Behind Her Empire

Ripley Rader is the founder and CEO of Ripley Rader, a dynamic and innovative apparel company dedicated to creating stylish, high-quality clothing.Ripley started her career performing on Broadway before moving to Los Angeles, never imagining she would one day start a clothing brand. While working multiple jobs to make ends meet in LA, she continued making her own outfits out of necessity because it was what she could afford. What began as a personal hobby turned into a life-changing opportunity when she wore one of her handmade jumpsuits to a concert, where a buyer from Fred Segal noticed her design. This chance encounter launched her fashion brand, which has since gained a reputation for its inclusive, stylish, and comfortable pieces, especially their viral pants. Her clothing has been embraced by celebrities like Amy Schumer and Gigi Hadid and is proudly made in America, with a focus on using high-quality fabrics that ensure a perfect fit and long-lasting wear.In this week’s episode, Ripley shares the early challenges of growing her brand, from celebrating small wins like selling 20 units a week to managing the business as it skyrocketed many years later. She emphasizes the importance of separating your identity from your business success, staying true to your mission and authentic self, and avoiding the comparison game in entrepreneurship. Ripley also talks about the freedom that comes with pushing past fears and limiting beliefs, and how she’s stayed true to her brand in the ever-changing world of fashion. She discusses her biggest business challenges, why she doesn’t believe in competition, and the importance of finding personal fulfillment in life and work, versus chasing external markers of success—and so much more.In this episode, we’ll talk to Ripley about:* The power of not knowing and not being the “expert” when starting a business. [02:54]* Life before entrepreneurship: Working in Broadway. [11:31]* How Ripley self-funded the business. [17:45]* How Ripley deals with “no’s” and rejections. [22:29]* The biggest challenges faced in the business. [27:05]* Starting a business and making sacrifices. [29:23]* Realities of being a founder. [32:07]* Nine years of building the brand and what went into it. [36:38]* Pivoting during the pandemic. [38:00]* Investing in marketing. [39:30]* The success of the “viral pants”. [42:03]* The challenge of scaling. [48:45]* The importance of defining success on your own terms. [54:55]* How to get clear on what you really want. [56:42]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 Ripley:* Website: https://ripleyrader.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopripleyrader/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ripleyrader/

Today, we’re tackling a question that many of us find pretty complicated: “What’s your relationship with food?” To help us unravel the nuances, we sat down with two doctors who share their personal experience and dish out how food can sneakily influence our lives.In this episode you’ll learn: * How to know when food is controlling your life* What your cravings are trying to tell you* How thoughts about food can affect its impact* Strategies for healing your relationship with food* And more…Tanda Cook is a naturopathic physician, food expert, published author, international speaker, blogger, health coach and farmer who is wildly passionate about educating and inspiring women to take steps towards health. Dr. Katie Collier is a naturopathic physician with a shared mission. Together, these practitioners work to help people feel their best in both clinical practice and their monthly class, The Soapbox Docs.Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Dr. Tanda:* Website: https://drtandacook.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtandacook/Follow Dr. Katie:* Website: https://drkatiecollier.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkatiecollier/

Mari Llewellyn is the founder of Bloom Nutrition, a health supplement company designed to help everyone bloom into their best selves. Although she is now a renowned expert, serial entrepreneur, and influencer in the health and fitness industry, her journey wasn’t always this way.During her college years, Mari weighed 250 pounds and was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. This marked the lowest point in her life. Realizing that something had to change, she turned to fitness, which became her passion. This journey ultimately planted the seed for what would eventually become her company, Bloom Nutrition. In her early days of getting healthy, she walked into a GNC and noticed that most products were geared toward men. In response, she and her husband launched Bloom in 2019 to fill that gap. Fast forward to today, Bloom ships over 100,000 orders a month and is the top-selling greens powder on Amazon, amassing more than 100 million views on TikTok each month.In this episode, Mari shares her story from growing up and hitting rock bottom in college to dropping out and completely transforming her life. We dive into how she lost 90 pounds and the critical role nutrition played in improving her mental and physical well-being. Mari also discusses how a single Instagram post, when she had just 900 followers, sparked the growth of her brand and community. Although she didn't plan on becoming an entrepreneur, her passion for sharing her story led her to start a business selling PDF fitness guides, which later expanded to resistance bands from her dad's attic.Mari gives a behind-the-scenes look at launching Bloom, covering challenges like product pivots, rejections from retailers like Target and Walmart, and how they eventually succeeded. We discuss the power of influencer marketing, building a community, managing multiple businesses, launching a podcast, and so much more.In this episode, we’ll talk to Mari about:* Mari's struggles with mental health. [03:03]* Her diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. [06:33]* Mari’s fitness journey of losing 90 pounds. [12:31]* Posting her before-and-after photos on Instagram. [20:07]* Organic growth and community building in business. [22:47]* The success of Bloom’s PDF guide. [24:59]* Development of Bloom’s popular greens powder. [31:07]* Securing product placements in Target and Walmart. [33:40]* The influencer program & how it impacted their growth. [38:25]* The biggest challenges in scaling the business. [42:13]* Bringing in a business partner and future plans for Bloom. [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 Mari:* Website: https://bloomnu.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloomsupps/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marillewellyn/

