
Behind Her Empire
Behind Her Empire is focused on highlighting self-made women leaders & entrepreneurs and how they tackle their career, money, family and life.Each episode covers their unique journey and what it really takes to build an empire with key lessons learned along the way. The goal of the series is to empower you to see what’s possible & inspire you to create financial freedom in your own life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Mar 14, 2022 • 60min
All Things Women, Money & Mindset with Sallie Krawcheck, Founder of Ellevest
Sallie Krawcheck is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ellevest, a digital-first investment platform working to help close the gender wealth gap by “redefining investing for women.”Sallie’s professional mission is to help women reach their financial and professional goals… or as she says to get more money in the hands of women. She’s definitely on her way as Ellevest recently announced they have $1Bn under management. Before launching Ellevest in 2016, Sallie was one of the highest-ranked women ever to have worked on Wall Street: She was the CEO of Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney, US Trust, Citi Private Bank, and Sanford C. Bernstein. She was also CFO for Citigroup. Prior to that, Sallie was a top-ranked research analyst covering the securities industry.Sallie is widely recognized as one of the most influential women in business. She has been recognized by Inc. as a "Top Female Founder", called "The Last Honest Analyst" by Fortune magazine, and was named the seventh most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. We’ll chat with Sallie about her journey leaving her small hometown to high-powered positions in Wall Street, how she dealt with two public firings and the many career pivots that led her to start Ellevest. We'll also discuss why women need to talk more about money and start investing in order to close the gender wealth gap. In this episode, we'll talk to Sallie about:* Sallie’s experience of school, difficulties she faced, and how this made her resilient. [6:22]* The impact that being bullied had on Sallie’s will to succeed in life. [7:19]* How Sallie landed in investment banking after going to school for journalism. [8:13]* The shame and guilt Sallie felt around hating a career she thought she wanted. [10:37]* How Sallie carved out time to find out what she truly wanted to do with her life. [11:41]* Dealing with rejection and the power of a growth mindset to keep pushing. [15:22]* Sallie’s take on why being a woman on Wall Street helped her in many ways. [16:47]* What happens when women are seen to be looking for power and attention. [18:14]* Sallie’s two public firings and the lessons she learned from both of them. [20:25]* How Sallie, whose identity was attached to her career, dealt with being fired. [23:42]* Women have been socialized into believing men are better at money. [29:00]* The stress that comes with running your own business and the loneliness you face. [30:14]* Sallie’s experience raising funds for Ellevest and why it differed from other startups. [36:21]* What Sallie wishes they had done differently in her company. [39:32]* The value of networking and why women need to do a better job of it. [40:38]* Some first steps women who have not invested can take to get started. [43:30]* If you feel nervous about investing, start small and watch what happens. [48:40]* Why Sallie does not like the idea that women have to strive for work-life balance. [49:35]* We need to normalize failures because striving to be perfect puts extra pressure on women. [55:11]* The reason that men are better at taking risks, according to Sallie. [56.39]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 Ellevest:* Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevest/* Website: https://www.ellevest.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 7, 2022 • 58min
Ditching Corporate to Pursue Your Wildest Dreams with Sarah Gibson Tuttle, Founder of Olive & June
Risking everything you have to pursue a dream can be the scariest but most rewarding thing a person can do in their life. Today’s guest has done just that. Sarah Gibson Tuttle is the CEO and founder of Olive & June, an innovative at-home nail-care brand that's disrupting the industry. Sarah spent a decade in equity sales trading at Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan. She never thought she'd become an entrepreneur until her love for Drybar inspired her to create the same thing, but for nails. Although everybody thought her idea was crazy, Sarah was confident it would work and put all her savings into the first flagship store. Olive & June is now successfully democratizing nail care with their full suite of at-home mani and pedi products. In today's episode, we talk about how life's curveballs can be the biggest gift to sending you on a new path to rediscover