Superwomen With Rebecca Minkoff

On the SUPERWOMEN podcast, I’m sitting down with Chelsea Hirschhorn, the founder and C.E.O. of Frida, to talk about how her company prepares women, and parents in general, for the raw realities of raising children. Chelsea launched Frida Baby, in 2014, with the NoseFrida, a handy tool she’d used on her own young child when they were sick with a cold. When she realized how much more effective and hygienic it was compared with other products on the market, she knew she wanted to share it with the world. The company launched Frida Mom in 2019, and, just last year, she took it another step further with Frida Fertility. Her company has exploded with an innovative product line that supports parents in every stage of their journeys, from the moment that they think about having a child all the way through their postpartum recovery and beyond. In this episode, Chelsea dives into the importance of establishing trust with your consumers and helping them to feel seen and understood, what it’s like to go into business wit

On the SUPERWOMEN podcast this week, I’m joined by Kathleen Griffith, an award-winning business strategist and bestselling author, to talk about her book, “Build Like a Woman: The Blueprint for Creating a Business and Life You Love,” and her path to empowering female entrepreneurs. Kathleen started her career in corporate, working for big advertising agencies, but felt that her work was engineering insecurity in women rather than emboldening them to do more. She left and founded her own companies: BUILD, a global platform that guides women in transforming their businesses and lives, and Grayce & Co, a female-focused marketing and media consultancy. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including TIME Magazine, Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, and The Wall Street Journal, and she has been recognized as a “Top 40 Disruptor” by ADWEEK, “Leading Woman in Business” by Fast Company, “Creative Innovator” by Condé Nast, “Most Powerful Woman” by Fortune, and more. In this episode, she r

This week, I sat down with Tiffany Masterson, the founder of the skincare company Drunk Elephant, on the SUPERWOMEN podcast to talk about the importance of staying committed to your purpose while growing your business.  Before she started the company, Tiffany recognized in herself a deep passion for using her creativity to help others. She’d been asked for skincare recommendations by her friends, and began to look into common ingredients found in skincare products. Her research journey led her to realize how many of the ingredients were unnecessary and could lead to issues like inflammation. In 2013, she launched Drunk Elephant with a focus on clean and simple formulas. The business, which she founded as a stay-at-home mom, became one of the leading and fastest-growing brands in the clean beauty movement. It was acquired by Shiseido for $845 million, in 2019. In this episode, Tiffany takes us through her journey and shares insightful tips on how to use doubt and fear as motivation, who to bring onto your team

This week, Nicole Wegman, the founder and C.E.O. of the fine jewelry company Ring Concierge, returns to the SUPERWOMEN podcast to discuss how she’s transforming the industry with her women-first approach. When I first interviewed Nicole, in 2022, she spoke about the value of scaling a business slowly and strategically. Nicole launched Ring Concierge in 2013, when she was 26, to help women find forever pieces that are both inspirational and attainable. Since then, the company has exploded in growth, expanding from e-commerce to brick-and-mortar locations in New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, and, as of November, Boca Raton. In this episode, Nicole explores her struggle to find work-life balance, especially as the mother of two young children, while running a thriving company, the silver linings of mastering the less emotionally rewarding aspects of running a business, and how staying connected to her clients has driven innovation. Listen to her powerful insights on leadership, intuition, and the two things t

What do the boardroom, your love life, and a poker table have in common? According to self-made billionaire Jenny Just, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of PEAK6 and Co-Founder of Poker Power, they’re all places where women can learn to play—and win. From being one of the few women on the Chicago Board Options Exchange trading floor to founding and leading a fintech empire, Jenny’s journey has been anything but ordinary. But it’s her passion project, Poker Power, co-founded with her daughter, that’s changing the game for women everywhere. Poker Power is a revolutionary company teaching women and girls to play poker in a safe and empowering environment. In Jenny's opinion, every woman should learn to play poker, not just for the thrill, but to become a powerful player in the real world. Poker teaches risk-taking, negotiation, and strategic thinking—skills that give women confidence and an edge in male-dominated spaces. From boosting boardroom performance to improving personal relationships, poker is the key to

