Superwomen With Rebecca Minkoff

Peabody Award-winning journalist Isha Sesay didn’t set out to helm a media company, but her creativity, integrity and spirit of perseverance made her the perfect candidate for it. After working as an anchor and correspondent at CNN for thirteen years, personal matters and professional projects began to pull Isha in another direction. However, as a global pandemic turned everything upside down, Isha made it her mission to use independent digital platforms to continue sharing news in a world that was making less and less sense. OkayMedia took note, and tapped Isha to become its first female CEO, leading the company in its mission to elevate Black culture and amplify Black voices. Today, Isha considers herself an “accidental activist,” reminding herself and others to keep an open mind and heart, and see where the possibilities may take you. 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 I

WTHN co-founders Michelle Larivee and Dr. Shari Auth had the same question: with the rise of wellness modalities worldwide, why had acupuncture remained on the fringes? With a background in finance and Chinese Medicine, respectively, acupuncture had a profound effect on the lives of both Michelle and Shari. They wanted to make it more approachable and accessible, from education to price point. Inspired by Drybar’s business model, WTHN was created with scalability in mind. Brick and mortar locations offer top-notch acupuncture at an accessible price, while organic, proprietary herb blends and acupressure tools enable clients to continue supporting their health from home. And that is really at the core of it all: empowering people to understand their bodies, take a proactive approach to health, and discover they ways that TCM benefits both body and mind. Use code SUPERWOMEN15 for 15% off treatment and products at WTHN. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New

Warm cookies delivered straight to your door. Could there be a better business idea? Tiffany Chen’s boyfriend-turned business partner-turned husband didn’t think so. When they were in college he thought delivering her cookies to hungry fellow students would be a great way to make some extra money, and he was right on target. Given time to grow at their own pace, Tiff’s Treats has gone from a single apartment kitchen to 76 retail locations and $100 million in revenue annually. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident. Trying to keep the cookie culture consistent, learning not to overthink things, and keeping their value offering front and center has helped to make Tiff’s Treats a nationwide success. And while their cookies (and other sublime treats) are, of course, delicious, it’s really more about giving customers the chance to celebrate and comfort their friends and loved ones by sharing a heartfelt gift. Visit cookiedelivery.com/superwomen, to receive 20% off cookies and/or Tiffany's book!  Thank

When Maggie Winter started working at J. Crew straight out of college, she received the best workplace education she could get simply by where her desk happened to be. In the open-plan office, she was seated near the CEO, and overheard tidbits about everything from sales to real estate as he held his weekly meetings. This information would come in handy as Maggie was approached to start a project under Bonobos, which would then become its own independent brand. From that partnership AYR was born. Standing for All Year Round, AYR is a small clothing brand focused on making the best basics and doing it sustainably. Having played all roles in her company at one point or another, Maggie has learned enough to know that a leader’s time is best served in their areas of strength, creativity and passion. 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. Guest Website Ayr.com Social Medi

After becoming wildly successful as a real estate broker in her early 20’s, Patrice Washington hit a low point. Not low like your car broke down and your SO dumped you, but a real rock bottom where her entire life was turned upside down for several years. And yet, despite losing nearly everything she held dear, Patrice’s faith in her ability to bounce back was unshaken. It wasn’t quick and it wasn’t easy, but Patrice knew that with her entrepreneurial background and her understanding of finances she could reinvent her career, going from the doldrums of a recession to becoming “America’s Money Maven.” She is now a sought-after author, speaker, consultant and financial expert looking to redefine the way we consider wealth. Patrice will be the first to tell you that wealth doesn’t start with money, it starts with a mindset, and when you align with your purpose and passion the money will follow. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creati

When you think of businesses that are recession-proof, a kids ear piercing chain might not come to mind. However, when Louisa Serene Schneider was working at a hedge fund for retailers, she was surprised to find that Claire’s, the ear-piercing wonderland, was valued at $3 billion. She was even more astounded to find that the people doing the buyout didn’t see this as a chance to reimagine the business, so she started her own. Rowan is the only ear-piercing chain (for the young and young at heart!) to staff certified nurses at all locations. Set to open a total of 20 retail locations at the end of the year with their jewelry already available at Target, Rowan is growing like wildfire. The best part? According to Louisa, it’s the honor of being a part of major milestones in peoples’ lives. 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. Guest Website HeyRowan.com Social Media @

Tali Magal knew she wanted to have a life that centered around three things: travel, creativity, and to be able to use her love of the Italian language. When her peers pointed out that fashion would be the obvious choice, Tali dove in headfirst. But the world of fashion was just the starting point; Tali found that what she really enjoyed was the creativity that went into planning photo shoots and ad campaigns. Rather than continuing to hire out these services, Tali decided to start her own. Freebird Productions was born, and now, over ten years later, is a full-service global production company that creates everything from photoshoots and videos to branded content and social media campaigns. Tali shares why as a leader it’s so important to hustle, but ultimately why it’s just as imperative that you make your career something fun and joyful! 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&nbs

