Behind Her Empire

Missy Tannen is the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Boll & Branch, the luxury bedding brand that made organic, ethically made sheets a household staple.Missy’s path to entrepreneurship began far from business. After eight years as a third-grade teacher, she stepped away to raise her three daughters, never imagining she would one day build one of the most successful bedding brands in the country. What started as a simple search for better sheets led Missy and her husband, Scott, to uncover an industry lacking transparency. Determined to do better, they learned everything from cotton to supply chains from scratch and launched Boll & Branch in 2014 with a mission to create beautiful, responsibly made bedding at an honest price. What began at their kitchen table has since grown into a $200 million brand, sold at Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s, with stores expanding nationwide.In this week’s episode, Missy shares her transformation from teacher to entrepreneur, the pivotal moments that shaped Boll & Branch’s early years, and how one unexpected newspaper story changed everything. We get into the scrappy stuff—wiring their savings to a factory they had never visited, making tech packs in PowerPoint, washing fabric samples in her laundry room, and missing a holiday launch after a production disaster. Missy reflects on building their supply chain from the ground up, facing zero-sales days before the brand took off overnight, and learning to balance growth, motherhood, and self-doubt while staying true to her purpose. This conversation is your reminder that you do not need experience or a roadmap to build something extraordinary, only grit, heart, and the courage to keep going.*Note from Yasmin: After five amazing years of weekly episodes, I’m shifting Behind Her Empire to an every-other-week schedule. This new rhythm gives me a bit more space to focus on building my own empire and to bring you even deeper, more intentional episodes. I’m so grateful to have you on this journey and can’t wait to keep sharing powerful stories every other week.In this episode, we’ll talk to Missy about:* Missy’s upbringing and early teaching career. [03:31]* How the idea for Boll & Branch came about. [07:30]* Sourcing ethical cotton and building fair trade supply chains. [15:48]* The process of finding the right partners. [18:22]* The process behind their first PO. [22:44]* Navigating early challenges with her husband and co-founder. [24:24]* The Wall Street Journal feature that changed everything. [33:25]* Balancing rapid growth with personal values. [39:36]* The evolution of Boll & Branch and leading with authenticity. [46:31]* Managing moments of overwhelm while building a business. [49:31]* Overcoming perfectionism in leadership. [53:50]* Navigating motherhood and entrepreneurship. [59:18]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Missy: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bollandbranch/* Website: https://www.bollandbranch.com/

Perimenopause is something nearly every woman will experience, yet many don’t recognize what’s happening until symptoms begin to disrupt daily life. This week, my co-founder Kaya and her sister sit down with Dr. Mariza Snyder for an open and honest conversation about perimenopause.Together, they bring personal experience and curiosity to the discussion, unpacking what’s really happening in the body during this stage and how women can navigate it with more ease and support.Dr. Mariza explains the first signs of perimenopause, which can vary widely and affect the entire body well beyond the breasts and ovaries. She breaks down what happens inside the body during this transition, how it can lead to surprising changes in daily life, and the key tests that can help women navigate this phase while protecting their brain and metabolic health. Dr. Mariza also shares why stress management, community, and movement are essential tools for empowering ourselves through this time.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 BEHINDHEREMPIRE10.Follow Yasmin:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/Follow Kaya:* https://www.instagram.com/kayapurohit/Follow Dr. Mariza:* Website: https://drmariza.com/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmariza/ * Check out her hormones and metabolism reset program here: https://go.drmariza.com/lp/metabolism-reset-course/