As a designer, breaking into the fashion industry can be challenging even when you have the best connections. Success requires grit, determination, resilience, and the ability to keep getting back up after failures and setbacks. Just ask Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, Founder & Creative Director of Dee Ocleppo and Creative Director of Judith Leiber. Although Dee lovingly refers to herself as Mrs. Hilfiger and is married to fashion icon Tommy Hilfiger, Dee has still had to work just as hard in the fashion world to make a name for herself. Dee started her career as a model and after meeting Tommy he encouraged her to try her hand as a fashion designer. Since then, she has created many things, including a handbag line she sold to Kate Spade and her namesake brand which includes handbags, a shoe line (soon to be retired), and her recently launched clothing line.  Dee also serves as creative director for iconic legacy brand Judith Leiber and has had major viral moments with the brand's revitalization. While Dee is cur

You may recognize her from her roles on TV and in movies, including her most recent role as Detective Silva in Harold and the Purple Crayon. Still, actress and infertility advocate Camille Guaty has an even bigger story to share. The story that led her to play the most important role of her life - playing mother to her beloved five-year-old son Morrison. Working in the entertainment industry can be tough for actresses who want to become mothers, and it can be especially difficult for actresses who wait until later in life to have children. So when Camille tried to get pregnant at 38, she knew it would be challenging, but she faced a challenge she never expected: infertility. She went on to endure a four-year IVF journey of relentless effort and heartache – a journey that saw her through 21 of her embryos that didn’t take, an emotional pivot to using a donor egg and navigating the painful grief of letting go of the traditional path to motherhood. In her personal story, Camille shares the difficulty of finding

According to Urban Dictionary, "dormify" means "to decorate your living space with cool, trendy, hip fashion." It was added in 2011, the same year Dormify, the powerhouse brand behind the growing Internet trend for designer dorm rooms, was officially launched. Co-founded by Amanda Zuckerman and her mom, this brand has transformed dorm and small-space living into something chic, personalized, and functional.  As Amanda stood in the aisles of Bed Bath & Beyond with her mom in 2009, trying to find dorm room essentials, she couldn't find bedding suitable for dorm room beds, let alone something stylish. She realized she was having a lightbulb moment. She planned to create a brand dedicated to students getting ready for college. With encouragement from her mother, Amanda co-founded Dormify at 18 years old from her dorm room. Over the past 13 years, Amanda’s college startup success has helped countless millennials create the dorm room of their dreams and now Gen Z (and soon-to-be Gen Alpha) are catching on to th

In the Western medical system, healthcare is often used to treat symptoms and diagnose illnesses rather than considering the whole person and addressing the root cause. As women's hormones fluctuate and change, this system often fails them because most doctors do not think holistically. Dr. Taz Bhatia, a double board-certified integrative physician and author of The Hormone Shift is on a mission to change all of that beginning with the way we think about medicine and women’s health. According to Dr. Taz, approximately 40 percent of women are gaslit during medical encounters. After experiencing this first-hand in her twenties with her health challenges, she knew something had to be done. Initially studying Western medicine and working in the ER for 12 years, Dr. Taz went on to study integrative medicine and eventually opened CentreSpringMD. As a holistic and integrative health pioneer, Dr. Taz stresses how crucial it is for women to take control of their health, beginning with getting their hormones tested and

Are you overwhelmed by the endless amounts of fitness options out there? Are you looking for a workout routine that you can stick to that doesn't leave you hobbling in pain the next day? Then check out this episode featuring Rachel Katzman, founder of Pvolve⁠ , a new fitness method that combines functional fitness with resistance-based equipment. Dubbed a “game-changer” by celebrity spokesperson Jennifer Aniston, this workout is unlike anything you have ever tried. Check out online streaming options or find a studio location near you and don’t forget to use the discount code SUPERWOMEN15 for a 15% off site-wide discount (valid until 12/21/24) Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/superwomen/support

