Superwomen With Rebecca Minkoff

Please be aware, this episode contains discussion of gun violence and suicide as it pertains to adults, children and teens. It may be surprising to learn that among national polls, 90% of Americans favor stronger gun laws that require background checks before any gun sale takes place. Even 80% of gun owners and 70% of NRA members agree. Why, then, does it seem like gun control is such a polarizing issue? When Shannon Watts watched the events of the Sandy Hook shooting unfold, and the consequent response that more guns were the answer, she knew in her gut that something had to change. Inspired by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, she founded Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. For far too long gun lobbyists have influenced politicians to make laws that favor the quick and easy access that essentially equates to more gun sales annually. Shannon’s organization, which has chapters in every state, continues its work to ensure that the 400 million guns in this country are subject to laws that keep citizens as

Let’s face it: the burdens of plastic consumption are overwhelming. We try our best to recycle, hoping our used ketchup bottles and takeout containers are reincarnated as earth-friendly reusable water bottles, but the truth is that countless amounts of plastics continue to clog landfills and waterways each year. When Sarah Paiji Yoo discovered that microscopic bits of plastic even make their way into our drinking water, she decided she had to do something. Sarah and her co-founder started Blueland as a starting point for changing the way we think about cleaning products, and the containers they come in. After discovering most cleaning products contain 90% water, Sarah envisioned a tablet that could then be mixed with water at home, minimizing the need to buy plastic-packaged products every time. The biggest lesson she’s learned? It’s nearly impossible to have a “perfect” solution to plastic at this point, but that’s not a reason to give up trying. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or

Tiny Tags is a small company, and Melissa Clayton likes it that way. After working as a CPA early on in her career, eventually the entrepreneurial genes she inherited from her father began to activate, stirring within Melissa the desire to start her own company. Ironically, Melissa didn’t know a whole lot about jewelry making when she got the idea for a line that would celebrate the many facets that motherhood can take. What she has learned, however, is that “everybody you meet knows something you don’t.” A chance encounter on a plane put her in touch with a woman who would help her learn the ins and outs of running a jewelry company. Since then, Melissa has been met with lessons that have taught her how important it is to adhere to the vision that feels most authentic to the company, regardless of what anyone else might think. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leav

Back in 2010, the zenith of subscription boxes was just beyond the horizon - a small glimmer in the consumer’s eye. Katie Rosen saw this as an opportunity not to be missed. These days, while they may be ubiquitous across multiple markets, Katie has found a way to keep FabFitFun one of the most sought-after subscription boxes on the market, even after 10 years. Inspired by beauty boxes but unsatisfied with the (small) size of the samples, Katie sought to create boxes that would get customers excited, including full sized products at a fraction of the price. By relying on consumer feedback from day one, and creating community beyond simply selling, the company has garnered a loyal following that now boasts over a million members worldwide. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Big Ideas Keeping afloat in s

How often do people consider the ethics behind the brands they buy? While it’s becoming increasingly popular to make sure your money is going somewhere “woke,” it’s still not quite the norm. Suzanne Lerner, then, was ahead of her time when she and Michael founded the company of the same name in the 1980’s, and made it their mission to support equality in all its various facets. While the company has had to pivot and grow over the years, the heart of their mission has remained the same. Suzanne regularly puts their company profits towards charitable organizations, and has recently paired with Gloria Steinem to support voting initiatives in addition to work for gender and racial equity. As Suzanne puts it, “It’s okay to make a profit, but it’s even better to give it away.” Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Follow Superwomen on Instagra

Lots of businesses start with a dream, but rarely is it literally by the guidance of someone who arrives in your slumber. For Bea Dixon, it was exactly that: months of a persistent health condition culminated in a dreamtime visit from Bea’s grandmother, who gave her the recipe that would heal her body once and for all. Thus began the earliest iterations of The Honey Pot Company. After working as a pharmacy tech for 10 years, followed by her own cleaning business and stints in the realm of natural supplements, Bea knew her personal and professional experience made her the perfect candidate to launch a line of plant-based feminine care products. Eight years in, the success of The Honey Pot Co. is growing everyday. Bea now has her sights set on creating a life of beauty and simplicity, where she owns her own time and lives by the philosophy that “everything communicates.” Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/mess

Jill Manoff loves brick and mortar, rarely gets a pedicure, and holds a soft spot for reading paper magazines on the beach. This may seem incongruous for the editor-in-chief of a high profile online publication like Glossy, but Jill knows what she likes. This hasn’t always been the case. Before Jill made the move to New York, she was working as a fashion writer, and then a stylist. Getting burnt out from overworking herself, she reached a point where she had a day off and realized she didn’t even know what she liked to do for fun anymore. This turning point forced Jill to take a look at her life, gather a new perspective, and figure out how she really wanted to spend her life. She’s still not interested in getting a massage, though. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Big Ideas How to work your way up

