Guest: Emma Grede, CEO and co-founder of Good American, founding partner of Skims, and co-founder of Safely. Recognized by Forbes as one of America’s richest self-made women.
Host: Jay Shetty, bestselling author and host of the #1 Health and Wellness podcast, "On Purpose."
Podcast Theme: This episode explores Emma Grede's journey from East London to becoming a leading entrepreneur in the fashion industry, focusing on her approach to business, personal life, and the importance of inclusivity.
Key Takeaways:
Embrace Failure: Failure is part of the journey; it's not the end but a stepping stone.
Inclusivity in Business: Building inclusive products and services from the ground up is not just good ethics, but good business.Continuous Growth: Staying hungry and competitive is essential, even when you're at the top.
Balancing Personal and Professional Life: It's possible to be both a nurturing parent and a successful business leader by setting realistic expectations and focusing on quality time.
Podcasts Notes:
Early Life and Career:
Emma grew up in East London, an area she describes as devoid of aspiration and glamour but rich in community and authenticity.
From a young age, she was drawn to fashion magazines as a form of escapism and was determined to find a better life beyond her environment.
Journey to Entrepreneurship:
Emma’s first jobs included paper rounds and working in a deli, where she learned the value of hard work and attention to detail.
Her career in fashion started with low-level jobs, where she developed a strong work ethic and learned to find pride in every task, no matter how small.
The decision to start her own company was driven by frustration over low pay and a lack of value in her previous roles. She took the leap, not out of a grand vision, but out of a necessity to prove her worth and create something of her own.
Inclusivity and Business Philosophy:
Good American was born out of a desire to create a truly inclusive fashion brand. Emma noticed that many women, particularly women of color and plus-sized women, were left out of the fashion conversation.
She believes inclusivity should be integral to the product design and business model from the very beginning, not just an afterthought.
Challenges and Failures:
Emma candidly discusses her failures, including a poorly managed expansion in LA that embarrassed her and let down her company. However, she views these failures as critical learning experiences.
She emphasizes the importance of resilience and learning from mistakes, which have been key to her growth as an entrepreneur.
Work-Life Balance:
Emma talks about the myth of "having it all" and the unrealistic expectations placed on women to balance work and motherhood perfectly.
She advocates for setting realistic expectations and focusing on quality over quantity when it comes to time spent with family.
Emma believes in being honest with herself and others about what she can achieve and has made peace with the trade-offs required to pursue her ambitions.
Personal Development and Growth:
Emma is committed to personal growth and self-improvement, constantly seeking to be the best version of herself in all aspects of life.
She reflects on the importance of practicing what you preach and setting a good example for her children.
Success and Motivation:
Despite her success, Emma remains driven by competition and the desire to keep improving.
She defines winning as continuing to grow and succeed without compromising the principles she set for her companies.
