The co-lab career stories

the co-lab
  • 4.6 (22)
  • FASHION & BEAUTY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The co-lab career stories

Welcome to the co-lab career stories podcast, a collective of professionals dedicated to sharing their experiences working in the fashion, beauty, wellness, retail and consumer luxury industries. Hear from CEOs, early career professionals and everything in between as the co-lab members interview each other, sharing their career stories, big pivots, worst jobs, best career advice, and remind us no two career paths are the same. Visit jointhecolab.com to learn more, become a member, tell your story, and follow us @jointhecolab. We can’t wait to network with you. X Kristy, co-lab founder.

  1. 42 MIN. AGO

    Tara Cohen - Strategy and Innovation Executive

    Over the past 20 years, Tara Cohen has driven innovation and strategy as a senior executive at The Estée Lauder Companies, directly influencing MAC Cosmetics, Becca, Tom Ford, and Victoria Beckham, as well as Revlon, L'Oréal, and Victoria Secret Beauty resulting in exponential, multi-channel growth for some of the world’s most influential beauty brands. Now, as a C-Suite Executive, Founder, and Startup Advisor, Tara Cohen is reimagining global beauty through a multi-ethnic lens and human-centric approach. In this episode, Elizabeth Reid speak with Tara, a senior executive in the beauty industry. Tara is a native New Yorker and shares experience in roles at major beauty brands like MAC Cosmetics, her fine arts and advertising background, and early entrepreneurial ventures. She discusses product innovation, brand DNA, consumer needs, and market trends, while expressing her passion for startups and aspirations in beauty and wellness.

    22 min

  2. NOV 19

    Elizabeth Reid - Marketing Lead and Fractional CMO

    Elizabeth Reid is a trailblazing communications and marketing leader who has helped shape some of the most prestigious global brands we know today. Over her 20-year career, she's led groundbreaking initiatives for iconic names like MAC Cosmetics, David Yurman, and Mulberry. What makes Elizabeth unique is her ability to master the art of blending creativity with consumer insights, consistently transforming brands through innovative strategies that deliver remarkable growth. Her career journey reflects a deep understanding that great marketing happens when powerful creative ideas are backed by real consumer understanding. In this interview, Tara Cohen speaks with Elizabeth, a marketing lead and fractional CMO, about her illustrious 20-year career in communications and marketing. They discuss Elizabeth's work with iconic brands like Valentino, MAC Cosmetics, and David Yurman. Elizabeth also shares insights on balancing corporate experience with the flexibility needed for startup success, highlighting the importance of deep consumer understanding and adaptability in the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

    26 min

  3. NOV 11

    Aubrey Burrough - Social Media Strategist

    Aubrey Burrough is a NYC-based social media strategist at the The Brooklyn Brothers. Her past and present client roster includes Mastercard, LEGO, SOUR PATCH KIDS, Nutter Butter, OREO, LEGO, Universal Orlando Resort and more. She takes pride in pushing the boundaries of brand social and approaches her work with creative bravery and a special level of brain rot. Her work has been featured in places like Adweek, Marketing Brew, Ad Age, and the Link in Bio newsletter. In this episode, Margaret interviews Aubrey Burrough, a New York-based social media strategist from Florida. Burrough shares her journey from founding a satire publication at Florida State to working at top agencies, including her transition from English major to marketing. She discusses her work with brands like Sour Patch Kids, emphasizes creativity and trust in client relationships, and offers advice to new grads on using social media for career growth.

    16 min

  4. NOV 5

    Margaret Lin - Social Media Expert

    Margaret was most recently an associate director for Vanity Fair, working under Condé Nast Entertainment. She led social video development and production for the magazine, working with A-list actors and musicians, as well as behind-the-scenes costume designers and other personnel. She's also worked at Wall Street Journal, Vox Media, and more in social media management roles and been interviewed at Digiday and Nieman Lab. Margaret is open to full-time opportunities in social media. In this episode, Aubrey Borrough interviews Margaret, a social media editor based in New York City. Margaret shares insights about her education, career journey, challenges. She also discusses the evolution of her storytelling skills and her aspirations for future roles in the tech or beauty sectors.

    12 min

  5. OCT 29

    Tracey Toole - Owner and Designer of traceytoole

    Since 2011, Tracey Toole has channeled her love of baking and sewing into creating Traceytoole Designs, a line of tabletop linens, blankets, and home goods. As the founder, owner, and creative director, Tracey crafts each vintage-inspired piece by hand in Brooklyn, using sustainable materials such as upcycled, organic, and deadstock fabrics. In this episode, Tracy speaks with JB Johnson and shares her journey from growing up in Pennsylvania and studying design in Portland, to working in New York's fashion industry. She discusses the challenges and successes she faced moving from a stable job to freelancing and starting her own business. Tracy emphasizes the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and following one's creative passions.

    15 min

  6. OCT 22

    Alicia Proctor - Visual Experience Leader

    Alicia Proctor is a Senior Executive, Visual Experience and Store Design leader who creates best in class visual storytelling for iconic/ luxury brands. She has led the visual strategy for Lancôme, Dior, Estee Lauder Companies Global Designer Fragrance division and Clinique NA. Her expertise includes designing innovative environments capturing the brand vision and elevating the consumer journey. In this episode, Alicia talks with Alicynne Sher about her illustrious career in luxury and beauty, from her beginnings in California and Idaho to prominent roles at Estee Lauder. They discuss career transitions, challenges, and the evolving retail industry, highlighting the importance of storytelling and networking.

    22 min

  7. OCT 15

    Alicynne Sher - Chief Commercial Officer at AMSS Advisory

    Alicynne Sher is a purpose driven, high impact and global seasoned commercial leader driving revenue growth and results for companies who support principles of the circular economy thru technology, recommerce, B2B and B2C business models. A certified digital marketing professional with years of experience leading customer strategy for sales success.  In this episode, Alicynne talks with Alicia Proctor about her extensive career in the retail and fashion industry. Alison shares her Midwest origins and her journey through roles at luxury brands like Versace and Ralph Lauren. She emphasizes the importance of continual learning and sustainability, expressing her commitment to working with companies focused on sustainable practices for the future.

    18 min

  8. OCT 8

    Vanessa von Bismarck - Founding Partner at BCPM

    Vanessa is recognized as one of the most established and respected global voices in fashion and luxury PR. In the nearly two decades since founding BPCM, Vanessa has been instrumental in building legacy brands and launching brands that have become household names. ​An expert in navigating the ever-changing landscape, Vanessa often serves as industry insider and ally helping to usher in the latest industry disruption through her ability to anticipate market shifts and upcoming innovations.​ In this episode, Vanessa von Bismarck speaks with her business partner, Carrie Ellen Phillips about her unexpected journey into the PR industry. Vanessa shares her transition from being a commodities trader in London to starting a PR agency in New York. She offers insightful advice on building confidence and taking risks, while emphasizing the importance of connectivity and the joy of watching others grow.

    15 min
See All (252)

4.6
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Welcome to the co-lab career stories podcast, a collective of professionals dedicated to sharing their experiences working in the fashion, beauty, wellness, retail and consumer luxury industries. Hear from CEOs, early career professionals and everything in between as the co-lab members interview each other, sharing their career stories, big pivots, worst jobs, best career advice, and remind us no two career paths are the same. Visit jointhecolab.com to learn more, become a member, tell your story, and follow us @jointhecolab. We can’t wait to network with you. X Kristy, co-lab founder.

Information

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada