Behind Her Empire

Epizódy

• 
  #390: Nobody Believed in Her Idea. Now It's a Billion-Dollar Company Every Influencer Uses - Amber Venz Box, Co-founder of LTK 17.08.2026 54min

  Amber Venz Box is the co-founder and president of LTK, the multi-billion-dollar business that turned influence into a global economy. She built the creator economy before anyone had a name for it, and today LTK drives $6 billion in annual retail sales and reaches more than 44 million monthly users.But here's what you might not know. When Amber started in 2010, the word "blogger" wasn't even in the dictionary yet, and the people who did use it meant it as an insult. Vogue didn't have a website, most retailers didn't either, and Amber knew of just two other bloggers in her entire city. So when she built a way for creators to get paid on what they recommended, there was almost no one to sell it to. A small handful of retailers were online at all, and she needed one of them to say yes. There was no plan B.In this episode, Amber takes us back to the early days, when she was living at her dad's house, working out of her childhood bedroom, in debt on a website nobody understood. She talks about the cold call that landed her first retail partner when almost no one was selling online yet, and how she convinced bloggers one call at a time that the thing they did for fun could actually pay them. She's honest about the months she couldn't pay herself, when she secretly lived in the office and cleared out every morning before the team arrived. She gets candid about building a business with her husband, becoming a mother of four, and the advice about delegating that finally unlocked everything for her. She opens up about the funding round that collapsed the day it was supposed to close, why staying privately controlled became one of LTK's biggest advantages, and why real business success looks nothing like the headlines, and so much more. In this episode, we’ll talk to Amber about:* How the entrepreneurial instinct to make things started in childhood. [02:18]* Turning a teenage jewelry obsession into a legitimate business. [04:06]* Why working every side of an industry can make you a better entrepreneur. [06:45]* Finding her path through fashion, retail, styling, and PR. [09:21]* What Amber looks for in people who are truly all-in. [14:36]* How a casual suggestion to start a blog changed everything. [16:26]* Getting in early on blogging, YouTube, and the emerging digital landscape. [18:57]* Realizing her blog could become a business and finding a way to monetize it. [20:19]* How Amber landed LTK’s first major retail partners. [21:21]* Building a new category before the creator economy even existed. [23:09]* How her husband helped turn an idea into a real business. [25:31]* Personal sacrifices and relationship challenges of building a company together. [29:25]* Creating boundaries between work and marriage. [32:22]* Why becoming a mother became one of the biggest blessings in her career. [34:00]* The delegation lesson that gave her wings as an entrepreneur. [35:07]* Learning to let go of perfection and embrace “good enough.” [37:04]* How LTK grew from two retailers into a creator economy powerhouse. [40:40]* The challenges of fundraising after years of building independently. [45:55]* The funding deal that nearly fell apart at the finish line. [49:10]* How staying privately controlled became a long-term advantage. [50:19]* Why business success matters more than the headline. [51:35]* Building a business with integrity, long-term thinking, and a strong reputation. [53:28]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Amber:* Website: https://www.shopltk.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shop.ltk/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambervenzbox/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #389: "I Was 60 Days From Bankruptcy": How Manifestation, Inner Child Work & One Viral Video Saved Her Company & Rebuilt Her Life with Mayssa Chehata, Founder of BEHAVE 03.08.2026 1h 15min

  Mayssa Chehata is the founder of BEHAVE Candy, a low-sugar, clean-label candy brand that just landed in nearly 2,000 Target stores nationwide and sold out within the first week.But here's what you might not know. Two years ago, Mayssa was calling her lawyer to ask what bankruptcy would look like. She had left a dream career at the NFL, Uber, Daily Harvest, and SoulCycle to build a candy her diabetic father could finally eat. But after manufacturing failures, two reformulations, and a product she privately didn't believe in, she made the hardest call of her life: she paused the entire company for over a year. She moved to Mexico City because she couldn't afford her apartment in New York, personally guaranteed a bank loan, and hit what she calls her rock bottom. Then, with sixty days of cash left, she and her co-founder made one final plan. They called it burn the ships. Mayssa handed off everything and made TikTok videos all day, every day. Two weeks in, one video went viral and doubled the business overnight.In this week's episode, Mayssa shares why Uber was her real business school, the gut feeling she ignored for two years about her own product, and what it takes to shut down and rebuild a company from scratch. She opens up about how a manifestation book gave her the courage to leave corporate and the inner child work that finally unblocked her. She shares the daily practices that pulled her out of burnout, from meditation and journaling to nervous system regulation, why her coach told her the business wouldn't work until she fixed everything underneath it, and how she went from brute-forcing twelve-hour days to learning that a regulated, healthy founder builds a better business. Whether your business is thriving or barely surviving, this episode will change how you think about success, failure, and everything in between.In this episode, we’ll talk to Mayssa about:* Why working at Uber felt like an entrepreneurial crash course. [02:49]* Building an ownership mindset by creating opportunities from scratch. [06:59]* The first signs she was meant to become an entrepreneur. [10:41]* Chasing wealth vs. discovering a mission worth building. [14:29]* Why she waited two years before launching the company. [20:16]* Navigating manufacturing challenges and finding the right production partner. [23:17]* How her father's diabetes inspired the idea for Behave. [25:23]* How manifestation gave her the confidence to leave corporate. [27:32]* Raising her first funding round and taking the leap into entrepreneurship. [33:11]* Launching Behave during the uncertainty of the pandemic. [37:21]* The product mistakes that nearly destroyed the business. [40:09]* Why she decided to pause production and completely reformulate. [46:41]* Surviving financial uncertainty, debt, and the threat of bankruptcy. [48:38]* Why getting funding still wasn't enough to save the business. [55:36]* Why a celebrity partnership wasn't the breakthrough they expected. [56:57]* Rebuilding herself through inner child work, spirituality, and manifestation. [58:11]* Betting everything on TikTok and finding a viral growth strategy. [01:01:40]* How one viral video transformed the business and led to Target. [01:05:08]* Growing beyond DTC by building a retail-first business. [01:06:40]* Redefining productivity, healing burnout, and leading from a healthier place. [01:09:45]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Mayssa:* Website: https://www.eatbehave.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatbehave/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #388: It's Never Too Late: How a 65-Year-Old Retiree Built a Multi-Million Dollar Brand with Helen Lo, Founder of Lo & Sons 20.07.2026 51min

