Behind Her Empire

Dr. Sara Gottfried is a World-Renowned Physician, Hormone Expert, Speaker, and 4x New York Times Best Selling Author.Dr. Gottfried’s interview marks the start of our first podcast in the world of health and wellness. One of the biggest myths that women have on their path to building their empire is that they have to sacrifice their health in order to be successful. This couldn't be further from the truth!Starting this week, in addition to my interviews with incredible founders, I’m going to be bringing on the top experts in women’s health to help you better understand your biology and how to personalize your health to achieve the success you deserve. In today’s episode, Dr. Gottfried helps us understand how hormonal imbalances are impacting every area of our life, including energy levels, weight gain, and debilitating PMS. She also discusses how addressing the root causes can radically change your life for the better.Dr. Gottfried is a global keynote speaker who practices evidence-based integrative, functional, and precision medicine. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University and Director of Precision Medicine at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health where she focuses on career longevity for female CEOs.In this episode, we'll talk to Dr. Sara about:* The key role that hormones play in our bodies as a whole. [2:43]* Why it is important for us to make sure our hormones are in balance. [3:35]* How hormones show up in our lives, with a focus on estrogen and progesterone. [4:26]* Why testosterone is particularly important for female entrepreneurs. [6:36]* The role of insulin in making you crave carbs and sugar. [8:40]* Lifestyle factors that lead to modern women having hormonal imbalances. [12:22]* Dr. Gottfried tells the story of her journey to finding hormonal balance and health. [17:15]* The stress gap and how women tend to experience more stress than men. [22:05]* Why 88% of Americans are in a state of metabolic dysfunction. [30:29]* An explanation for why cutting out carbs is more effective for men than women. [35:32]* Her goal: for women to have the best metabolic health throughout their lives. [37:05]* Two methods to help you manage blood glucose in the body. [40:10]* The misinformation around carbs and why we actually need them as women. [43:26]* Emotional eating and why it isn’t constructive. [48:00]* Why food timing is important with a 14 hour overnight fast being ideal. [49:00]* Alcohol and its role in metabolic health, and overall health. [51:00]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Dr. Gottfried:* Website: https://www.saragottfriedmd.com/* Her Book: Women, Food, and Hormones: A 4-Week Plan to Achieve Hormonal Balance, Lose Weight, and Feel Like Yourself Again: https://amzn.to/3lopln5Follow 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.

Dubbed by the New York Times as ‘the woman who dresses America’, Jenna Lyons, is a fashion icon and the co-founder/CEO of the beauty brand, LoveSeen. Having kicked off her career as an intern at Donna Karan, Jenna went on to join the design team at J.Crew, eventually becoming its President. She is recognized as the main driver behind its incredible rise to success, and is a regular feature in print and online media, including having been recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people.After 27 years at J.Crew, Jenna was finally ready to start her own empire. She launched her company LoveSeen, a direct-to-consumer beauty brand that is reinventing fake lashes, which was largely inspired by her genetic condition that impacts her lash growth. And she was most recently, the Executive Director and main star of her reality competition show, Stylish with Jenna Lyons on HBO Max.  In this episode, you'll learn how Jenna's challenging childhood influenced her attitude toward finances and her love of fashion today. Living in New York in the 1980s, she discovered a new standard of beauty that was in stark contrast to what she had known as a child. Jenna reflects on working with Mickey Drexler, former CEO and Chairman of J.Crew Group, managing people, and navigating the public eye. You'll also hear why Jenna decided to reinvent herself later in her career, how she coped with leaving J.Crew, and what she loves about working in beauty over fashion.In this episode, we’ll talk to Jenna about: * The impact of Jenna’s mother’s attitude towards financial independence on how she approaches money today. [3:10]* How knowing you can take care of yourself affects fear and trust in relationships. [4:30]* What it was like to grow up with a genetic