Behind Her Empire

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/

If you've ever wondered how seed cycling works, this email is for you! 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/

Jennie Yoon is the founder and CEO of Los Angeles-based direct to consumer jewelry brand, Kinn Studio. Kinn Studio was born out of loss. In 2015, her family home was robbed and all of her family heirlooms and jewelry were stolen. That’s when Jennie decided she wanted to find a way to replace the antique jewelry her parents lost. After searching for the right jeweler to help her recreate those one of a kind pieces, and getting so many compliments from people, Jennie decided to launch Kinn Studio in 2017 as a side hustle. In this week’s episode, Jennie shares her key mindset shifts that helped her transition from corporate to the start up world, the challenges she faced growing up as a young woman moving to America from Korea, and how those experiences impacted her life. Jennie also explains how she made the bold decision to stop playing it safe and pursue her dreams with her jewelry business. She describes how her genuine curiosity led her to learn about the industry, how she used her own money to set it up as a side hustle, and how she persevered despite facing many rejections. Jennie also shares her strategic approach to launching the brand, the moment she realized she was onto something big, and how she finally came to the decision to quit her full-time job. She talks to us about the steps she took to build her brand and refine her messaging, and how she's mastered time management, which has helped her succeed not only as a founder & CEO but also as a mother of two. In this episode, we’ll talk to Jennie about:* Skills and mindset shifts that fueled her entrepreneurial journey. [02:57]* Jennie’s childhood and early influences. [05:40]* Her HR role at MySpace and early business interests. [08:33]* Jennie’s MBA experience: gaining knowledge and building networks. [12:45]* Meeting the Casetify founder and joining the team. [14:24]* The importance of time management and self-learning. [18:24]* Inspiration for Kinn Studio and turning passion into business. [21:02]* Early product launches and self-funding Kinn Studio. [22:14]* Building brand awareness from the start. [25:31]* Initial brand strategies and how she engaged with customers. [32:01]* Finding a unique angle in the market. [34:44]* Jennie’s business thought process. [40:20]* Time optimization tips for entrepreneurs. [46:55]* How Jennie navigates challenging moments. [51:43]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 Jennie:* Website: https://kinnstudio.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinnstudio/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennieyyoon/

Tata Harper is the founder of Tata Harper Skincare, a luxury clean beauty brand known for its non-toxic, high-performance products, handcrafted on an organic farm in Vermont.When her stepfather was diagnosed with cancer in 2007, Tata began questioning the safety of everyday products and what she was putting on her own body. This inspired her to develop a skincare line that prioritized natural ingredients, sustainability, and effective results without harmful chemicals. What began as a personal mission in her Vermont kitchen has grown into a globally recognized brand, with products formulated on her organic farm using over 300 raw ingredients sourced from around the world. Today, Tata Harper Skincare is available at top retailers like Sephora, Nordstrom, and Saks, as well as in luxury spas across the globe.In this week’s episode, Tata shares how growing up in Colombia sparked her love for self-care and beauty rituals.Though her mom encouraged her to study industrial engineering, she grew to love it, gaining problem-solving skills that shaped her career. Tata recounts her journey from working in real estate to experimenting on her organic farm, where she created the skincare products she had always imagined.Tata discusses the years of trial and error that went into building her brand and how planning, routines, and community support helped her stay balanced. She shares how she found confidence without a skincare background and offers advice for entrepreneurs starting outside their expertise.We dive into the emotional but strategic decision to sell her company in 2022 and her experience navigating that process. As a mom of three, Tata opens up about the challenges of juggling business and family, highlighting the importance of self-care, friendships, and embracing uncertainty along the way—and much more.In this episode, we’ll talk to Tata about:* Tata’s Colombian upbringing and entrepreneurial drive. [03:49]* Early ventures and key lessons [07:36]* Learning by doing without formal training. [19:45]* Inspiration behind Tata Harper Skincare. [22:00]* Building a manufacturing facility on their farm. [31:27]* Why making a revolutionary product takes time. [34:28]* Tata Harper Skincare’s sustainability efforts. [38:23]* Getting featured in Vogue. [41:40]* Managing business momentum and motherhood. [42:32]* Benefits of a business partner. [53:04]* Balancing business and personal life. [56:01]* Action as an antidote to fear—why staying busy helps. [59:20]* Selling Tata Harper Skincare [01:01:31]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 Tata:* Website: https://tataharperskincare.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tataharperskincare/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tataharper/

