit organization aiming to change the world one idea at a time in the form of short, powerful talks. TEDx was designed to propel their tradition of informative story-telling into local communities making knowledge more accessible, and therefore more powerful. In this episode, Erica takes us behind the scenes into her extensive and rewarding experience as a TEDx speaker. Discussing her experiences in and out of the classroom, Erica recalls the stress, preparation, and achievements that crafted her TEDx journey. This episode offers context behind the ideas Erica shares in her talk with an emphasis that profit and purpose are not mutually exclusive elements of business.Twentysomethings, you might’ve listened to a TEDx talk before, but this week we find out what it takes to lead one. Get ready for this short and sweet inside scoop into the perspective of a TEDx speaker with our host, Erica Wenger!Follow Us!Erica Wenger: @erica_wengerErica's TEDx Talk: How social entrepreneurship will change the world TEDx Website: hereDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Courtney Claghorn. You probably know Courtney best as the Co-Founder of Sugared + Bronzed, everyone’s go-to sugaring hair removal and sunless tanning destination. Having revolutionized airbrush tanning with a proprietary solution and revived an all-natural, ancient Egyptian form of hair removal called sugaring, Courtney created the flawless destination we all know and love. With locations across California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas, this is just the beginning for Sugared + Bronzed. In this episode, the pair backtrack Courtney's journey to Sugared + Bronzed starting with her college experience between Colorado and Los Angeles. Morphing her passion for film with her career in entrepreneurship, Courtney reveals several parallels between the industries. Conversations of improv acting, dreadful work-shifts, and building an empire with the love of your life are just a peek into this week’s episode. Twentysomethings, if you’re feeling unsure of your next move, get ready for this episode where “trusting the process” becomes a lifestyle with the inspirational Courtney Claghorn!Follow Us!Courtney Claghorn: @courtneyclaghornSugared + Bronzed: @sugaredandbronzed (and website here)Erica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Aleyna Dogan, breaking down the seemingly complex nature of NFTs, the web3 space, and why it's relevant to twentysomethings.Aleyna is both an entrepreneur and writer currently working at VaynerNFT. Having started NFTimes, the weekly comprehensive NFT newsletter last July, she continues to expand her role in the new web3 world. With a focus on the grave importance of techno-philosophy issues, she now consults and assists the on-boarding of artists, especially women, LGBTQ+ and people from other underrepresented groups into the web3 space. In this explained episode, the pair reflect on Aleyna’s upbringing in Turkey and the lifelong fascination with technology that ultimately led her towards her college education at NYU. Aleyna takes us through her journey from the sparking curiosity of fake news and crafted algorithms to a full blown writing career in the web3 space. Conversations focused on explaining the web3 space, how NFTs work, and the future of the internet are the tip of the iceberg in this week’s episode. With NFTs emerging as a common topic of conversation, how many of us truly know what they are, how they work, and what role we play in this new web space? Twentysomethings, your answers are finally here! Lock in on this one-hour explained episode featuring the woman who writes the content you read, Aleyna Dogan!Follow Us!Aleyna Dogan: @aleynadoganVaynerNFT: @vaynernft (and website here)NFTimes : website hereErica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Ashley Merrill. As founder of Lunya and Lahgo, Ashley is reinventing sleepwear for modern women and men, respectively; both brands share a simple mission: to champion rest in people’s lives. Ashley is also cofounder of The Deep, a media platform that makes philosophy and personal exploration accessible through thought provoking questions, and the Chairwoman of Outdoor Voices. In this episode, the pair recall Ashley’s SoCal native upbringing and the choices and obstacles throughout her twenties that brought her fortune and success later down the road. Ashley recalls the intrinsic motivation and ambition that pushed her along her path as she left law and culinary in the past and hustled her way into the world of venture capital trading income for experience. Conversations on the philosophy of debate, employing her mother, and how to vision and work towards your life are just a glimpse into this hour-packed episode. Twentysomethings, if you’re feeling lost in career direction, this is the episode for you, get ready for this one-hour interview that will leave you pumped up with the ambitious Ashley Merrill!Follow Us!Ashley Merrill: @ashley_merrillLunya & Lahgo: @lunya (and website here)The Deep: @thedeep.life (and website here)Outdoor Voices: @outdoorvoices (and website here)Erica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