your purpose and Sarah explains what it was like for her to ditch her safe corporate job to follow her passions, what kept her in her previous job for so long, and how her divorce added to her motivation to shake things up. She also shares the fears and imposter syndrome she overcame on the journey and the importance of therapy in her personal and professional life. Tuning in, you’ll hear how Sarah got funding, how she built a strong community around her brand, and how she has successfully pivoted over the years (especially during COVID). She also shares the importance of delegating and how, as a wife, mother, and entrepreneur, she manages it all. For a very vulnerable real conversation on what it takes to build a multimillion-dollar company from scratch, tune in today!In this episode, we’ll talk to Sarah about:* What inspired Sarah to leave her job and found Olive & June. [00:50]* What holds people back from making the same type of career leap. [03:20]* How passion keeps Sarah in this entrepreneurial journey despite its hardships. [05:21]* What kept her in her job as an equity sales trader for so long. [08:52] * How her divorce added to her motivation to shake things up. [14:34]* How she built connections to get interviews in talent management and the benefits of resistance. [19:36]* The importance of therapy in Sarah’s personal and professional journey and how her divorce made her more empathetic. [24:50]* The fear and imposter syndrome she felt when she put her life savings into her first store. [28:03]* Sarah’s thoughts on the value of community and how she built one for her brand. [31:02]* The importance of having a vision but also being flexible. [39:05]* How Olive & June pivoted during the pandemic and supported their community. [40:09]* Sarah’s approach to fundraising and what her relationship with her investors looks like. [42:32]* The best investment advice Sarah received but didn’t appreciate at the time. [46:18]* How she balances all the different aspects of her life. [50:22]* What it was like for her to build a team, delegate responsibilities, and give up control. [54:39]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 BEHINDHEREMPIREFollow Sarah: * Sarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gibsontuttle/* Olive & June Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliveandjune/* Olive & June website: https://oliveandjune.com/* Get 20% off your first nail system - use 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.

Feb 28, 2022 • 53min
How to Unlock Your Purpose, Health, and Well-Being with Dr. Deanna Minich
Today we discuss all things related to women’s health with someone who not only has incredible clinical experience, but also is an expert in the fields of nutrition, modern science, and spirituality. Dr. Deanna Minich is an internationally recognized health expert, scientist, researcher, and author with more than 20 years of experience in nutrition, mind-body health, and functional medicine. She is on the board of directors for the American Nutrition Association and has authored six books and over 40 scientific publications.In this episode, Dr. Deanna shares her personal story of her own hormonal struggles and how she overcame PMS, endometriosis, anxiety, depression, and IBS. She also explains how this led her to realize how nutrition, mind, body, and spirit are all interconnected. We also talk about how our thoughts can directly impact our health, what foods can be used to enhance your mood, why flow is so vital for women, the importance of having variety in your diet and so much more!In this episode, we'll talk to Dr. Deanna about:* The most underrated pillars of women’s health according to Dr. Deanna Minich. [2:28]* Dr. Deanna’s personal hormonal struggles and how they have influenced her views on health. [3:40]* How painting and color helped Dr. Deanna on her healing journey. [7:55]* How our thoughts can directly impact our health. [12:50]* An example of one of Dr. Deanna’s patients whose health was greatly impacted by her thoughts. [19:04]* The impact of purpose and meaning on our health. [21:43]* How Dr. Deanna utilizes the chakra system in her work. [24:48]* What is important for women to understand when it comes to food and your mood. [28:35]* An example from Dr. Deanna’s life about the benefits of going with the flow and not being too rigid. [32:39]* What Dr. Deanna means when she talks about flow and why it’s so important for women. [36:46]* Some of Dr. Deanna’s favorite foods for positively impacting your mood. [39:47]* How the color orange is linked to the reproductive cycle of a woman’s body. [43:35]* The importance of having variety in your diet. [47:25]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. Deanna:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deannaminich/* Website: https://deannaminich.com/Follow 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.

