Rebecca Minkoff

Shows

Episodes

  1. SAME's Shea Marie on Making Less Money, Working More, and Building Something That Lasts

    1d ago

    SAME's Shea Marie on Making Less Money, Working More, and Building Something That Lasts

    Before influencers ran fashion, the industry didn’t even want them on the invite list. Shea Marie remembers being seated separately from fashion insiders and seeing her photo in a Vogue article mocking influencers. Today, she's the co-founder, CEO, and designer of SAME, a fashion brand she deliberately built without making herself its face. In this episode of Superwomen, I sit down with Shea to discuss her transition from influencer to entrepreneur and the realities of building a successful fashion brand. Shea opens up about self-funding SAME, why doubling sales hasn't meant more money in her pocket, and the pressure of managing nearly every part of the business herself. We also discuss her decision to step away from the spotlight, the struggle to move beyond the influencer label, and what she's learning about ambition, burnout, and building a company that can thrive without her. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Shea Marie, influencer turned CEO (02:37) How she spotted the influencer boom before Instagram (08:39) Why she never wanted to be the face of her brand (12:53) The financial reality of growing a successful business (15:24) When doubling sales creates even bigger problems (23:21) Do founders really need a personal brand? (26:45) When the fashion industry openly mocked influencers (31:32) Why she's still fighting the influencer label (36:33) The business risk that paid off and the one that didn’t (39:20) Finding balance between ambition and burnout Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. What She Gained by Giving Up the CEO Title | Deepica Mutyala, Founder of Live Tinted

    Oct 15

    What She Gained by Giving Up the CEO Title | Deepica Mutyala, Founder of Live Tinted

    Deepica Mutyala grew up in a family of doctors, but she had a different dream: building a beauty brand where women who looked like her could finally see themselves represented. She did exactly that with Live Tinted. But somewhere along the way, the pressure to prove herself became just as consuming as the business itself. After seven years as CEO, Deepica made a decision she once couldn't imagine. She hired someone else to lead the company she built. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sit down with Deepica to talk about why letting go of the CEO title was so difficult, how she learned to separate her identity from her success, and what happened when she stopped treating burnout as a badge of honor. We discuss separating ego from leadership, learning to measure success on your own terms, and why building a bigger company doesn’t always mean building a better life. It's a conversation about ambition, knowing when to let go, and realizing that the life you're building matters just as much as the business. Episode Highlights (00:00) Meet Deepica Mutyala, founder of Live Tinted (04:49) Growing up without beauty products made for her (06:00) The pressure to make an entire community proud (07:46) Learning to define success for yourself (09:53) The milestones that finally made success feel real (13:27) Why giving up the CEO title was difficult (20:45) Burnout should never become a badge of honor (23:03) Making room for relationships, family, and life (30:55) The hidden cost of raising millions in venture capital (38:10) Building an inclusive beauty brand for every skin tone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. From Fearful to Fully Seen: How Larissa Mills Reinvented Herself in Her 50s

    Oct 1

    From Fearful to Fully Seen: How Larissa Mills Reinvented Herself in Her 50s

    The moments when we question ourselves can reveal strengths we never knew we had Larissa Mills went from a season of severe anxiety where she struggled to leave her house and questioned whether she had accomplished anything, to building a creator career in her 50s.  In this episode of Superwomen, I sat down with Larissa to talk about how her daughter’s viral TikTok video opened a door she never expected to walk through. She shares how she slowly rebuilt her confidence, used her background in marketing to create a personal brand, and learned to trust the opportunities already in front of her. This episode is for anyone navigating a transition, rebuilding after a difficult chapter, or wondering if it’s too late to start something new. Episode guide: (00:00) Meet content creator Larissa Mills  (02:07) How her daughter’s viral video changed everything (04:30) Starting a creator career in your 50s (09:07) How reinventing yourself later in life can feel freeing (15:23) Being respected matters more than being liked (20:06) Finding confidence as your body ages and changes (25:42) Why she finally started sharing her writing (32:02) Struggling with crippling anxiety (33:55) How small steps helped her rebuild her confidence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. She Was Told She Might Never Be a Mom. Now She’s Making Egg Freezing Free | Cofertility’s Lauren Makler