Martha Miller never really thought she’d be working for the federal government. A self-proclaimed “over achiever,” Martha studied cognitive neuroscience and obtained a law degree from Georgetown before entering the field of law. She’s even rumored to have used the Rebecca Minkoff M.A.B. bag at her first job! In 2016 Martha was appointed the Director of the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation, a branch of the SEC. Simultaneously creating and directing a brand new government office catapulted Martha out of her comfort zone, forcing her to find “comfort in ambiguity” and recognize that it’s when we’re pushed beyond our limits that real impact can occur. Her work, in turn, helps small business owners move out of their comfort zones in order to reap the rewards that come with dreaming big. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo!&n

Ally Love is a tour de force. You may know her from your Peloton workouts, or perhaps from watching the Brooklyn Nets. Either way, this dancer-turned-host-turned-fitness instructor-turned-entrepreneur has mastered more careers in her 29 years on this planet than many people do in a lifetime. After a grave childhood accident left doctors questioning if Ally would ever recover her mobility, her mother enrolled her in a dance class. Ally flourished in the dance studio, and commenced the pursuit that would eventually lead her from Miami to New York. Several years and many successful careers later, Ally has founded Love Squad, aimed at supporting the work and wellbeing of women at little to no cost. Ally’s valiant mission is for every woman to have their own love squad, surrounding themselves with other women who lift them up and celebrate them for who they are. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on

When was the last time you thought about algae? Maybe you’re a health maven ahead of the curve and you enjoyed some in your smoothie this morning, but most folks would sooner associate algae with a pond in late summer than a nutrient boost in their breakfast. Catharine Arnston is looking to change that. After her sister was diagnosed with cancer and a doctor recommended supporting her treatment with chlorophyll-rich chlorella, Catharine began researching the health benefits of algae more deeply. She found was that what amounts to a multi-billion dollar industry in China makes barely a blip in the U.S. market. Using chlorella and spirulina, both of which come with their own distinctly powerful nutrients, Catharine started ENERGYbits, the only algae supplement brand of its kind in the U.S. Go to  ENERGYbits.com and use code  RMXenergybits to get 20% off your order! Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/

You may have heard of Danielle Bernstein, author, entrepreneur, and queen of the fashion scene on Instagram. What you may not know is that ten years ago she was an intern at Rebecca Minkoff! Growing up on Long Island, Danielle wasn’t sure what sort of career she wanted – all she knew was that she was destined to live in New York City. Her dreams of a life like the ones portrayed on Sex and the City led her to several internships, which then solidified her desire to foray into the world of fashion. Ten years and multiple business ventures later, Danielle is using her status as an influencer for the good of the community, walking her talk and showcasing the notion that when we lift each other up we make the world a better place. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Big Ideas The idea behind WeWoreWhat and

Published chemistry whiz, JP Morgan financial expert, and classically trained pianist Isa Watson had a perfectly-honed plan to take her straight to the senate. Accustomed to excelling in almost any field she attempted, it was no surprise that Isa achieved many outstanding goals all at a young age. However, when Isa was in her late 20’s, her father’s sudden death turned everything upside down. What had always seemed like the perfect plan for the perfect life began to feel hollow. In the wake of personal tragedy, Isa sought to reevaluate her priorities, and what emerged was a desire to carry on the traditions her parents had valued, namely supporting friends and the community. The idea for Squad was born: an app for your phone that connects you with likeminded individuals in real life. Now, Isa says, she hopes to use technology as a tool to generate empathy, compassion, and healthy relationships in a world that simultaneously creates proximity and distance all in the same breath. Thanks for listening! We love o

When Sarah Shadonix decided to leave the world of law and pursue her passion for wine, she didn’t think it would come with daily headaches. In studying to become a sommelier, the nightly tastings were leaving her regretful the next morning, even when she limited her consumption. Curious to figure out why, Sarah commenced an exhaustive research of the wine making process from start to finish. What she found was that the vast majority of wines are cultivated and treated with a staggering number of pesticides, herbicides and insecticides, in addition to a number of other chemicals and added sugars. Unfortunately none of this is required to be disclosed to consumers. Hopeful to continue her career in wine, Sarah made it her mission to create a company founded in “clean crafted” products. Scout & Cellar is now approaching its third birthday. Founded on such tenets as authenticity, transparency and teamwork, the company has gone from one employee and $2 million in first year sales to a company of 100, with sale