Feb 21, 2022 • 52min
You’ll Regret Not Starting Today with Sarah Jones Simmer, CEO of Found
The twists and turns in our lives can oftentimes help us to find renewed meaning and purpose, and our guest today, Sarah Jones Simmer, is a shining example of this. Sarah is currently the CEO of Found, and formerly the COO of Bumble, which she joined when it was a tiny company working out of a two-bedroom apartment. Throughout her career, Sarah has focused on working with mission-driven brands and has allowed her curiosity to lead her explorations. While working at Bumble, Sarah was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer and made the brave decision to continue to work, which felt like a healthy and needed distraction from the aggressive treatment regime she was going through. At the time, Sarah’s role shifted to Chief Strategy Officer and was laser focused on “quarterbacking” Bumble’s IPO – which valued the company at a multi-billion dollar valuation and was quite iconic as the founder, Whitney Wolfe Herd, was the youngest female founder to take a US company public. Now cancer-free, Sarah's health journey has had a massive impact on the way she thinks about her life and work, and we are so lucky to hear all about this evolution in our conversation with her today. She also talks about the benefits of a non-linear career, what it means to find your personal purpose, why waiting for the perfect moment is a myth, and so much more! In this episode, we’ll talk to Sarah about:* Looking back at Sarah's role in taking Bumble public. [3:19]* The shift in perspective that Sarah experienced around the idea of timing. [4:28]* Reflections on the winding journey leading up to Sarah's work at Bumble. [6:45]* What initially drew Sarah to take up a position at Bumble when it was a small startup. [11:19]* Stepping into a new role, learning, and using best judgment as your compass. [18:40]* Lessons from mentors and leaders; how Sarah has absorbed wisdom from great women around her. [20:42]* Sarah's experiences of breast cancer and how her life changed during 2020. [24:37]* Putting together the IPO deal team and how much energy Sarah drew from its amazing members. [30:29]* The decision to take on the role of CEO at Found and what inspired it. [33:52]* Surprises and lessons since Sarah took up her latest leadership position. [39:30]* Systems for collaboration during this remote work revolution. [42:38]* Sarah's advice for finding meaning in work and personal life; a reminder about joy. [45:12]* How walking has helped Sarah and the benefits of letting the mind wander. [49:25]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 Sarah: * Website: https://joinfound.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joinfoundFollow 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.

Feb 14, 2022 • 48min
Drop Your Limits & Achieve Your Wildest Dreams with Payal Kadakia, Founder of ClassPass
Payal Kadakia is the founder of ClassPass, the revolutionary fitness and wellness platform which provides people access to the best boutique fitness classes, gyms, and wellness experiences around the world.Prior to its acquisition by MindBody in October 2021, ClassPass was valued at over a billion dollars, with members logging more than 100 million workouts across 30,000 partner studios in over 30 countries. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Payal is also the founder and artistic director of the Sa Dance Company, which she founded in 2009 to increase awareness of Indian dance in the mainstream. Payal has been listed as one of Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People and was named in Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list. She is also the author of the new book, LifePass: Drop Your Limits, Rise to Your Potential, which hits shelves on Feb 15. In today’s episode, we touch on the ways that Payal’s Indian heritage has impacted the woman & entrepreneur she is today, why you have to ask yourself the hard questions in life, the importance of not getting wrapped up in what Payal calls the ‘false signals’ of success, as well as the benefits of choosing impact over perfection. We also candidly talk about the early days of building ClassPass, how it took over three years to gain any traction, the many lessons she learned along the way, and so much more. In this episode, we’ll talk to Payal about:* How her Indian heritage has informed the woman that Payal is today. [4:30]* Practical tips for taking a leap of faith: allow your vision to be your motivator! [11:30]* The value of asking the hard questions and pursuing the goals you truly want. [13:55]* How Payal approached the topic of risk-taking with her risk-averse parents. [19:40]* When she realized that she had to follow her passions and start her own business. [22:27]* Find out why she believes that it’s important to set boundaries with some people. [24:00]* How to cultivate the right mindset while you are building your business. [26:57]* Why Payal suggests starting with a problem you personally need solved as an entrepreneur. [28:17]* The importance of not getting caught up in the “false signals of success.” [30:05]* The crucial role that failure played in Payal’s journey as an entrepreneur. [31:33]* How Payal overcame perfectionism and her suggestions for other entrepreneurs. [34:20]* Hear the story of when Payal first knew that ClassPass was a success. [37:12]* Why she believes that the universe opened doors for her when she started doing the work that aligned with her spirit. [39:02]* Advice for women who have lost sight of their passions [40:26]* How Payal juggles motherhood, dance, and business by letting her priorities guide her time. [42:22]* Payal’s philosophy on guilt; when you love what you do, there’s no place for guilt. [43:34]* How her dual identity has served her throughout her life and in her business. [45:12]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 Payal: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/payal/ * Payal's Book: LifePass: Drop Your Limits, Rise to Your Potential - https://www.amazon.com/LifePass-Develop-Mindset-Techniques-Optimize/dp/179720694X* ClassPass: https://classpass.com/Follow 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.

