Ladies Who Launch

In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with Aila Morin, CMO of MERIT Beauty, the clean, minimalist brand that's redefining what "effortless" really means in beauty. This episode isn't just a brand story, it’s an original narrative of how to stay true to yourself while building a business with purpose and impact. Aila opens up about the why behind MERIT, the purpose that shaped every product decision, every campaign, and every community touchpoint from day one. What we cover: How MERIT built a narrative that resonates far beyond the productHow new product development becomes a brand-building tool, not just a revenue playWhat real brand loyalty looks like and how to cultivate it without gimmicksHow Aila stays focused in one of the most competitive industriesThe messy, real, unglamorous side of scaling a team and a brand Whether you're a founder in the thick of it or a marketer obsessed with building a brand, this episode will challenge the way you think about building something with real meaning & clarity.We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction04:57 Designing Brand DNA07:53 The Five Minute Morning12:49 The No-Hero Product Strategy18:26 Building Hype Around Brand & Product24:26 Scaling Profitably To $200M29:41 Multichannel Brand Building32:25 Creative A North Star38:31 Anti Advice And Comparison41:53 Work Identity Boundaries45:18 Mentors And Leadership Energy47:00 One Tip For Founders🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch.FOLLOW AILAInstagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/ailamorin/MERIT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merit/MERIT TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meritFOLLOW USInstagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunchYouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with Katherine Barlow, founder of Ru & Rocka, for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to build a fashion brand from scratch.From the spark of an idea to building a team and letting others into her business, Katherine shares the real founder story behind one of the most original brands in the space today.We cover:How Ru & Rocka started and the moment it became realBeing responsible with money and navigating small business financesHow to build a brand that's truly original in a crowded marketBuilding the Ru & Rocka team and knowing when to hireBuilding a true brand identity & DNALaunching in Selfridges  Whether you're in the early stages of building your brand or scaling your team, this one is packed with lessons you won't want to miss.We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS00:00 Introducing Katherine Barlow04:56 Instagram Side Hustle07:16 Finance Lessons Learned09:47 Building A Brand Solo12:51 From The Studio to Ru & Rocka30:11 Scaling Without Fear32:37 Brand DNA Matters33:41 When Big Brands Copy38:32 Building Thick Skin In Business 40:52 Launching In Selfridges 46:57 Scrappy Startup Lessons48:12 What’s Next For Ru & Rocka 58:09 Final Advice For Business Owners🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch.FOLLOW KATHERINEInstagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/kb.barlow/Ru & Rocka: https://www.instagram.com/ruandrocka/FOLLOW USInstagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunchYouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

In this exclusive solo episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle shares something she's been quietly building behind the scenes, the launch of her very own skincare brand.This isn't a brand born from trend-chasing. It's rooted in a deeply personal vision for what Rochelle believes has been missing from the market all along: quality skincare at a price point that feels accessible.Rochelle opens up about her ambitions for the brand, her plan to build it at scale, and more importantly why she's decided to bring you along for the entire ride.We don't know exactly where this journey ends. But we're starting it right here, right now. Together.We Are Ladies Who Launch. 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch.FOLLOW USInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunchYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

Managing business finances doesn't have to be overwhelming, it can actually be your most powerful tool for growth, if you invest in it from the start. In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, we sit down with Nicole Zalys also known as The London Accountant to demystify the day-to-day of running your business accounts and take the panic out of tax season.We are stripping away the heavy financial jargon to give you a foundational, empowering masterclass in money management. Whether you are a solo founder or scaling a growing team within a limited company, we break down the exact financial moves you need to make to protect your profit and scale with confidence.In this episode, we cover: The perks of registering as a limited companyExpense pro’s and con’sEffective tax management How to save for taxHow to price yourself effectively We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction04:53 Director Perks and Trivial Benefits of a Limited Company10:02 Childcare Costs and Tax Free Scheme15:00 Travel Overseas and Client Entertainment18:01 Clothing Expenses and Case Law22:45 Business Entertainment And Promotions24:24 Wealth Building Basics27:44 Common Tax Mistakes30:50 Pricing Your Time34:25 Travel And Company Cars36:18 Final Limited Company TipsIf you want to build a sustainable, profitable business and take control of your financial narrative, this episode is for you.🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch.FOLLOW NICOLEInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelondonaccountant_/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thelondonaccountantFOLLOW USInstagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunchYouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

