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“There's a lot of things that come with being able to support a retailer like that… If you're not ready for those things, then go DTC first because you also have to have: Is your product merchandisable? Do you have unit cartons? Do you have UPCs?  All of these kinds of operational tactical things that you can really kind of speak to, but high-level it's like, ‘Do you have enough money?’ It would be my very first question.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Tisha Thompson, founder and CEO of LYS Beauty, a brand conceptualized with skin-loving formulas that redefine the definition of beauty. LYS is the first Black-owned Sephora clean makeup brand, created to fill a void in the market for clean, high-performance makeup that serves all skin tones. Drawing on her 18-year career in beauty, Tisha is dedicated to offering products that not only enhance natural beauty but also promote skin health, embodying her commitment to empowering individuals to feel confident and beautiful inside and out. Tune in to hear how Tisha’s passion for makeup and beauty stems from her love of transformation, why representation is so important, and how she has managed to keep LYS self-funded. 

We talked about: 

Tisha started her career in beauty with a makeup artist side hustle (04:46)

Knowing when the time is right to start a business (11:36)

The process of pitching to Sephora (19:09)

Best practices for promoting a brand (32:29)

Using project management software (35:32)


Connect with Tisha:

Instagram

LYS Beauty

LYS on Instagram


Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 
 
Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!
 
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
 
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Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“So many of us, me included, suffer from imposter syndrome. And it's so misleading because we know so much more than we think we do—and more importantly, we know how to navigate what we don't know.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Taryn Jones Laeben, president and founder of IRL Ventures, a bespoke early-stage advisory and investment firm focused on building operational excellence into startups. With a rich career spanning roles at companies like Kate Spade, Casper, and SoulCycle, Taryn has a proven track record of scaling businesses and driving growth. Her entrepreneurial journey began later in life, inspired by her parents’ real estate ventures and her extensive experience in the consumer and wellness sectors. At IRL Ventures, Taryn leverages her expertise to support and invest in mission-driven startups. She is passionate about empowering founders and unlocking rapid growth for innovative companies. Tune in to hear what Taryn has to say about overcoming imposter syndrome, her advice on starting conversations with major retailers, and her experience launching brands with IRL Ventures. 
We talked about: 

Inheriting a knack for entrepreneurship (02:35)

Taking on a position you may not qualify for on paper (12:25)

Building a marketing strategy for Casper mattresses (19:27)

Working to build a company when raising more capital isn’t an option (27:53)

The type of founder that fits the bill for IRL Ventures (32:13)


Connect with Taryn:

IRL Ventures

Instagram

LinkedIn


Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 
 
Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!
 
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
 
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay
 
Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“So often in the beauty world the purpose of the communication is to create a sense of fear and insecurity and I refuse to participate in that.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with April Gargiulo, founder and CEO of Vintner’s Daughter, a Nutritional Skincare brand founded on the principles of unparalleled quality and efficacy. When creating the brand, April was motivated by her own skincare struggles and the discovery of harmful ingredients in luxury skincare. She leveraged her winemaking background to create products focused on integrity, quality, and sustainability, combining the craftsmanship of Napa Valley winemaking with the beauty industry. Since launching in 2013, April has grown the company into a beloved brand with a closely curated product line, emphasizing efficacy and environmental responsibility. As Vintner's Daughter celebrates over a decade of redefining beauty norms, April continues to inspire with her unwavering dedication to quality, integrity, and the transformative power of nature. Tune in to hear how April’s experience with skincare during pregnancy was the catalyst for Vintner’s Daughter, how she stays intentional about her team and company culture, and the evolution of her marketing strategy. 

We talked about: 

Dissatisfaction with the marketplace led April to entrepreneurship (02:32)

Sourcing sustainable natural ingredients (07:33)

Learning to be a great leader (12:09)

The decision to hire a CMO (16:45)

Finding trusted retailers to partner with (20:25)

How the effects of PR have evolved over the past decade (27:24)


Connect with April:

Vintner's Daughter

Vintner's Daughter on Instagram


Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 
 
Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!
 