Kim Vaccarella is the founder and CEO of Bogg Bag, the durable, washable, and colorful tote designed to carry it all with ease, from beach days to everyday adventures.Kim’s journey to building Bogg Bag was anything but linear. A mom of two with a full-time job, she sketched the idea for a sturdier beach tote after one too many sandy, soggy days at the shore. Turning that sketch into reality meant dipping into her children’s college savings, navigating failed prototypes, and surviving a shipment disaster that nearly sank the company. She pitched the concept to investors, auditioned for Shark Tank four times, and kept going even when the odds looked impossible. For nearly a decade, Kim built Bogg slowly and steadily on the side, determined to protect her vision and move at her own pace. That persistence paid off. Today, Bogg Bag is a thriving $100 million brand carried in major retailers like Nordstrom, Target, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, with millions of bags in the hands of customers across the country.In this week’s episode, Kim gets super detailed about the many ups and downs on bringing this business to life - from the risks she took to place her first big order, the moments she nearly walked away, and the lessons she learned about patience, resilience, and staying true to her path. We talk about the turning points that defined her journey—from manufacturing challenges and early rejections to grassroots growth and viral moments, and the leap of faith she took when she left her 26-year career to focus on Bogg full time. Kim also shares why she ultimately turned down a massive nine figure acquisition offer and what it means to build a business on your own timeline. If you’ve ever doubted your pace or questioned your path, Kim’s story proves that slow growth can be just as powerful.In this episode, we’ll talk to Kim about:* Why slow and steady growth builds sustainable businesses. [02:27]* Kim’s early drive for financial independence. [07:31]* How a beach day sparked the idea for Bogg Bag. [10:14]* Early prototypes and industry rejections. [17:16]* Selling the first 300 bags. [19:22]* Funding the first batches through savings and family support. [20:50]* Manufacturing disaster and Hurricane Sandy. [23:11] * Factory challenges and key lessons. [29:15]* Finding the right long-term manufacturing partner. [32:57]* Auditioning for Shark Tank four times. [36:09]* Raising her first $120K from trusted connections. [37:15]* Leaving her 26-year career. [41:20]* The million-dollar sales milestone and early COVID pivots. [42:12]* Going viral with Peloton moms. [44:25]* Why Kim turned down a $100M acquisition deal. [53:18]* Navigating imitators and fierce competition. [59:25]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Kim: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boggbags/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimvaccarella/* Website: https://boggbag.com/

In this week’s episode, we’re re-airing one of our top episodes with Stacy Sims, MSC, PhD, a forward-thinking international exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist who aims to revolutionize exercise nutrition and performance for women. Have you ever wondered why one week you feel like you’re crushing it in the gym, and the next you just don’t have the energy? Newsflash: women are NOT small men. Our hormones fluctuate throughout the month, which has subtle (and sometimes obvious) impacts on every area of our lives—including exercise.In this episode you’ll learn: * Exercise myths that need to be busted* If women really need to cycle sync their workouts* What women need to know about cold therapy* How to know if you’re eating enough* Why creatine isn’t just for gym bros* And more…Dr. Stacy has directed research programs at Stanford, AUT University, and the University of Waikato, focusing on female athlete health and performance and pushing the dogma to improve research on all women. She has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers, several books and is a regularly featured speaker at professional and academic conferences, including those by USOC and USA Cycling.With the unique opportunities, Silicon Valley has to offer, during her tenure at Stanford, she had the opportunity to translate earlier research into consumer products and a science-based layperson's book, Roar, written to explain sex differences in training and nutrition across the lifespan. Both the consumer products and the book challenged the existing dogma for women in exercise, nutrition, and health. This paradigm shift is the focus of her famous "Women Are Not Small Men” TEDx talk.This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Dr. Stacy: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstacysims/* Website: https://www.drstacysims.com/

