Behind Her Empire

In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes with Jeanine Lobell, founder of Stila Cosmetics & Neen.After dropping out of high school and trying to forge her own path in the world, serial entrepreneur and world-renowned celebrity makeup artist Jeanine Lobell fell in love with cosmetics. Thanks to her try-anything attitude and strong work ethic, she quickly moved up the ranks to work on famous faces like Nicole Kidman and Natalie Portman for the covers of Vogue and Vanity Fair.When Jeanine founded Stila in 1994, with its professional-grade colors and ultra-wearable formulas in recyclable packaging, it took the makeup world by storm and earned a cult following almost overnight. She saw unprecedented growth in the first five years and had numerous investors scrambling to buy the company, which she ultimately sold to Estee Lauder in 1999.Now, she is disrupting the beauty industry all over again with her direct-to-consumer brand, Neen, the first-ever subscription-based card that offers new ways to play with makeup and experience tutorials. In this episode, Jeanine speaks to us about how she discovered her purpose as a high-school dropout and someone who was regularly fired from jobs early in her career.We discuss how Jeanine finally realized her worth, what her superpowers were as a first-time founder when she launched Stila, and the advice she has for women who are looking to make a similar leap in their careers. We also take a look at the importance of having an abundance mindset, owning who you authentically are, finding your own voice, and so much more! In this episode, we’ll talk to Jeanine about:* Breaking free from the “prisons” of others’ opinions. [03:24]* Why Jeanine went to mime school in Paris. [07:47]* Lessons in entrepreneurship from a hot dog stand. [11:39]* Why none of the stops on your journey are a mistake. [13:20]* Rising through the beauty industry ranks. [15:31]* Self-compassion as a first-time founder. [17:14]* The origin story of Stila. [22:12]* Thoughts on competition, comparison, and abundance. [27:01]* Being a first-time mom and a first-time founder. [30:02]* Why we're all works in progress. [39:37]* Selling her first company to Estee Lauder. [41:02]* Overcoming hardship as a serial entrepreneur. [44:19]* Neen’s subscription cards. [48:06]* Success expectations versus reality. [50:06]* Common mistakes first-time founders make. [52:41]* Balancing accountability with self-kindness. [57:52]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Jeanine:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeaninelobell/  * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareneen/ * Website: https://weareneen.com/

In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes with April Gargiulo, the Founder and CEO of Vintner's Daughter, a cult favorite nutrient-powered skincare brand. Vintner’s Daughter was founded on the principles of unparalleled quality and efficacy, inspired by April’s background in the world of fine winemaking and its uncompromising standards.Admittedly, she knew very little about the skincare industry when she first founded the brand in 2013, but one thing she knew well was how to extract the finest ingredients from plants. After suffering from cystic acne and hyperpigmentation her whole life, April discovered the products she was using were actually made from cheap synthetics, and it was then that she decided to create her own all-natural, multi-beneficial skincare. She launched the Vitner’s Daughter brand with just one product: the Active Botanical Serum, which famously attracted the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Watts, Hailey Bieber, and others who swear by its skin-clearing benefits.In our conversation, April offers some insight into the process of starting her business from her living room with absolutely no knowledge of the beauty industry and she explains how throwing out the rulebook allowed her to stand out in a highly saturated market. We also discuss how she grew into a multimillion-dollar business with only one product and zero investors, the power of meditation and staying true to yourself, and so much more! In this episode, we'll talk to April about:* Why April calls herself risk-averse and how she overcame it. [03:18]* How two entrepreneurial parents shaped April. [04:50]* Life before Vintner's Daughter: from design to winemaking. [05:56]* The story of the sabbatical April took, the apothecary she visited, and how it inspired her first product, the Active Botanical Serum. [12:37]* Other ideas April explored before launching Vintner's Daughter. [15:23]* The early days of product development and launch. [16:58]* Moments of doubt and the motivation to keep going. [19:58]* Growing brand awareness with minimal marketing funds. [23:33]* Scaling, running a business from her living room, working mom hours, and more! [25:20]* Committing to a single SKU over trends. [27:13]* Staying vision-aligned and impact-focused. [29:54]* Her approach to funding and building without investors. [32:02]* The value of a supportive advisory community. [35:50]* The transformative power of meditation and authenticity. [37:18]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow April:* Website: https://vintnersdaughter.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintnersdaughter/

In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, the founder of the Institute for Muscle-Centric Medicine.Not prioritizing your muscle can have disastrous consequences such as excessive weight gain, insulin resistance, and much more. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is our guest, and she’s talking all about muscle and protein. In this episode you’ll learn:* Why strength training is important for women* How much protein we need to build and maintain muscle* Why being overweight might be a muscle issue, not a fat issue* And more...Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is a Washington University fellowship-trained physician in Nutritional Science and Geriatrics and is board certified in Family Medicine. She completed her undergraduate degree in Human Nutrition, Vitamin, and Mineral Metabolism at the University of Illinois. Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is the founder of the Institute for Muscle-Centric Medicine® and has a private practice that services the leaders, innovators, mavericks, Special Operations military, and executives in their respective fields.This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Dr. Gabrielle:* Website: https://drgabriellelyon.com/* Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drgabriellelyon

