Superwomen With Rebecca Minkoff

It’s easy to think your ambitions are gone forever once you’re a parent, or worse, after a divorce. Suddenly, “having it all” feels unrealistic, if not impossible. But Sarah Armstrong is proof that ambition doesn’t just disappear. It evolves. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sat down with Sarah, VP of Global Marketing Operations at Google, and author of The Art of the Juggling Act and  The Mom’s Guide to a Good Divorce. She shares what it looked like to keep her career moving through motherhood, divorce, and single parenting, without losing herself in the process. We talk about choosing what matters, setting boundaries that actually hold up, and letting go of pressure that does more harm than good. If you’ve ever wondered whether your goals still fit the life you’re living now, this one’s for you. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Sarah Armstrong, Author And Global Executive (01:46) The shock of early motherhood and realizing there is no blueprint(05:51) The power of saying no without guilt (07:48) Finding her new

Most people think better skin comes from more products and pricier treatments. But Jordan Harper knew better. With no safety net, she built Barefaced to simplify skincare down to what actually works.  This week on SUPERWOMEN, I’m joined by Jordan Harper, Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Barefaced, to talk about what she learned after years of treating patients in cosmetic dermatology and why she decided to build a brand rooted in trust, not trends. Jordan shares what the skincare industry gets wrong, how relationships drove early growth, and the lessons that came from expensive mistakes. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Jordan Harper, Founder & CEO of Barefaced (01:35) What years of patient care taught her about skincare (07:47) Serving people before selling anything (08:55) The unsexy growth strategy that paid off (18:01) The tradeoffs behind success (19:16) When hiring “experts” goes wrong (25:30) Why Barefaced has a 90% customer retention rate (30:30) The four essential products for any skinca

Too much of a good thing adds up fast. What starts as a little treat or “just one more thing” can quickly turn into clutter (and somehow… a very full apartment). This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sat down with Isan Elba, Founder & CEO of Beauty Access and Beauty Forward, two initiatives rethinking how the beauty industry approaches waste, access, and community. We talk about how a simple gifting event sparked her passion for giving back, how curiosity builds real confidence, and why creators don’t have to choose between making money and making an impact. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Isan Elba, Founder & CEO of Beauty Access & Beauty Forward  (01:46) The problem with donating beauty products (09:52) Making money without losing your values (12:07) When self-care becomes too much (14:57) Choosing better brands in a wasteful industry (18:24) Moving past performative good (22:39) Turning passion into long-term work (28:26) How to get involved with Beauty Forward Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap

“Nepo baby” is an easy label to apply to anyone who joins a family business. What we rarely talk about is the pressure to prove yourself and the effort it takes to be taken seriously. This week on SUPERWOMEN, we sat down with Avery Hale Smith, Chief Experience Officer at Backroads, to talk about the experience of working inside a family business. Avery opens up about the challenge of stepping into a company with such a rich legacy. Avery reveals how she navigated Backroads through the chaos of COVID, when everything was falling apart, and how she rebuilt the company from the ground up. From handling massive layoffs to keeping the business alive with no roadmap, she learned that surviving crises takes a whole lot of grit.  Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Avery Hale Smith, Chief Experience Officer at Backroads (01:44) What is Backroads? (03:33) Growing up around the business (07:10) How Backroads survived COVID (11:32) When chaos becomes the best teacher (13:53) The reality of being a working mom (1

What happens when the thing you worked so hard to build no longer feels like the life you want to be living? In this episode of SUPERWOMEN, Rebecca sits down with Ara Katz, co-founder of Seed, to talk about ambition, loss, and the moments that quietly redirect your life. Ara shares how stepping away from a high-growth tech company and reconnecting with her passion for science led her to build Seed, a microbiome company grounded in clinical rigor rather than wellness hype. We also explore leadership and identity, including Ara’s unconventional management style and her decision to transition from CEO to Chairperson as an intentional evolution, not a failure. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Ara Katz, co-founder of Seed (03:40) How Ara found the confidence to start Seed (08:56) Gut health hype vs real science (11:41) Why most probiotics don’t actually work (19:00) Building a culture around great work, not validation (25:28) Why stepping back as a founder isn’t a failure (33:15) Nurturing Seed’s next phase

