Behind Her Empire

Prerna Gupta is a serial entrepreneur and investor. After being at the helm of many successful startups, Prerna is now the CEO and Founder of Hooked, a company that is redefining fiction for the Snapchat generation. Hooked has over 100 million viewers across social media, a short form video streaming app called Hooked TV, and has received funding from Ashton Kutcher, Mariah Carey, LeBron James, and Jamie Foxx to name a few. As the child of Indian immigrants growing up in a conservative town in Oklahoma, Prerna spent much of her life pretending to be someone she was not. Through soul-searching and digging deep within herself, she grew to understand that her differences made her special and that if she stayed true to herself, she would always be happy. Prerna has carried this lesson with her throughout her life: the courage to be herself has made her a risk-taking, brave entrepreneur, even when others have doubted her. We chat with Prerna about her start-up lessons and failures, the importance of failing and iterating in business, the downfalls of being solely goal-driven, and why you should constantly seek fulfillment in life versus deferring your happiness to some time in the future. Prerna also shares more about her and her husband’s decision to buy a one way ticket to Costa Rica, thoughts on staying balanced, and why love will always be more important than wealth. In this episode, we'll talk to Prerna about: * The impact that growing up in a small town in Oklahoma had on Prerna. [2:52]* Prerna’s career after college, before she decided to strike out on her own. [6:35]* Prerna’s feelings about going down a different path to most of her friends who were in the corporate world. [10:30]* Details about Prerna’s first startup, Yaari, the pivot it made, and why it closed. [12:39]* Moving onto a music creation app, Songify, after Yaari closed and the inspiration behind it. [15:45]* The double-edged sword of achieving your goals and creating success that you never dreamed of. [19:29]* Getting acquired by Smule and the big decision to sell everything & move to Costa Rica. [21:35]* How Prerna applied The Lean Startup methodology to a book concept she was working on [27:19]* When Prerna reached her ‘aha moment’ on the journey to creating HOOKED. [30:54]* Prerna shares 3 lessons on what makes certain businesses go viral. [34:00]* How Prerna thinks about balance in her life and what makes her feel most balanced. [37:10]* Advice for those looking to go down the fundraising route. [40:20]* Why venture capital is not for everyone and it is not the only way your business will succeed. [41:32]* Hear some of Prerna’s rituals that keep her motivated and inspired. [44:07]Follow Prerna:* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prernagupta/ * Hooked Website: https://hooked.co/* Personal Website: https://www.prernagupta.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.

Shilpa Shah is the Co-Founder of Cuyana, a fashion brand that marries luxury-level branding with premium quality apparel and accessories, offering "fewer, better things" to women at accessible price points. Shilpa spent the first part of her career designing web and mobile interfaces for Fortune 500 companies. Although she was passionate about design, it wasn't until she was pregnant with her first son that she felt empowered to do more in her life. Unsure what the right next step was, Shilpa decided to apply to business school at 32 while having a 2½-year-old at home. Good thing she did because through the process, she met her co-founder Karla and they were inspired to create an affordable luxury direct to consumer brand - which might sound like the norm now but they were true pioneers in this space in 2011. Today, they’ve grown their SF based company profitably despite taking funding of more than $30million dollars. Cuyana has been recognized as one of the most innovative companies in America and continues to have a loyal base of customers and a strong celebrity-following. We’ll talk to Shilpa about building a strong brand that is largely driven by word of mouth, why the concept of work life balance is BS, and how they’ve navigated multiple challenges from raising money from investors to restructuring their business in the pandemic environment that we're in. In this episode, we'll talk to Shilpa about: * How Shilpa has intertwined the creative and analytical sides of her personality. [5:00]* What prompted Shilpa to go to business school at age 32 was a desire to do more. [7:22]* Balancing being the primary caretaker and the primary breadwinner. [11:05]* One of the mistakes co-founders make in selecting one another is looking for someone similar to them. [15:02]* How the direct-to-consumer concept arose from a desire to build a fashion brand. [16:50]* The value of setting clear boundaries for what you can and cannot compromise on in business. [19:12]* Focusing on supply chain and the business model in the first two years of Cuyana. [19:51]* What makes building businesses