  Helen Lo is the founder of Lo & Sons, the cult-favorite travel bag brand that basically invented the stylish carry-on for working women.Helen started the company at 65 years old, after she had already retired. She was born into a privileged family in China that lost it all when her father died. She grew up in poverty, went to boarding school at seven, and promised herself she would never be poor again. She earned a PhD while raising babies, spent decades moving city to city for her husband's career, reinventing herself every single time. And when she finally said "I'm done," she couldn't find a travel bag that actually worked for women. So she recruited her two sons and flew to a factory in China with zero fashion or manufacturing experience. Nine prototypes later, she had the bag that built the business. Today, Lo & Sons is in its sixteenth year, still family run, built without a dollar of outside funding.In this episode, Helen breaks down exactly how she went from idea to real business, how she validated the concept before spending a dime, how one phone call to a friend of a friend unlocked their first factory, and how they caught the early Facebook wave and one blog feature that changed the trajectory of the brand. She also gets really honest about what it costs to build a business with your own children, why she stepped down as CEO of her own company, the trade show flop that taught them everything, and the mistakes that slowed them down, like hiring too fast and pivoting too slow. Helen is proof that you don't need investors, industry experience, or perfect timing, just a real problem, the willingness to learn, and the courage to start. If you've been telling yourself it's too late or that this chapter of your life is already written, this is the conversation you need to hear.In this episode, we’ll talk to Helen about:* Why getting out of your comfort zone starts with an inner calling. [02:37]* Growing up in poverty after losing everything and developing determination. [04:56]* Generosity as her guiding principles in life and business. [05:55]* Why an abundance mindset creates unexpected opportunities. [07:59]* Putting her career on hold while supporting her husband's path and raising a family. [09:21]* How a frustrating travel problem inspired the idea for a better bag. [12:41]* How a lifelong curiosity fueled her entrepreneurial mindset. [17:48]* Validating the business idea by talking to the right target customer. [20:01]* Building the company alongside her sons. [21:00]* Finding the first factory and learning product development from scratch. [24:48]* The design feedback that transformed the original bag into the OG. [26:37]* Refining every detail through customer feedback and multiple prototypes. [30:37]* Why trade shows failed and social media became the brand's breakthrough. [33:04]* Navigating today's changing marketing landscape. [37:06]* The challenges of building a business alongside family. [39:27]* Why stepping down as CEO was the right decision. [41:30]* Why pivoting quickly and hiring intentionally are essential for long-term growth. [44:37]* Why she wanted to be a mom again instead of her sons' boss. [46:15]* Why persistence matters, but knowing when to pivot matters more. [48:43]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10This episode is also brought to you by Lo & Sons:* Get 20% off one purchase at Lo & Sons with promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE20.Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Helen:* Website: https://www.loandsons.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loandsons/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #387: Rethinking Fertility: Why You're Not Too Old & Men Are Half the Equation with Ronit Menashe & Vida Delrahim, co-founders of WeNatal 06.07.2026 54min

  This week I'm joined by my co-founder of Beeya Wellness, Kaya Purohit, and we're sitting down with two women who completely changed how I thought about my own fertility journey: Ronit Menashe and Vida Delrahim, the founders of WeNatal. These two are best friends who go all the way back to their Nike days, and years later, they each had a miscarriage one week apart. When the doctors said "it's just your age, there's nothing you can do," they refused to accept it. They dug into the research and found something that stunned them: half of all miscarriages are linked to sperm quality. And no one had asked their husbands a single question.In this episode, we break down everything they wish every woman knew. We get into trimester zero and why it might be the most important trimester of all, the simple things you and your partner can start doing today to support your hormones and fertility, and why the "clock is ticking" narrative is not your full story. Ronit got pregnant at 41 and gave birth three days after her 42nd birthday. And that's the whole message of this episode: you have more control over your fertility than you think.If you've ever been told you're too old, too late, or too far behind, this episode is your proof that you're not. This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Ronit and Vida: * Website: https://wenatal.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we_natal/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronitmenashe/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vidadelrahim/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #386: Her Launch Flopped With Zero Sales. Now It's a Celebrity-Favorite, 8-Figure Brand. Jenny Lei, founder of Freja 22.06.2026 48min

  Jenny Lei is the founder of Freja, the cult-favorite vegan handbag brand that you've probably seen on Hailey Bieber, Sarah Jessica Parker, and all over your feed.But here's what you might not know. Jenny started Freja with no fashion background, no design experience, and no investors. She funded it herself with money she made from a dropshipping business she built after Googling "how to make money fast online" because she had to pay for her life living in NYC. She launched a work bag brand out of her New Jersey apartment in February 2020, weeks before the entire world stopped going to the office. She signed up two thousand people to an email list, sent her launch email, and didn't get a single sale. And she was doing all of it on a visa, with a clock ticking on whether she'd even get to stay in the country. Today, Freja is a multi-million dollar brand and one of the most talked-about names in the space.In this episode, Jenny gets really honest about the slow years nobody talks about, why she believes growing too fast can actually be a curse, and the moment she broke down crying in an airport because she'd been holding the entire business together by herself, with no systems underneath her. We talk about the difference between selling products and creating a brand, how intuition is built through failure, and learning to separate who you are from the company you create. She also opens up about burnout, the systems and team she built behind Freja, and what it was like to step into the spotlight after years of hiding. If you're in one of those quiet, slow seasons right now — doing everything right, waiting for it to pay off — this is the conversation you need to hear.In this episode, we’ll talk to Jenny about:* Why growth should be measured by learning, not just revenue. [02:37]* The downside of growing too fast without understanding why it worked. [03:58]* Growing up with curiosity and the freedom to explore new interests. [04:05]* Navigating identity after moving between China and the United States. [06:00]* How a vegan Instagram account became an early entrepreneurial venture. [06:58]* Separating personal identity from the business you build. [09:08]* Why the business should work for you—not the other way around. [10:00]* From Cornell graduate to Googling how to make money online. [13:55]* Learning the fundamentals of online selling through dropshipping. [15:22]* The difference between selling products and building a brand. [17:05]* Creating Freja after failing to find the perfect work bag. [19:25]* Using naive optimism to design a product without a fashion background. [20:25]* Launching just before the pandemic and facing an immediate setback. [24:25]* Why volume, consistency, and paid ads fueled early growth. [26:02]* The gradual rise of Freja and the success of the Chrystie collection. [27:58]* Reaching a turning point and finally viewing the company as a real business. [29:07]* Burnout, team growth, and learning how to build systems at scale. [31:17]* The marketing channels that mattered most from startup to scale. [35:23]* Stepping into the founder spotlight and sharing the story behind the brand. [37:48]* How journaling became the most impactful business tool. [42:33]* Using ChatGPT and the Socratic method for better decision-making. [44:12]* Moving to London, evolving as a designer, and reimagining the future of Freja. [45:51]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Jenny:* Website: https://frejanyc.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frejanyc/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyyleiii/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #385: She Had No Sales & Almost Quit — Then One Pivot Changed Everything. Today It Does $300M+ in Revenue. Mariam Naficy, Serial Entrepreneur 08.06.2026 51min