Sometimes boredom is the push that leads to your next big thing. For Sammi Cohen, it was the spark that took her from a stable job at Amazon to building a career as a full-time content creator. One viral TikTok video eventually turned into hundreds. And before long, she built Social Currency, a media brand and podcast that reaches millions. In this replay episode of SUPERWOMEN, Sammi shares the story behind that transition. We talk about the patience, grit, and yes, a little bit of delusion it takes to keep going between your first post and your first paycheck. She opens up about building trust with her audience, learning from failure without shame, and developing the instincts to know what content will stick. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Sammi Cohen, CEO and host of Social Currency (03:20) Finding your voice online (09:44) When monetization finally happens (14:17) Sammi’s failed matcha company and starting over (17:05) Dissecting the brands everyone’s talking about (21:43) Turning mistakes into mo

Most people are settled by 40. Carrie Gross was just getting started. With four kids at home and a solid career, her decision to start a new business seemed like a risky choice. But her vision was stronger than the fear. In this replay episode of SUPERWOMEN, Carrie Gross, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare, discusses her pivot from fashion to beauty. She shares how she and her dermatologist husband launched the brand with one product—their now-iconic peel pads. We talk about what it’s like to pursue your passion later in life, how to stay married while running a business together, and what it means to grow without burning out. Carrie opens up about early failures, trusting her gut, and staying focused on what really matters. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Carrie Gross, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare (03:01) The elevator encounter that changed her life (06:23) How Dr. Dennis Gross’ Peel Pads took off (11:48) Building a marriage an

When the world changes, sometimes the best thing you can do is change with it. This week on SUPERWOMEN, Julia Haber, co-founder and CEO of Home From College, shares how she had to pivot her business when the pandemic made everything she had built obsolete. What started as a platform designed for in-person experiences transformed into a digital-first solution to help Gen Z launch their careers. Julia discusses the challenges of pivoting a business, the decisions she had to make to adapt, and the lessons learned about staying flexible and creating new opportunities in our rapidly changing world. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Julia Haber, co-founder and CEO of Home From College (02:10) Eleven internships, a college agency, and early burnout (06:24) COVID hits, and Home From College is born (07:43) Reframing failure and managing anxiety (12:13) The co-founder who became Julia’s husband (16:16) Turning a simple landing page into a real tech platform (17:48) What Gen Z job seekers want from work (21:

The fine jewelry business is tough, with knock-offs flooding the market, repeated recessions, and skyrocketing material prices. These are just some of the challenges Adina Reyter has faced. But through it all, she’s still standing strong. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I’m joined by Adina Reyter, founder and CEO of her eponymous fine jewelry brand. Her first buyers were family and friends, but her designs were soon catapulted into the spotlight by celebrities. Now a beloved brand, Adina’s success reflects her commitment to quality, accessibility, and lasting style. We dive into the importance of staying true to your values, even when the market is unpredictable, and how Adina navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship with an unwavering belief in her vision. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Adina Reyter, founder & CEO of Adina Reyter jewelry (02:41) The early struggles of launching a jewelry brand (06:08) Creating affordable fine jewelry true to your values (12:25)Having faith when business gets tough

Women are constantly told to look a certain way. And if you don’t fit the mold, you’re made to feel like something’s wrong with you. That’s how Jaclyn Fu felt growing up. Being small-chested wasn’t just a sizing issue; it became a source of deep insecurity. But after years of feeling overlooked, she’d had enough and decided to change the industry instead. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sit down with Jaclyn, the Co-CEO of Pepper. Along with her co-founder, she built a bra brand specifically for women with smaller busts. What started as a scrappy prototype on Kickstarter turned into a body-positive movement—selling over a million bras without a single VC check. Jaclyn opens up about the insecurity that started it all, and how she’s now relearning confidence and gratitude in the middle of growth. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Jaclyn Fu, co-founder and co-CEO at Pepper (04:37) The entrepreneurial itch and launching a Kickstarter (08:34) Bra fittings with total strangers(12:29) When Pepper became an eight-figure b