difficult is taking the time to figure out what works. [23:05]* How Shilpa came to understand the right messaging for her customers which was critical in the brand’s growth. [23:53]* Educating their customers on Cuyana's “fewer, better things” concept. [27:13]* Why staying close to your customer and seeing how they interact with your product is key. [29:07]* Fundraising in the early days and why understanding the business is the true first step. [30:40]* Hear Shilpa’s analogy for sustainability in a tech company and why Cuyana’s focus was always on profitability. [32:59]* Getting male investors to understand their concept during the fundraising process. [34:57]* Despite all the challenges, Shilpa and Carla never gave themselves the option of quitting. [39:52]* How Shilpa and Carla’s entrepreneurship was received by their immigrant parents. [41:25]* Why it is essential – as an entrepreneur – to become comfortable with failure. [44:40]* Discover Shilpa’s perspective on work-life balance – and why she thinks balance is BS. [45:46]* Shilpa’s advice for female founders with families: Make sure you’re solving the right problem. [49:46]* Some challenges Cuyana has faced and how Shilpa and Carla overcame them. [52:19]* Why Cuyana’s biggest success during COVID is simply surviving the pandemic. [54:33]* Some of the key takeaways that helped propel Cuyana forward, like thinking quickly. [55:33]Follow Shilpa:* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shilparshah/  * Cuyana Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cuyana/ * Cuyana Website: https://www.cuyana.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.

Liz Elting is a self-made businesswoman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She co-founded and was the co-CEO of TransPerfect, the world’s largest provider of language and business solutions valued at over a billion dollars.As someone with a passion for languages and business, Liz wasn’t always sure about the path she was going to take. When she decided to follow her interests and study languages, Liz was stimulated but knew that it didn’t make practical sense for her career. After her first job at a translation company and a stint in Wall Street, Liz realized that if she was going to live up to her potential, she had to strike out on her own. This led her to build TransPerfect out of her business school dorm room at the age of 26. After 25 years at the helm, Liz helped build TransPerfect into an organization with more than $700 million in revenue, 5,000 employees, and 11,000 clients - all without any outside funding. In 2018, Liz left the company to pursue philanthropy work through the Elizabeth Elting Foundation, which advances economic, social, and political equality for women and marginalized people.  Liz has appeared on Forbes’ Richest Self-Made Women for five years in a row and has been recognized for her efforts and achievements by the National Organization of Women, Forbes, American Express, Entrepreneur, and more. In this episode, you’ll hear Liz’s insights into all the hard work and sacrifice it took to build her company, the power of setting goals and taking action, and the role that partnerships play in your success.In this episode, we'll talk to Liz about: * The story of Liz’s youth and the experience of living in five countries by the time she was 21. [3:01]* Liz’s early interest in business and what she attributes her work ethic to. [4:02]* How Liz decided what to study at college and the tension between passion and pragmatism. [6:19]* Details about Liz’s first job after graduation which merged her love of languages and business. [8:17]  * What motivated Liz to leave her job and go back to school to do her MBA. [10:53]* How Liz overcame guilt and found the confidence to leave her job in Finance. [14:27]* Hear Liz’s approach to goal-setting and why she believes it is so important. [17:45]* Key takeaways for starting, building, and scaling an entirely self-funded business. [20:34]* How Liz and her partner thought about business profitability. [23:41]* Some advantages of not getting outside funding, according to Liz. [24:27]* Challenging times in the early days of starting TransPerfect and the lessons Liz learned. [25:24]* Liz’s advice on handling partnerships and the story of her relationship with her partner. [27:57]* How Liz views 50/50 partnerships and why she recommends avoiding this structure. [30:35]* Liz’s experience being a working mother and the benefits of compartmentalization. [32:05]* Why Liz believes becoming a mother made her a better boss. [35:03]* Transitioning out of the company: What life is like for Liz since leaving TransPerfect. [36:20]* The common mistakes Liz sees entrepreneurs making. [38:01]Follow Liz:* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizelting/ * Website: https://www.lizelting.com/ * Elizabeth Elting Foundation Website: https://www.elizabetheltingfoundation.org/ * TransPerfect Website: https://www.transperfect.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.