disorder and how sewing a skirt led to a popular girl in school asking Jenna to make one for her too. [6:40]* What it was like to live in New York in the late 1980s. [9:04]* How Jenna didn’t meet the standard of beauty in the beach town she grew up in. [10:30]* The discovery of Antonio Lopez as a pivotal point in discovering her own beauty. [11:38]* How she came to intern at Donna Karan and study at Parsons University in the 90s. [12:35]* The listing that led Jenna to take a job at J.Crew without asking about the salary. [13:35]* The dramatic change at J.Crew that completely turned things around [17:20]* What it was like working with Mickey Drexler (CEO of JCrew); his alchemy skills, attunement, and insight. [18:18]* How she needed to develop skills to manage people she worked with. [21:20]* Entering the public eye starting with Domino Magazine, then Vogue with Annie Leibovitz, and the internal struggle Jenna experienced. [25:01]* Find out how Jenna navigated different transition periods in her life. [28:29]* The nine-month period of silence that helped her regroup and see what’s important. [29:10]* What Jenna loves about the beauty scene: she doesn’t have to think about size. [36:05]* How Jenna realized the significance of eyelashes and decided to start her business. [37:00]* How admitting that you don’t know things can open you up to learn new things. [42:00]Follow Jenna:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennalyonsnyc/* Website: https://loveseen.com/ * LoveSeen Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveseen/* Stylist by Jenna HBO Max: https://www.stylishwithjennalyons.com/ This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amy Liu is the founder and CEO of Tower 28, a beauty company inclusive of all skin tones, skin types, budgets, and beauty philosophies. For over 15 years, Amy Liu worked as a beauty executive at some of the fastest-growing prestige companies, including Smashbox, Kate Somerville and Josie Maran Cosmetics. But as a longtime eczema sufferer, she couldn’t even enjoy the best part of working in the beauty industry: trying out all the products! Even the clean alternatives were super expensive or too clinical, like they were coming straight from the doctor’s office. Amy saw this white space as an opportunity, and set out to create Tower 28. Tower 28 is the first beauty brand that’s 100 percent clean, vegan, and free of every known skin irritant. We talk to Amy about how she thought about the risk she was talking in starting her career with a successful corporate career under her belt, three kids and a mortgage. Amy also shares her perspective on why there's never a “right time” to get started, why we should never fall into the trap of comparison, the power of fostering real relationships in life and in business, and so much more.In this episode, we'll talk to Amy about:* Where Amy’s aversion to risk originated. [3:11]* Why Amy chose to become an entrepreneur in the beauty space. [7:44]* An overview of Amy’s career prior to founding Tower 28. [8:35]* The danger of comparing ourselves to others. [9:53]* How working for other companies before starting her own has benefitted Amy. [15:53]* Amy explains what motivated her decision to quit her full-time job and shares advice for other mothers who may have the same worries about this move as she did. [18:18]* The conversation that changed the course of Amy’s life. [22:35]* Value that lies in talking openly about what you want to achieve. [25:21]* The importance of reputation. [28:47]* How Amy’s approach to founding Tower 28 was different from the three businesses she founded before it. [29:46]* What differentiates Tower 28 from other brands. [32:41]* Amy’s thoughts on overcoming fears around entering a saturated market. [33:47]* The ultimate goal that Amy had when she founded Tower 28. [37:14]* How Amy incorporates her values into her brand. [38:21]* A story which highlights the value of being open minded. [40:04]* Amy explains the approach that she took to growing Tower 28. [46:25]* How her experience of building Tower 28 has changed the way Amy looks at life. [49:48]* Delving into the (very) challenging side of building a business, and the things that make it worth it. [51:15]* Words of wisdom from Amy on living your most fulfilling life as a female founder. [56:00]Follow Amy:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyliu_t28/* Tower 28 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tower28beauty/* Website: https://www.tower28beauty.com/This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow 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.