Stef Williams transitioned from a macro fitness influencer with over 2.2M followers to a serious tech founder building for a huge exit. She is the founder of WeGlow and SEFI, and reveals the unfiltered reality of scaling a digital empire while navigating severe endometriosis and pregnancy.In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, we dive deep into the build of Stef’s business, unpacking exactly how she evolved her relationship with social media to stay relevant in an ever-shifting digital landscape. What we cover:Staying relevant in the ever evolving world of social mediaAdapting to training and lifestyle with Endemetriosis The journey of how WeGlow started Stef’s evolving relationship with social media Building business for an exit Balancing pregnancy with career & business We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Stef Williams02:01 Early Instagram Fitness Era06:34 Branching Beyond Workouts12:27 Endometriosis and Body Pressures18:45 From Creator to Founder23:53 Building Teams and Hiring Lessons30:17 Product Business Hard Lessons38:09 Why Subscription Business Models Win43:43 WeGlow Vision and Women’s Health45:15 Cycle Syncing Workouts51:29 Building A Brand Beyond You55:47 Pregnancy Pressures01:10:59 Trust Your Gut When Hiring01:13:37 Dream Collabs And Mentors01:19:16 Stef’s Dream LunchWhether you are a marketer trying to understand community-led growth or a founder designing a business to sell, Stef shares the realities of what it’s like to build at scale. 🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch.FOLLOW STEFInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stef.williams/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stefanie_williamsFOLLOW USInstagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunchYouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, Rochelle sits down with Ama Hill, the founder of Plantmade, to finally share her side of the story. From rapid growth to going to business administration, this is the raw, unfiltered truth behind one of the most talked-about brand controversies in recent years.Ama opens up about what was really happening behind the scenes as Plantmade scaled, the cashflow pressures that many founders underestimate, and the exact moment she realised the business was in serious trouble. She breaks down the realities of administration, what actually happened when the new owner took over Plantmade, and how it feels to watch the company you built be run without you.This conversation goes beyond the headlines and social media speculation. It’s an honest look at the emotional, legal and financial realities of losing Plantmade and what it takes to rebuild your identity and confidence as a founder afterwards.We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction03:02 Rewinding to March pressure05:44 Administration day 09:13 How the debt started15:35 Falling into the scale trap25:38 Failed promises and roles of the restructure 32:21 Choosing administrators and buyers38:52 The uncertainty post business sale40:29 Relaunch red flags43:03 Contracts, equity and legal49:58 Communication failures 52:57 Juggling a wedding and business breakdown58:36 Responding to ownership claims01:02:31 Moving on to what’s next01:09:36 Founder advice and self trust01:14:35 Lessons from Plantmade🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch.FOLLOW AMAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amaa__official/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amaamoagyeiFOLLOW USInstagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunchYouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

In this week's Ladies Who Launch episode, Rochelle sits down with Hanan Eissa, the powerhouse Marketing Director behind some of the most iconic moments in hospitality history including launching Dubai’s Atlantis The Royal with Beyoncé, unveiling the hotel to the world.Together, they unpack what it really takes to build and launch a world-class destination brand that never blends into the noise.In this episode, we cover: • The behind-the-scenes of launching Atlantis with Beyoncé – from concept to global headlines • The exact principles behind marketing a world-class launch and how you can apply them to your own brand, product, or campaign • How to scale your brand Globally • Why having the right team is non-negotiable for high-stakes launches • How to get brand partnerships right and the common mistakes brands still makeIf you’re a founder, marketer, or brand leader looking to elevate your launch strategy, secure meaningful partnerships, and build campaigns that people actually talk about, this episode is your new masterclass.We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction 06:56 Inside Atlantis The Royal Launch10:25 The Moment Beyonce Said Yes15:16 How To Create A Global Story17:42 Marketing Principles for Startups20:10 Creating An Authentic Brand 23:15 Launch Lessons Learned30:32 Enjoy Success Milestones36:58 How To Pitch Like An Underdog39:50 What’s Next For Atlantis🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch.FOLLOW HANAN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hananeissa?igsh=OWw0azBvazhsdWt0LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hananeissa/FOLLOW USInstagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunchYouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