Seema Bansal is the co-founder of Venus ET Fleur, the company behind Eternity Roses, which are real roses that stay fresh for a full year, an invention that has permanently transformed the billion-dollar floral industry. Seema never set out to start a company in the floral business. In 2015, Seema was in a long-distance relationship with her now husband and business partner, Sunny. He sent her flowers on Valentine's Day and they looked horrible despite the large price tag he paid. This sparked their idea of creating a better experience and luxury flowers that actually looked great for a longer period of time. As their relationship began to bloom, so did their idea of transforming the online floral industry and that’s when their business was born.  At the time, both Seema and Sunny were working for their family businesses and decided to leave to embark on a new journey together despite having no experience in the floral industry. Good thing they did, very early into their launch - their signature Eternity Roses became Instagram's most coveted bouquet after the Kardashians posted about the brand in 2016. Their multi-million dollar business has developed a loyal customer base which includes celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Oprah, Drake, Cardi B, and many more. We’ll chat with Seema about the skills she learned in her family plumbing business that have helped her as an entrepreneur, how social media was a game-changer when launching their brand, and the importance of prioritizing your mental health when being a leader of a high growth business. In this episode, we'll talk to Seema about: * Seema discusses her upbringing with Indian parents who immigrated to Canada to create a new life for themselves [3:14]* Seema shares her involvement in the family business from a young age & how it has impacted her business acumen today [7:34]* Why Seema decided to chart her own path and start Venus Et Fleur with her then boyfriend, now husband and co-founder, Sunny [12:56]* Seema talks about the early days of the business and why she decided to leave the family business to chart her own path [16:47]* How the company transitioned from a classic flower delivery service to shipping luxury flowers that lasted for a year [18:36]* As the key driver for all brand and marketing, Seema shares the challenges she faced early in the business when trying to gain awareness and traction with the messaging [23:58]* How influencer marketing and a shout out from the Kardashians completely changed the trajectory of the business [25:41]* Seema shares tips on how to think about business partnerships & opens up about what it’s like to work with her husband [33:21]* How COVID impacted the business and the changes they made to support the new environment we’re in [37:05]* Seema shares tips on how she stays inspired both in life and business [41:25]* How Seema handles burnout and shifts she’s made in her life as a leader to help create more balance [45:07]Follow Seema:* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seemabansalchadha/ * Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/VENUSETFLEUR/ * Venus Et Fleur Website: https://www.venusetfleur.com* Chiji Website: https://homeofchiji.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.

Sharon Rechter is the co-founder of First Media, a multi-platform, content publisher that is dedicated to the do-it-all millennial woman. First Media's clever, lifehack style videos bring in over 1.7 billion monthly views on social media and their BabyFirst TV cable network reaches over 60 million US homes. Their social media brands, So Yummy, Blusher, and Blossom, have an average of 50mm views for every video post on social. Sharon truly embodies the mission of her business as an inspiring woman, mother, and entrepreneur. We’ll chat with Sharon on why she left her career as a lawyer, what it takes to make a video go viral on social media, why women need to talk more about money, and how she juggles being an entrepreneur & a mother of four. In this episode, we'll talk to Sharon about: * How growing up in an entrepreneurial family in Israel influenced Sharon. [1:32]* Learning that, as a woman, she had a different set of tools in a negotiation setting. [4:01]* Where Sharon got the confidence to ask for a raise early in her career. [8:23]* Hear about Sharon’s 24-hour depression budget when things go wrong. [9:35]* Taking on massive projects in the early days of First Media – like starting their own cable network – with virtually no experience. [11:09]* How Sharon and her partner, Guy, approached fundraising by leveraging interest. [2:58]* Starting BabyFirst TV without any children of her own and gaining women’s trust. [16:00]* Mastering the art and science of what makes a video shareable on social media. [18:22]* Learn how Sharon juggles her life as an entrepreneur and as a mother of four by letting go of guilt and being present wherever she is. [19:06]* Sharon shares the value and importance of writing down goals for both herself and children [21:56]* Sharon discusses how she thinks about growth & being cash flow positive in business [24:55]* How Sharon approaches the difficult conversation about money with her children. [26:10]* Money as a taboo topic and how Sharon thinks we can change that narrative. [29:09]Follow Sharon: * First Media: https://first.media/* BabyFirst TV: https://www.babyfirsttv.com/* So Yummy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soyummy/ * Blusher Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blusherglam/ * Blossom Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blossom/ 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.