You can talk about love, kids, and sex, but the second money comes up, things get awkward. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sit down with Jackie Combs, Matrimonial & Family Law Partner at Blank Rome LLP. Jackie has seen firsthand what happens when women avoid talking about finances until it's too late. She’s advised clients ranging from celebrities to founders, many of whom didn’t realize what they were financially entitled to or what they'd already sacrificed. We discuss why prenups aren’t just for the rich, how financial red flags can appear earlier than you think, and why it’s never too soon to start these conversations. Whether you're just dating or have been married for ten years, you'll want to hear this. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Jackie Combs, Matrimonial & Family Law Partner at Blank Rome (03:21) Prenups should be the norm (04:50) Why women avoid the money talk (06:51) What a postnuptial agreement looks like (10:08) Why ChatGPT can’t be your lawyer (11:49) Advice to get through tough financia

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but no one said they had to be real. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I’m joined by Melinda Maria, founder and CEO of the $40M jewelry brand that’s redefining luxury. From selling handmade pieces in Starbucks to seeing her designs on the red carpet, she’s built an empire without caving to investors, gimmicks, or the pressure to conform. We discuss how focusing on one thing helped her brand stand out, making “fake” diamonds feel more aspirational than the real thing. Two decades in, Melinda still owns 100% of her business, crediting every major decision to what’s right for the brand, not her ego. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Melinda Maria, founder of Melinda Maria Jewelry (03:45) Moving to big cities with $2,000 and no plan (07:18) Making luxury accessible for every woman (10:44) Turning down retailers to go all-in on e-commerce (15:43) Slow growth is the winning strategy  (21:05) Trade-offs between work and personal life (24:39) Inside Melinda Maria Jewelry’s first

In 2011, three college roommates had a late-night idea to start a blog. No plan, no funding, and no bylines. Fast forward to today, and Betches is one of the biggest names in media, reaching millions of women worldwide. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sat down with Aleen Dreksler, co-founder and CEO of Betches, to talk about how she and her two friends built a media empire from the ground up. Aleen opens up about the challenges of bootstrapping, trusting their instincts, and creating a brand that resonates with women on a deeper level. She also shares how entrepreneurship and motherhood intersect, and how she balances both. Tune in to hear how embracing imperfections and taking risks turned a small blog into a cultural phenomenon. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Aleen Dreksler, co-founder of Betches (02:09) Starting Betches during peak bro culture (06:03) Building a business without outside funding (09:06) Growing with your audience  (12:34) Fighting with co-founders (13:56) The Betches acquisition  (1

Sometimes boredom is the push that leads to your next big thing. For Sammi Cohen, it was the spark that took her from a stable job at Amazon to building a career as a full-time content creator. One Tiktok video eventually turned into hundreds. And before long, she built Social Currency, a media brand and podcast that reaches millions. This week on SUPERWOMEN, Sammi shares the story behind that transition. We talk about the patience, grit, and yes, a little bit of delusion it takes to keep going between your first post and your first paycheck. She opens up about building trust with her audience, learning from failure without shame, and developing the instincts to know what content will stick. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Sammi Cohen, CEO and host of Social Currency (05:47) Finding your voice online (08:55) When monetization finally happens (13:53) Sammi’s failed matcha company and starting over (16:41) Dissecting the brands everyone’s talking about (21:20) Turning mistakes into momentum instead of s

Most people are settled by 40. Carrie Gross was just getting started. With four kids at home and a solid career, her decision to start a new business seemed like a risky choice. But her vision was stronger than the fear. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I chatted with the Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare about her pivot from fashion to beauty. She shares how she and her dermatologist husband launched the brand with one product—their now-iconic peel pads. We talk about what it’s like to pursue your passion later in life, how to stay married while running a business together, and what it means to grow without burning out. Carrie opens up about early failures, trusting her gut, and staying focused on what really matters. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Carrie Gross, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare (03:21) The elevator encounter that changed her life (06:29) How Dr. Dennis Gross’ Peel Pads took off (11:07) Building a marriage and a business th