Jennifer Meyer is the founder and creative director of Jennifer Meyer Jewelry, a fine jewelry brand handmade in Los Angeles. Jennifer’s story starts early. At six, she was discovering her love for jewelry while creating pieces with her grandmother. Fast forward: she hustled her way into getting a job at Glamour magazine, then worked in fashion and PR with Ralph Lauren and Giorgio Armani. In 2005, she finally followed her passion she felt for years and launched her brand at her kitchen table, teaching herself everything from molds to pricing. Her big break came when Jennifer Aniston wore the leaf necklace in The Break-Up, and suddenly her pieces were on the shelves at Barneys and Net-a-Porter. Nearly two decades later, Jennifer Meyer Jewelry has become a Hollywood staple, worn by everyone from Reese Witherspoon and Taylor Swift to Selena Gomez and so many more.In today’s episode, Jennifer gets real about what it took to build from zero. We talk about how her upbringing & working at a young age shaped her resilience, the scrappy hustle that got her first big break at Glamour, and the leap from side passion to a real business. She shares the chaos of those early orders, the moment Jennifer Aniston put her work on the map, and what it was like to scale while raising her daughter. We dig into money lessons from her dad, why she chose slow and steady growth, and how to bet on yourself when there’s no roadmap. Jennifer also opens up about navigating comparison, leaning into social and how it’s impacted her business, and redefining what success means to her over the years. If you’ve ever felt “not enough,” this conversation will remind you that passion, persistence, and kindness can take you farther than you think.In this episode, we’ll talk to Jennifer about:* Why staying focused and trusting your passion has guided her career. [02:46]* Early work experiences and family influences that shaped her values. [05:26]* Building work ethic and discipline from a young age. [09:06]* From Glamour to Ralph Lauren and the lessons she carried forward. [12:05]* The pivotal decision to pursue jewelry design full-time. [20:04]* Confronting fear and taking the leap into entrepreneurship. [22:59]* Scrappy beginnings and the early challenges of launching her brand. [26:40]* How Jennifer Aniston wearing her jewelry became a breakthrough moment. [29:00]* Landing Barneys at the same time and learning how to manage momentum. [32:26]* Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship from the very start. [39:29]* Why investing in yourself is always worth it. [45:07]* The importance of leading with kindness and authenticity. [47:44]* How her definition of success has evolved over the years. [49:36]* Navigating emotional challenges and the resilience it takes to keep going. [51:35]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Jennifer: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenmeyerjewelry/* Website: https://jennifermeyer.com/

Why do mood shifts, cravings, and PMS happen before your period? Dr. Sarah Hill, author of “This is Your Brain on Birth Control” and “The Period Brain”, breaks down the latest science on hormones, the luteal phase, and how progesterone affects the brain and body.In this episode you’ll learn: * How to survive and thrive in the luteal phase* Why PMS exists (and its functional purpose)* How progesterone impacts mood and stress* The connection between birth control and attraction* What contributes to postpartum depression* And more…Sarah E. Hill, Ph.D. is an award-winning researcher, consultant, writer, scientist, communicator, and professor. With almost 25 years of research experience, she's authored 100+ research publications, and two books that have changed the conversation about hormones and birth control for women. She earned her Ph.D. in Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin with Dr. David Buss and has called Texas home since moving here for graduate school in 2000. She has used the latest science on the dynamic changes in women’s hormonal states to write her newest book, "The Period Brain" with the goal of helping people feel seen, heard, and understood.This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Dr. Sarah: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahehillphd/* Website: https://www.sarahehill.com/ 

Joan Nguyen is the co-founder and CEO of Bumo, a platform revolutionizing childcare with flexible, on-demand options for families.Raised by Vietnamese refugee parents who taught her that education was both a privilege and a pathway, Joan’s entrepreneurial journey began at just 20 years old when she founded MeriEducation with $3,000 in savings, eventually growing it into an Inc. 5000 company. Years later, as a working mother, she teamed up with Chriselle Lim to launch Bumo in 2019. From pitching over 200 investors with repeated rejections, to losing her home in the LA wildfires, to pivoting the company into a virtual school in just eleven days during the pandemic, Joan has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Today, Bumo has raised over $10 million and built a nationwide marketplace connecting families with thousands of licensed childcare providers.In this week’s episode, Joan opens up about the pivots that shaped her journey. She shares what it was like navigating survival mode versus thriving mode as a founder, building a supportive community, and finally breaking through with investors. We talk about the challenges of fundraising and adapting quickly during the pandemic to save her business. Joan also shares the lessons she’s learned about resilience, setting boundaries as a parent and leader, and the power of asking for help. If you’ve ever faced setbacks that felt impossible to overcome, this conversation is proof that your hardest seasons can set the stage for your biggest breakthroughs.In this episode, we’ll talk to Joan about:* The power of pivots and why Joan always leads with serving her community. [02:21]* How every job and connection came full circle in her entrepreneurial journey. [04:34]* Lessons in resilience and perspective from her refugee parents. [07:35]* Surviving vs. thriving: the mindset shift as a founder. [09:51]* Losing her home, kids’ school, and 300 daycares in the LA fires. [11:29]* Running a fashion line and tutoring before choosing education. [13:50]* From “glorified intern” to co-founder & CEO of Bumo. [18:57]* Pitching 200+ investors and the early rejections. [23:31]* Building community with the Bumo Digest parenting newsletter. [25:35]* Landing her first lead investor (& literally breaking open doors). [28:16]* Pivoting during the pandemic and launching a virtual school. [30:45]* Why 2022–2023 were some of Bumo’s hardest years. [33:40]* The traction and proof points that led to raising $10M. [40:26]* How Joan has evolved as a leader. [41:28]* The power of focus, hiring right, and clear communication. [51:18]* Setting boundaries as a founder and parent. [47:08]* Why asking for help can change everything. [51:07]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Joan: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumoparent/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joan.bumo/* Website: https://wp.bumo.com/