Kat Cole is the CEO of AG1 (formerly known as Athletic Greens), the global health company that pioneered Foundational Nutrition support with a comprehensive and convenient daily supplement.Kat has built an incredible career grounded in resilience, grit, and a passion for leadership. Growing up, Kat witnessed her mother’s strength firsthand when, at just nine years old, her mom left her alcoholic dad and became a single parent to Kat and her two sisters. From an early age, Kat learned the value of hard work and determination. As the first in her family to go to college, she supported herself financially by working at Hooters, and ultimately left school to take on a corporate roles with the company. By the age of 26, she was Vice President, leading global growth through franchising, training, and operations and helped lead Hooters’ sale to a private equity firm in 2010. Kat went on to spend over a decade as President and COO at Focus Brands, where she led a multi-billion-dollar portfolio of global restaurant brands with brands like Cinnabon, McAlister's, and Jamba under her leadership.In this conversation, Kat dives into her journey from childhood to becoming a powerhouse in business, highlighting how curiosity, a strong work ethic, and embracing change have fueled her growth from the very start. She shares her biggest lessons from running multiple brands at scale, how she gets involved to be the most effective leader, and why she prioritizes quality and constant improvement to keep brands fresh and relevant. We also discuss her experience taking a year off, her insights as an angel investor, what she looks for when investing in brands, and how she got involved with AG1. Kat also talks about the importance of listening to intuition and trusting your gut with every decision, as well as her grounding routines that keep her balanced and focused, and so much more. In this episode, we’ll talk to Kat about:* Why we shouldn’t let our past solely define us. [03:34]* Kat’s childhood and upbringing. [05:37]* Kat’s career journey, leading her to AG1. [07:58]* Kat’s drive to achieve success. [10:54]* The importance of not knowing the truth. [16:25]* How Kat cultivates comfort in new situations. [20:01]* Leadership and creating a safe environment. [24:25]* Taking a year gap to reevaluate her career path. [31:36]* Leaving Focus Brands and transitioning to AG1. [35:20]* AG1’s commitment to product quality. [38:33]* AG1’s product iteration and innovation. [41:41]* The necessity of evolution in business. [46:06]* Kat’s grounding routines. [49:41]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Kat:* Website: https://drinkag1.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkag1/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katcoleatl/

Kym Gold is a visionary entrepreneur, co-founder of True Religion, the iconic denim brand that redefined premium jeans, and most recently, the founder of dumæ, a homeware line that blends her signature aesthetic with artisanal craftsmanship.As the co-founder of True Religion Jeans, Kym redefined fashion with her rockstar style, fearless vision and unwavering determination. Her entrepreneurial journey began at 18 on the Venice Beach Boardwalk, where she resold irregular clothing items, eventually leading her to launch several successful brands. Known for her transformative approach to business, Kym later co-founded True Religion, a brand that would become one of the biggest names in denim history. After selling the company for over $800 million, Kym focused on family and pursued new creative paths in filmmaking and interior design. A trailblazer and role model, she’s now channeling decades of business and design expertise into her luxury homeware brand, dumæ.In this week’s episode, Kym Gold shares her journey from dropping out of college to her early entrepreneurial ventures and the founding of True Religion. She reflects on the pressures of entrepreneurship, her unique upbringing as an identical triplet, and the sacrifices she made to build her brand, including living in debt and staying in hotels with her three children. Kym opens up about prioritizing passion over profit, choosing peace over millions when taking her company public, and her belief in resilience, self-care, and the power of community among women. As she launches dumæ, she discusses timeless business fundamentals, the art of hiring, and teamwork. This episode will leave you inspired to embrace change and pursue your passions, regardless of age or circumstances. In this episode, we’ll talk to Kym about:* Enjoying the journey and being in the moment. [03:42]* How self-care alleviates pressure. [05:25]* Growing up as an identical triplet. [11:48]* Kym’s unique hustle, defying family expectations. [13:03]* From real estate license to selling garments and being a college dropout. [15:16]* Asking questions and not accepting "no" as an answer. [20:27]* Founding True Religion with $250K in debt and living with three kids in a hotel. [24:21]* Taking True Religion public. [32:22]* Leaving the company to prioritize peace of mind. [34:27]* Why family and legacy are more important than business. [37:46]* The inspiration behind dumæ. [41:31]* The challenges of starting dumæ. [44:18]* Kym’s lessons from hiring her team. [46:12]* Why organization is essential in life and business. [49:07]This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Kym:* Website: https://dumae.co/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dumaeofficial/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kym.gold/

Today we have an extra special conversation to share that dives DEEP into seed cycling—What is it? Who is it for? How do you do it? And how does food work to balance hormones? We answer it all in this EPIC conversation with Dr. Mindy Pelz and our co-founders, Yasmin & Kaya. If you're wondering whether or not to start seed cycling, listen up. And if you've been using seed cycling to support your hormones, you're going to learn so much about why these powerful seeds have so many benefits. In this episode you’ll learn: * What seed cycling is* Yasmin’s post-birth control experience* Kaya’s postpartum journey with seed cycling* Research behind the seeds and their nutrients* Who can benefit from seed cycling* Who shouldn’t seed cycle* And more…Dr. Mindy Pelz is a leading holistic health expert dedicated to revolutionizing women's health. Through her signature “5-Step Approach”, she has empowered hundreds of thousands globally to unlock their body’s healing potential with fasting, food, stress management, and lifestyle changes. Her private coaching group, The Reset Academy, teaches women to align fasting with hormonal health.Dr. Mindy is passionate about helping people reclaim their health. Her YouTube channel, featuring fasting and holistic health tips, has amassed over 26 million views. She is the bestselling author of The Menopause Reset, The Reset Factor, and The Reset Kitchen. Additionally, her podcast, “The Resetter Podcast,” ranks among Apple’s top 40 U.S. science podcasts, featuring influential guests like Marianne Williamson, Dave Asprey, and Dr. Christiane Northrup.This episode is brought to you by Beeya:* If you or anyone you know have been struggling with hormonal imbalances and bad periods, go to https://beeyawellness.com/free to download the free guide to tackling hormonal imbalances and to learn more about Beeya’s seed cycling bundle.* Plus, get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Dr. Mindy:* Website: https://drmindypelz.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.mindypelz/