Our guest today has been visualizing her success from an early age, without even realizing she was doing so. If anyone knows how to tune in to the opportunities around her, it’s Anjula Acharia. She is the founder and CEO of A-Series Management and Investments and works as a talent strategist and strategic investor and advisor to many consumer tech and CPG startups, including two notable early-stage investments, ClassPass and Bumble, which have grown into billion-dollar unicorns. Not only is she an early investor and advocate, but she also happens to be international superstar Priyanka Chopra’s manager and business partner and has played a critical role in launching Priyanka’s career in the US. In this episode, Anjula imparts her wisdom about how opportunities present themselves in the absence of desperation and explains why she chooses not to live by a plan. We hear her visualization tips and insights and discover how she applied the “power of the pivot” to Priyanka Chopra’s career. Anjula recounts how she connected with a legendary record executive, how she came to work with Priyanka, and the sheer hustle that was required for her to “break” into the industry.Tune in to hear Anjula’s remarkable story and gain insight into what she looks for in startup founders, how she chooses investments, and the top mistakes she sees entrepreneurs making today.In this episode, we'll talk to Anjula about:* The challenges of Anjula’s upbringing and how she discovered the power of visualization. [2:43]* The life-changing impact The Secret had on her, in terms of visualization and manifestation. [5:05]* Why she refers to herself as an “accidental entrepreneur” and what catalyzed her investment journey. [7:57]* Why Anjula doesn’t believe in living according to a plan. [10:04]* About Beeya Wellness! [11:05]* Anjula’s intrinsic confidence and belief in the abundance of opportunities in the world. [14:15]* Anjula recounts her meeting with legendary record executive, Jimmy Iovine. [17:20]* The power of the elimination of desperation. [19:45]* Anjula humorously recalls Jimmy Iovine telling her her company was going to fail in front of Jay Z! [21:00]* The series of events that led her to meet and work with Priyanka Chopra as her manager and business partner. [22:07]* The hustle of launching Priyanka’s career in the US. [25:53]* How ClassPass founder Payal Kadakia taught Anjula the power of the pivot, and how she applied it to Priyanka’s career. [27:26]* Anjula’s two deciding factors when considering whether to back a founder. [29:09]* The importance of knowing your metrics, as a founder. [30:00]* The top mistakes Anjula sees entrepreneurs making today. [31:11]* Why it’s so important for women to think big! [32:06]* Why Anjula tends to invest in entrepreneurs outside of the industry. [34:07]* What other exciting things she has on the go! [35:35]Follow Anjula:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anjula_acharia/This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow 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.

Melissa Hibbért is a beauty icon and the Founder of SHYFT Beauty Consulting, a contemporary multi-cultural marketing agency for women-founded beauty brands. Melissa’s love affair with all things glam began at an early age when she started experimenting with makeup on friends and family while she was in high school. However, it wasn’t until after a successful 14-year stint in corporate marketing that Melissa decided to pursue her love for beauty, becoming a celebrity makeup artist and, ultimately, a serial entrepreneur with multiple brand launches under her belt. Melissa is a champion for women-led brands and a beacon of light for brands seeking fresh and innovative ideas.In today’s episode, we sit down with the beauty mogul to talk about how she shifted from her successful corporate marketing career to entrepreneurship and her step-by-step approach to leaving a stable income to pursue her passions despite friends and family not being supportive. We also chat about the power of visualization & keeping your “mind right”, the biggest learnings she had from her prior businesses, and why it’s all about prioritization and not balance especially when you’re running your own business alongside your family.In this episode, we'll talk to Melissa about:* What Melissa believes is preventing people from pursuing their passions. [2:56]* How her upbringing helped shaped her mindset as an entrepreneur. [4:25]* Where her love affair with beauty came from and how she carried it with her throughout her time in corporate America. [6:17]* An understanding of why Melissa chose a more “traditional path” in marketing. [11:45]* The lightbulb moment that made her realize she had to follow her dreams. [13:13]* A candid account of leaving a stable income to turn her love for beauty into a career. [15:17]* How Melissa unpacked her calling, paid attention to the signs, and then took action. [19:35]* Advice for setting yourself apart in a world full of entrepreneurs: be a brand early on! [23:18]* How Melissa gave herself one year to replace her six-figure corporate income. [26:33]* Seeing life beyond the physical; daily habits Melissa implements to visualize the life she wants for herself, both personally and professionally. [30:35]* What her initial business goals and aspirations were and how they have evolved. [33:16]* Melissa’s key learnings when it comes to product curation, income, and more. [35:49]* Insight into where Melissa is today and why she chooses to prioritize, not balance. [40:57]* How she has restructured her business to prioritize flexibility over profit. [44:12]* What Melissa is most proud of: she stumbled, but she didn’t crumble! [45:51]Follow Melissa:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissahibbert * Website: https://shyftbeauty.com/ This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow 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.