  Mariam Naficy is the founder and chairman of Minted — the online marketplace where independent artists around the world sell everything from cards to wall art to home decor. She's also the founder and CEO of Arcade, an AI platform reimagining how physical products get designed and made.But before any of that, Mariam was the child of immigrants who fled Iran after the revolution and rebuilt their lives from scratch. Watching her family lose everything left her, by age ten, with one conviction: she would have to take care of herself. That drive carried her through Goldman Sachs and Stanford — where she became one of the only MBAs in her class to skip the corporate path and bet on herself, back when entrepreneurship wasn't really a thing.In 1998, she co-founded Eve.com, one of the first online beauty retailers — back when investors told her women would never buy makeup online. It sold for over $100 million, just two weeks before the dot-com crash. Years later, she launched Minted. And it nearly broke her. Zero sales for months. Critics who dismissed the idea. A newborn at home. And the fear that her first big win had just been luck. The turnaround came when she stopped guessing, and started asking artists and customers what they actually wanted — and built one of the earliest creator-economy success stories.In this episode, Mariam shares how fleeing Iran shaped her relationship with risk and money, what her mother meant when she said "beat all the boys," and why she bet on herself with no family history in business. We get into building Eve in the earliest days of e-commerce, selling a company before 30, and the darkest stretch of Minted — when she was ready to give her investors their money back. She tells us how she got through those dark times, the mindset that kept her going, and the advice she'd give other founders. She also opens up about motherhood, self-doubt, the pivot that saved the company, and what she's building now with Arcade.In this episode, we’ll talk to Mariam about:* How fleeing Iran shaped her relationship with risk and financial independence. [03:24]* Why financial security became a driving force. [04:20]* Choosing entrepreneurship over the traditional corporate ladder. [05:20]* Being one of the only Stanford MBA graduates to start a company in 1998. [06:21]* Writing and publishing a book to stand out and fund her education. [10:58]* Convincing a future co-founder to leave New York and build a company together. [14:19]* Launching one of the first online beauty retailers before e-commerce was mainstream. [15:49]* Raising $26 million as first-time founders. [17:59]* Selling the company just before the dot-com crash changed everything. [21:54]* Navigating the emotional comedown after early success. [23:42]* The lessons she learned between her first startup and launching Minted. [26:44]* Facing the darkest moments of entrepreneurship when Minted struggled to gain traction. [30:19]* Navigating motherhood while scaling a fast-growing company. [40:14]* Stepping away from the CEO role to prioritize family during a pivotal season. [44:37]* Building Arcade and using AI to reimagine product creation and manufacturing. [45:33]* The biggest mistakes founders make when starting a business. [48:21]* What she looks for when hiring future leaders and long-term team members. [49:19]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Mariam:* Website: https://www.minted.com/* Website: https://www.arcade.ai/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mnaficy/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minted/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcade.ai/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #384: The Real Reasons Women in Their 30s & 40s Are Developing Autoimmune and How to Protect Your Body Now with Dr. Tanda Cook and Dr. Katie Collier  25.05.2026 56min

  This week I'm joined by my co-founder of Beeya Wellness, Kaya Purohit, and together we're sitting down with Dr. Tanda Cook and Dr. Katie Collier. If you've been around the show, you already know them. This is their fourth time on the podcast, and there's a reason we keep bringing them back. They're naturopathic doctors who work with women every single day on the stuff most doctors miss. The fatigue that won't quit. The brain fog. The weird rashes. The gut that's been off for years. And the lab work that keeps coming back "normal" while you feel anything but. They have this gift for taking what feels confusing in your body and making it actually make sense.In this episode, we're talking about autoimmune. Because 80% of autoimmune cases belong to women, and what Tanda and Katie share is genuinely hopeful. They break down what's really happening when your body feels off, the early signals that are easy to miss, why so many women spend years bouncing between doctors before anyone connects the dots, and the simple, doable things that actually move the needle. So if you've ever felt like something is off and you just want someone to explain it in a way that feels human, this conversation is for you. This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Dr. Tanda:* Website: https://drtandacook.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtandacook/Follow Dr. Katie:* Website: https://drkatiecollier.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkatiecollier/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #383: “You're Not Behind, You're Just Building": How This Founder Built America's #1 Maternity Brand With $28K, No Connections & Zero Permission to Start - Ingrid Carney, Founder of Ingrid & Isabel 11.05.2026 53min