    Oct 8

    She Was Told She Might Never Be a Mom. Now She’s Making Egg Freezing Free | Cofertility’s Lauren Makler

    Having options about fertility changes how you make important life decisions. Most women don't know how many options they have. When a rare diagnosis threatened Lauren Makler’s ability to have children, frozen eggs gave her the peace of mind and freedom she needed. That experience led her to build Cofertility, where women can freeze their eggs for free when they donate eggs to intended parents.  In this episode of Superwomen, I sat down with Lauren to discuss the importance of fertility education, the need for more transparency in women’s healthcare, and what it takes to build a company for both purpose and profit.  Want to learn more about your fertility? An AMH test is a simple blood test that can give you insight into your ovarian reserve. For a limited time, those who qualify can get a free AMH test through Cofertility. Visit: cofertility.com/superwomen to take the prescreener quiz. If you pre-qualify, use code SUPERWOMEN. There’s no obligation to join the program. Brought to you by Cofertility. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Lauren Makler, CEO of Cofertility (02:41) How she turned a health scare into Cofertility (10:26) Creating a more thoughtful egg donation process (12:59) Can a mission-driven company scale? (17:48) Fertility education needs to start earlier (18:52) What women should know before freezing their eggs (21:14) Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship (25:19) The fertility information every woman should know Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Dr. Lara Devgan Had a Practice That Can't Scale. So She Built a Brand That Could.

    Sep 24

    Dr. Lara Devgan Had a Practice That Can't Scale. So She Built a Brand That Could.

    Sometimes growth means being a beginner again. Dr. Lara Devgan spent years becoming a renowned plastic surgeon, a certified expert in her field and trusted by many patients. Then she started a skincare company with no business experience. That meant learning FDA regulations, packaging, sourcing, marketing, and brand building from scratch. In this episode of Superwomen, she shares the trade-offs that came with a major career pivot, the many small steps it took to make a big change, and why she’s always going to be a student no matter her success. Lara’s journey and philosophy shows that success is rarely an uncomplicated, upwards trajectory, but rather a willingness to adapt, grow, and start over again and again. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Dr. Lara Devgan (03:16) Her honest and nuanced approach to beauty (05:52) Building a brand with zero business experience (09:30) The cost of being the go-to person (12:26) Staying calm under pressure (14:26) Protecting young girls from impossible beauty standards (18:29) The future of plastic surgery and skincare innovation (24:34) The COVID pivot that led to a Sephora launch (27:17) How small improvements create massive change (30:47) The discipline behind doing it all Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Rebecca Minkoff Is One and Done With Housewives

    02/18/2025

    Rebecca Minkoff Is One and Done With Housewives

    Launching a business in the early 2000s compared to today, how she became a household name before social media, the biggest challenges she faced when launching a business, what she's doing to look incredible in her 40s, how she almost lost her business during Covid, advice for launching a business, styling tips, plus what her experience on the housewives of NY was really like. A word from my sponsors: OPositiv - Take proactive care of your health and head to OPositiv.com/HONEST or enter code HONEST at checkout for 25% off your first purchaseQuince - Give yourself the luxury you deserve with Quince! Go to Quince.com/honest for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Fatty15 - You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/HONEST and using code HONEST at checkout.Cymbiotika - Go to cymbiotika.com/HONEST for 20% off your order + free shipping todayNutrafol - Start your hair growth journey with Nutrafol. For a limited time, Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code HONEST.CookUnity - Go to https://www.cookunity.com/HONEST for 50% off your first week! Thanks to CookUnity for supporting the show!  For more Let's Be Honest, follow along at: @kristincavallari on Instagram @kristincavallari and @dearmedia on TikTok Let's Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