Weight loss is a nuanced topic that can be especially challenging for women. Much of the information out there feels black and white, impersonal, and disconnected from a holistic view of health, leaving many without clear guidance. That’s why we invited one of our favorite doctors to help us clarify, debunk outdated myths, and provide effective strategies that won’t compromise your health in the long term. The path may be bumpy, but prioritizing your health is always worth it!In this episode you’ll learn: * When the scale is and isn’t important* Labs to look at if you just can’t lose weight* Top foods and supplements for weight loss* How hormones impact body composition* Natural options for GLP-1 agonists* And more…Dr. Anjali Dsouza is an integrative and functional medicine doctor specifically interested in helping high-achieving but overscheduled women achieve their best health. She runs a practice in DC called the District Center for Integrative Medicine, and she can be found on Instagram @anjalidsouzamd. Dr. Dsouza also runs a private network, Your Goddess Health Unleashed, for women interested in coming together and learning about maximizing their health outcomes.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. Anjali:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anjalidsouzamd/* Medical Practice: https://dcimedicine.com/dr-anjali-dsouza/* To Join Her Women's Health Network, Your Goddess Health Unleashed: contact elena@dcimedicine.com

Dr. Julie Chung is the co-founder of T3, a premium hair tool brand known for its sleek, innovative designs that deliver professional-grade styling results.Growing up, Julie always knew she wanted to pursue medicine but had a passion for fashion and beauty as well. It wasn’t until she met her then-boyfriend Kent that her love for beauty was reignited. Their journey began in 2003 when they both realized that Julie would apply skincare and makeup—using only premium products that made her skin glow—only to finish with an inexpensive hair dryer that would ruin her hair. Kent saw her frustration and created their first product: the T3 Featherweight hair dryer. The brand quickly became a hit, selling out multiple times and eventually winning over retailers who were initially hesitant to stock it. Today, the company remains 100% privately owned by both Julie and Kent and is ranked as the #3 hair tools brand in the United States.In this week's episode, we chat with Julie Chung about her journey from medicine to entrepreneurship and how she manages to balance both worlds. Julie shares how embracing uncertainty has been key to thriving as both a physician and co-founder of T3. She opens up about taking a year off from medical school, her parents' concerns, and how that decision ultimately steered her into entrepreneurship. She also reflects on the pivotal moments that led her and her now-husband Kent to launch T3, how they pushed past skeptics who didn’t understand their vision for hair tools, and the challenges of balancing her medical career with building a successful business. Julie discusses her personal journey with infertility, motherhood, and the importance of community among women. She also shares valuable lessons from hiring a CEO, letting go of control, and navigating the ups and downs of running T3 for two decades.In this episode, we’ll talk to Julie about:* Life isn’t always black and white. [03:42]* Julie’s passion for medicine and creativity. [08:13]* Taking a gap year in med school and moving to New York. [10:44]* The unconventional journey to entrepreneurship. [11:53]* How the idea for T3 was born. [13:35]* The early stages of T3. [22:06]* Getting into Sephora in 2016 and other retail stores. [24:18]* The power of word-of-mouth when building a brand. [26:59]* Being fully self-funded since 2004. [29:03]* Learning to let go of control. [36:57]* Julie's relationship with comparison. [41:59]* Taking a year off and moving to London in 2020. [47:54]* Misconceptions about starting a business. [56:48]* Lessons from hiring a new CEO. [59:42]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 Dr. Julie:* Website: https://t3micro.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/t3micro/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliechung_t3/