Bethany McDaniel is the founder of Primally Pure, a toxin-free and completely natural skincare and wellness brand. Bethany had no intention of getting into the skincare business. However, after years of battling severe acne and skin irritation caused by harsh chemicals in conventional products, she began experimenting with more natural options in her kitchen. At the same time, her family started an organic livestock farm, where her appreciation for real ingredients grew. With just $250, she bootstrapped the company while living with her in-laws, tirelessly working 12-hour days to handcraft products, manage customer service, and personally fulfill orders. Today, Primally Pure is a high-growth, multi-million-dollar brand with a cult following—and one of my personal favorites.In this week’s episode, Bethany shares her journey from working 9-5 jobs at places like Trader Joe's and Lululemon, to freelancing as a writer, to then working with the Special Olympics. She explains how each of these different roles played a part in eventually leading her to start her own brand. We discuss the challenges she faced in launching her business with little money, no connections, and no prior experience, emphasizing how her passion and mindset were crucial to her early success. Bethany also talks about the obstacles she overcame, the mistakes that made her a stronger leader, and how she managed conflict and stress during those initial days. We explore the key pillars she focused on while growing her business as a one-person team, her top advice for anyone starting a business, why it's essential to start small and be truly passionate to bring your dreams to life, and so much more.In this episode, we’ll talk to Bethany about:* Graduating college and exploring many different careers in her 20s. [05:08]* Insights from interviewing other founders. [07:49]* How not having a “big goal” helped Bethany. [09:48]* How to not compare yourself to others. [10:48]* Leaving her 9-5 and moving to a farm with her husband. [12:00]* Struggles with acne and starting Primally Pure. [16:18]* Early stages of Primally Pure. [21:22]* Bethany’s toughest business experience. [25:51]* Hiring the first team member. [30:29]* How Bethany educates herself as a business owner. [32:11]* In-house product creation. [39:14]* Benefits of growing the business slowly. [43:01]* Key factors driving Primally Pure’s growth. [50:08]* Challenges and failures Bethany has experienced over the years. [53:51]* Bethany’s daily routine and habits. [57:38]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 Bethany:* Website: https://primallypure.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/primallypure/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethanyjmcdaniel/Apple:

Did you know the heart has 40,000 neurons? 🤯 That’s right—it’s not just the brain! By using a simple meditation technique, you can sync your heart and brain for greater clarity, focus, emotional intelligence, stress resilience, immunity, gut health, and happier hormones. Interested? Don’t miss this week’s conversation.In this episode you’ll learn: * How the mind really impacts the body* The truth about heart intelligence* One powerful meditation technique to try* The truth about affirmations and gratitude lists* How breathwork can change your body* And more…Kimberly Snyder is a 3x New York Times bestselling author, spiritual and meditation teacher, international speaker, nutritionist, and wellness expert. She is the founder of Solluna®, a holistic lifestyle brand that offers supplements, meditations and courses. She is the host of the top-rated Feel Good Podcast on the Podcast One Network. She's also worked with dozens of top celebrities to help them feel their best, including Drew Barrymore, Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington and Channing Tatum, and is regularly featured by numerous national media outlets, including Good Morning America, The Today Show, The New York Times, Ellen, Vogue and The Wall Street Journal. 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 Kimberly:* Pre-order her NEW BOOK: https://mysolluna.com/fiveheartsbook/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_kimberlysnyder/