  Ingrid Carney is the founder of Ingrid & Isabel, the largest maternity brand in the United States. Before any of that, she co-founded a Silicon Valley startup that ended with the dot com bust. Then she got pregnant, couldn't button her pants on the way to a VC pitch, used a tube top to hold them in place, and that quick fix became the Bellaband, the product that built Ingrid & Isabel.She launched with $28,000 of her own money. Half of it went to a patent. The rest went to walking into the top maternity stores in the country, demoing the product on her own body, and sending handwritten letters to the number one store in every major market. With no fashion background, no industry connections, and no marketing budget, she taught herself manufacturing, beat back a major company that tried to steal her patent, and bootstrapped Ingrid & Isabel to serve more than 17 million moms with 16 patents to her name.In this episode, Ingrid shares what 24 years in business has actually taught her, and why feeling "behind" can be an advantage in a world obsessed with overnight success. We get into the patent battle that almost ended everything, how she got into retail and grew the business from there, and why she believes the best ideas come from sharing your idea, not protecting it, and so much more. In this episode, we’ll talk to Ingrid about:* Why feeling “behind” in business can become a competitive advantage. [02:23]* Becoming comfortable in unfamiliar situations from an early age. [04:36]* Lessons from working in Silicon Valley startups and ad agencies. [07:17]* Discovering the balance between big corporate thinking and startup speed. [08:27]* Building her first startup and navigating its shutdown. [09:47]* The pregnancy moment that sparked the idea for the Bellaband. [12:42]* Validating the product idea through her local moms group. [15:48]* Testing early prototypes and refining the product through real feedback. [17:23]* Navigating postpartum depression while sitting on a promising idea. [18:58]* Why investing into a patent changed the company’s future. [20:28]* Fighting a major retailer that copied the Bellaband before the patent was approved. [22:35]* Why sharing ideas openly can lead to unexpected opportunities and advice. [29:16]* Trusting intuition while balancing endless feedback from others. [30:58]* The realities of building a company while raising young children. [32:22]* Landing early retail accounts by personally demonstrating the product in stores. [34:55]* How Target became a major growth unlock for the brand. [38:23]* Using lines of credit and inventory planning to support rapid expansion. [39:35]* Balancing premium retail, mass retail, and accessibility for customers. [40:45]* Products she believed would succeed that failed — and surprise hits she resisted. [46:01]* Hiring lessons, team dynamics, and knowing when someone isn’t the right fit. [48:42]* Expanding into Walmart while continuing to focus on long-term growth opportunities. [51:02]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Ingrid:* Website: https://www.ingridandisabel.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ingridandisabel/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #382: The Power of Manifestation and Vision Boarding: From Labor & Delivery Nurse to Building a Billion Dollar Brand with Monique Rodriguez, Founder of Mielle Organics 27.04.2026 1h 6min

  In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes with Monique Rodriguez, the founder and CEO of Mielle Organics, an all natural hair care and beauty brand. Monique created Mielle Organics’ first product in her kitchen. Now, the brand has products in over 85 countries – and still pursues the same vision it did from when it operated out of Monique’s kitchen, with the same values.Monique worked as a registered nurse for almost a decade. She pursued nursing initially to please her mother and secure a financially stable career. As a wife and mother of two girls, it was a big risk to leave her stable career path to pursue her passion. Yet she always had a love of beauty and haircare, and once she saw the engagement of her online community with the products she was creating in the kitchen, she decided to bet on herself and launch her own product, and that’s when Mielle Organics was born.In 2021, Monique became the first Black woman to raise a non-controlling nine-figure investment, over $100M, in a deal with Berkshire Partners. In 2023, Monique made history again when Mielle Organics was acquired by Procter & Gamble in an unprecedented acquisition, the largest exit ever for a Black Female beauty founder, in which she will continue to serve as CEO of the company. As part of her deal with P&G, she also established Mielle Cares, the non-profit arm of her company, with a $10M donation that was matched by P&G. In this week’s episode we discuss the many business ventures Monique tried that didn’t work out, why she decided to pursue her nursing career and the biggest skills she learned there that have propelled her when starting her own business. We also chat about her process of building a passionate community through social media, how that helped her create product market fit for her product, and the steps she took to find a chemist to work on her first batch that ended up selling out. Monique also ends on sharing insights on manifesting success, the exact steps she took to bring her ideas to life, her advice on navigating challenging situations both personally and professionally, and so much more. In this episode, we'll talk to Monique about:* Confronting fears and building self-belief. [04:06]* Strong women in Monique's upbringing. [07:27]* Leaving her comfort zone. [20:09]* High-risk pregnancy experience in 2013. [22:49]* Funding Mielle's early stages. [31:35]* Starting Mielle at home and the initial orders. [35:24]* Driving Mielle Organics' launch success.[36:41]* Leaving nursing job to focus on Mielle. [37:54]* Manifestation steps and vision importance. [40:41]* Bringing in private equity, alignment with Berkshire. [55:31]* Timeline of P&G acquisition. [58:05]* Journaling and gratitude cultivation. [01:00:26]* Business sale impact on Monique's life. [01:02:33]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIREFollow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Monique:* Website: https://mielleorganics.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mielleorganics/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exquisitemo/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #381: "I Don't Take No For an Answer. I Just Don't." What It Really Costs to Build Something From Nothing with Sahara Lotti, Founder of Lashify 13.04.2026 53min

  Sahara Lotti is the founder and CEO of Lashify, the beauty brand that created the world's first at-home lash extension system and completely redefined what DIY beauty could look like.But her path here had nothing to do with beauty. It had everything to do with refusing to quit.Sahara was an Iranian immigrant who grew up in Silicon Valley and never quite felt like she fit in. Before Lashify, she spent years as an actress and screenwriter in Hollywood, hustling on the side and building businesses out of sheer resourcefulness. Beauty wasn't superficial for her. It was tied to confidence, to belonging, to feeling like she had a place in the room. So when she discovered lash extensions and felt truly beautiful for the first time, she was hooked. Then her lash technician got pregnant, the replacement wasn't as good, and she went looking for a DIY solution and found absolutely nothing. For most people, that's the end of the story. For Sahara, it was the beginning.She melted wire in her kitchen. Filed patents before she told a single factory what she was building. Flew to Korea to convince a manufacturer to build something that had never existed. And launched Lashify on sheer obsession. Today Lashify holds more than 750 global patents, has become a celebrity favorite, and recently secured a landmark $30.5 million legal victory against counterfeit manufacturers.Sahara tells it like it is and in this episode she gets into all of it. The building, the lawsuits, the loneliness, the moments she almost lost everything, and why she believes the only way to truly lead a company is to know every corner of it yourself. This is the real story. And she holds nothing back.In this episode, we’ll talk to Sahara about:Standing up for what’s right and refusing to back down. [02:20]Feeling different after moving from Iran to Northern California. [04:05]How beauty insecurities shaped her confidence at a young age. [04:20]Becoming obsessed with her appearance and wanting lash extensions. [05:25]Building early side hustles by teaching herself everything. [06:03]Using her principles to protect people from fake luxury goods. [06:57]Why making money was never the main motivation behind her success. [08:08]Learning that money creates freedom, experiences, and the ability to help others. [09:27]The moment her lash technician couldn’t fit her in and everything changed. [13:10]Teaching herself to build a completely new lash system from scratch. [13:04]Seeing a major gap in the beauty market and realizing there was a business opportunity. [16:22]Why screenwriting helped her think about product development and storytelling. [17:20]Building an entire brand system instead of creating just one product. [19:03]Self-funding the business and learning early lessons about working with friends. [23:50]Patenting the idea before going to manufacturers and protecting it from copycats. [24:48]Becoming profitable quickly by doing her own marketing, customer service, and education. [29:49]Using Instagram Lives to teach customers how to use a completely new product. [31:03]How building a business forced her to overcome insecurities and show up publicly. [32:45]Why customer stories gave her the motivation to keep fighting through setbacks. [33:56]Learning hard lessons about friendship, loyalty, and trust as the business grew. [43:37]Why the best founders understand every part of their business from the ground up. [50:18]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Sahara:* Website: https://www.lashify.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lashify/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saharalotti/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #380: How This Founder Overcame Doubts & Made History With a $320 Million Dollar Exit With Joanna Griffiths, Founder of Knix 30.03.2026 51min