Feb 7, 2022 • 53min
Stepping Into the Life You Want & Reinventing Yourself with Daria Burke, Marketing Executive & Investor
Daria Burke is a recognized leader in the field of fashion & technology marketing and most recently served as the Chief Marketing Officer for JustFab, a fashion-subscription eCommerce site, and lifestyle fashion brand.She is a visionary leader and storyteller and has held many leadership positions across a variety of industries. After moving to New York, she took a risk, left a reputable company, took a pay cut, and became one of the first employees of Rent the Runway. She has also worked for esteemed brands like Estee Lauder, Lancôme, and Yves Saint Laurent. She then served as the Head of Beauty Strategy, Growth, and Innovation at CVS, and transitioned to working at Facebook where she led their beauty, fashion, and retail partnerships. Daria was named as a 2020 “Woman to Watch” by AdAge, and has been recognized by Women’s Wear Daily, the CFDA, Vogue, and Forbes. She’s also an active angel investor and is a member of the Fast Company executive board. In today's episode, Daria shares the benefits of reinventing yourself and switching careers. We discuss the things that commonly hold us back from taking leaps like this, the challenges of putting your ego aside to become a beginner, and some of the lessons she has learned throughout her many career moves. We also discuss how to discover your strengths and double down on them, the importance of listening to your gut, and how to stop being a perfectionist & start living an inspired life. In this episode, we’ll talk to Daria about:* Three things that may be holding someone back from switching careers. [3:15]* How Daria views the challenge of putting your ego aside to be a beginner. [6:05]* Daria’s childhood and the influence of her grandmother on her life and ambitions. [8:34]* How she realized she could have a life beyond the challenging circumstances of her childhood. [12:44]* What it took to leave a reputable job to go work for Rent the Runway in its infancy. [19:50]* What she learned from working at Rent the Runway. [22:41]* Insight into CliftonStrengths and why it’s so beneficial to play into your strengths. [25:36]* Daria’s fascination with internal transformation and insight into her process of reinvention. [31:21]* Daria’s advice on how to get your mind to listen to your gut instinct. [37:41]* The benefits of not forcing things but working from a place of inspiration and receptivity. [42:59]* How Daria overcame being a perfectionist. [45:53]* An example of a situation where Daria surrendered instead of being a perfectionist. [49:23]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 Daria: * Daria Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dariaburke/Follow 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.

Jan 31, 2022 • 60min
How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome & Build Your Self Confidence with Melanie Strong, Founding Partner at Next Ventures
Melanie Strong is a founding partner of Next Ventures, a VC firm she co-founded with Lance Armstrong that focuses on building the next generation of sports, health and wellness brands. Melanie has spent her entire life in the sports industry. She’s a lifelong runner and started her career as a journalist at Runner's World magazine. She then applied for a position at Nike despite not having the “right” pedigree, college background, and experience. Good thing she did because she ended up having an incredibly successful career at Nike, spending most of her time at Nike building high-performing teams all over the world and holding positions from the VP of Global Brand Marketing for Nike Women to the GM of Nike Skateboarding. After 18 years at Nike, Melanie had the opportunity to break into the world of venture capital. She left her very stable career to start from scratch and become a first-time investor AND fund founder. In our conversation, Melanie opens up about how she faced her fears when reinventing herself later in her career and overcoming the imposter syndrome she felt when breaking into a male-dominated industry.✨ You'll also hear some honest reflections on the founder-investor relationship and who is the right fit for VC funding, along with some empowering advice for founders seeking funding. We also discuss the importance of authentic relationships in life & business, how to build a unique brand in the environment we’re in today, and so much more!In this episode, we’ll talk to Melanie about:* Modeling other people's versions of success, and tips for being more comfortable in your own skin. [3:09] * Melanie shares about how her upbringing created her positive mindset. [7:10]* Hear about her various interesting jobs leading up to Nike. [9:10]* The story of who inspired her and how she got her starting role at Nike. [11:42]* Speaking about the power of networking and mentorship. [18:23] * The power of people and true relationships. [19:34]* What she looks for in a founder. [20:53]* The importance of the right advisors and some of her mentors. [22:46]* Melanie reflects on being an angel investor and why it took her so long to do. [25:15]* Taking the leap to leave Nike and steps to overcome imposter syndrome. [29:11]* How the feedback processes have changed and some companies that she feels confident in. [33:40]* Some top advice for thinking about your company as a brand. [0:38:14]* Melanie and Yasmin each share the hacks that keep them anchored into their purpose. [44:27]* Diving into greater detail on traits she looks for in a founder and what a founder-investor relationship needs. [47:02]* Talking about founders who are focussed on the exit and the impact of that. [49:30]* Who she thinks is and isn't the right fit for VC funding, and comments on fundraising [52:51]* Melanie's comments on due diligence plus some great advice to founders. [56:45]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 Melanie: * Melanie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniestrong/* Website: https://nextventures.com/Follow 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.