In this week’s episode, we’re doing a solo episode. I’ve invited my co-founder at beeya wellness and sister-in-law, Kaya Purohit, to join me for a candid conversation where we dive into the top questions from our community.From wellness routines to business strategy, we’re getting real on how we actually live, work, and build behind the scenes. We get into things like: * The wellness fads we tried (and why they left us drained)* The daily rituals that keep us grounded while running a fast-paced startup* The best business advice we’ve ever received—and how it keeps us sane* The marketing lesson that completely changed the way we grow beeya* The messy truth of building a brand, from product development headaches to customer wins We’re keeping it honest, a little messy, and hopefully super helpful - we hope you enjoy this one! This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Kaya: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayapurohit/Follow Beeya:* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beeyawellness/* Website: https://beeyawellness.com/

Melinda Maria Spigel is the founder and Chief Creative Officer of Melinda Maria Jewelry, a leading e-commerce jewelry brand. From a young age, Melinda was drawn to creativity and jewelry, spending hours sketching and experimenting with designs. What began as a childhood passion quickly evolved into something bigger when, at 23, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams. She started selling her handmade pieces out of a Starbucks, sometimes making $1,000 a day, until her bold, statement designs began catching the eyes of stylists and celebrities. That early momentum would eventually grow into a namesake brand worn by icons like Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Taylor Swift, and featured in major retailers around the world.In this week’s episode, Melinda opens up about the real journey behind the brand: how she overcame fear of judgment, why authenticity is her biggest competitive edge, and what it really took to build a company from scratch while raising three kids. We talk about the hustle of her early days, the grassroots strategies that got her into celebrity hands, the lessons she learned navigating challenges during key growth stages, and how passion continues to fuel her resilience and long-term success. Melinda’s story is a masterclass in resilience, resourcefulness, and creativity, and a reminder that true success isn’t about a perfect path but about showing up with courage, again and again.In this episode, we’ll talk to Melinda about:* Why authenticity is the foundation of brand-building. [03:03]* Melinda’s relationship with creativity growing up. [07:16]* Discovering her passion for jewelry at a young age. [09:00]* Hustle and scrappiness in the early days. [11:47]* Driving growth through community engagement. [13:46]* Navigating challenges during key growth stages. [19:08]* Lessons on fulfillment and growth. [28:07]* Finding the right manufacturer and why it matters. [38:10]* Content creation and showing up authentically online. [41:32]* Taking time for family and returning full-time. [45:01]* How passion sustains resilience and long-term success. [53:55]This episode is brought to you by beeya: * Learn more about beeya's seed cycling bundle at https://beeyawellness.com/free to find out how to tackle hormonal imbalances. * Get $10 off your order by using promo code BEHINDHEREMPIRE10Follow Yasmin: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasminknouri/* Stay updated & subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.behindherempire.com/Follow Melinda: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melindamaria_jewely/* Website: https://www.melindamaria.com/