  In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes with Joanna Griffiths, the Founder and President of Knix, the innovative direct-to-consumer intimates and apparel brand.The idea for Knix started after she had a conversation with her mom about what women’s bodies undergo as they age especially when it came to post-pregnancy leaks. After doing research on her end and speaking to more women, she realized there was a massive gap in the market. So in 2013, she launched a Kickstarter campaign that placed Knix on the map not only for its intimates but for talking openly about the reality of women’s bodies. A decade later, the womenswear brand has expanded into a variety of categories, including bras, activewear, shapewear, swim, loungewear, and more. Joanna has built Knix into one of the fastest-growing intimate apparel brands globally. In 2022, Joanna decided to sell 80% of her business for $320 million, making it one of the largest exits by a female founder in Canada and one of the most significant sales of a brand by a female founder in US history. In this week’s episode, Joanna talks to us about her incredible journey building Knix, what she learned in her career in media & entertainment, and how it actually helped her disrupt the intimates industry despite having no background. She shares how she pivoted early on from wholesale even though they were doing incredibly well, how they ended up launching as a direct-to-consumer company, and why it was one of the boldest decisions she made. Joanna also opens up about how she dealt with depression even when she had major success with the brand, and the steps she took to manage this difficult time. We talk about how she dealt with difficult investors who didn’t believe she could run a high-growth company being a mom of three, what she did to prove those naysayers wrong, and so much more.  In this episode, we’ll talk to Joanna about:* Being vulnerable and open on social media. [03:21]* The reality in entrepreneurship. [05:22]* Joanna’s coping mechanisms as a founder. [08:57]* Creating momentum in the early stages. [13:25]* Working in a record label, getting an MBA, and shifting passions. [16:49]* The genesis of the Knix idea and testing their first product. [18:38]* The manufacturing processes. [23:14]* Launching Knix on Kickstarter. [25:42]* Joanna’s depression despite the business doing well. [32:38]* Joanna’s fundraising journey. [39:31]* Building confidence and managing negativity. [45:29]* Joanna’s behind-the-scenes in managing her business and motherhood. [46:47]* Selling the company and buying a house for their nanny. [48:37]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Joanna:* Website: https://knix.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knix/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannaknix/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #379: How Two Best Friends Quit Their Jobs at 23, Went Viral, Landed a Khloé Kardashian Collab & Got into Whole Foods and Erewhon with Zero Experience with Leah Marcus and Yasaman Bakhtiar, Co-Founders of Good Girl Snacks  16.03.2026 46min

  Leah Marcus and Yasaman Bakhtiar are the co-founders of Good Girl Snacks, the brand that turned a TikTok obsession into a full-blown business.These two best friends didn't come from food. They came from corporate. Leah was in marketing at a tech startup, Yas was at an auction house debating whether to go back for her master's. What changed everything was a lot of TikTok scrolling and asking one question: why is everyone obsessed with pickles right now, and why isn't there a brand that actually feels like us? So at 23, they quit their jobs, hired a food scientist, found a manufacturer in the middle of Massachusetts, and started building. Documenting every messy, unfiltered moment along the way on social. By the time they launched in February 2024, they already had a community waiting. They sold out in under three months, closed a pre-seed round in two weeks, had a collab with Khloé Kardashian, and are now on shelves at Erewhon, Whole Foods, and Bristol Farms. All with zero dollars spent on ads.In this episode, we get into all of it. The leap they took before they were ready, the social media playbook they built from scratch, and the production nightmares that would have made most people quit. But this isn't really a story about pickles. It's about what it actually feels like to bet on yourself when the odds aren't clearly in your favor. Leah and Yas are proof that the founders who win aren't always the most experienced. They're just the ones who refused to stop.In this episode, we’ll talk about:* Leaving corporate jobs and feeling the pull toward entrepreneurship. [02:12]* How a TikTok pickle trend sparked the idea for Good Girl Snacks. [03:58]* Doing the research before quitting their jobs. [06:52]* The confidence that comes from building with the right co-founder. [09:10]* Taking the leap and launching the business in 2023. [11:20]* Building hype on social media months before the product existed. [12:33]* Creating a viral content series to grow an audience. [14:30]* Why consistency and daily posting built early momentum. [18:19]* Finding the first manufacturing partner and navigating production challenges. [19:36]* “Cucumber Gate” and the realities of building a food product. [23:06]* Turning startup mishaps into viral storytelling content. [26:31]* Why resilience and problem-solving matter more than glamour in entrepreneurship. [29:00]* Building community through events, activations, and everyday customers. [31:15]* How influencer relationships and brand partnerships fueled growth. [32:19]* The Khloe Kardashian moment and what celebrity exposure really does for a brand. [34:09]* Landing early retail wins with Pop Up Grocer, Erewhon, and Whole Foods. [38:04]* Raising their first investment round after proving product-market fit. [40:00]* The long-term vision for Good Girl Snacks beyond pickles. [42:23]* Lessons about entrepreneurship they learned the hard way. [43:23]* The sacrifices founders make that people rarely see. [44:20]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Good Girl Snacks: * Website: https://goodgirlsnacks.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodgirlsnacks/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #378: She Dropped Out of College Twice. Then Built & Sold a Multi-Million Dollar Brand. Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton, Founder of Chillhouse 02.03.2026 58min