Noora Raj Brown always had a passion for all things creative, but as a child of immigrant parents who were fully immersed in the technology and medical fields, she didn’t know where her creativity would take her. After a wide range of experiences and a very non-linear career path, Noora is now one of the key women behind Gwyneth Paltrow’s booming modern lifestyle brand, Goop, and serves as the company's EVP of Brand.Goop has grown steadily into a multinational powerhouse that’s valued over $250 million dollars and is a web destination for advice, guides, and features about beauty, style, and wellness. Outside of their website, they have a podcast, a docu-series on Netflix, brick-and-mortar locations, and also reach millions of followers daily on their social platforms. In today’s episode, Noora shares valuable advice on jumpstarting your career when you feel lost, dealing with insecurities, and how to avoid burnout. Part of Goop’s mission is to normalize uncomfortable conversations in order to improve people’s lives, and they don’t let any of the backlash they have received over the years deter them. This episode serves as a reminder that just because other people don’t agree with you doesn't mean you shouldn’t follow your passions; you never know what kind of impact you could have and where the journey will take you!In this episode, we'll talk to Noora about:* Why Noora recommends focusing less on benchmarks and more on what makes you feel fulfilled. [2:34]* Noora shares what her upbringing was like. [4:44]* When Noora realized that a creative career path was possible for her. [7:33]* A trip back in time to Noora’s first few years working in New York post-graduation. [8:25]* Valuable lessons that Noora learned while working in PR. [14:40]* Noora shares what led her to Goop. [16:15]* The months-long interview process that Noora went through for a job prior to Goop. [18:18]* Circumstances at Goop when Noora began working there, and the trust that was placed in her to figure things out. [20:30]* Goop’s approach to bringing uncomfortable conversations into the mainstream and how the company has maintained its ethos as it has grown. [21:57]* An example which highlights the impact that Goop is having on the greater societal ecosystem. [25:37]* The biggest challenge that Noora faces at work. [27:26]* Noora shares what she feels is the most rewarding part of her job. [29:13]* The role that alternative wellness practices have played in Noora’s life from a young age. [30:44]* Strategies that Noora has implemented in her life to avoid burnout. [33:31]* How slowing down changed Noora’s life. [35:22]* Noora’s favorite wellness products and rituals. [38:26]* London, Paris, and Provence; why these are Noora’s three favorite cities. [40:49]* The value of giving generously. [43:30]Follow Noora:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noorarajbrown/* Goop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goop/* Website: https://goop.com/This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow 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.