Melissa Palmer is the CEO and co-founder of OSEA, a heritage skincare brand with nearly 30 years of history, known for its use of seaweed as a signature ingredient in its products.Melissa grew up surrounded by women who were deeply inspired by the sea, and OSEA is the result of four generations of Palmer women. From a young age, she was taught the importance of wellness and the power of natural foods and beauty. Her mother and co-founder, Jenefer, spent decades perfecting her formulas, often filling their bathtub with seaweed and experimenting with various concoctions in their kitchen. Through these experiences, Melissa learned the value of hard work, passion, and what it takes to become an entrepreneur by watching her mother build these formulas from the ground up. Twenty years later, this mother-daughter duo continues to run a successful business, achieving profitability every year since its inception.In this week’s episode, we speak with Melissa about the importance of authenticity, storytelling, and staying true to your roots when building a strong, sustainable brand. She reflects on her unique upbringing and the visionary legacy of her great-grandmother, which inspired the creation of OSEA. Melissa discusses the early days of building the business from her home, her evolving relationship with perfectionism, and how failures with another business fueled her determination to elevate OSEA. She delves into the challenges of scaling in the clean beauty industry, the transition from a spa brand to a direct-to-consumer business, and how they built awareness and a loyal customer base before clean beauty became mainstream. Melissa also shares insights on the benefits of growing a business "slowly," why they turned down certain opportunities, their future expansion plans, and much more.In this episode, we’ll talk to Melissa about:* Melissa’s relationship with perfectionism and control. [03:38]* The impact Melissa’s great-grandmother had on her and the business. [09:41]* Melissa’s childhood and early entrepreneurial spirit. [12:46]* OSEA’s early days shipping from their garage. [17:41]* Lessons learned from hula hoop business. [19:11]* Melissa’s growing self-confidence. [21:30]* Being early in the clean beauty space and OSEA’s growth. [23:07]* What it’s like working in a family business. [34:50]* The significant role of a family coach and a therapist. [37:24]* OSEA during the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually bringing an investor on board. [39:14]* Melissa’s relationship with her business partners. [44:09]* Melissa’s constant evolution of workflow. [47:50]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 Melissa:* Website: https://oseamalibu.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oseamalibu/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happypalmer/

In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes from last year with Kat Hantas. Kat is the co-founder of 21 Seeds Tequila, one of the fastest-growing flavored tequilas. Kat’s had an interesting journey - from thinking she wanted to be a doctor, then pivoting to the entertainment industry, and then being a stay-at-home mom for many years. She never would have thought that she’d launch a business in the liquor industry. It wasn’t until she started noticing that her evening wine wasn’t making her feel good and her doctor recommended that she move away from fermented spirits and into distilled spirits. In the process of exploring tequila options, Kat came up with the idea to start 21 Seeds Tequila - a fresh natural tequila made with real fruit. She was making this in her kitchen for years, until one day the demand became so much that her friend inspired her to start selling the bottles. This sparked the idea and Kat co-founded the business with her sister and good friend to make it a reality. The business was acquired by Diageo in just three years in March 2022 and the deal marked one of the largest female-founded liquor acquisitions to-date.In this podcast episode, Kat opens up about her journey with imposter syndrome and shares tips on overcoming it in her career in the entertainment industry and entrepreneurial ventures. She discusses her transition from being a stay-at-home mom to launching 21 Seeds, highlighting the challenges of finding a distillery, creating product-market fit, and building a supportive network. Kat ends by sharing the playbook she used in marketing and the importance of knowing your customer, and so much more. In this episode, we’ll talk to Kat about:* Impostor syndrome and its impact on women's aspirations. [03:44]* From medical school to the entertainment industry. [07:10]* Experience at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and starting her production company. [12:14]* Film "Taking 5," hiatus, and focusing on family. [16:55]* Kat's journey as a stay-at-home mom, health challenges, and 21 Seeds inspiration. [22:00]* From a hobby to launching 21 Seeds Tequila after nine years. [25:38]* Significance of co-founders in 21 Seeds' success. [30:00]* Challenges in the male-dominated tequila industry without expertise. [35:56]* Launch process and diligent preparations for 21 Seeds. [42:24]* Fundraising process and key lessons learned. [44:07]* Early momentum and unique marketing for 21 Seeds. [49:49]* Diageo's acquisition: a milestone in female-founded liquor business. [55:25]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://www.21seeds.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/21seeds/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathantas/

Know someone with multiple sclerosis? Dr. Terry Wahls brings hope to nearly 3 million people with MS worldwide. In this inspiring episode, she shares her incredible story of reversing her progressive MS symptoms. From using two walking sticks to eventually riding her bike, her journey highlights the transformative power of food, targeted supplementation and determination. Dr. Wahls' experience illuminates new possibilities for those living with MS.In this episode you’ll learn: * Who is most likely to get autoimmune conditions* Top foods to start eating today for less autoimmunity* Supplements to support multiple sclerosis* The role of sleep in autoimmunity* Life changing perspective for staying healthy* And more…Dr. Terry Wahls is more than a doctor. She’s an educator, a speaker, an author, and she’s also a patient. In 2000, she was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Dr. Wahls was determined not to let the disease control her life, so she began doing her own research. In December 2007, she began the Wahls Protocol® — a therapeutic diet and lifestyle program that focuses on functional medicine and nutrient-rich foods.Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Website: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Dr. Wahls: * Website: https://terrywahls.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drterrywahls/?hl=en* FREE online MS and Neuroimmune Summit from 8/20 to 8/26 https://drtalks.com/multiple-sclerosis-summit-2024/?oid=77&ref=2476&uid=768