  Cyndi Ramirez-Fulton is the Founder and CEO of Chillhouse, a cult wellness destination that evolved into a category-defining, design-led nail care brand.But the version of Cyndi you see today is not how this story begins. It begins with dropping out of college twice, working nightlife to stay financially stable, starting over in her mid-twenties with unpaid internships, and quietly questioning whether she was actually “good” at anything.When she opened Chillhouse, it wasn’t instant success. It was long hours, tight margins, staffing challenges, seasonality, expansion risks, and the constant pressure of making payroll. She had to learn how to raise money, survive volatility, and pivot when the original business model was not scalable. The breakthrough came when she listened to her customers and launched salon-quality press-on nails, a move that completely transformed the trajectory of the company.In this episode, Cyndi shares what it really takes to rebuild confidence when you feel behind. We talk about the unglamorous realities of running a service-based business, why shiny opportunities can become expensive distractions, how motherhood reshaped the way she leads, and what shifted when Chillhouse entered a new chapter through its acquisition by KISS Beauty Group.If you have ever questioned your path or wondered whether you are capable of building something bigger than you imagined, this conversation is for you.In this episode, we’ll talk to Cyndi about:* Why becoming obsessed is what makes you “good” at something. [01:50]* Growing up around small business hustle — but craving financial stability. [03:41]* Rejecting the traditional 9–5 and carving her own path. [08:14]* Starting over at 25 and taking an unpaid internship to rebuild. [10:57]* Blogging before influencing was mainstream and monetizing early. [15:07]* The desire to build something physical and the birth of Chillhouse. [17:43]* Why the original business model had to evolve. [22:37]* Raising money for the flagship store. [27:49]* Challenging moments Cyndi experienced in the business. [28:31]* The hard lesson of expansion and chasing shiny opportunities. [32:33]* Letting customer behavior guide the pivot to nail care. [34:45]* Testing products before discovering the breakout opportunity. [36:57]* Launching press-ons and creating instant brand recognition. [40:14]* From viral growth to legacy credibility: why today’s virality starts with product performance. [44:27]* Motherhood, infrastructure, and building real support systems. [47:14]* Why exiting her business wasn’t the goal, but the right partnership changed everything. [54:07]* Moving from survival mode to structured, strategic growth. [56:46]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Cyndi: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyndiramirez/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chillhouse/* Website: https://chillhouse.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #377: LoveShackFancy Founder on Selling Dresses Out of Her Trunk, Pushing Past Your Comfort Zone & Turning Her Side Hustle Into a Fashion & Lifestyle Empire 16.02.2026 1h 4min

  In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes with Rebecca Hessel Cohen, the founder and CEO of LoveShackFancy, a fashion and lifestyle brand know for its unique floral prints and bohemian dresses.LoveShackFancy was born out of necessity when Rebecca was in search of the perfect bridesmaid dresses and was out of luck. After creating her own designs, she garnered lots of support from family and friends and began selling dresses from the trunk of her car and the rest was history. Born and raised in New York, Rebecca was surrounded by fashion starting at the age of 4 and her story is nothing short of spectacular. Today, LoveShackFancy has gained mass appeal from her vintage-inspired details, flattering silhouettes and playful dresses and ultimately catering to all age groups. The ultra feminine super-maximalist clothing and lifestyle business now has 17 retail locations in the U.S. and is continuing to expand. What started out as a dress company in 2013 has evolved into an all-encompassing lifestyle brand selling fragrances at Sephora to kid’s clothing and a home collection that is set to launch later this month. In this week’s episode we chat about her upbringing surrounded by fashion, her early career as a fashion editor and why she felt like it was time to do something different in her life despite her incredible career. We talk about how her interest making a few pieces of clothing turned into a successful side hustle and eventually years later, her full time gig. Rebecca opens up about how many people told her that the feminine prints and vibe would never sell, and that her brand’s name was horrible - and why she didn’t let that stop her. We also chat about the unglamorous days of building the brand, overcoming fears in business, and using social media for success. She stresses setting boundaries, LoveShackFancy's mission, and shares dos and don'ts for running a business for over a decade.In this episode, we’ll talk to Rebecca about:* Rebecca's upbringing influenced her early fashion and confidence. [04:03]* Impact of Rebecca's mom on her upbringing. [06:31]* Rebecca’s fashion ideation process. [08:32]* The concept of LoveShackFancy. [10:25]* Starting LoveShackFancy as a side hustle and career pivot. [13:49] * Dealing with the fear of change. [21:14]* Confidence in LoveShackFancy’s vision. [23:36]* LoveShackFancy’s first store and Rebecca’s key learning. [27:14]* Juggling high in-store demands and early social media presence. [31:13]* Balancing business with motherhood. [33:37]* Launching fragrance and partnering with Sephora. [40:30]* Going viral on TikTok and its business impact. [47:04]* Maintaining her creative momentum. [52:26]* Discoveries during a decade with LoveShackFancy. [55:30]* Rebecca's belief in operating without a business plan. [58:33]* Upcoming plans for LoveShackFancy. [01:03:13]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Rebecca: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becknyc/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveshackfancy/* Website: https://www.loveshackfancy.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #376: No Investors. No Ads. How to Launch and Scale Through Word of Mouth with Luna Aziz, Founder of Legendairy Milk 02.02.2026 1h