Our guest today didn’t intend for her blog to blow up into a successful business that would still be thriving 12 years down the line, but through consistency and authenticity, Camille Styles has solidified her empire. Camille is the founder of Camille Styles, the leading digital lifestyle publication that garners over 50 million impressions a month. This OG lifestyle blog was born of Camille’s simple desire for a new creative outlet, long before blogs were even a thing, and has since become her full-time focus. Camille joins us today to share her inspiring story and demonstrate that pursuing the things that light you up truly does pay off in the long run. In this episode, we talk about the viability of turning side hobbies and hustles into real businesses, and how to combat the fear of dreaming too big. We talk about the danger of confusing vanity metrics with real measures of success, and how to approach social media with authenticity.Tune in to hear Camille’s journey of leaving her career and going all-in with the Camille Styles lifestyle blog, and hear her tips on easing overwhelm and managing burnout, as well as being intentional with your time. Camille’s story is proof that you, too, can keep your fire alight and live a purposeful life both in family and in business. In this episode, we'll talk to Camille about:* The limiting beliefs that prevent people from stepping into the growth mindset. [2:39]* How Camille’s upbringing shaped her. [4:24]* Her post-college life and aspirations, and her journey to starting her own business. [6:59]* How a casual blog became Camille’s full-time focus. [10:11]* How to foster the courage to make the leap to follow your dreams. [10:59]* A brief aside: How the Beeya seed cycling bundle supports hormonal imbalances! [12:42]* Vanity metrics versus real measures of success in the age of social media. [16:40]* How Camille recognized the potential to monetize her blog. [17:03]* Camille’s mindset while growing her blog before it was a widely understood format. [18:44]* How to avoid burnout while consistently creating content. [20:43]* The necessity of dedicating seasons to ‘the grind’ and knowing when to slow down. [24:52]* Camille’s self-care and goal-setting tips and rituals. [26:42]* The benefits of being intentional with your time. [34:59]* The importance of owning your own opinions and sticking to your guns! [38:17]* How to combat the fear of showing up online. [42:16]* How to approach social media and ease the overwhelm of the myriad of social media platforms. [44:24]* Camille’s inspiring pivot to launch a new business in a completely different industry. [50:18]Follow Camille:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camillestyles/* Website: https://camillestyles.com/* Vision Workbook: https://mailchi.mp/camillestyles/vision-workbookThis episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow 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.

Suneera Madhani is the co-founder and CEO of Stax, an innovative tech company that radically simplifies the payment ecosystem.After graduating from college, Suneera decided to work at a consumer goods company and after three years she realized that the corporate world wasn’t for her. She was later recruited by a payment-processing company, and it was then she realized she wanted to do someone on her own.At age 26, without money, an MBA or any corporate leadership experience…and after being laughed out of her then boss’s office, Suneera began building her now billion-dollar company inside her parents’ Orlando home. In 8 years, Suneera raised $245M in venture capital and now leads a team of 300+ employees and is committed to helping fellow women and minorities achieve similar accomplishments in business. She also is also the founder of CEO School, which is a podcast and an 8-week program that helps women become entrepreneurs & CEOs – and is on the mission to change the fact that less than 2% of female founders hit $1 million in revenue… and less than 18% ever hit 6 figures. This needs to change! Suneera gives us the scoop on what it was like to take the leap from a stable corporate job into the uncertainties of entrepreneurship and shares how she manages the ever-looming imposter syndrome to show up as her best self every day. We explore time management and Suneera’s approach to finding work-life integration, rather than balance, and how she manages running her billion-dollar business while still spending quality time with her two young kids. We also talk about what is missing in the business world: practical advocacy for women’s success, and what she believes is required to change that. Join us to hear a wealth of practical advice and wisdom from Suneera’s story of unlikely success and breaking free of the expectations of others to find fulfillment in living a life that's true to you.In this episode, we'll talk to Suneera about:* Breaking free of the expectations of others and living according to who we are instead. [3:35]* How Suneera’s experience as the child of immigrants shaped her approach to business. [6:30]* What led her to use her analytical and creative skills to start Stax at the age of 24. [10:32]* How Stax grew from 5 million in payments the first year to 23 billion in payments per year. [17:08]* Dealing with imposter syndrome in the early days of launching a business. [21:52]* Working to keep your psyche in check and show up as your best self as a CEO. [25:05]* Building habits by repeating activities, and improving with experience. [27:01]* Combatting perfectionism with the philosophy that ‘done is better than perfect’. [30:05]* Suneera’s belief in work life integration when managing family life and her company. [36:40]* The three areas she spends her time on: what she loves, her