Superwomen With Rebecca Minkoff

Making sourdough, getting psyched for Zoom parties, and finally cleaning out your closet…the halcyon days of the early pandemic seem almost quaint now. If you’ve lost your luster, become a bit sluggish from staring at the same walls for 10 (!) months now, you’re not alone. Surrounding yourself with the same environment on repeat is tiring, but changing things up in your space can also do wonders for mental health. So if you didn’t sort through your closet last spring, doing so now may just give you the boost you’ve been missing. Erin Flynn, founder and CEO of the closet-clearing, capsule wardrobe kick-starting app, Cladwell, knows all too well how a closet of unworn, unloved clothes can drag you down. It can even impact decision making in other areas of life. Embracing her so-called failures as much as her successes, Erin shows us how making executive decisions in the dark doldrums of the closet can lighten your load and make room for your personal style, proving that in a consumerist culture, less is really

Marla Beck was always a beauty buff, keeping an eye on the latest skincare products to hit her local markets in the Bay Area growing up. It wasn’t until she had a business degree, however, that she merged her passion for the beauty world and her fascination with ecommerce in the late 90’s to develop one of the first ever beauty product websites. Unfortunately she was a little too ahead of her time, and in what now seems practically unthinkable, she pivoted to brick-and-mortar in order to avoid bankruptcy. bluemercuryis now the largest and fastest growing retailer/spa in the U.S. Marla’s love of beauty products is surpassed only by her love of people, and it’s her passion for listening to her customers and deeply investing in her staff that has kept bluemercury going through a recession, a dotcom burst and now a pandemic. The fact that her company continues to thrive shows just how valuable creativity and a can-do attitude can be. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest sug

Kara Goldin was never a fan of water. Preferring the sweet buzz of diet sodas, it wasn’t until several health concerns stacked up after having four children that Kara decided to do an experiment. She traded soda for water for several weeks and was astounded to see her skin clear and her weight drop. However, she still wasn’t a fan of the way water tasted. Kara had been adding fresh fruit, herbs and cucumbers to her water to make it more palatable. At the time, there weren’t many flavored waters on the market that were actually water; most products marketed as such were actually a sugary mix of artificial ingredients. It was then that inspiration struck: Kara started hint with just three flavors marketed at her local Whole Foods. After working for a huge ecommerce conglomerate, she was hesitant to even think of her venture as an actual company. 15 years later, however, record sales have proven success. hint is being received loud and clear! Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us

This episode involves the frank discussion of adult and child trafficking, as well as sexual abuse. It contains information that may be sensitive to some listeners. Often by the time December hits parties are in full swing, and there’s no shortage of reasons to throw on something fancy and celebrate the season. Of course this holiday season is a little different from most, but that doesn’t mean you need to stay in your PJ’s until the spring thaw. The Dressember challenge encourages people to wear a dress or a tie daily throughout the month, and for good reason. Founded by Blythe Hill, the Dressember Foundation works to support efforts against human trafficking from every angle, from rescue and rehabilitation to vocational training, as well as working with targeted industries to stop trafficking before it starts. Now in its 7th year, the Dressember Foundation has raised over $10 million across 6 continents. Listen in to see how you can get involved, and learn why fundraising this year is more crucial than eve

In the early days of Rebecca’s career, she received a phone call from a friend, asking if she would be interested in getting free facials in exchange for social media coverage of a new spa. Rebecca didn’t know it at the time, but the person about to become her favorite new aesthetician was the one and only Joanna Vargas, also just starting out with her own business, making a go of it in New York. The incredible success Joanna has had belies the fact that not only did she and her husband fund a new business with their own credit cards, but she was also met with more negativity than support when she declared she wanted to start her own spa. While it took a big leap of faith, Joanna knew it was the only option. Joanna’s faith in herself, along with her belief that skin care is rooted in personal health and wellness, has fueled her business, taking her from a 300 square foot rental space to spas on both coasts and 27 products under her name! Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us g

COVID may still be going strong, but so are shoppers. This year may not have been the business boon is typically is for retail stores, but virtual shopping has seen a rise unlike anything before. At first glance it may seem as if online shopping has reached its zenith; after all, you can virtually find anything you want within the time it takes to perform a few quick key strokes. But one person has envisioned something better. Liyia Wu, former Parsons grad and fashion designer herself, has spent the last few years working to innovate remote shopping with her app,ShopShops. Using the ShopShops app, it’s as if your best friend, who’s also a fashion expert in her field, is FaceTiming you during the retail experience of a lifetime. You can ask questions, ask her to try stuff on, and best of all, buy anything you like right then and there. Though the app first launched in China, Liyia is now launching ShopShops stateside with the one and only Rebecca Minkoff as her partner, so charge your phone and get ready to ad

