Superwomen With Rebecca Minkoff

Who knew that a mutual love of the Grateful Dead could ignite the start of a cupcake empire? When Melissa Ben-Ishay made tie dye cupcakes for a fellow fan and friend, her colorful creations quickly became the dessert of choice in her circle. At her brother’s urging, Melissa started baking mini cupcakes to order, and 15 years later the direct-to-consumer brand, Baked by Melissa, can be enjoyed in all 50 states. Growing slowly over time has allowed the company to expand with success. And the key to effective leadership? According to Melissa, her curiosity and openness to advice has been her number one asset. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Social Media @melissabenishay @bakedbymelissa Big Ideas Learning to have the confidence to own your leadership capabilities. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/superwomen/support

She’s one of the famous faces of E!, made even more famous by her refusal to stay at the network when the company refused to pay her the same salary as her male co-host. Catt Sadler is doing her own thing now, on her own terms. The Emmy award-winning journalist covers all topics near and dear on her website, The Cattwalk, and on her podcast, It Sure is a Beautiful Day. Embracing the vulnerability that naturally comes through using an audio platform, Catt encourages her listeners to think beyond their plans and dream beyond their goals, embracing the true limitlessness inherent in our nature. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Social Media @iamcattsadler Big Ideas Learning to dream bigger than big. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/superwomen/support

This episode was originally released in September 2019.  Laura has since gone on to found her own multi-platform media company, LB Media. Laura Brown came up in the 80’s – a period devoid of the internet and Instagram, where fashion inspiration came almost exclusively in the form of magazines. To make things worse for a young fashionista living in Australia, as Laura did, those magazines arrived three months after their release date. Laura was hungry for the glitz and the glam, and made it her goal to one day work and live in the heart of the fashion world. After working a few stints at magazines in Australia and London, Laura arrived in New York. Finding herself at a lavish Marc Jacobs show within days of moving there, Laura finally felt the pulse of the life she had so long been yearning for. After working her way up to Features at Harper’s, she was then hired as Editor in Chief at InStyle. In the three years since, Laura has revitalized the magazine, injecting new life into it, forever showcasing her

Jill Kargman is not your neighborhood soccer mom and she doesn’t play one on TV, either. Her dark sense of humor and love of all things goth might put her out of place at most “mommy and me” gatherings, but this is especially true on the swanky Upper East Side where she originates. However, Jill isn’t one to waste her time worrying about what other people think. Instead, she worked her alchemical writing magic and spun this into comedy gold, using her position in society as inspiration for the screenplay – turned book – turned TV show, Odd Mom Out. She also plays the feature role in the show, utilizing the talent honed from acting in numerous plays during her time at Yale. Jill’s creative journey has taken her from arduous internships to writing rooms to the confines of her home office and back again. Jill now plans to return to the big screen as she sets out to script a film inspired in earnestness by the life of her teenagers. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: T

Karolina Kurkova is one of the most famous models to grace print and runway in the last twenty years, and there’s a heck of a lot she’s learned along the way. From her earliest modeling jobs in the Czech Republic to her position as co-founder of children’s wellness brand Gryph & IvyRose, Karolina gives every job her best effort, no matter how big or small. Living her values that center around hard work, open-mindedness and a willingness to be a team player, Karolina is a firm believer that success is not just an individual achievement, but something that can uplift and further the accomplishments of those around you. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Social Media @gryphandivyrose @karolinakurkova Big Ideas Learning not to take things personally. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/superwomen/support

Natalie Kaminski attributes her adaptable nature to her adolescence spent growing up in four different countries. Natalie’s willingness to try out different jobs in her field, as well as her resilient outlook in the male-dominated tech industry, helped build the attitude and experience necessary to found custom software solutions company JetRockets. But Natalie is more than an entrepreneurial tech wiz. Her insistence on putting empathy at the center of leadership is evident in her humanitarian efforts, which includes company-funded relocation of employees affected by the war in Ukraine. Leading with as much integrity as empathy, Natalie is the type of CEO we hope to see more of in the future. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Social Media @jetrockets JetRockets Big Ideas Empathy as a cornerstone to successful leadership. --- Support this podcast: https://anch

Because you’re a follower of RM and all things beautiful and unique, we assume you’ve heard of The Folklore. If you haven’t, however, it’s time to Get. On. It. The brainchild of Amira Rasool, The Folklore is both a DTC and wholesale marketplace connecting buyers to distinctive brands that have been geographically and racially marginalized. Here you’ll find brands across apparel, accessories, homeware, and beauty that utilize styles and materials unique to the countries they call home. A unique business model calls for a unique leader, and Amira has always been up for the challenge. The youngest Black woman to raise over $1M in a pre-seed round, Amira is evolving her leadership style as her business evolves, all while consistently investing in the success of small businesses around the globe. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Guest Website TheFolkloreGroup.com Th