family, and making an impact. [40:04]* How she manages her time, starting with what she calls Sunday Zoom Out. [41:50]* What sparked Suneera’s idea to start CEO School during the pandemic. [45:10]* The statistic that changed the game for Suneera: only 2% of female founders are breaking a million-dollar revenue. [47:17]* What is missing in the business world: action in advocating for women. [49:12]* Why you should subscribe to the CEO School podcast. [51:10]* Calling listeners to support the female business owners in their lives. [53:10]Follow Suneera:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suneeramadhani* Stax Website: https://staxpayments.com/* CEO School Website: https://theceoschool.co/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jessica Rolph is the co-founder and CEO of Lovevery, a company that offers products and information which help create developmental experiences in the lives of new babies and families.Jessica is passionate about giving babies the best and healthiest beginning in life. She was a founding partner in her first business, Happy Family, which she helped grow into being one of the top organic baby food companies - which eventually sold to Group Danone. Although she was confident that she was giving her babies the best nutrition, she started to become curious about what each of her three children’s brains was craving.After reading a doctoral thesis on child development, and years of her learning with her own children, Jessica decided to start her second baby company - but this time focused on brain development. Today, Lovevery has over 220,000 active subscribers to their flagship Play Kits program and has shipped well over 1 million Play Kits in the past 12 months, and continues to grow more than 100% year over year.In our interview together, Jessica opens up about how she never thought of herself as an “idea person” when it came to starting a business nor did she think she’d ever be a founder. She shares her journey on how she found purpose in life and landed on creating mission-driven companies with no prior "entrepreneurial" experience. We also talk about her biggest mistakes & lessons she made from her first business and a step-by-step approach to how you should think about fundraising, bringing on co-founders, creating product-market-fit, and so much more.Follow Lovevery:* Website: https://lovevery.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovevery/This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow 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.

As an industry veteran, Gail Federici was the co-founder and CEO of the iconic brand John Frieda and has leveraged her experience to build her latest venture, Color Wow, a professional hair-care line geared towards color-treated hair.Gail has always put “absolute breakthrough” at the top of her product-creation To-Do list and while the beauty industry is notorious for knockoffs, she has literally zero interest in ever following a path paved by another creator. At John Frieda, Gail was truly the first to design products that were combating frizz, a word that wasn’t even discussed at the time. They eventually sold the business for over $450 million - long before beauty acquisitions were even a common thing. After a few years, bound by a non-compete, Gail eventually launched Color Wow. She another capsule collection of problem-solving products, but this time, specifically or colored hair. In our wide-ranging interview together, we talk about life before her incredible success as an entrepreneur and how she never thought, in a million years, that she’d launch a business on her own. As someone who was always jumping around different jobs and didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life, Gail shares how having twins in her late 30s was the biggest perspective shift for her and what drove a lot of her future success. For anyone lost or looking to find their path, this interview is for you - Gail is so inspiring and graciously shares so many gems for building a meaningful and successful business. We hope you enjoy this one!In this episode, we'll talk to Gail about:* Gail’s story of being a late bloomer and her advice to listeners not to put too much pressure on themselves. [3:11]* Growing up as the oldest, being an avid reader with a love of travel. [6:18]* How becoming a mother of twins in her late 30s changed her perspective on life. [7:33]* The story of how Gail got involved with John Frieda at a hair show. [13:01]* What motivated Yasmin to start her business facilitating a wholefoods approach to period management. [15:23]* How Gail’s search for products for her own hair motivated her to start Frizz-Ease. [18:59]* Why entrepreneurship came as a surprise to Gail. [18:59]* Gail’s experience, never having felt that being a woman was a deterrent to success. [27:36]* The importance of being firm, but not mean, and not to take things personally. [32:04]* Her belief that when you work to make a difference, you end up making money. [37:58]* Collaborating with celebrity stylist Chris Appleton. [44:34]* The big break that happened when Hoda talked about the products on her show. [45:26]* Why her content has fared so well: you can really demonstrate the change it makes. [54:13]* Why it is beneficial to run your company like a small business even if it is a big corporation. [56:02]* Being flexible with your ideas and open to necessary feedback and change. [1:01:12]* Product testing, methods of feedback, and making mistakes in order to progress. [1:06:35]Follow Gail:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorwowhair/* Website: https://colorwowhair.com/This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow 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.