  7. RHONY’s Dorinda Medley on Dating, Friendship & Why Life Gets Better After 50

    Aug 27

    RHONY’s Dorinda Medley on Dating, Friendship & Why Life Gets Better After 50

    We spend so much time fearing getting older. What if it's actually the best part? In this episode of Superwomen, I sat down with the Real Housewives of New York City alum, Dorinda Medley to discuss why getting older means more self-acceptance, what dating and friendship look like in your later years, and how life changes after the end of a marriage. We’re joined by another NYC icon: Sex and the City creator Candace Bushnell. All together, we reminisce about the New York of the ‘90s and 2000s, why dating was way easier back then, and how close female friendships shaped that era. If there’s one thing the three women in this conversation have in common, it’s that we’ve each lived through a lot. Let this episode be your reminder that you’ve got so much more ahead. Episode Guide: (00:00) Introducing Dorinda Medley of RHONY (03:48) What’s a “hard reset”? (05:04) The struggle of learning to delegate (10:40) The golden era of New York City (15:06) Dating before and after smartphones (19:34) The power of  “coming from a place of yes” (21:22) When women build their identity around marriage (28:12) The reality of dating after 50 and 60 (31:23) Building a fulfilling life beyond marriage (32:13) Why you need to protect your independence  (34:56) The power of staying open to what comes next Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Nicky Hilton Rothschild on New York Before Dating Apps

    Aug 20

    Nicky Hilton Rothschild on New York Before Dating Apps

    Nicky Hilton Rothschild was an It Girl long before algorithms and Instagram feeds. But for all the stories that come with growing up in one of the city’s most recognizable families, the version of Nicky today is much more interested in what lasts. In this episode of Superwomen, I sat down with the socialite, designer, and NYC native to reminisce about a bygone era. Nicky gets nostalgic about legendary nightclubs like Studio 54 and Bungalow, the spontaneity of a life that wasn’t constantly documented, and the lost magic of Old New York. Sex and the City creator Candace Bushnell also joins the conversation to discuss how the series impacted the city and how dating has changed since Carrie first ran into Big on a Manhattan sidewalk. If you lived through it, this one will make you miss those days. And if you weren’t there, you’ll wish you could’ve been. Episode Guide: (00:00) Nicky Hilton Rothschild loves Sex and the City (01:53) Before social media, celebrities actually went out (05:42) Why Nicky never really played the field (10:58) Finding love the old-fashioned way (12:33) How Sex and the City shaped a generation (18:49) Nicky and Paris Hilton were almost on SATC (20:48) Shopping before everything was online (25:12) Nicky’s secret to a long-lasting marriage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  9. Amanda Kloots Lost the Life She Planned. Then Built One She Never Expected

    Jul 23

    Amanda Kloots Lost the Life She Planned. Then Built One She Never Expected

    What happens when life forces you to become someone you never planned to be? Amanda Kloots has reinvented herself more times than most people ever will. From Broadway performer to television host, entrepreneur, wellness founder, widow, and single mother. But this conversation of Superwomen isn't about career pivots. It's about the identity shifts that made every next chapter possible. Amanda and Rebecca explore grief, ambition, failure, resilience, and why the version of yourself that builds one season of life often isn't the version that carries you into the next. Listen to find out how she built her survival instinct and why she never says anything is “hard” anymore. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Amanda Kloots (02:42) Her unexpected fertility journey (06:30) Building a fitness brand that couldn't easily scale (10:21) How Broadway led to a TV career (12:28) The failed business that made her a better founder (14:51) Why she created her supplement brand Proper (18:40) Dealing with unimaginable loss (27:02) Why your first business failure shouldn't be your last (32:30) Motherhood, grief, and surviving one day at a time (35:22) The truth about launching a product (38:23) Embracing slow burn success (43:27) What's next for Proper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  10. Why Go On Reality TV? with Rebecca Minkoff

    06/06/2025

    Why Go On Reality TV? with Rebecca Minkoff

    Is anything real about reality tv? And does going on it boost your business? Also: when it comes to fashion, why are buttons on one side for dudes and another for chicks? Are clothes sexist? And what will tariffs do to the price of a T-shirt?  Nayeema asks reality TV, fashion and Scientology questions to the freshly transparent designer and RHONY personality Rebecca Minkoff.  Check out Rebecca’s podcast, Superwomen and her book Fearless. Follow @smartgirldumbquestions on IG, TikTok & YouTube. You can find Nayeema on IG or X too.  Finally: send YOUR dumb questions to nayeemaraza101@gmail.com. You might end up in a future episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  11. The Clear Cut’s Olivia Landau on Wanting to Quit When Quitting Isn’t an Option