Being a mom is hard. There’s no other way around it. It’s beautiful and amazing too, but it comes with challenges. Everyone has an opinion on the right way to parent, and sometimes that advice comes uninvited. It takes a special person to share their family life with the world, knowing they’ll receive positive feedback as well as criticism. Naomi Davis has created an art form by way of documenting her family life. What started as a way to share wedding photos with family morphed into a blog that first illustrated life as a young couple in New York, and then grew as her family did. Now, 12 years and five children later, Love Taza covers family life, recipes, and kid-friendly travel guides to NYC. Naomi mixes entertainment with practical advice, and best of all injects her personal experience into the lesser-discussed aspects of parenting that all moms could probably use more support in. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Coura

As Dana Bledsoe remarks, pain can be turned into power simply by giving it a voice. Her experience with cancer is something she has candidly chronicled in her blog, This Moment, which has led to speaking engagements, collaborations, and campaigns to rewrite the narrative around breast cancer. Calling the presence of cancer in her life a gift, Dana has committed herself to rewriting her life, rediscovering her sense of joy and peace, and helping others to do the same. Learning to put herself first and be her own best advocate, Dana is working to eliminate fear and foster a sense of normalcy and empathy around the way cancer is regarded in this country. To learn more about integrative medicine, check out lifeworkswellnesscenter.com Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Social Media @danabledsoe_thismoment @amplify__voices Links Amplify Voices – Beyond Breast Cancer Ev

The terms “old” and “innovative” might not usually go together, but in the case of Skinfix, it’s a formula that works! When Amy Gordinier was approached by a friend with an heirloom family recipe for skin concerns, Amy drew upon her experience in the beauty industry to marry the time-tested recipe with cutting-edge research in therapeutics. The result is a collection of clean, pharmaceutical grade products that target specific skin issues and barrier health. Amy shares the challenges inherent in running a company by herself, the benefits to admitting areas of weakness, and the vital importance of separating self-worth from productivity. Use the code Superwomen15 to take 15% off one order from Skinfix.com through 2/13 Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Social Media @skinfixinc Big Ideas Finding your niche within a saturated market. --- Support this podcast: htt

It may seem surprising to hear a skincare expert emphasize the importance of loving your body the way it is, but Kate Somerville is as down to earth as she is ambitious. Facing extreme challenges in her youth, Kate grew to be the most sought-after aesthetician in Hollywood by her early 20’s. The demand for her expertise grew into her namesake product line, Kate Somerville Skin Health Experts. Never one to take things for granted, Kate maintains a sense of gratitude through decades of success, grateful for the chance to love herself and change the lives of others for the better. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Social Media @katesomervilleskincare Big Ideas Learning to truly love and appreciate yourself as you are. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/superwomen/support

Made it to the top and wondering where to go? First of all, congratulations! Secondly, we’ve got you covered. Lindsay Kaplan is here to discuss the brainchild that is Chief, the membership-based networking space that prioritizes the personal and professional support of women in executive positions. Launched in 2019 with 200 members recruited via cold email, Chief now boasts over 20K members with a current value of $1.1 billion. It’s easy to see why. With programming centered on small core groups that then branch out into broader community levels based on location, function or interest, there’s no one else doing it quite like Chief. And at the heart of it all? Lindsay and her co-founder’s passion for creating safe spaces that foster honesty and vulnerability, helping women to be their best selves and best CEOs at the same time. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. S

When it comes to business, you’re not often told to let your heart be your guide, but it’s probably something that more schools should teach. When Nancy Twine realized that finance was not the path for her, she took it back to basics, focused on times in her life she had been the happiest, and took it from there. Recalling days spent making beauty products at home with her chemist-physician mother, Nancy knew she was onto something. Time spent researching and connecting with others in the personal care space confirmed what her instincts already knew; clean beauty was about to take off and she wanted to make hair care her focus. Now nearly 10 years old, Briogeo is aimed at supporting all people with all hair types. Lucky for us it can be found worldwide! Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Social Media @briogeo @nancytwine Big Ideas Unsure of what direction to take

Ashley Merrill has always felt the urge to pursue as many things as she can during this lifetime. It was the perfect opportunity, then, to try a new venture when she realized she was relying on her husband’s old t-shirts as her go-to during down time. Wanting something more stylish, comfortable, and a reflection of the contemporary woman she is, Ashley founded Lunya, the “restwear” brand whose ethos maintains that the quiet moments to yourself are the most important part of the day. A natural problem-solver, Ashley has always seen opportunities instead of issues, and eagerly allows her role evolve as the company grows. She is busy and ambitious, to be sure, but always prioritizes adequate rest in order to be the best at what she does! Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Social Media @ashley__merrill @lunya @lahgo Big Ideas Ikigai – the intersection of what you lov