The million dollar question, Who is Erica Wenger? This week we kick off Season 2 with an introduction to the host herself, Erica Wenger! Last season, Erica interviewed different guests each episode with a heavy focus on their lives and careers during their twenties, breaking down individual journeys to success. We’re excited to welcome this new space for a behind-the-scenes look into the life of the host herself and listen in on some of Erica’s experiences during her twenties as she navigates her way through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and venture capital. For this week’s episode, we jump back to Erica’s upbringing in Manhattan Beach and how she transformed her ambition into reality. At just twenty-four years old with startup businesses of her own in her back pocket, a podcast, and her new chapter in venture capital we finally get an inside look into the real inspiration behind this podcast. Conversations on her TEDx experience, how to manage mental health during times of hustle, and the busy lifestyle of a young entrepreneur are just a slice of some the episodes to come.Twentysomethings, mark your calendars for back to back episodes each week in Season 2 as we share a variety of episodes focused on inspiring twentysomethings everywhere.See you next Tuesday!Follow us!Erica Wenger: @erica_wengerDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething

This week we chat with Sarah Moret. Sarah is the founder and CEO of Curie, a personal care brand that makes safe and clean body basics that "do their damn job." Like most good ideas, Curie was born out of a personal need and eliminates the struggle to find natural personal-care products that were both non-toxic AND effective. Sarah bootstrapped the brand on $12k savings, and within six months Curie was hitting six-figure revenues with zero marketing budget; ultimately growing the brand from one cult-favorite natural deodorant to a staple purchase sold in stores nationwide. In this episode, the pair reveals Sarah’s journey to entrepreneurship and the detailed preparation that went into the “Shark Tank” debut that launched Curie into the public eye. Sarah recalls her hustle into the world of venture capital and the experiences that ultimately kick-started her career. The passion and hustle embedded in her journey to Curie are but two key ingredients for Sarah's recipe to a successful business. Conversations on the rarity of safe AND effective body products, the hidden blessing of rejection, and the complex preparation behind seemingly effortless branding are just a glimpse into this episode. Twentysomethings, if you’ve ever considered starting a business of your own, get ready for this one-hour interview that will leave you wanting more with the inspiring Sarah Moret!Follow us!Sarah Moret: @sarahjmoretCurie: @curiebod and (and website here)Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething 

This week we chat with Kara Goldin. Kara is the Founder & CEO of Hint, Inc., best known for its award-winning Hint® water, the leading unsweetened flavored water. Navigating the world of large companies and startups in many industries including media, tech and consumer products, Kara found success in the world of entrepreneurship. Listed as The Huffington Post’s one of six disruptors in business, alongside Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg, Kara established her space in the realm of business.In this episode, the pair backtrack Kara’s climb to success and reveal the highly anticipated secrets to a powerful startup. Conversation of house-painting business inspiration, coffee with the pioneers of tech, and the bay area tech hustle are but the tip of the iceberg covering Kara’s vast journey to entrepreneurship. The two breakdown the necessities to staying the path and pursuing a passion in just one hour! Kara takes us behind the scenes of working side by side with the pioneers of E-commerce and tech media as she strived to carve the path for the industry we all know today. A now active speaker & writer, Kara currently hosts the podcast The Kara Goldin Show where she interviews founders, entrepreneurs, and other disruptors across various industries. From tech, to beverage, to books, the pair cover it all in this week’s episode! Twentysomethings, make sure your AirPods are charged for this one-hour interview with one of the most recognized businesswomen of our time, Kara Goldin! Follow us!Kara Goldin: @karagoldinHint: @hint (and website here)The Kara Goldin Show: Apple Podcasts here and Spotify Podcasts hereDear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)

This week we chat with Moj Mahdara. You might know her best as the Co-Founder and Former-CEO of Beautycon, the globally-recognized community for content creators, celebrities, fans, and brands. Moj Mahdara’s expertise in the beauty, wellness, and CPG market formed the brains behind the driving brand vision for Beautycon and its growth initiatives, launching the brand globally; where her strategic media partnerships, content development, market intelligence, and e-commerce built the community empire we all know and love over the past 5 years. In this episode, the pair reveal a lot of the “unknown” about Moj; piecing together the mosaic of her journey to a successful marketing career building from her foundation of childhood immigration, trauma, and alienation. Conversation of survival strategy in early twenties, the future of cryptocurrency, and the stigmatized nature of mental health are only the beginning. The two create the space for a call to action towards the mental health crisis, leaving behind a trail of compassion and wisdom. As a now active investor and working on her first book, Moj focuses on bringing the industry together via Beauty United.org. Twentysomethings, you won’t want to miss this episode with the resilient Moj Mahdara, as she reveals the character development that drove her towards a life she once only dreamt of and a business that connects and inspires thousands.Follow us!Moj Mahdara: @mojBeautycon: @beautycon and (and website here)Dear Twentysomething: @deartwentysomething (and on Fireside here)