Most new (and experienced!) parents are familiar with the scenario: you either don’t know what’s appropriate to feed your children, or their distinct preferences – dare we say pickiness! – make it difficult to sit down to the table without preparing a separate meal for each member of the family. Catherine McCord certainly found herself in that situation. While she’d spent her career creating fantastic meals for both restaurants and catering companies from coast to coast, she was stumped at how to best feed her first child. Out of that quandary Weelicious was born. What started as a blog aimed at helping parents teach kids how to eat well has now developed into several recipe books, and naturally the launch of a family-focused meal subscription box, One Potato. Not only is Catherine passionate about how to get kids involved in making healthy choices, but her focus on creating wholesome, organic food on a budget makes it more accessible as well. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or giv

When Erin Gallagher was working at a PR firm during the height of the #MeToo movement, she knew that the fair treatment of women and marginalized communities was something that her workplace needed to emphasize for their clients. What began as an initiative started working for someone else soon became the impetus to start her own consultancy, one that focuses entirely on the equity of women and people of color. The fair treatment of BIPOC communities and women is long overdue, and the snail’s pace at which real change seems to occur can be disheartening. Erin’s venture, Have Her Back, has made its goal to partner with the biggest companies in the world in order to shake things up and effect change from the top down. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Big Ideas Adapting a business during the pandemic.

Please be aware, this episode contains discussion of gun violence and suicide as it pertains to adults, children and teens. It may be surprising to learn that among national polls, 90% of Americans favor stronger gun laws that require background checks before any gun sale takes place. Even 80% of gun owners and 70% of NRA members agree. Why, then, does it seem like gun control is such a polarizing issue? When Shannon Watts watched the events of the Sandy Hook shooting unfold, and the consequent response that more guns were the answer, she knew in her gut that something had to change. Inspired by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, she founded Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. For far too long gun lobbyists have influenced politicians to make laws that favor the quick and easy access that essentially equates to more gun sales annually. Shannon’s organization, which has chapters in every state, continues its work to ensure that the 400 million guns in this country are subject to laws that keep citizens as

Let’s face it: the burdens of plastic consumption are overwhelming. We try our best to recycle, hoping our used ketchup bottles and takeout containers are reincarnated as earth-friendly reusable water bottles, but the truth is that countless amounts of plastics continue to clog landfills and waterways each year. When Sarah Paiji Yoo discovered that microscopic bits of plastic even make their way into our drinking water, she decided she had to do something. Sarah and her co-founder started Blueland as a starting point for changing the way we think about cleaning products, and the containers they come in. After discovering most cleaning products contain 90% water, Sarah envisioned a tablet that could then be mixed with water at home, minimizing the need to buy plastic-packaged products every time. The biggest lesson she’s learned? It’s nearly impossible to have a “perfect” solution to plastic at this point, but that’s not a reason to give up trying. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or

Tiny Tags is a small company, and Melissa Clayton likes it that way. After working as a CPA early on in her career, eventually the entrepreneurial genes she inherited from her father began to activate, stirring within Melissa the desire to start her own company. Ironically, Melissa didn’t know a whole lot about jewelry making when she got the idea for a line that would celebrate the many facets that motherhood can take. What she has learned, however, is that “everybody you meet knows something you don’t.” A chance encounter on a plane put her in touch with a woman who would help her learn the ins and outs of running a jewelry company. Since then, Melissa has been met with lessons that have taught her how important it is to adhere to the vision that feels most authentic to the company, regardless of what anyone else might think. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leav

Back in 2010, the zenith of subscription boxes was just beyond the horizon - a small glimmer in the consumer’s eye. Katie Rosen saw this as an opportunity not to be missed. These days, while they may be ubiquitous across multiple markets, Katie has found a way to keep FabFitFun one of the most sought-after subscription boxes on the market, even after 10 years. Inspired by beauty boxes but unsatisfied with the (small) size of the samples, Katie sought to create boxes that would get customers excited, including full sized products at a fraction of the price. By relying on consumer feedback from day one, and creating community beyond simply selling, the company has garnered a loyal following that now boasts over a million members worldwide. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Big Ideas Keeping afloat in s

How often do people consider the ethics behind the brands they buy? While it’s becoming increasingly popular to make sure your money is going somewhere “woke,” it’s still not quite the norm. Suzanne Lerner, then, was ahead of her time when she and Michael founded the company of the same name in the 1980’s, and made it their mission to support equality in all its various facets. While the company has had to pivot and grow over the years, the heart of their mission has remained the same. Suzanne regularly puts their company profits towards charitable organizations, and has recently paired with Gloria Steinem to support voting initiatives in addition to work for gender and racial equity. As Suzanne puts it, “It’s okay to make a profit, but it’s even better to give it away.” Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Follow Superwomen on Instagra