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
 
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay
 
Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“Every email that goes out with a pitch to tell someone about the brand—they may not answer, they may not opt in for product, and we may not gift them, but I built one more touch point of brand awareness and maybe [they] read that email and discovered our brand. You have to be what 99% of the world is not, which is consistent.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Divya Gugnani, a serial entrepreneur and investor as well as the CEO and co-founder of Wander Beauty, a brand renowned for its clean multitasking beauty essentials designed for the modern woman on the go.  With 5 SENS, her latest business venture, Divya is creating a sensory experience with fragrances that emphasizes clean ingredients and unique mood encapsulating scents. Her commitment to clean beauty and innovative consumer focused products continues to drive her success in the competitive beauty industry and her leadership has earned her numerous accolades and awards, underscoring her impact as a visionary in the beauty market. Tune in to hear Divya’s advice on venturing into a new industry, building a successful business with a partner, and how she keeps her focus and balance with her growing family.

We talked about: 

The lesson Divya learned from selling to QVC (07:14)

If you lack the knowledge, surround yourself with experts and build a community (12:56)

The power of working with a business coach (17:07)

How Divya’s experiences in childhood and adolescence inspired her fragrance business, 5 Sens (18:04)

People are the magic ingredient to building an outstanding brand (25:48)


Connect with Divya:

5 SENS

Wander Beauty

5 SENS Instagram

Wander Beauty Instagram

Divya's Instagram


Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 
 
Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!
 
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
 
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay
 
Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“I realized with every business that I've ever had, that is my strength, being of service. I'm an excellent waitress. I am an excellent people pleaser. I will serve until the day I die because I genuinely love doing it so much.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Cassandra Thurswell, Founder and CEO of Kitsch, an international brand focused on sustainable hair care and beauty accessories for women. A self-described born-entrepreneur, Cassandra always knew that one day she wanted to own her own business. This wasn’t an easy feat for Cassandra, but, at the age of 25, she started Kitsch and with a lot of hard work expanded the company into over 25 countries and across 20,000 retail locations all over the world. Tune in to hear Cassandra break down how she started her business, what her favorite thing about Kitsch is, how she knows she’s doing the right thing as a CEO, and so much more!

We talked about: 

The idea behind launching Kitsch (04:12)

What the Kitsch customer looks like (16:28)

What is was like for Cassandra scaling a 200+ person team (18:28)

Cassandra’s process for product development (28:34)

How Cassandra’s marketing has evolved over time (32:12)


Connect with Cassandra:

Kitsch Instagram

Kitsch Website

Kitsch TikTok

Cassandra’s Instagram

Cassandra’s LinkedIn


Join us for Entreprenista Founders Weekend:
Join us from May 3-5th at The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando for your opportunities to connect and build relationships with the most powerful women in business. We can’t wait to be with you in person at our Founders Weekend Wealth & Wellness Retreat. Reserve your tickets here. 

Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 
 
Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!
 
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
 
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay
 
Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.

“Step after step, it’s like climbing a mountain. You don’t necessarily get to the peak really fast—it’s consistent, steady growth.”

In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods, a company specializing in kefir to support the gut microbiome.  Born in Ukraine, Julie immigrated to the US and watched her parents pioneer the introduction of kefir to the American market, taking over Lifeway foods as CEO at 27 years old. After her father's sudden death, she expanded the company's reach globally, introducing innovative products and promoting the importance of gut health. Julie's resilience, innovative business approach and strong intuition have made Lifeway Foods a household name in the probiotic industry. Tune in to hear Julie’s advice on scaling a company from $12 million to 8 figures,  why it pays to follow your gut, and her incredible journey to becoming CEO of Lifeway Foods.

We talked about: 

The challenges she faced when taking over as CEO of the company her father founded when she was just 27 years old (09:35)

The importance of community and mentorship (14:24)

Trusting her gut instinct led to Julie’s innovative packaging solution for delivering kefir to children (18:34)

Becoming a trendsetter and a tastemaker (24:05)

The power of word of mouth (29:56)


Connect with Julie:

Lifeway Foods Website

Lifeway Foods Instagram

Julie's Instagram


Are you ready to make meaningful business connections that lead to real business results? 
 
Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders at entreprenista.com/join! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!
 
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
 
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | Stitcher | iHeart Radio | GooglePlay
 
Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.