Jan 24, 2022 • 47min
Step by Step Approach to Rediscover Your Purpose & Interests with Eve Rodsky, Activist & New York Times Best Selling Author
Eve Rodsky is a Harvard-grad lawyer, Activist, and New York Times Best Selling Author. In Eve’s first book Fair Play, Eve uses her background in organizational management to ask the simple yet profound question: What would happen if we treated our homes as our most important organization? She created a step-by-step approach to help partners rebalance the work of running a home and reimagine their relationship, time, and purpose. She has been called the “Marie Kondo of Relationships” and her book has sparked a national conversation around how couples can more equitably share the work of running their lives.In her most recent book, Find Your Unicorn Space, Eve goes into much greater detail about one of the subjects from Fair Play which is our pursuit of joy… especially because so many are still missing this in their lives. Eve will teach you how to create time in your already-busy life to tap into your unique expression of creativity and find purpose that will allow you to live a happier, more fulfilled life.Eve’s work is backed by Hello Sunshine—Reese Witherspoon’s media company whose mission is to change the narrative for women through storytelling.In this episode, we cover everything from how to balance all the tasks that we as women shoulder in our homes and relationships to how to take back our time to thrive creatively. We also discuss in detail how you can reclaim your permission to have fun, manifest your own Unicorn Space in an already too-busy life, and unleash your special gifts and undiscovered talents into the world.In this episode, we’ll talk to Eve about:* Insight into Eve’s upbringing and what her mom taught her about decisions and feminism. [3:12]* Eve’s desire for an equal partner and the seminal moment that inspired her latest book. [6:23]* The value of time and how gender assumptions rob women of it. [10:08]* The toxic time messages we tell ourselves that make us complicit in our own oppression. [11:21]* Why the second most important question Eve has ever asked is “How did mustard get in your refrigerator?” [14:15]* The surprising responses from men to her book Fair Play and what’s in it for them. [20:16]* How LGBT+ couples relate to Eve’s concept of fair play in the home. [21:04]* Eve’s formula to broach conversations about fair play with your partner. [22:18].* The three ways people generally respond when they become resentful of the fact that things are unfair. [23:05]* The three things Eve did to protect her relationship with her partner: boundaries, systems, and communication. [24:10]* Why communication is the most important practice of our lives. [26:30]* What Eve means by ‘unicorn space’ and how it is a secret formula for thriving. [28:05]* The three elements of a unicorn space: curiosity, connection, completion. [29:16]* Advice for women struggling to rediscover their curiosity. [34:55]* Eve’s advice on how to maintain your unicorn space or build it into your life. [40:58]* The life-changing magic of long-term thinking to shape the values of those around you and avoid gender assumptions. [44:04]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 Eve:* Website: https://www.everodsky.com/ * Find Your Unicorn Space Book: https://www.everodsky.com/unicorn-space* Fair Play Book: https://www.everodsky.com/fair-playFollow 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.