Makeup isn’t just about accentuating your cheekbones or plumping up your lip color. For Melissa Butler, former Wall Street worker-turned-beauty-entrepreneur, makeup is more about confidence than anything else. Even so, it took time to build the self-esteem and inner belief that has helped take The Lip Bar, and now, Thread Beauty, from her kitchen to Target and Walmart across the country. Starting out experimenting with her own recipes in an industry where she didn’t have experience, Melissa was bound and determined to create a makeup line that celebrated creating one’s own standards of beauty rather than pandering to men or media. The Lip Bar and Thread Beauty continue to shake up the status quo, offering vegan, non-toxic, cruelty-free options that are fun and affordable to people of color and beyond. 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. Guest Website TheLipBar.com

Meg Epstein’s forte has always been her ability to dream big, and that’s a good thing considering that real estate development is a major undertaking. What started out as an interest in residential construction in her home state of California blew up as Meg started CA South, a real estate development and investment management firm based in Nashville, TN. Meg’s foresight to bring coastal designs to the southeast was an inspired decision, particularly as the Nashville market began to expand exponentially during the pandemic. Now, just eight years after she founded it, CA South is worth over $1 billion, making Meg the most successful independent real estate CEO in the U.S. 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. Guest Website Casouthdevelopment.com Social Media LinkedIn --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/superwomen/support

Like many businesses, Under Canvas began as a means to solve a pain point for its founder, Sarah Dusek. In this case it was the quest to find a compromise between her husband’s desire to rough it in the wilderness and Sarah’s preference for creature comforts. Entirely bootstrapped for the first eight years, Under Canvas’ elevated camping model surmounted obstacle after obstacle, and is now considered among the best resorts in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler. However, Sarah wasn’t ready to stop there. Her own challenges in raising capital inspired her to then create her own investment firm, Enygma Ventures, aimed at supporting women in business in southern Africa. Knowing firsthand the challenges that come as a female founder, Sarah believes wholeheartedly that building an environment where more women can create wealth means a better world for all of us. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Supe

Arian Simone has the kind of infectious, feel-good attitude that makes it impossible to stay in a funk. It’s almost necessary to have that sort of approach when you’re working to change the numbers in venture capital funding. Arian’s company, Fearless Fund, invests in businesses founded by women of color, a group that receives less than 1% (!!!) of all VC funding, despite the high percentage of founders who fall into this category. Never one to shrink from a challenge, Arian knew early on in her entrepreneurial journey that she would someday become the type of investor she was looking for. Her potent potion of gratitude, conviction and confidence has opened doors where others would surely fear to go. Now, through Fearless Fund, Arian supports the goals and determination of fellow women of color, creating jobs, wealth and legacy one founder at a time. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwo

In a culture where rushing is encouraged and fast turnarounds are rewarded, it is a radical act to take the time to create something of quality. Not only that, but as April Gargiulo of Vintner’s Daughter points out, committing time and diligent craftsmanship to a product is one of the ultimate marks of true luxury. The daughter of winemakers, April was raised in a community that understands that the best products start with the best raw materials nurtured with time and patience. It is with the same ethos that she began her botanically based luxury skincare line. Vintner’s Daughter doesn’t need a million products or to be in every store; April intentionally created her company to grow slowly and be the best at what it does. By using organic, sustainable ingredients grown and processed with care, Vintner’s Daughter is one of the few skincare companies supporting the health of the consumer, the environment and the communities where it’s made. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book,&

If you’ve ever been one of the few people not drinking at a party, you know how awkward it can be, not to mention the fact that soda or water aren’t the most exciting drink alternatives. When Melanie Masarin decided that all-day brain fog wasn’t worth the glass of wine or two from the night before, she was struck with the realization that there is a glaring lack of sophisticated non-alcoholic beverages in the market. Melanie launched Ghia mid-pandemic, testing out trial recipes with her friends over dinner when it was difficult to engage with potential customers. She wanted to break down the stigma around choosing not to drink by creating an herbaceous, culinary-forward apéritif whose elevated flavor profile drinks well alone or with food. Pursuing her dream job at her dream company, Melanie’s mission of inclusivity continues to grow as Ghia is set to launch additional products and open the highly anticipated Ghia House in L.A. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearles

When Sarah Davis received a Rebecca Minkoff bag as a gift from her sister-in-law many moons ago, she didn’t realize that she would one day be a guest on Superwomen! The talented founder of luxury “recommerce” site Fashionphile is a born entrepreneur, even if she didn’t know to call herself that at the time. Sarah worked for the forest service and went to law school before she ever realized she had a multimillion-dollar idea on hand, but her affinity for creative ways to make money date back to childhood. Whether it was selling soda at a parade, clipping hair in the dorms in college, or selling secondhand luxury items on e-bay to pay her way through law school, Sarah has always found a way to make a buck on her own terms. Entirely bootstrapped until 2019, Fashionphile is one of the most wildly successful resale sites for high-end accessories. Sarah shares the value in following your passion, being smart about your business, and most of all, how important it is to simply get started and keep going! Thanks for l