Shalini Vadhera is a beauty entrepreneur, celebrity make-up artist, bestselling author, and founder of a multi-million dollar global cosmetics company that started from her garage. Shalini’s journey was far from easy. Although her business scaled to over $20 million in revenue and found instant success in large retailers like Sephora and QVC, Shalini lacked mentorship and faced a whole host of challenges growing her business. She is passionate about sharing her story to help women entrepreneurs and creating environments for women and girls to strive in life and business, as seen in her ventures, Power Beauty Living, Ready Set Jet, and Ready Set Jet Academy, a social initiative to help lift women out of poverty by creating job opportunities and encouraging entrepreneurship.Shalini has worked with representatives from the United Nations to bring the art of living powerfully and beautifully to emerging women leaders and has also been recognized with the prestigious Mahatma Gandhi Leadership Award. As a social activist involved with many different businesses and initiatives, we’ll chat with Shalini about her learnings building & scaling multiple businesses, why you need to live your life on your own terms vs other people’s expectations, and tips she recommends for anyone who is looking to live a meaningful & fearless life.In this episode, we'll talk to Shalini about: * Why being bullied in school shaped Shalini's love for makeup and beauty. [3:52]* What it was like to be sent to India at 19 with $2,500 to start her own company. [5:40]* Dealing with rejection or negative comments – Shalini has learned to tune them out. [9:07]* Shalini's purpose versus the expectations of others – discover how her career has been a constant struggle between the two [12:37]* Shalini shares what it was like building her company in the early days & managing everything from her garage in San Diego [20:23]* The lack of support networks and resources for women in business back then. [23:20]* Shalini describes her fundraising experience and the importance of doing your own due diligence with investors [24:14]* What actually prompted her to exit the $20 million+ global beauty brand she'd built. [30:21]* How Shalini felt, having to leave her brand behind, and how she views it now – as a valuable life lesson in empowerment. [32:14]* How a Korean Master and getting struck by lightning inspired a spiritual awakening. [33:30]* Instead of seeing the worst case scenario, realize that you’re in control of your story. [45:55]* Key mistakes Shalini that sees women entrepreneurs making in their businesses. [46:37]* Advice for women who want to create a like-minded community or find a mentor. [49:06]Follow Shalini: * Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalinivadhera/* Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readysetjetofficial/* Website: https://readysetjetofficial.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.

Sarah LaFleur is the Founder and CEO of M.M.LaFleur, a fashion company creating practical, inspired wardrobes for the modern, professional woman.From an early age, Sarah was exposed to high-end fashion through her mother who worked in the industry. When Sarah graduated from college and started shopping on her own for work clothing, she realized the experience and clothes were lacking despite spending so much money on them. After starting her career at Bain as a consultant, Sarah moved to private equity but left abruptly because of cultural problems at her firm. At this difficult point in her life, Sarah felt like she had nothing else to lose, and despite having no fashion experience, decided to take a risk & create clothing that professional women, like herself, were looking for.In this episode, we talk with Sarah about the windy journey that led her to entrepreneurship, how the business grew from -$2,000 in their bank account to a multi-million dollar company, how they tripled their revenue overnight from one specific strategy that ended up saving their company and how she turned the crisis of covid into a brand-defining moment. In this episode, we’ll talk to Sarah about:* How Sarah’s multicultural upbringing & family impacted the way she thought about her various careers [3:28]* Sarah shares why her 20s were painful as she was on a constant search for the “perfect job” [10:03]* Why Sarah decided to leave her dream job & how it was the lowest moment in her professional career [13:02]* Sarah talks about she manages her mental health & how therapy has been a gamechanger for her [18:48]* Early stages of the business & how Sarah created a brand for working women despite having no connections or experience in the fashion industry [21:37]* Sarah talks about the early days of starting M.M.LaFleur and how serendipity led her to meet her co-founder & head designer, Miyako [25:25]* Sarah explains how she thinks about constructing her clothing and how she thinks through the perfect fit for the modern woman [28:27]* Sarah shares how she funded the business, the importance of a side hustle to help pay bills, and the most important lesson she wants all entrepreneurs to know [30:38]* How M.M.LaFleur gained traction in the early days and created loyal fans of the brand [36:56]* Sarah’s experience fundraising & lessons she learned along the way [39:32]* The one strategy Sarah implemented that not only saved their business but generated millions of dollars in sales [45:06]* How Sarah turned the COVID crisis into a brand-defining moment for her company [53:49]Follow Sarah:* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmlafleur/ * Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmlafleur/ * Website: https://mmlafleur.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.