    Sep 3

    The Clear Cut’s Olivia Landau on Wanting to Quit When Quitting Isn’t an Option

    Success doesn’t always make things easier. Sometimes it asks you to become someone new. In this episode, I chat with Olivia Landau, founder of The Clear Cut, to talk about the moments behind the success that most people never see: the doubt, the pressure, and the decisions that shape who you become as a founder.  Olivia grew up around diamonds, studied gemology, and began The Clear Cut as an educational blog and creative outlet before turning it into a bespoke jewelry company built on trust, expertise, and community. She never planned to become an entrepreneur. In fact, her own mother once told her she'd make a great employee but could never be a businessperson. Then a creative side project became The Clear Cut. We talk about the risks she took to build something different, the challenge of staying the course when the outcome wasn’t guaranteed, and what it feels like when the company you built enters a new chapter. Olivia opens up about navigating an acquisition, redefining her role after years of having complete control, and why leaving the business behind may have been even harder. Because building a company isn’t just about creating something successful. It’s about discovering the person you have to become along the way. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Olivia Landau, founder of The Clear Cut (01:49) How a side project turned into a business (08:45) The risky decision that took two years to pay off (10:14) Why consistency matters more than quick success (13:33) She didn’t plan for an exit (15:40) What happens when a founder sells and stays (17:31) The emotional reality of giving up control (23:36) Why community can matter more than product (30:06) Launch your brand before you feel ready Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  12. How Cheryl Liu Built Raspberry AI Before AI Was Ready for Fashion

    Sep 10

    How Cheryl Liu Built Raspberry AI Before AI Was Ready for Fashion

    Cheryl Liu didn’t start Raspberry AI just to build a company. She was building the freedom to own her life. After immigrating to the U.S. at five and growing up with little financial stability, Cheryl developed a deep need for independence. Years later, that drive led her to bet on AI before the technology was ready, and she built Raspberry AI at the forefront of fashion’s rapidly changing future. In this episode of Superwomen, Cheryl talks about being one of the few women in AI, becoming a mother while scaling a company, and how motherhood changed her definition of what’s hard. Cheryl also shares why AI won’t replace human creativity, which companies will survive the hype, and why refusing to embrace the technology may be the bigger career risk. For Cheryl, success comes back to one thing: having the freedom to dictate the terms of your own life. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Cheryl Liu, founder of Raspberry AI (04:33) Why the best AI companies solve real problems (07:00) The loneliness of being a female founder (08:20) Growing a company while becoming a mother (11:51) How Raspberry became more than a design tool (17:47) When Raspberry’s momentum finally clicked (21:22) The immigrant story behind Cheryl’s ambition (23:28) Will AI replace jobs or create new opportunities? (29:56) The next chapter of Cheryl’s leadership journey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  13. Be Your Own Mr. Big: Sex and the City Creator Candace Bushnell on Love & Ambition

    Aug 13

    Be Your Own Mr. Big: Sex and the City Creator Candace Bushnell on Love & Ambition

    Before Sex and the City became a cultural phenomenon, Candace Bushnell was writing about something she saw happening all around her: ambitious, successful single women taking over New York City. In this episode of Superwomen, Candace joins Rebecca to revisit the column that started it all, the real-life stories behind Sex and the City, and what it was like watching her work become part of the culture. But a lot has changed since the ’90s… and a lot hasn’t. Candace shares what she thinks about dating today, why successful women are still struggling to find great partners, and why women no longer have an “expiration date.” She also opens up about the pursuit of creative success, the rejection that comes with it, and why not everything you create is going to work. Plus, Candace reveals the truth about the real Mr. Big, and why every woman might be better off becoming her own. Episode Guide: (00:00) Candace Bushnell needs no introduction (02:00) How a newspaper column turned into a phenomenon (09:22) The real-life stories behind Sex and the City (11:29) Why women should become their own Mr. Big (15:39) Why ambitious women still struggle to find love (19:43) Building a full life beyond romance (20:58) The truth about creative success  (22:32) Could Gen Z have their own SATC? (25:04) Why women no longer have an expiration date (26:26) The real reason SATC had four iconic characters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  14. From Persona to Power: How Serena Kerrigan Learned to Be Fully Herself