She is probably one of the most famous people whose face you might never recognize. Nancy Cartwright’s fantastically versatile voiceover has graced television in the U.S. and the world over for 42 years, and while she is likely best known as the voice of Bart Simpson, she has played a plethora of other memorable characters, in addition to her creative litany of accomplishments that include writing books and films, directing, and promoting her philanthropic work. From her early days working at a radio station in Ohio, to her decision to transfer to UCLA to be near her voiceover mentor, and then to pursue Fellini in Italy, Nancy’s courageous spirit has never let “what if’s” get in the way. Whether she is doing the voiceover for her new audiobook, or directing her latest film, Nancy illuminates the importance of listening to the creative impulse. As the best example of following your instincts to make a life that is both fulfilling and successful, Nancy shows that you can most certainly follow your heart and mak

You may have heard of their popular self-tanner, but chances are you don’t know the story behind fast-growing natural skincare line Beauty by Earth. When Prudence Millsap noted a particular void in the area of truly clean cosmetics and self care items, she began googling her way into natural makeup and skincare product development. Though it took time and tenacity to find a chemist willing to work with her small startup, Prudence was undaunted, teaching herself how to sell directly on Amazon and filling orders with her husband after the children went to bed. Eight years later, Beauty by Earth now makes eight figures in revenue per year, and will soon be stocked in Target stores. Prudence affirms that the most certain path to success is not perfection, but the willingness to take risks and make adjustments along the way. A truly bootstrapped, self-funded, emphatically clean beauty company, grown slowly and purposefully, Beauty by Earth is a rare gem indeed. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Reb

If you’re the type to put on the kettle, don your coziest socks and relax with some great home and food inspiration, then you’ve probably already heard of today’s guests. Amanda Hesser and Sara Fritsch, CEO of Food52 and president of Schoolhouse, respectively, are here to discuss their iconic brands that have recently joined forces in a homebody’s dream acquisition. Sara and Amanda discuss bootstrapping versus venture capital, strategic methods for both buying and selling a company, and most importantly, personal and professional alignment. Their desire to create longevity is evident in their commitment to their companies, as well as their lives outside of work. As leaders and friends, Amanda and Sara share their passion for balance, beauty, integrity and the creation of modern heirlooms. 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. Social Media @food52 @schoolhouse Big Id

While her peers gleefully began drinking and experimenting with drug use, Amanda Chantal Bacon spent her late teens and early twenties supporting her body in detoxification. After a childhood and adolescence filled with a myriad of prescriptions that left her feeling more unlike herself than ever, Amanda used her newfound autonomy to take baby steps toward improving her health in body and mind. Though she didn’t know it at the time, Amanda was setting the groundwork for Moon Juice, the adaptogenic wellness company known for its supplements that support beauty, energy and libido. With her honest, grounded approach, Amanda emphasizes that while it may take time, it is most definitely possible to make positive, long lasting changes in business and in life. 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. Social Media @moonjuice @amandachantalbacon Links Buy the Moon Juice Manual!

Duchess of Decorum Pattie Ehsaei holds many esteemed positions as a lawyer, financial advisor, workplace and social decorum expert, as well as being a TikTok star. While she has made a name for herself guiding others around social and work-related pitfalls, these lessons were hard won. When Pattie arrived in the U.S., she knew little of the culture and even less of the language; she now maintains her popular social media accounts because of her desire to help others in the hopes that they may learn from her early mistakes. It’s no secret that Pattie’s other favorite topic is women’s financial independence. She is clearly passionate about how and why women maintain power and equilibrium within and without relationships, encouraging women to work twice as hard and be twice as confident as any man in the room! 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. Guest Website Pattiee

When Mary Lawless Lee started her now-famous blog, Happily Grey, she did it as a way to nurture her creativity on days off from working as a nurse. As the name implies, this entrepreneur and mother of two has always sought solace in the places between two extremes, preferring to express her own unique vision rather than abiding by proscribed ways of being. Since her days as one of the earliest influencers (where she could be spotted at RM fashion shows!), Mary has expanded her fashion passion project to a full-blown lifestyle brand, encompassing beauty, food, fitness, travel, interior design, and more. Most recently she has launched Nēmah, a clean skincare line for mother and baby. While Happily Grey may highlight fashion, beauty, and the pretty things in life, Mary knew from early on that sharing her life and process behind the scenes, in all its unique vulnerability, was the genuine way to create connection and community, something she places at the forefront of her ever-expanding list of business ventures.