Yeardley Smith may be one of the most candidly open and honest interviews we’ve had on Superwomen. The multi-talented actor and voiceover artist well-known for her role as Lisa Simpson runs her own production company, Paperclip, and hosts Small Town Dicks, a true crime podcast that gets over a million downloads per month. But Yeardley’s outward success didn’t always match the plan she had for herself. Yeardley reveals how becoming overly attached to particular outcomes caused her to lose sight of the gifts right in front of her, and how she took time to recalibrate in order to make her life match her goals and vice versa. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Social Media @yeardley_smith @smalltowndicks Big Ideas Reframing vulnerability as a source of strength, rather than once of weakness. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/superwomen/support

The expectations put upon parents, and mothers, specifically, have changed a lot over the years, but one thing is certain: it’s never been easy. Whether we’re washing clothes in a river with a baby tied to our backs, or managing quarterly reports while soothing a crying child, women have often worked three times as hard to manage work, home and family duties. It’s past time we’ve gotten the support we need. Enter Motherly. Jill Koziol’s digital platform for today’s mom generates content that is evidence-based, expert-driven, and most importantly, centered on the mother’s experience. Articles, classes, podcasts and more support an empowering community that helps moms to feel capable and informed on subjects ranging from conception to shared parental responsibility. As a self-proclaimed “creator and builder of businesses,” Jill is helping redefine “motherly” as a trait that encompasses care and compassion while remaining courageous and autonomous. Want to learn more? Use this special promo code for listeners an

Ever since she was a child, Jade Watson enjoyed storytelling in all its forms. Inspired by the notion that you could get paid to travel the world and share these stories, Jade knew she was destined for a career in production and media. The major caveat: as a Canadian citizen, Jade had to convince the U.S. Embassy to allow her to run her own company stateside. Luckily, two years at a venture capital firm and a heap of legal research prepared Jade for exactly the kind of skills she’d need to not only get government approval, but also to fund her business from the start. Cornering the market in original content on emerging platforms,  SickBird Productions is a media empire in the making, and this is only the beginning. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Social Media @jadewatson @sickbirdproductions Big Ideas People pick (a lot of) their problems – how can you c

Jennifer Bandier may not have known much about the fashion and fitness industries, but that didn’t stop her from starting the first boutiques to curate stylish athletic wear across a variety of desirable brands. Getting told “no” every step of the way did nothing to discourage her, and now BANDIER stores can be found in five major cities across the U.S. Though it wasn’t the easy path, Jennifer always liked to do things her own way, and the resilience she cultivated as a result of that is evident in her willingness to take chances others deem too risky. Through it all, Jennifer has stayed open, curious and creative, and continues to support other women along the way. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Social Media @jenniferbandier @bandier Big Ideas How to continue differentiating your brand in a crowded market. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/super

You may know her from incendiary baking competition shows such as Cupcake Wars and Sugar Rush, or perhaps you’ve had the pleasure of enjoying one of Candace Nelson’s signature Sprinkles cupcakes that made her famous. But this woman is much more than a pastry chef – she’s an entrepreneur, author, angel investor and more, and she details the best ways to “turn your passion into profit” in her new book, Sweet Success. Candace’s story of leaving behind banking and tech to reconnect with her childhood love of baking is sure to strike a chord with those who feel burnt out, uninspired, or just unsure of which direction to take. Candace is living proof that the thing you love can not only be your career - it can become your empire and your legacy. Candace is offering a few sweet surprises when you preorder her new book, Sweet Success, including her personal branding worksheet, entrepreneur checklist as well as her famous pie course and cookie e-book just in time for holiday baking. Head to readsweetsuccess.

Social media, like so many things, is ever evolving, but it takes real talent to discern which trends will have the power to shape popular culture. Call it skill, call it intuition, call it witchcraft; Fadia Kader has honed her ability to distinguish all the noise from the Next Big Thing, and it’s given her an edge every step of her career. Starting in fashion in Atlanta, then joining the entertainment industry in New York, Fadia specialized in branding and promoting before taking her connections in the music industry into the world of social media. One of the early adopters of Clubhouse, the audio-only app where users can listen or join in live conversations, Fadia knew this was a new platform with incredible potential. She is now the Global Head of Strategic & Media Partnerships for the brand. Though she’s often ahead of the curve, Fadia has learned that when she trusts her instincts they lead her straight towards success. Thanks for listening!  Don't forget to order Rebecca's new book, Fearle