    Sep 17

    From Persona to Power: How Serena Kerrigan Learned to Be Fully Herself

    What happens when the version of yourself that built your success is no longer who you want to be? In this episode of Superwomen, author, content creator, and entrepreneur Serena Kerrigan talks about the version of herself she had to outgrow in order to become more confident, more ambitious, and more fully herself. Serena built an entire career around confidence before realizing she was still hiding behind a version of herself. She admits she was sometimes overcompensating for a fear of truly being seen. She opens up about learning to stop editing herself on dates, in relationships, and in her career, and why the right partner should never require you to make yourself smaller. Because real confidence isn’t about becoming louder. Sometimes, it’s about no longer needing the armor. Serena’s new book, Let’s F*cking Date: Become the Prize, Enjoy the Ride, and Never Settle Again, is out September 22, 2026. Learn more and order your copy at LetsFuckingDate.com. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Serena F*cking Kerrigan (03:11) What it really means to be confident (05:06) The persona she created + the woman behind it (07:41) Learning to show up as herself (12:38) Women should never shrink themselves (15:24) Why every woman needs her own money (21:59) How your mindset shapes your reality (26:48) Why being kind is good for business (28:14) Your relationship with yourself is everything Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  15. Rebecca Rittenhouse Was Tired of Waiting to Be Chosen, So She Built Something of Her Own

    Jul 30

    Rebecca Rittenhouse Was Tired of Waiting to Be Chosen, So She Built Something of Her Own

    You probably know Rebecca Rittenhouse from her roles on The Mindy Project, Blood & Oil, His & Hers, and more. But behind the success was an industry that required constant resilience, rejection, and the ability to keep showing up even when the answer was no. When the pandemic and the 2023 Hollywood strikes brought uncertainty to her career, Rebecca was forced to confront how much of her future depended on being chosen by others. That moment pushed her to take control, step into the unknown, and build something of her own: Privet Beauty. In this episode of Superwomen, Rebecca shares how her years as an actor prepared her for entrepreneurship, why creating her own opportunities became essential, and what she had to learn (and unlearn) in order to become the founder she is today. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet actress and founder Rebecca Rittenhouse (02:16) How uncertainty pushed her to build a brand (04:42) The story behind Privet Beauty (06:13) Why both actors and entrepreneurs need resilience (13:10) Breaking free from the perfectionist trap (16:53) Balancing acting and growing a business (23:05) Managing your inner critic (30:51) How she learned the skills required to be a founder (34:07) Why doing hard things builds confidence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  16. Your Network Is Your Net Worth: How Lauren Kleinman Built a PR Empire

    Jun 11

    Your Network Is Your Net Worth: How Lauren Kleinman Built a PR Empire

    What happens when the very thing that drives your success becomes the thing you have to outgrow? This week on Superwomen, Lauren Kleinman, founder of Dreamday and co-founder of Quality Media and The Quality Edit, shares a candid look at the invisible trade-offs that often come with ambition. Lauren opens up about the perfectionism, pressure, and relentless drive that fueled her success—but eventually pushed her toward burnout. Together, she and Rebecca explore the cost of constantly striving for more, the ongoing process of redefining success, and what it takes to evolve beyond the version of yourself that built the business. They also dive into the changing world of PR, affiliate partnerships, visibility, and how founders can build influence in an era shaped by AI and algorithm-driven attention. This conversation isn't really about work-life balance. It's about growth, reinvention, and learning when the traits that got you here are no longer the ones that will take you where you're meant to go. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Lauren Kleinman (03:45) How she coined the term “Performance PR” (06:30) Strategies for affiliate partnerships (08:01) Advice for small brands and startups (11:11) What it’s really like running two companies (15:08) How she overcame burnout (18:37) Trusting her team + letting go of work obsession (25:40) Why a perfect day just isn’t attainable (28:39) The chip on her shoulder that fuels her (30:25) Redefining success beyond money and followers (33:41) Three important lessons for entrepreneurs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  17. How Our Place by Shiza Shahid is Changing the Way We Cook, Connect, and Care