Lots of businesses start with a dream, but rarely is it literally by the guidance of someone who arrives in your slumber. For Bea Dixon, it was exactly that: months of a persistent health condition culminated in a dreamtime visit from Bea’s grandmother, who gave her the recipe that would heal her body once and for all. Thus began the earliest iterations of The Honey Pot Company. After working as a pharmacy tech for 10 years, followed by her own cleaning business and stints in the realm of natural supplements, Bea knew her personal and professional experience made her the perfect candidate to launch a line of plant-based feminine care products. Eight years in, the success of The Honey Pot Co. is growing everyday. Bea now has her sights set on creating a life of beauty and simplicity, where she owns her own time and lives by the philosophy that “everything communicates.” Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/mess

Jill Manoff loves brick and mortar, rarely gets a pedicure, and holds a soft spot for reading paper magazines on the beach. This may seem incongruous for the editor-in-chief of a high profile online publication like Glossy, but Jill knows what she likes. This hasn’t always been the case. Before Jill made the move to New York, she was working as a fashion writer, and then a stylist. Getting burnt out from overworking herself, she reached a point where she had a day off and realized she didn’t even know what she liked to do for fun anymore. This turning point forced Jill to take a look at her life, gather a new perspective, and figure out how she really wanted to spend her life. She’s still not interested in getting a massage, though. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Big Ideas How to work your way up

Martha Miller never really thought she’d be working for the federal government. A self-proclaimed “over achiever,” Martha studied cognitive neuroscience and obtained a law degree from Georgetown before entering the field of law. She’s even rumored to have used the Rebecca Minkoff M.A.B. bag at her first job! In 2016 Martha was appointed the Director of the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation, a branch of the SEC. Simultaneously creating and directing a brand new government office catapulted Martha out of her comfort zone, forcing her to find “comfort in ambiguity” and recognize that it’s when we’re pushed beyond our limits that real impact can occur. Her work, in turn, helps small business owners move out of their comfort zones in order to reap the rewards that come with dreaming big. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo!&n

Ally Love is a tour de force. You may know her from your Peloton workouts, or perhaps from watching the Brooklyn Nets. Either way, this dancer-turned-host-turned-fitness instructor-turned-entrepreneur has mastered more careers in her 29 years on this planet than many people do in a lifetime. After a grave childhood accident left doctors questioning if Ally would ever recover her mobility, her mother enrolled her in a dance class. Ally flourished in the dance studio, and commenced the pursuit that would eventually lead her from Miami to New York. Several years and many successful careers later, Ally has founded Love Squad, aimed at supporting the work and wellbeing of women at little to no cost. Ally’s valiant mission is for every woman to have their own love squad, surrounding themselves with other women who lift them up and celebrate them for who they are. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on

When was the last time you thought about algae? Maybe you’re a health maven ahead of the curve and you enjoyed some in your smoothie this morning, but most folks would sooner associate algae with a pond in late summer than a nutrient boost in their breakfast. Catharine Arnston is looking to change that. After her sister was diagnosed with cancer and a doctor recommended supporting her treatment with chlorophyll-rich chlorella, Catharine began researching the health benefits of algae more deeply. She found was that what amounts to a multi-billion dollar industry in China makes barely a blip in the U.S. market. Using chlorella and spirulina, both of which come with their own distinctly powerful nutrients, Catharine started ENERGYbits, the only algae supplement brand of its kind in the U.S. Go to  ENERGYbits.com and use code  RMXenergybits to get 20% off your order! Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/

You may have heard of Danielle Bernstein, author, entrepreneur, and queen of the fashion scene on Instagram. What you may not know is that ten years ago she was an intern at Rebecca Minkoff! Growing up on Long Island, Danielle wasn’t sure what sort of career she wanted – all she knew was that she was destined to live in New York City. Her dreams of a life like the ones portrayed on Sex and the City led her to several internships, which then solidified her desire to foray into the world of fashion. Ten years and multiple business ventures later, Danielle is using her status as an influencer for the good of the community, walking her talk and showcasing the notion that when we lift each other up we make the world a better place. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Big Ideas The idea behind WeWoreWhat and

Published chemistry whiz, JP Morgan financial expert, and classically trained pianist Isa Watson had a perfectly-honed plan to take her straight to the senate. Accustomed to excelling in almost any field she attempted, it was no surprise that Isa achieved many outstanding goals all at a young age. However, when Isa was in her late 20’s, her father’s sudden death turned everything upside down. What had always seemed like the perfect plan for the perfect life began to feel hollow. In the wake of personal tragedy, Isa sought to reevaluate her priorities, and what emerged was a desire to carry on the traditions her parents had valued, namely supporting friends and the community. The idea for Squad was born: an app for your phone that connects you with likeminded individuals in real life. Now, Isa says, she hopes to use technology as a tool to generate empathy, compassion, and healthy relationships in a world that simultaneously creates proximity and distance all in the same breath. Thanks for listening! We love o