WorkParty

Turning followers into shoppers is no easy feat. The savvy social media crowd can spot a disingenuous post from a mile away, so monetizing your account with sponsored posts takes honesty, authenticity, and plenty of creativity. Which is something Dede Raad, the founder of Dress Up Buttercup, knows a thing or two about. The blogger works with major brands like Nordstrom and Amazon to sell products...

Your brand DNA is the heart of your identity as a business. It establishes your mission and values, makes you unique from your competitors, and gives your customers a reason to choose to buy from you over your rivals. And if anyone knows how to define a brand’s DNA, it’s Lauren Alexander. The co-founder and creative director for the clothing line LNA launched the brand in 2006 when she was just 22...

Doubling your revenue is no easy task. You need to set well-defined goals, create meaningful connections with your customers, and discover new distribution channels and marketing opportunities. Which is something that Elyce Arons knows a thing or two about. In the midst of a pandemic that has pummeled the fashion industry, the former Co-founder of Kate Spade has led the luxury lifestyle brand Fran...

Being in debt isn’t a barrier to entrepreneurship. Just ask MaryRuth Ghiyam. The wellness entrepreneur owed $700,000 (yes, $700,000) when she launched her eponymous vitamin brand, MaryRuth Organics. Despite carrying a significant amount of personal debt, she successfully built a nine-figure business without taking on a single investor. (I mean, talk about impressive!) I’m thrilled to chat with Mar...

Switching lanes is daunting. You’ve already established yourself in a particular industry, built up your network of contacts, and carved out your niche as an expert in the space. Now you’re going to do it all over again. Like I said, it’s daunting. So, for this episode of WorkParty, I’m so excited to be chatting with Cece Olisa all about how she’s successfully switched lanes. As a fashion influenc...

You know our keynote speaker from quote-unquote “the small screen.” Kristin Cavallari got her start on the wildly popular reality shows "Laguna Beach" and "The Hills," before taking a turn on "Dancing with the Stars" and starring in her own show "Very Cavallari." But now, she’s proving herself as a powerhouse entrepreneur. As the founder of the lifestyle bra...

Converting a community of Instagram followers into customers isn’t easy. You have to be authentic, consistent, and have a strong value proposition for a quality product. But if anyone’s found the formula for success, it’s Megan Roup. Since launching her fitness company The Sculpt Society in 2017, she’s garnered over  260,000 followers on Instagram  and attracted the attention of celebs like Shay M...

When people think of social impact, they think of nonprofits. But you  can  be a for-profit business that pays it forward. Just ask Kelly Breakstone Roth. As the Co-Founder of The Nopo, she’s building a business that delivers handmade wares from around the world to your door—and supports artisans in the process. I’m so excited to chat with Kelly about how she launched a global e-commerce business...

On today's episode we are joined by Betches Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Sami Sage. It's not always easy for content creators to stay relevant, but Sami Sage knows how to beat the odds. As audiences become more unpredictable and trends shift, she's been churning out relevant, ever-evolving content for over a decade—and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. In fact,...

Christian Siriano needs no introduction. Since winning Project Runway and launching his namesake collection in 2008, he has firmly established himself as a cultural icon over the course of his impressive career. Let’s take a look at some of his milestones, shall we? He's been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine. His designs have been worn by the likes of...

There’s no doubt about it, social media is changing the way small businesses are built. With a community of potential customers at your fingertips, entrepreneurs are able to test out their business ideas on social media before they take the plunge and start raising capital. Which is something today’s WorkParty guest, Karen Perez, knows a thing or two about. When the fashion stylist of 15 years was...

One of the biggest obstacles that stand in the way of modern-day women is imposter syndrome — the idea that you aren't qualified or "good enough" for your job, interests, accomplishments, etcetera.  If you’ve ever had a thought along the lines of “I’m a fraud” or asked yourself “What am I doing here?” you’re not alone.“ A  2019 review  of 62 studies on imposter syndrome suggested an...

You know this week’s WorkParty guest as the co-lead singer of the pop-alt band Fitz and The Tantrums. She’s lent her voice to top-charting songs like "Out of My League," "HandClap," and "The Walker." But now, she’s using her voice in a whole new way. As the founder of the diversity initiative  Diversify the Stage  Noelle Scaggs is on a mission to make career opportuni...