As a trailblazer for women everywhere, Oprah has always been a leading voice regarding subjects such as weight loss and women's health. Over the years, Oprah has used her voice to tell stories across many media channels from The Oprah Winfrey Show to O, The Oprah Magazine.  Now that the media landscape has changed, Oprah Daily is the new home for all of Oprah's content, and its Editorial Director, Pilar Guzmán, oversees all of it. After running three major publications as Editor-in-Chief, Pilar has extensive experience in running magazines, both in print and online. Having led culture-changing conversations about motherhood at her magazine Cookie, and now menopause at Oprah Daily, Pilar isn't afraid to address uncomfortable topics. As part of Oprah's mission to share thoughtful stories online, Pilar helped to launch the September issue, which focuses on women's health and why menopause has been silenced for so long. Pilar hopes to help destigmatize the shame attached to menopause and to help women become bett

Even today, it is nearly unheard of for a woman to break into the still largely white male-dominated music industry and rise the ranks to run a label or artist management company. And the amount of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women at the top is even smaller. Despite all odds, that’s exactly what Wendy Ong, Global Co-President / Chief Marketing Officer of artist and management company TaP Music did.  Wendy knows the importance of sharing her story. She has decades of experience working for major labels, including BMG, Arista, Capitol, and Roc Nation, and has helped put artists like OutKast and Dua Lipa (along with many others) on the global stage. However, as a young Asian woman from Signgapore, new to America without any contacts or knowledge of American culture, Wendy had to hustle her way in and frequently encountered difficult challenges that left her in tears. Due to her experiences, Wendy strives to be a mentor for AAPI music executives that she never had. Finding her home at TaP music, W

Following the attacks that occurred on October 7th, 2023, Zibby Owens, bestselling author, podcaster, bookstore owner, and media company CEO, contacted Jewish writers and advocates, asking them to write essays on what being Jewish means and feels to them. From those contacted, 75 prominent Jewish voices contributed essays leading to the birth of the anthology On Being Jewish Now. In this powerful and moving episode, Zibby Owens is joined by over 30 Jewish women who have contributed to the anthology On Being Jewish Now. In the face of increasing antisemitism, these women unite to share their experiences, celebrate their Jewish identity, and amplify their voices. Vulnerably sharing heartfelt stories and excerpts from their essays, they explore the complexities of being Jewish in a post-October 7th world. Get ready to be inspired, moved, and empowered by the resilience and strength of these remarkable women. To read or listen to the complete essays, as well as essays from other contributors please order On Being

In a world that profits off of women’s insecurities, Carmindy, makeup artist and founder of Carmindy Beauty is empowering women and showing them just how beautiful they already are. As a makeup artist specializing in "no makeup" makeup, Carmindy offers an affordable and streamlined cosmetics line that helps women feel good in only five minutes. Best known for her role as a makeup artist on TLC’s hit show, What Not to Wear, Carmindy quickly became a household name that millions of millennial women turned to for beauty tips and tricks. Having spent a decade on the show empowering women to feel good about themselves, Carmindy realized there wasn't a brand creating simple, easy-to-use products for busy women. So she decided to do it herself. After a few failed attempts to launch her vision, Carmindy revamped her entire life and found the courage to trust her inner voice. Rather than looking for a fast win, Carmindy is slowly building her brand for longevity based on the sole goal of helping women fe

With a career spanning decades, Bonnie Hammer, Vice Chair of NBCUniversal has carved a name for herself in the male-dominated entertainment industry. A leader in the cable industry, she has led the teams that transformed large channels such as USA Network, Syfy, and E! She recently authored the book 15 Lies Women are Told at Work...and the Truth We Need to Succeed to share her knowledge with other women. In her early TV career, Bonnie's first job was cleaning up after a dog, which she followed around the set. Not knowing where her career path might lead, Bonnie took advantage of every opportunity that came her way. After working her way up to executive positions leading large teams of people, Bonnie gained invaluable experience and built what she calls her "career web.” To pay it forward, Bonnie wrote 15 Lies Women are Told at Work...and the Truth We Need to Succeed, a book that debunks common cliches that women are told about the workplace. If you have ever called bullshit on advice such as “fake it