  Luna Aziz is the founder and CEO of Legendairy Milk, a wellness brand known for its lactation support and holistic products for women navigating motherhood and beyond.But Legendairy Milk didn’t start as a business. It started with Luna as a new mom struggling with chronic low milk supply and asking one question no one could answer: why? So she did the unglamorous work herself. She researched what women across cultures had used for centuries, ground herbs in her kitchen with a coffee grinder, filled capsules by hand using a pill machine from eBay, and tested everything on herself. With just $750 and a newborn, she opened a tiny Etsy shop, expecting maybe one order a month, until a single Facebook post brought in 50 orders overnight and she turned her hobby into a business then.In this episode, Luna shares how curiosity became her unfair advantage, taking her from postpartum survival mode to building a multimillion-dollar, education-first brand now sold at Target, Walmart, and Amazon. We talk about bootstrapping, finding the right manufacturing partners, growing without outside capital, and the burnout that taught her to build a team and protect her health. If you’re waiting to feel ready before you start, Luna’s story is a powerful reminder that curiosity and resourcefulness matter far more than having it all figured out.In this episode, we’ll talk to Luna about:* How her own health struggles sparked curiosity around holistic healing. [02:06]* Luna’s “why” — creating wellness solutions born from lived experience. [04:57]* Luna’s upbringing, cultural influences, and early relationship with wellness. [05:33]* Who Luna was before motherhood and building her brand. [08:14]* Navigating motherhood and the wake-up call that shifted her priorities. [11:37]* The moment Luna realized she wanted to create something of her own. [17:44]* Her experience working in tech and questioning the traditional office path. [21:39]* Navigating motherhood, finances, and building a business from scratch. [24:11]* Finding the right manufacturer and business partner. [26:50]* Working with her husband and him transitioning to Legendairy Milk full-time. [29:18]* How Luna approached growth without chasing traditional startup pressure. [30:48]* How Luna sustained her brand’s position in the market while navigating growth. [33:09]* The process behind ideating and launching the products. [36:40]* The lessons Luna learned about burnout and delegating to grow her brand. [40:30]* Luna’s passion for her brand is deeply personal, fueled by the support of her community. [44:50]* How three years of effort led to Target placement and a major business milestone. [47:12]* Experiencing the gap in postpartum care. [50:05]* Expanding presence in Target, Walmart, and Amazon to reach moms everywhere. [52:39]* Luna’s cautious approach to risk has shaped her business decisions. [55:36]* Advice for women building businesses while caring for themselves. [58:25]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Luna:* Website: https://www.legendairymilk.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendairymilk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #375: "Perfection Isn’t the Goal. Momentum Is.” How This Founder Built a Cult Following and Amazon’s #1 Baby Skincare Brand - Andrea Faulkner Williams, Co-Founder of Tubby Todd 19.01.2026 51min

  Andrea Faulkner Williams is the co-founder of Tubby Todd, a cult-favorite clean baby skincare brand created for families with sensitive skin.We’re often told that if you want to build a real empire, you need venture capital, a massive team, and a perfectly engineered growth plan from day one. But my guest today built one of the most beloved baby skincare brands in America by doing the exact opposite.Andrea started Tubby Todd with 750 bottles in a cluttered San Diego garage. No ad spend. No background in chemistry. Just a very real problem she couldn’t ignore. Her baby’s eczema was so severe, it completely changed the way she looked at “baby-safe” products.Fast forward to today, Tubby Todd has tens of thousands of five-star reviews, a hero product parents swear is “a miracle in a jar”, and a major retail milestone. They’ve officially launched in Target, with a nationwide rollout underway.In this episode, Andrea shares how her early comfort with risk shaped her path as an entrepreneur, why clarity around your why and your one goal matters more than confidence, and how community, not paid ads, became the foundation of Tubby Todd’s growth. We talk about building a business alongside her husband, the inflection points that took the brand from garage to national retail, and the discipline it took to prioritize profitability before scaling. She also opens up about navigating motherhood while running a fast-growing company, and the daily non-negotiables, like sleep, movement, and joy, that keep her grounded through it all.In this episode, we’ll talk to Andrea about:* Andrea’s upbringing and early exposure to entrepreneurship. [02:37]* Andrea’s natural comfort with risk and optimism. [05:03]* Advice on overcoming fear: start with your “why” and one clear goal. [07:14]* How long it took Andrea to define her personal brand and goals. [11:36]* The moment Andrea knew she wanted to build something of her own. [15:04]* The first formula fails when their son Walker’s eczema reacts badly. [19:13]* Buying their first 750 bottles and shipping from their garage. [20:52]* Origin of the Tubby Todd brand value: “Be a good friend” in everything. [22:23]* Prioritizing profitability from day one despite premium positioning. [24:39]* The breakout success of All Over Ointment and its cult-like reviews. [27:04]* How All Over Ointment was formulated as a healing, petroleum-free alternative that truly works. [37:38]* Their community-first approach made ads a support tool, not the strategy. [38:45]* Early DIY branding using iPhone photos and a scrappy website, and why it still worked. [40:13]* Long road to Target: years of prep before ever saying yes to retail. [42:07]* Target launch uses the exact same formula as DTC. [43:00]* Her biggest advice: nourish your relationship with your partner weekly. [45:21]* Daily non-negotiables: sleep, movement, and one small joy every single day. [46:48]* How faith and community is the backbone of both her business and her family. [48:16]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Andrea:* Website: https://tubbytodd.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreafaulknerwilliams/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tubbytodd/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #374: From Supermodel to CEO: Miranda Kerr’s Untold Story of Risk, Resilience, Reinvention and Legacy 29.12.2025 55min

  In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes with Miranda Kerr, a globally recognized model and the founder & CEO of KORA Organics, a skincare brand known for its commitment to clean, certified organic products.For Miranda, the journey to founding KORA Organics wasn’t just about beauty — it was about healing. After her mother’s cancer diagnosis, she began questioning everything she put in and on her body, eventually realizing there was a gap in the market for truly clean, certified organic skincare that actually worked. Fueled by a personal mission and a vision for something better, she launched KORA Organics in 2009. Today, it’s a global brand available in over 30 countries, but Miranda’s approach remains deeply personal: leading with intention, staying hands-on with every product, and reminding people that real beauty begins with how we care for ourselves from the inside out.In this episode, Miranda shares the pivotal experiences that shaped her — from growing up in a wellness-focused family to how personal loss at a young age taught her resilience, gratitude, and emotional strength. She reflects on lessons from her early modeling career — handling rejection, building confidence, and trusting her inner voice — and how those experiences prepared her for entrepreneurship. Miranda takes us behind the scenes of launching KORA in the U.S., navigating a highly competitive market, and balancing the emotional highs and lows of building a global brand while raising a family. She also shares how mindfulness, presence, and self-care have been foundational to her success — and why prioritizing inner wellbeing remains at the core of her life and business, and so much more. In this episode, we’ll talk to Miranda about:* Miranda’s family approach to wellness. [03:22]* Her mother’s cancer diagnosis. [05:26]* Losing her boyfriend & shifting her life perspective. [11:11]* The importance of expressing love and gratitude daily. [14:32]* Miranda’s early modeling career. [17:45]* Navigating impostor syndrome & building confidence. [20:46]* Lessons in resilience and learning to handle rejection. [23:50]* Miranda’s skincare learnings from her modeling career. [27:45]* Myths around certified organic products. [31:31]* The passion behind building KORA Organics. [32:45] * Launching KORA in the U.S. [36:36]* The challenges of entering the U.S. market. [40:33]* Managing emotional resilience as an entrepreneur. [44:56]* Managing motherhood with entrepreneurship. [47:24]* A behind-the-scenes look at Miranda’s life as a mom. [48:18]* Balancing her yin and yang energy in daily life. [52:24]* The power of mindfulness and being present. [54:04]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Miranda: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mirandakerr/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/koraorganics/* Website: https://koraorganics.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #373: Poppi Founder: From Broke to Shark Tank & Building a Viral Brand From Her Kitchen - Allison Ellsworth, Co-Founder of Poppi 15.12.2025 55min