Jan 17, 2022 • 55min
How to Leave Your Corporate Job & Do Your Own Thing with Nicole Gibbons, Founder of Clare
Nicole Gibbons is the Founder of Clare, the only Black-owned paint brand in the US, and is a favorite of Jessica Alba, Maria Sharapova, and Nate Berkus to name a few. Before pursuing interior design, Nicole spent nearly a decade managing PR for one of the world’s largest retail brands, Victoria's Secret. Although she was excelling in her career, Nicole felt uninspired and was looking for a new outlet for her creativity. She started working on a decorating blog on the side that ultimately gained serious traction and led her into the path of interior design. After working as a designer and establishing herself as a voice in the industry, Nicole decided to do another career pivot and had a yearning to build something that would be a household name. When working with clients, she always noticed the hassle around picking paints and saw an opportunity to disrupt the outdated paint industry and create a direct-to-consumer business that makes the entire process a way better experience. Nicole has been featured in top media outlets such as HGTV, The Rachael Ray Show, Good Morning America, and Oprah Winfrey’s OWN. She's also raised venture capital from the backers of Warby Parker, Casper, Peloton, and more.We talk to Nicole today about the power of patience when it comes to building your business, how to think about your finance before you take the leap, how she raised money and built a tech business with zero connections to start, and so much more!In this episode, we'll talk to Nicole about:* Nicole's thoughts on confidence and the nature of risk and reward in entrepreneurship. [3:09]* The familial links that Nicole has to entrepreneurship and her early corporate career. [4:44]* Starting a side hustle and how Nicole began working on her passion while still employed. [6:20]* How the blog organically evolved from a passion project into a business. [8:12]* Patience and consistency; how Nicole managed to take the leap into her interior design work full-time. [10:01]* Foregoing the safety of paychecks and betting on yourself. [13:16]* Signs from the universe and trusting a gut feeling; Nicole's experience of listening. [17:52]* Nicole's second pivot; executing on her research and ideas. [20:48]* The important meetings that helped build Nicole's confidence and send her on her way. [24:11]* How networking has played into Nicole's strategy throughout. [26:57]* Entering the world of venture capital; Nicole's philosophy towards funding. [29:32]* Nicole's advice for approaching investors; asking questions and due diligence. [37:15]* Sharing the story of your brand and creating a common thread through everything you do. [39:11]* The resources that Nicole draws on; the power of community, the right questions, and more! [43:33]* Nicole's thoughts on the idea of work-life balance and welcoming different seasons. [48:30]* Lessons from the early days of hiring for a new company. [51:07]* The next phase of growth with Clare; looking to the future with Nicole! [53:06]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 Nicole: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolegibbonsstyle* Clare's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clarepaint* Clare Website: https://www.clare.com/Follow 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.

Jan 10, 2022 • 46min
From Cocktail Server to Viral YouTube Star & Entrepreneur with Desi Perkins, Founder of Dezi & Dezi Skin
Desi Perkins is a digital content creator and Founder/CEO of her eyewear brand, Dezi, and skincare line, Dezi Skin.Before becoming a mega beauty influencer with over 4 million Instagram followers and over 3 million Youtube subscribers, Desi was working as a cocktail waitress looking to make a change in her life but wasn’t sure which step she was going to take. It all started with a last-minute Halloween costume that went viral in 2012. She used her background in art and what she learned on YouTube with special effects make-up to help make her husband’s skeleton costume come to life. This costume served as publicity for her skills and little did she know, would jumpstart her career in beauty and lead her to become the serial entrepreneur she is today.In this episode, we talk about taking chances and why you should always, even if only in a small way, do what lights your heart up because you never know where it could lead you. Desi also shares her biggest mistakes and lessons she’s learned in business, advice on dealing with negative comments online, how she’s balancing new motherhood with running her company, and even starting a second one, and so much more.In this episode, we'll talk to Desi about:* What Desi’s upbringing was like and the massive influence her mom had on her. [2:39] * The biggest lessons Desi gained from her time in the service industry and working as a cocktail waitress. [4:51] * When Desi decided to transition out of the service industry and pursue something more aligned with what she wanted to do. [6:18] * How Desi capitalized on the attention she got from doing Steven’s Halloween makeup in 2012. [7:55] * The power of taking chances, even when you don’t know how things will work out. [8:47] * The first YouTube video Desi made and how she overcame her nerves around putting herself out there. [10:20] * There is so much room to grow with your audiences on social media platforms. [11:12] * All you have to do sometimes is start because there’s no harm trying something. [11:48] * How Desi deals with negative comments online. [12:50] * There are double standards in the way men and women who succeed are treated. [13:49] * You have to let yourself feel what you are feeling. [15:39] * Desi’s top tips for women who are looking to create content and community online. [15:41] * The biggest lessons Desi learned from starting her own business. [17:14] * Fears Desi had around starting her business and how she managed to move past them. [20:42] * Why Desi, who has a range of interests, decided to start an eyewear business. [23:45] * The change Desi has experienced in her identity becoming a mother. [29:11] * Desi’s decision to share her fertility journey online and how it was received. [30:48] * The gratitude Desi feels getting to spend so much time with her family while also doing her dream work. [32:59] * How Desi manages to stay creative as a content creator. [34:26]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 Desi:* Dezi Skin Website: https://deziskin.com/ * Dezi Website: https://dezi.co/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desiperkins/ Follow 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.