Almost every home cook knows that most recipes begin with olive oil, but most can't tell you which brand or type they use, or if they even use 100% olive oil. This inspired Aishwarya Iyer, CEO and Founder of Brightland, a premium olive oil company, to launch her brand and ultimately revolutionize the olive oil industry. After innocently Googling "bad olive oil," Aishwarya stumbled across the fraudulent activities taking place in the olive oil industry. As she searched for premium 100% olive oil, Aishwarya knew it was up to her to tell the story of the farms in California producing quality olive oil. With this partnership, Aishwarya created Brightland, a premium olive oil brand sourced directly from the farmers. Choosing to start small, Aishwarya bought just 1000 bottles, which sold out within three days. In six years, she has grown the business to 8 plus figures and forever changed the way people think about olive oil. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fear

Going down in history as the first brand ever to design a one-shoulder bikini top for the 2024 Olympic Games, Left on Friday, official sponsor of Canada's National Women's Beach Volleyball Team, is changing the swimwear game. Whether you're an Olympic athlete or just like to relax poolside, Left on Friday's premium swimwear is the only suit you'll ever need. After realizing there were two distinct types of swimwear, one for function and one for fashion, friends and former lululemon executives, Laura Low Ah Kee and Shannon Savage saw a gap in the swimwear market and could not pass it up. Deciding to combine forces, they co-founded Left on Friday in 2017, making it the first premium active swimwear company to do both. From the start, they hit major walls from learning how to set up their business properly to fundraising during Covid. But the strength of their co-founder relationship and dedication to creating an exceptional product that fits ALL body types, kept them going. Now coming off of

With almost 37 years on air and a spot as the #1 Business News Anchorwoman in America, Liz Claman, anchor of The Claman Countdown and host of the highly-rated podcast Everyone Talks to Liz, knows a thing or two about climbing her way to the top. From a young age, Liz knew she wanted to be behind the camera interviewing people and asking them questions. But it wasn’t until college that she realized her dream of becoming a news anchor. Although she knew it wouldn't be easy, Liz put on her blinders and shot for network television. After realizing success doesn’t happen overnight, Liz started at the bottom and repeatedly put herself out of her comfort zone until she got her big break. Her decades of experience, which include disappointments and gut punches, have made Liz a treasure trove of knowledge, graciously sharing her insight with others looking to build a lasting legacy. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, a

On a mission to bring life back to a dying industry, sommelier Kristin Olszewski founded Nomadica, a sustainable wine company with better for you and the environment California fine wines in cans and boxes. According to Kristin, “wine tastes better out of a box than a bottle.” While working as a sommelier in Michelin-starred restaurants for over a decade, Kristin noticed she was selling wine to the same demographic. It wasn't until she made wine fun and accessible for women her age that she realized she was ready to do this on a much bigger scale. Dedicated to sharing her love of wine with younger consumers, Kristin has combined her passion for sustainable agriculture and storytelling to make wine cool again. Being a female-founded company, Kristin is determined to do things differently and has created one of the most diverse teams in wine right now and a safe space for women in the alcohol industry.   Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unl

More and more research is being conducted around the gut microbiome than ever before, proving what generations of Julie Smolyansky's, CEO of Lifeway, ancestors already knew. The secret to good health and nourishing yourself from within is to drink their sacred recipe of kefir, a cultured dairy product, which has been passed down for over 2000 years. A child of Soviet immigrants, Julie and her family immigrated to Chicago where Julie's father founded Lifeway in 1986, becoming the first Soviet immigrant to take a company public. After the sudden and tragic death of her father at the age of 55, Julie took over the company at just 27 years old. When she was forced to prove herself over and over again and stand up to those who didn't believe in her, Julie held her head high and knew it was her job to carry on what her father had started. With Julie's leadership, Lifeway grew from $6 million to just under $200 million and is the leading kefir brand in the United States today.  Thanks for listening!