  In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes with Allison Ellsworth, the co-founder of Poppi, a better for you soda brand that is revolutionizing the next generation. Allison always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur, but her journey began in the oil and gas industry, where she spent years on the road building a successful career. During this time, she struggled with bloating and other gut health issues, inspiring her to take charge of her wellness. She adopted a clean diet, started working out, and discovered apple cider vinegar's benefits. However, she wasn’t a fan of its taste and sought a way to make it more enjoyable.Allison created an apple cider vinegar-based soda, "Mother Beverage" in her kitchen and quit her day job—nearly going broke while selling it at farmers' markets. After an appearance on Shark Tank while nine months pregnant and a complete product rebrand, the prebiotic soda became "Poppi," the viral, #1 selling soda on Amazon with over 2 billion TikTok views and the most-watched Super Bowl ad this year.In this week’s episode, Allison shares her journey of leaving a stable career to start her own business—without any prior experience. She reveals how she landed Whole Foods distribution with no connections and took a chance on Shark Tank to secure funding. Allison breaks down why they decided to rebrand Poppi, how they executed a successful relaunch during the pandemic, the social media strategies that helped them grow awareness and build a loyal community, and so much more.In this episode, we’ll talk to Allison about:* Saying "yes" and figuring things out. [03:32]* Allison’s career journey and how it shaped her. [04:52]* Passion is key to entrepreneurial success. [07:32]* Allison’s health journey inspired Poppi. [09:22]* Self-funding, entering Whole Foods, and joining Shark Tank. [14:16]* Pivoting to work on Poppi full-time. [15:21]* Preparing for Shark Tank while pregnant. [18:49]* Poppi’s rebranding as a strategy for growth. [23:07]* Persistence and adaptability in entrepreneurship. [25:25]* Taste is crucial in the beverage industry. [27:55]* Having over 2 billion TikTok views. [30:36]* Allison’s first viral TikTok video. [32:31]* Approachable content creation process. [36:25]* Prioritize mental health and learn to say "no." [42:24]* Allison’s experience bringing in a CEO. [44:47]* Learnings from rapid business growth. [47:52]* Managing burnout by prioritizing self-care. [50:29]* Future plans for Poppi. [52:41]* Let go of “should haves” and focus on your priorities. [53:57]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Allison:* Website: https://drinkpoppi.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkpoppi/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonellsworth/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #372: From 0 to 1: The Unsexy Truth About Launching an E-Commerce Brand, Starting a Podcast & Leaving the “Perfect” Job Behind with Yasmin Nouri, co-founder of beeya wellness  01.12.2025 36min

  I’m so excited to share this week’s episode with you. I joined my friend Carly on her podcast, Care Less with Carly, and wanted to share our conversation here. We talk about the moment I realized my “perfect on paper” finance career wasn’t right for me, and how I navigated the messy, scary transition into entrepreneurship. We also get into my relationship with burnout and perfectionism, how Behind Her Empire truly began, and the early steps that eventually led to building my business beeya. If you’ve ever felt torn between stability and a deeper calling, this episode is for you. That uncomfortable feeling is often the sign that something bigger is ahead. I hope it reminds you that you don’t need every step figured out to begin, and that trusting yourself can be the most powerful choice. I hope you enjoy this one! In this episode, we’ll talk about:* Discovering Yasmin’s early career path and what drew her into finance. [02:15]* Feeling out of place in the corporate world and the moment she knew banking wasn’t for her. [05:51]* Signs of burnout and the pressure to constantly prove herself. [06:44]* Transitioning out of finance and exploring new paths in tech and startups. [08:19]* Why learning from others became Yasmin’s source of clarity and inspiration. [10:10]* Launching Behind Her Empire during the pandemic. [10:33]* Yasmin’s support pillars early on. [15:09]* Facing the fear of judgment and posting publicly for the first time. [16:00]* Why most people aren’t actually paying attention and why that’s freeing. [18:41]* Strengthening the muscle of not caring what others think. [22:05]* How building the podcast helped Yasmin develop boundaries and confidence. [22:33]* Traits shared by the world’s most accomplished women. [23:27]* Learning to enjoy the journey rather than chase the destination. [25:16]* Starting beeya: Yasmin’s health struggles and how her business idea was born. [27:31]* Honoring wellness: why sleep, food, and movement matter. [31:51]* Advice for listeners stuck between a safe career and their creative calling. [33:23]* What Yasmin is dreaming about next and what she hopes to inspire in others. [34:19]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10.Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Carly:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlylynn/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carelesswithcarly/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  #371: This Founder Got Sick & Now She's on a Mission to Help Protect Our Bodies from the Hidden Toxins in Everyday Products with Allison Evans, Co-Founder of Branch Basics 17.11.2025 52min

  Allison Evans’ journey began when her period disappeared in middle school. She was later diagnosed with PCOS, told she’d never get pregnant naturally, and prescribed birth control to “fix” it. Years later, she proved the opposite—healing her hormones and restoring her fertility through food, lifestyle changes, and a radical shift in how she viewed “clean.”In this conversation, we explore the power of removing toxins from our homes and our minds, and how choosing a toxin-free lifestyle isn’t about fear—it’s about empowerment.In this episode you’ll learn:* How to detox your life without fear* The power of mindset in healing* What to know about non-stick pans and other household items* The truth about synthetic fragrances* What makes a home truly clean* And more…Allison Evans is the co-founder of Branch Basics, a wellness brand dedicated to creating non-toxic cleaning products held to the highest standards of safety and transparency. After overcoming her own health challenges, Allison has become a trusted voice in the wellness space, helping people rethink what “clean” really means and empowering others to create healthier homes and lives.This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10.You can listen to our first conversation with Allison where we talk about building Branch Basics here:* https://www.behindherempire.com/episode/allison-evansFollow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Branch Basics: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchbasics/* Website: https://branchbasics.com/  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.