Glow Recipe co-founder, Sarah Lee, joins Ladies Who Launch to share how she built a $300M beauty brand by rewriting the rules of Korean skincare. From landing her dream first job at L’Oréal and moving to NYC, to navigating intense work culture and building the foundations of her career, Sarah breaks down the pivotal experiences that prepared her to become a founder. Inside the episode, Sarah opens up about the exact path to starting Glow Recipe, their journey on Shark Tank, finding the right Co-Founder and how they set out to change the global narrative around K-beauty.In this episode, we cover: Key insights from working inside a legacy beauty giant (L’Oreal) to building a startupHow Sarah identified white space in the U.S. market for Korean skincareTaking the Leap: Leaving L’Oréal & Launching Glow RecipeGlow Recipe's Shark Tank JourneyGoing from DTC to Sephora ShelvesEvolving the Glow Recipe Brand & Category LeadershipIf you’re curious about building a beauty, consumer or community-led brand, this conversation is packed with honest and relatable formulas and behind-the-scenes insight that you can adopt and feed into your strategy.We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS00:00 Meet Sarah Lee: Glow Recipe Co-Founder & Co CEO03:17 From Watermelon Rind to Watermelon Glow: Ingredient Inspiration05:27 Landing the Dream Job at L’Oréal Korea & Learning the Beauty Business16:56 Finding her Co-Founder & Spotting the K-Beauty Gap in the US Market22:22 Quitting L’Oréal & Taking The Leap29:42 The Shark Tank Experience41:05 Choosing Mentorship vs. Money45:44 Dealing with Sell Out Product47:07 The Glow Recipe Partnership with Sephora54:18 Reacting to Viral Product Moments01:00:37 How the Co-CEO System Works01:06:15 $300M Business & What’s Next01:17:31 Founder Advice & How to Build Good Company Culture🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch.FOLLOW GLOW RECIPEInstagram: ​​www.instagram.com/sarah_glowGlow Recipe Instagram: www.instagram.com/glowrecipeGlow Recipe TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@glowrecipeFOLLOW USInstagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunchYouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch

How did Matilda Djerf go from posting outfit photos in her bedroom to launching a global fashion brand in Selfridges? In this episode of Ladies Who Launch, she sits down with Rochelle Humes to reveal the reality behind the "influencer to founder" pipeline.They pull back the curtain on the reality of the "influencer to founder" pipeline. Matilda opens up about the early days of building her profile online, the vulnerability of sharing personal struggles with millions of followers, and exactly how she launched Djerf Avenue with a lean team during a global pandemic.In this episode, we cover:How Matilda recognised the opportunity to build an online profileThe balance of sharing personal struggles while building an online profile and running a businessLaunching Djerf Avenue with a small team during the pandemicHow to hire the right people who protect your cultureKnowing when to step away and hire for the role of CEOThe journey to launching Djerf Avenue in SelfridgesIf you are an aspiring founder or content creator, this conversation is a masterclass in staying true to your vision while scaling a business.We Are Ladies Who Launch! CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction to Matilda Djerf06:49 Early Influences and Aspirations13:59 Discovering Social Media16:21 Building an Online Presence20:58 Transitioning to a Full-Time Influencer30:14 Founding a Business30:47 The Birth of Djerf Avenue34:46 The Big Idea: Starting Our Own Brand44:35 Navigating a New Business in the Pandemic48:28 Building a Strong Team52:58 Hiring a CEO58:03 Entering Retail: The Selfridges Launch01:02:24 Balancing Personal and Professional Life01:04:00 The Importance of Authenticity and Brand DNA01:09:07 Future Plans and Exciting Collaborations01:12:09 Rocket Round: Insights and Reflections🔔 New episodes every Wednesday — subscribe so you never miss a launch.FOLLOW MATILDA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matildadjerf/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matildadjerfDJerf Avenue: https://www.instagram.com/djerfavenue/FOLLOW USInstagram: www.instagram.com/weareladieswholaunch/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@weareladieswholaunchYouTube: www.youtube.com/@Weareladieswholaunch