Ann McFerran is the founder and CEO of Glamnetic, a Los Angeles-based beauty brand that specializes in magnetic lashes, press-on nails, and eyeliners.Ann immigrated from Thailand to the U.S. when she was 7, joining her mom in a small California town where she was one of the only Asian kids in the area. Although she felt different and self-conscious, she found comfort and a sense of control in wearing false lashes, which helped her feel like she belonged. In 2019, Ann identified a gap in the beauty market for magnetic eyelashes, and with no business experience, she taught herself everything from product development to marketing, and founded Glamnetic from her small LA apartment with just a few thousand dollars. To get her business off the ground, she bootstrapped it, even offering free pizza to anyone willing to help pack and ship products. In July 2019, Glamnetic launched, and by 2021, Ann had sold over 1.5 million sets of nails, generated $50 million in sales, and achieved all of this while remaining completely self-funded.In this week’s episode, Ann opens up about her tough childhood in Thailand, the challenges of moving to the U.S., and the lessons she learned about stress and resilience. She shares how she went against her family’s expectations and made the bold decision to leave pre-med in college to pursue her passion for art and entrepreneurship. Ann discusses the early days of building her business from her Koreatown apartment, how creativity and visualization helped her manifest her goals, and the exact steps she took to create her first product – from finding suppliers to marketing the product with no money. She also shares how the business grew exponentially since its launch, and the challenges that come with that, how she navigated imposter syndrome along the way, how her definition of success is ever-changing, and so much more.In this episode, we’ll talk to Ann about:* Ann’s childhood and upbringing [03:17]* Moving to America and witnessing a new life for herself. [09:33]* Life as a Thai immigrant and family expectations. [10:46]* Pursuing a career as an artist. [12:35]* The inspiration behind Glamnetic. [17:11] * Funding the first order and launching with 100 units. [22:39]* Early launch strategy & hitting over $1M monthly. [25:30]* Hiring the right people is crucial for growth. [33:06]* Approach in handling business challenges. [39:11]* How Ann met her business partner. [42:42]* Challenges in scaling the business. [45:59]* The evolving definition of success. [52:32]* Visualizing to manifest goals. [57:10]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 Ann:* Website: https://www.glamnetic.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glamnetic/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themodernartista/

Feeling overwhelmed and always tired? You’re not alone, and it doesn’t have to be this way. In this episode with Dr. Amy Shah, we explore powerful strategies to combat burnout and boost your energy. Don’t settle for feeling “normal”—watch this to learn how to effectively manage sugar cravings, align your lifestyle with nature's rhythms, and reclaim your vitality with her practical tips.In this episode you’ll learn: * Hormone basics for all life stages* The truth about adrenal fatigue* How to combat sugar cravings* The role of dopamine in cravings* When women should and shouldn’t fast* And more…Dr. Amy Shah is an MD and nutrition specialist. She works in clinical medicine, allergy/immunology, and over the last 10 years has developed a world-renowned wellness education platform, written bestselling books, and has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Mel Robbins Podcast, and Ed Mylett Podcast. She has worked with companies like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Alo, and more. She works to discover less invasive interventions, promote wellness, and teach others how to impact their health via nutrition and exercise—using medication as a last resort. Her goal is to empower people to “save themselves” through nutrition and lifestyle changes.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. Amy:* Website: https://amymdwellness.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastingmd/

Grace Na is the founder and creative director of Pistola, a LA-based premium denim label offering contemporary ready-to-wear collections designed by women for women who are going places. Grace started her career in fashion as a planner at the department store Mervyn’s and quickly climbed the ranks in the industry, eventually landing an executive role at BCBG. Along the way, she realized there was a big gap in the market for denim designed for women that was stylish, functional, and accessible. She left her corporate career and launched Pistola in 2013 to fill that void. Over a decade later, Pistola is now an eight-figure business with a growing direct-to-consumer channel and has placement in top retailers like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Shopbop.In this episode, Grace shares her journey growing up with immigrant parents, the valuable lessons she learned, and how early career rejections led her to pursue a job in the fashion industry. We discuss how she ideated the concept for Pistola and the key factors that fueled its year-over-year growth since they launched. Grace also reflects on the brand’s hypergrowth during the pandemic and the many challenges that came with it. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the importance of self-care in sustaining the life of a founder and mother of three, as well as the leadership skills needed to manage a growing team. We also chat about how to build an authentic brand, what people get wrong in entrepreneurship, the importance of community when building your business, and so much more. In this episode, we’ll talk to Grace about:* Grace’s upbringing and early fascination with fashion. [03:07]* Career path: from finance to fashion. [07:07]* How early career experiences shaped Grace’s entrepreneurial mindset. [10:52]* The first steps in building her brand. [17:47]* Taking the leap and going all-in with Pistola. [21:09]* Building self-confidence in the early stage of business. [23:42]* Challenges faced in running a family business. [27:26]* How to market & create brand authenticity. [32:45]* Transitioning from wholesale to direct-to-consumer. [35:21]* Navigating hypergrowth during the pandemic. [37:55]* The importance of self-care. [42:01]* Key entrepreneurial lesson: nothing in life is perfect. [49:45]* Pistola's spotlight: Greta Gerwig wearing the pink jumpsuit on the Barbie set. [52:22]* Lessons learned in leadership and resilience. [55:05]* Future plans for Pistola. [59:49]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 Grace:* Website: https://www.pistoladenim.com/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pistoladenim/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grey_slim/