Gail Becker is the founder and CEO of CAULIPOWER, a company revolutionizing our favorite comfort foods by making them better and better for you. As a mother of two sons with Celiac disease, Gail was always desperate for nutritious gluten free options. She found hundreds of thousands of recipes for cauliflower pizza to make for her kids - and they loved it. However, it took forever to make and as a working single mom, she wanted an easier and faster option which was nowhere to be found. Although Gail had a lucrative career as a media executive, it wasn’t until her father passed away that she realized she wanted to follow in his footsteps as an entrepreneur. This pushed Gail to leave her corporate job and bring her calling to life. In January 2017, Gail launched CAULIPOWER and was determined to create a product that everyone can enjoy, that is nutritious, convenient, and tastes good.Since launching, Gail scaled the company to over $100million in less than three years and completely disrupted the food industry to become the #1 better-for-you pizza and #8 frozen pizza brand in the U.S.We’ll chat with Gail on her money lessons, why she decided to leave her well-paying job to start a business with zero food experience, the importance of having the courage to ask for help & say “no”, and advice for balancing work & family life. In this episode, we’ll talk to Gail about:* Her parents who survived the Holocaust and how they shaped her independent nature and appreciation of food. [3:10]* The 3 events which led to Gail removing herself from the corporate world and founding CAULIPOWER. [6:20]* The self-doubt that Gail still experiences, and why this actually benefits her business. [9:00]* Why starting a business later in life helped to fast-track the process. [12:14]* The importance of utilizing your own expertise as well as not being afraid to ask for help. [12:14]* Relatability, accessibility, timing, and taste are the main elements that allowed Gail to scale CAULIPOWER in the way that she has. [15:40]* The majority of people didn’t think what Gail wanted to do was possible, but she proved them wrong. [17:30]* You need to learn everything about the industry you are entering into and then figure out how to differentiate yourself. [18:14]* Gail explains how the road to success has been full of challenges and why you need to expect that when embarking on the journey of starting a business. [19:21]* How Gail self-funded CAULIPOWER in the beginning and at a later stage, why she was selective in who she took money from. [22:04]* The lifestyle change Gail experienced after leaving corporate America; “half as rich and twice as happy”. [31:40]* Gail shares important money lessons for all women & what she learned about taking charge of her own finances after her divorce. [34:45]FREE OFFER: To receive a coupon link for any free CAULIPOWER product, simply send them a DM on social media @CAULIPOWER and mention ‘Behind Her Empire Podcast’ :)Follow Gail:* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gailbecker/ * Company Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/caulipower/* Website: https://eatcaulipower.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.