Welcome back to the WorkParty podcast! This week, instead of being joined by a guest, I am so excited to do something I haven’t done in a while: a  solo show.  Today, I’ll be taking it to you, the audience, and answering some of your most pressing questions about business, money, and more! In case you missed it, we launched the WorkParty Hotline where you can leave me a voicemail with any question...

There are  over 2 million apps in the app store , so getting your app made, must less, discovered is a monumental task. Which is why I’m so excited to have Lisa Donovan, the founder of the wildly popular Astrology app, The Pattern, on today’s episode to tell us how it’s done. Since launching The Pattern in 2019, Lisa has grown the app exponentially, garnering over  15 million users , including cel...

Most businesses don't make a profit in their first year of business. In fact, most new businesses need 18 to 24 months to reach profitability. And then there's the reality that 25% of new businesses fail in their first year, according to the Small Business Administration. Luckily for all our WorkParty listeners, I have Diana Lee—the co-founder and CEO of Constellation Agency, one of the...

Believe it or not, bacteria has so much to do with the way our body functions. Both inside and out, our bodies harbor a huge array of micro-organisms, where a shocking  98% of this bacteria is actually good for us .  Our microbiome– the body’s own ecosystem of microorganisms –is the first line of defense against disease and illness. It’s the protective shield that keeps our immune systems intact –...

The coronavirus pandemic accelerated the rise of e-commerce. Which is something that Paige Mycoskie, the founder and CEO of the lifestyle apparel brand Aviator Nation, experienced firsthand. In the wake of coronavirus-induced shutdowns, Paige launched an online flash sale on Aviator Nation’s site to supplement her 200+ employees’ salaries. And the online sale resulted in the brand’s  biggest  day...

“Start a natural foods company.”  These were the words 2007 graduate Elizabeth Stein wrote down in class one day when her Integrative Nutrition teacher asked students to describe their “unpredictable future.” While she saw no clear path of how to get there, she knew one thing for certain: She wanted to help others eat better, feel better, and live better. Without any prior knowledge of starting a...

With over 2 million followers, Rocky Barnes knows a thing or two about Instagram. But, believe it or not, the model slash style icon entered the influencer space well before the visually-driven social media platform was even "a thing." She got her big break back in 2012 when she starred in Justin Beiber’s “Boyfriend” music video and then quickly started gracing the pages of Vogue and Cos...

No industry was hit harder by the COVID crisis than the restaurant industry.  More than 110,000 restaurants closed last year , either temporarily or for good, and  more than 2.5 million restaurant industry jobs disappeared . But, despite the devastating stats, restaurants have shown creativity and resilience throughout the pandemic, adapting to ever-changing mandates in order to keep both their pa...

Starting a business is no easy feat. According to the  Bureau of Labor Statistics , 20% of businesses fail by the first year, and 50% close by the fifth. So the odds of starting one successful business—let alone two—are stacked against you. But defying the odds is something that today’s WorkParty guest, Annie Lawless, knows a thing or two about. In 2012, Annie launched her first company, the cold-...

Going into business with a friend can be an incredible experience, but it can also be a real challenge. You need to ensure your values, goals, and work ethics align. So, how do you make it work with your bestie? How do you maintain healthy boundaries between being friends and being business partners? How do you navigate creative differences and make sure both of your opinions are heard? To talk ab...

Side hustles are on the rise. According to a  recent survey , as many as one in four Americans are planning on starting a side hustle in 2021. On top of the 34% of people who have already started a side hustle venture this year. But starting a side-hustle while working a 9-to-5 isn't easy. It takes determination, drive, and passion. Which is something that today’s WorkParty guest, Samara Walk...

It’s no secret that COVID-19 has challenged small businesses everywhere to rethink the brick-and-mortar business model. With physical retail locations closing and e-commerce on the rise, it's been crucial for small businesses to pivot to digital to weather the pandemic. By the numbers: Online sales grew by  nearly 50%  at the peak of the pandemic, and experts are predicting the shift may be p...