Behind Her Empire

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/

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/