9 to 5ish with theSkimm theSkimm
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- Business
The work advice you need, from women who’ve been there. Every week, join the co-founders and co-CEOs of theSkimm, Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, as they help you get what you want out of your career by talking to the smartest leaders they know.
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Blueland Co-Founder Sarah Paiji Yoo on Reimagining the Role of Work as a New Mom
When Sarah Paiji-Yoo became a mom, she started rethinking her serial entrepreneurship life she’d led since leaving Harvard Business School. She loved it, but early-stage startup building isn’t exactly a walk in the park. If she was going to hustle again, it had to mean something to her. Meanwhile, she was learning about the effects microplastics in our water have on us (spoiler alert: it’s scary stuff). Naturally, the serial entrepreneur in her was hungry for a solution to both of these issues. She found it in her plastic-free cleaning product company, Blueland.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Sarah shares:
The classic new-mom research rabbit hole she fell in
Why she hid from her in-laws that she wasn’t working for a year after having her son
How having unclear choices as a consumer and mom led her to found Blueland
Why recruiting her #1 pick for the Head of Product was crucial to Blueland’s success
The difficulty of being a sustainable business while being beholden to outside investors
Advice for listeners who feel too small to make an impact (hint: no action is too small)
Psst…this episode of “9 to 5ish” is brought to you by New York Life. Their financial professionals can help you navigate life’s decisions, big and small. -
Meghan McCain on Being a Nepo Baby and Owning It
SNL called Meghan McCain the “Princess of Arizona”, and she’s embracing it. Her last name is nearly synonymous with Arizona as her father, the late Senator John McCain, led a 30+ year political career in the state. Her family name laddered Meghan up to big career moves, from regularly commentating on Fox News to repping conservative view points on “The View”. And she says: more nepo babies like her should own it, not shy away from it.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Meghan shares:
The cringiest photo op she had to do as the Senator’s kid
Why opting out from having an opinion was never an option growing up
How her family settled political disagreements and why all politics are celebrated in her family
The event that changed her views on paid family leave – and why all moms deserve it
Why she’s not voting for Trump or Biden, and what her dad would do -
Drunk Elephant Founder Tiffany Masterson on Trusting Your Gut in Business
Tiffany Masteron’s grandma told her the name “Drunk Elephant” was the most asinine thing she’d ever heard. Granny wasn’t the only one – her friends thought so too. But Tiffany never bent when it came to her vision of the company, even though she was a stay-at-home mom with zero experience in skincare. Instead, she had this gut feeling about her ingredient formulation and trusted it was different enough to take the company far. Spoiler alert: it did.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Tiffany shares:
Why she chose to disrupt stay-at-home mom life to become an entrepreneur
When she realized her first entrepreneurial journey was kinda sketchy
How she discovered the Drunk Elephant “Suspicious Six” philosophy – and why it works
The moment she knew her company had “made it” (hello, Sephora)
Her response when consumers claim Drunk Elephant markets to kids -
Christy Turlington Burns on Going from Model to Maternal Health Advocate
In the 1990s, Christy Turlington posed alongside icons like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Linda Evangelista as one of the world’s first supermodels. She retired by 25 before going to college, earning her degree, and getting married. Then came her first baby – and a life-changing birthing experience that would inform her future work and advocacy.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Christy shares:
The benefits of her sister marrying her brother-in-law (hint: holidays are a breeze)
Why she has “survivors’ guilt” about getting out of the modeling industry unscathed
Her thoughts on building a career out of being a supermodel
Her traumatic birthing story and how it led to the founding Every Mother Counts
Advice on how to advocate for yourself in medical settings
Psst…this episode of 9 to 5ish is brought to you by New York Life. Their financial professionals can help you navigate life’s decisions, big and small.
PS: A new episode of 9 to 5ish will be back in your feed next month. -
Jordan Taylor and Edith Cooper on Running a Business as Mother and Daughter
At 59, Edith Cooper never thought she’d make a career pivot. She spent nearly 30 years working her way up at Goldman Sachs, but then, she was approached to co-found a company called Medley. Who was the other co-founder? Jordan Taylor, AKA her daughter. The mom and daughter duo launched Medley, a coaching platform equipping Millennial-aged workers with the skills they need to be dynamic, inclusive, and authentic leaders.
In this episode, Jordan and Edith share:
Whether Jordan calls Edith “mom” or “Edith” in the workplace
The parts of her Wall Street HR career that Edith misses
Why we forget to support middle-level managers – and how Medley solves for it
The moments Jordan relies on Edith as “mom” vs. “co-founder”
Why boundary setting is crucial to success as co-founders who are friends or family
Psst…this episode of “9 to 5ish” is brought to you by New York Life. Their financial professionals can help you navigate life’s decisions, big and small. -
YSE Beauty Founder Molly Sims on Leaving a Job with Dignity
Kentucky-born model Molly Sims never met a biscuit she didn’t like. Her southern charm brought her to college at Vanderbilt University, where she made the boldest move of her career: quitting her pre-law studies to become a full time model. Molly was in her early 20s, alone, and homesick halfway across the world. But with placements on the cover of Sports Illustrated, French Vogue and more, it’s safe to say she made a name for herself.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Molly shares:
Why southern sorority culture wasn’t for her
How her mother encouraged her to think beyond the US for her career + life experience
Why she’d never want her daughter to become a model
The secret to building resilience and the “thick skin” that helped her survive the modeling industry
How confronting her mental health challenges helped her be OK with work curveballs
Check out Molly's beauty brand, YSE Beauty.