Christina Tosi built an iconic dessert empire on sugar, grit, and a relentless drive to bring joy. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sit down with the award-winning chef and founder behind Milk Bar to talk about the parts of her story you don’t always see.  You may know Christina as the mastermind behind cereal milk or from her time on MasterChef, but what stuck with me was her honesty about the chaos of building something from scratch—and the even harder part of staying in it once the buzz dies down. We also talk about staying creative under pressure, what it feels like to be copied without credit, and why Christina still finds joy in baking after all these years. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Christina Tosi, Founder and CEO at Milk Bar (05:41) Christina’s emotional connection to baking (08:19) Milk Bar’s first month and the non-stop grind (12:43 ) The reality of being a trailblazer (17:02) Baking to impress vs. baking to create (19:37) What it takes to stay passionate after success (25:53) Falling

Kiana Cabell was slathering coconut oil on her skin long before it became a beauty trend.  This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sit down with the co-founder of Kopari Beauty, one of the first brands to make clean body care cool and accessible. Kiana shares how she turned a multipurpose pantry staple into a breakout brand, what happened when her first product idea didn’t take off, and how Kopari evolved alongside her through every stage of growth. She talks about raising four kids while building a business, stepping back without stepping away, and why the best way forward is to start before you’re ready and to figure it out along the way. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Kiana Cabell, co-founder of Kopari Beauty(01:54) How coconut oil sparked a business idea (06:10) Navigating co-founder roles and dynamics (10:28) How Kopari stayed different from their competitors (13:45) Build a community before approaching retail (16:31) Lessons from raising VC too fast (20:28) Learning to let go and hiring a CEO (24:55) Wh

GLP-1s have been called everything from miracle drugs to dangerous shortcuts. Becca McCarthy is here to set the record straight. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sit down with the co-founder of Evolv, a biotech-driven supplement brand that mimics the effects of GLP-1s without requiring a prescription. With a background in health and fitness, Becca saw a gap in the wellness market for those who didn’t qualify for pharmaceutical weight loss but still needed support. She discusses how Evolv was built using molecular biology and AI modeling, and why this product has been transforming how women relate to food, weight, and energy. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Becca McCarthy, Co-Founder, President, and COO at Evolv (02:12) Using AI to design a novel weight loss peptide (05:06) Hormonal imbalances that block weight loss for women (09:59) Understanding GLP-1 in simple terms (13:05) Resetting your relationship with food through satiety (18:15) How to talk to your kids about nutrition (20:18) How Evolv is diffe

Bea Dixon built a $380M brand from a dream — literally. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I’m joined by Bea Dixon, co-founder and CEO of The Honey Pot. After receiving a vision from her late grandmother, she created a plant-based solution that would transform feminine care. From handing out samples in parking lots to attending trade shows, Bea and her lean team scaled the company into a nationally loved brand and ultimately sold it for millions. But that success came with hard choices. Behind the headlines is a story of staying grounded, walking away from the wrong money, and trusting your gut every step of the way. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Bea Dixon, co-founder and CEO of The Honey Pot (05:14) The offer she turned down on purpose (06:57) The dream that sparked a product (10:59) Conducting “hood clinical trials” (14:05) Guerrilla marketing and big retailers (17:29) Getting into Target before they were ready (21:18) Life after Honey Pot’s acquisition (24:35) Vaginal wellness and the chemicals in mos

Elizabeth Gore has always believed that all entrepreneurs deserve equitable access to capital. But pursuing that mission landed her in the middle of a federal class action lawsuit. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I’m joined by Elizabeth Gore, co-founder and president of Hello Alice, which has helped 1.6 million small businesses and distributed over $65 million in grants. She talks candidly about being sued for funding Black business owners, surviving the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, and a health scare that nearly took her out. Through it all, Elizabeth shares the lessons she’s learned about resilience, leadership, and staying rooted in purpose—even when the stakes couldn’t be higher. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Elizabeth Gore, co-founder and president of Hello Alice (06:37) Building an AI platform before it was mainstream (09:29) Getting sued for funding Black entrepreneurs (13:18) How they lost ⅔ of their Series C funding (15:03) The health crisis that stopped her cold (20:23) Learning to truly r