    Feb 12

    How Our Place by Shiza Shahid is Changing the Way We Cook, Connect, and Care

    Picture this: you are 7,000 miles away from home, in a new country with no familiar faces. How do you build a sense of community? You start with food. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I’m joined by Shiza Shahid, Co-Founder of the Malala Fund and Our Place. She shares how her activism shaped her journey as an entrepreneur, and how food became a powerful tool for connection and belonging. This belief laid the groundwork for Our Place—a brand built around the idea that cookware can be more than just functional; it can bring people together. We discuss how Shiza challenged the cookware industry, the balance between profit and purpose, and the impact of community-driven growth on her brand’s success. Things to listen for: (00:00) Meeting Shiza Shahid, Co-Founder of Malala Fund and Our Place (02:29) Shiza’s bold career pivots (03:21) Rebuilding connection as an immigrant (10:39) Scaling without losing community (14:58) What it’s like building a company with your spouse (17:48) Letting go of fear and imagined risk (25:08) Choosing sustainable growth over hype (31:16) Why non-toxic materials are non-negotiable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  18. How to Question Everything But Yourself With Journalist Danielle Robay

    Apr 23

    How to Question Everything But Yourself With Journalist Danielle Robay

    What happens when you stop waiting to be chosen and start making your own opportunities? This week on Superwomen, I’m joined by Danielle Robay, journalist, founder and host of the podcast Question Everything to uncover how curiosity became the foundation of her career, and what had to change for to fully step into it.  Dubbed the Queen of Questions, Danielle is a true believer in the power of asking – both on the mic and in real life. She shares how curiosity can open doors, how asking for more leads to better outcomes, and why it’s important to authentically build relationships, not just network. Find out how she bet on herself after leaving a job in journalism, her take on how to build confidence over time, and the shift that ultimately changed everything. Take notes because this one will make you stop talking and start asking. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet to Danielle Robay, the "Queen of Questions" (05:06) Larry King and the art of asking questions (08:03) The importance of asking questions in business  (10:16) Why she moved away from entertainment news (15:13) Starting her podcast "Question Everything" (19:03) Why vulnerability is important for personal growth (25:28) Relationship building vs. networking (31:25) How Danielle created her card game Girls Night In (33:41) Lessons learned from interviewing successful people (36:19) Building confidence through competence and practice (40:30) Advice on asking meaningful questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  19. From Fired to Fully Booked: How Shani Darden Built a Cult Skincare Brand

    Apr 9

    From Fired to Fully Booked: How Shani Darden Built a Cult Skincare Brand

    What happens when you build a cult following but don’t have a real business plan just yet? In this episode of Superwomen, I sit down with Shani Darden, the woman behind Shani Darden Skin Care and how she went from doing facials in a borrowed space to building a globally recognized brand. Shani opens up about launching her first product with no experience, the $80K sales weekend that changed everything, and the hard lessons that came with rapid growth. She gets candid about navigating investor pressure, taking the wrong investments, and nearly losing control of her brand. This one’s a great listen for any founder who’s figuring it out as they go. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Shani Darden (01:47) How getting fired led to her first unexpected big break (03:30) What pushed her to start her business from home (06:42) How retinol became her breakthrough product (08:23) The $80K sales weekend that changed everything (12:30) Hard business lessons and trusting the wrong people (14:41) Why beauty brands feel pressure to keep launching (16:54) Taking the wrong funding and what she would do differently (22:29) Shani Darden’s 5-minute skincare routine (24:34) The one skincare product everyone should own (25:47) The importance of trusting your voice and instincts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  20. How Betches Evolved From a Small Blog to a Media Powerhouse

    11/13/2025

    How Betches Evolved From a Small Blog to a Media Powerhouse

    In 2011, three college roommates had a late-night idea to start a blog. No plan, no funding, and no bylines. Fast forward to today, and Betches is one of the biggest names in media, reaching millions of women worldwide. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sat down with Aleen Dreksler, co-founder and CEO of Betches, to talk about how she and her two friends built a media empire from the ground up. Aleen opens up about the challenges of bootstrapping, trusting their instincts, and creating a brand that resonates with women on a deeper level. She also shares how entrepreneurship and motherhood intersect, and how she balances both. Tune in to hear how embracing imperfections and taking risks turned a small blog into a cultural phenomenon. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Aleen Dreksler, co-founder of Betches (02:09) Starting Betches during peak bro culture (06:03) Building a business without outside funding (09:06) Growing with your audience  (12:34) Fighting with co-founders (13:56) The Betches acquisition  (18:03) Scaling the business while staying lean (22:38) Saying goodbye to FOMO for good (25:35) Motherhood, ambition, and being okay with imperfection (30:51) What it’s like to be an employee again (35:11) The two lessons every founder needs to hear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca Minkoff on Apple