Before you become pregnant and give birth, you may think you have a pretty good idea of the whole process. It may come as a shock, then, when all sorts of things happen to your body that no one ever mentioned. Why, in the 21st century, are we still left in the dark on so many aspects of one of the most commonly shared experiences in human history? Tovah Haim has made it her mission to change all that. When her own journey through pregnancy and birth was filled with surprises that were all considered normal, she decided it was unacceptable for women to continue to go through this process uninformed. In founding Bodily, she’s made it her mission not only to illuminate the hidden aspects of pregnancy, birth, and recovery, but to provide products that make the experience a holistic and supportive one. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Follow

Back in January, Michelle Cordeiro Grant, CEO and founder of Lively (those cute bras you see on Instagram!), was consumed by ways to expand the brand’s brick and mortar presence. What seemed like a paramount concern quickly changed as the news of coronavirus set in. With shoppers now spending more time online looking for purchases, Michelle decided to embrace the challenge, rather than shy away from it. Taking inspiration from such well-known companies as Apple, Exxon and Disney, all of which started during “periods of correction,” Michelle shares her belief that this is actually a fertile time for business if it can work to meet the needs of consumers. As she says, “This is the time to try a lot [of different things] and break shit,” knowing that each experiment takes you one step closer to success. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Foll

What does it take for a company to do well? Not financially, but in terms of its impact on employees, the community, and the environment? Susan McPherson of McPherson Strategies makes it her mission to help companies create social impact and increase corporate responsibility, with the adage that “business is a force for good, and sustainability is good for business.” After working in corporate America for most of her life, at the age of 48 Susan took the opportunity to start her own business. While it may have been scary at first, she soon realized the business she wanted to create utilized the very skills she had cultivated in working for others, but this time she could call it her own. Now in the process of getting her first book published, Susan is excited to share what she knows about forging meaningful connections by being of service to others. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your de

Writer Minda Harts does not want you to give up or shy away. The writer, speaker and career revolutionary has made it her mission to support women of color in their professional goals. Now, as the call for change rings stronger than ever, Minda asks that we use our intentionality to take this opportunity from a moment to a movement, holding ourselves and others accountable in such a way that contributes to long term change for the better. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/superwomen/messages on your desktop or phone to leave us a voice memo! Follow Superwomen on Instagram. Big Ideas The inspiration and need for books like The Memo. [03:02] Ways for white people to generate awareness and understanding of the many nuances of racism, and therefore how to work against it. [06:28] Inclusion as a way of humanizing one another. [09:04] Guest Website Minda Harts Instagram Twitter --- Support this podca

In this episode of our COVID-specific series we are thrilled to have guest Emilie Aries, author, speaker and CEO/founder of Bossed Up. After experiencing extreme stress from a young age working on political campaigns in D.C., Emilie decided it was time to be her own boss, creating a new career that would fuel her fire rather than burn her out. Emilie now uses research, tactical and practical training to guide other women through their own career transitions. At the moment there may be a lot of people facing this very challenge, not as a choice but as a matter of necessity. Emilie uses her expertise to share tips on job search, the concept of a “bridge job,” and ways to finesse a résumé for better results. She also dives into the importance of psychological safety as modeled in leadership, and why now it’s more important than ever to embrace our shared vulnerability with open arms. Thanks for listening! We love our listeners! Drop us a line or give us guest suggestions here, or visit https://anchor.fm/sup

Maybe you’re a small business owner. Maybe you’d barely gotten your feet wet when COVID hit. Under these conditions, everyone is trying to regroup and reorganize, but small business owners are in a unique situation: they’re trying to figure out how to keep revenue flowing and adapt to the digital-first world we are living in, without the funding that a large corporation has. To tackle these topics we have Mary Ann Reilly, Head of North America Marketing at Visa. Mary Ann holds extensive experience in finance, marketing and global branding. Some of her favorite projects, however, are programs that support small businesses and champion women’s advancement. Last year, Visa partnered with the Female Founder Collective to launch She’s Next, Empowered by Visa, a global initiative that helps women in their efforts to run, fund and grow their small businesses. And, more recently, Visa announced a significant commitment to digitally enable  50 million small and micro businesses

When Samantha DiGennaro felt things begin to falter in her corporate job, she made a bold move. Rather than meekly waiting to see how things would transpire, she headed directly into HR and crafted an elegant exit strategy. Samantha is a “take the bull by the horns” kind of gal. Rather than go to work for someone else, she took her newfound freedom as an opportunity to start her own PR and marketing firm, DiGennaro Communications. Founded on tenets of teamwork and equality, Samantha has made it her mission to embolden and uplift women in the workplace, encouraging us to find our voice and use it loudly! Special thanks to our sponsor Book of The Month.   Book of the Month is a curated book subscription that offers five new and early-release books to choose from each month. It’s a great way to branch out into new genres or styles. They also support up-and-coming authors, especially debut writers, and highlight new and diverse backgrounds. Use code BOTMXRM to get your first book for just $9.99 We love ou