Sarah Flint is the executive chairman, creative director, and founder of Sarah Flint, a luxury shoe brand aimed at on-the-move women who need comfort just as much as fashion and style.  In 2013, Sarah was on a mission to create luxury shoes made from the finest materials that not only looked good but also felt amazing. Early on in her business, she was a full-time nanny and was looking to get her brand off the ground in the evenings and on the weekends. She devoted a lot of time to product creation and networking, and ultimately got into high-end retailers like Barneys, Bloomingdale’s, and Shopbop. This opened the door for many celebrities to take notice of her shoes, attracting women like Meghan Markle, Amal Clooney, and Lady Gaga. Yet, even after all the success, Sarah still felt like something was missing as she battled to create a meaningful connection with her customers. The products she had been creating up to that point had very slim margins, and she knew that she had to change her business model. So, in 2017, she canceled all of her orders and decided to go down the direct-to-consumer (DTC) route. While investors doubted her decision, Sarah went with her gut and now has seen even greater success. We’ll talk to Sarah about how she managed to pivot her business from the wholesale days to the COVID environment, what she did to break into the competitive luxury shoe market, and how she went about building her brand and cult following.In this episode, we’ll talk to Sarah about:* How learning disabilities made her overcompensate and try to prove herself. [4:14] * When Sarah became aware of the massive opportunity in the women’s shoe market. [5:21]* Her motivation for doing a manufacturing program in Italy and what it taught her. [7:04]* How she overcame the obstacles of pattern work and comfort level in luxury shoes. [9:56]* The challenge of working with big manufacturers as a young woman designer. [12:01] * Making sacrifices, having mentors, and other advice for dealing with partners as a new business owner. [12:42] * The first round of funding for Sarah’s business and how she continued to get investors. [16:25] * Sarah shares how celebrities helped her to compete with the big brands in the market. [18:23] * What it took, apart from a great product, for her to get noticed by famous women. [20:08]  * Insights into Sarah’s decision to close down her wholesale business and relaunch as a DTC company. [22:16]* Why it was riskier for her to place her bets on well-known stores than to do it herself. [28:23]* Learn about the brand’s successful direct selling and brand ambassador programs. [32:22] * How COVID impacted her business and what she has done to shift and pivot. [35:35] * Tips for supporting your mental health and maintaining balance as an entrepreneur. [41:12] Follow Sarah:* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xosarahflint/* Company Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sarahflint_nyc/ * Website: https://www.sarahflint.com/ Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/For Behind Her Empire Listeners, Sarah has generously provided a discount code for $50! Use the promo below on your next purchase :) $50 Off Discount Code: SARAHFLINT-BEHINDHEREMPIREWindow of Availability: 11/30/20 through 12/31/20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ellen Bennett is the founder & CEO of Hedley & Bennett, an LA-based culinary workwear and lifestyle brand that has transformed the way professional (and home) chefs dress forever. By making her dream into a reality, she has created the largest gourmet apron factory in the world.Being raised by a single mother who made her feel safe to try new things and get comfortable with failure, Ellen had confidence instilled in her from a very early age. So much so that when she graduated high school, she packed her bags and moved to Mexico City without a plan for four years. Never one to settle, Ellen once again started over when she moved back into her childhood home after her time in Mexico. She hit the ground running, landing a job as a line cook in some of LA’s most acclaimed restaurants which sparked the idea for creating stylish, functional, durable, and beautiful aprons for chefs like herself.Now at the helm of a multi-million-dollar empire, Ellen does not sugarcoat what it took to get there, nor does she believe that being an entrepreneur looks the same for everyone. As a businesswoman who is so open to learning, willing to fail and reiterate, and in possession of some seriously unwavering self-belief, Ellen’s story will leave you inspired and show you that you don’t have to have all the answers to make your dream a reality.In this episode, we'll talk to Ellen about: * How Ellen’s childhood, growing up between LA and Mexico, has influenced who she is today [2:22]* The values that Ellen’s mom instilled in her early on and how it’s impacted her as an entrepreneur [4:08]* Ellen’s decision to move to Mexico City at 18, a choice that changed the course of her life [8:07]* Why Ellen chose to leave Mexico City after she had built a successful life for herself there [13:03]* What happened when Ellen returned to LA and moved back in with her mom [14:50]* How Ellen came up with the idea for Hedley & Bennett when she only had $300 in her savings [20:00]* Ellen describes the power of community building to get her brand off the ground in the early days[25:48]* Why there is no such thing as an overnight success [26:39]* Ellen’s tips for entrepreneurs looking to self-fund their businesses early on [29:49]* Ellen discusses how to think about investors & what motivated her to bring on a strategic partner[33:05]* How the pandemic has affected Hedley & Bennett and the massive pivot they made [35:08]* Hear how Ellen takes care of her mental health and the practices that ground her as a entrepreneur [38:44]Follow Ellen:* Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmariebennett/ * Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hedleyandbennett/* Website: https://www.hedleyandbennett.com/ * Oliver the Pig: https://www.instagram.com/oliverspigadventures/ 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.