We sit down with Mary Seats, widely known as Mz Skittlez, a dynamic force in the business world. From the dramatic loss and rebuying of her first company, Cupcake Mafia, to creating a marketing empire with The Icing Agency and founding The Bakery Co-work, the largest female-focused co-working space in the U.S., Mary's journey epitomizes resilience and determination. Join us as Mary shares invaluable insights into overcoming setbacks and crafting success on her own terms. Key Points...

In this episode of WorkParty, we delve into the often challenging aspects of the hiring and firing process within the workplace. From the thrill of securing the right team member to the tough decisions involved in letting someone go, we explore it all. We discuss practical strategies for hiring effectively, managing the firing process with humanity, and how to handle the inevitable turnover that businesses face. Plus, we share insights on maintaining a healthy company culture that supports...

Want to hear the male perspective when it comes to dating? Well, we sat down with the one and only Casey Johnson from "FBOY Island" and "Lovers and Liars" to get his insights as a dating coach. In this episode of WorkParty, Casey delves into what it's like dating successful women and sharing how his experiences on reality TV and social media have shaped his view on relationships. We unpack the complexities of modern dating, from the influence of online personas to the power dynamics that can...

Join Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton LIVE from Nashville on this episode of Work Party, as they dive into the challenges of managing a business during tough times. Discover practical strategies for staying afloat when your business is in the red, from assessing financial health to making critical pivots. Whether you're grappling with a scarcity mindset or deciding whether to persevere or pivot, this episode is your guide to navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Tune in to...

LIVE from Nashville! Join Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton as they sit down with Mary Lawless Lee, a dynamic mother, author, and entrepreneur. Mary's transition from a critical care nurse to the founder of Nēmah and Happily Grey exemplifies the power of career pivots and personal transformation. In this episode of WorkParty, Mary delves into her 12-year journey in the content creator space and the growth of her clean skincare brand, Nēmah, now in its third year. She shares insights on...

Tune in for a fresh episode of WorkParty where Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton are dishing out everything you didn't know you needed to hear! 🎉 From our adventures in Nashville to tackling real talk about WNBA pay disparities, this monthly catch-up is your all-access pass to what's been brewing behind the scenes. Expect a mix of laughs, deep dives into female entrepreneurship, and even a beauty blender battle you have to hear to believe. 🤣💄 Whether you're here for the insightful...

Join Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton for a live episode of WorkParty, the podcast, at the Cherub Pop Up space. This episode will be all about pulling the curtain pack on venture funding for women. The stats are abysmal, less than 2% of VC funding goes to women, why? Because it’s a boys club. We break down how to break through in this macro/ nightmare environment and why angel investors might be the way to go. RESOURCES: To connect with Jaclyn Johnson, click here. To connect with...

Ever wondered how female friendships can shape your personal and professional life? Tune into this WorkParty episode as Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton open up about the impact of these connections. Discover why their female friendships are not just essential but also outlive many romantic relationships. With personal stories that span cities, jobs, and life’s ups and downs, they shed light on the deep emotional bedrock of these bonds and why sometimes, letting go of those who hinder your...

In the latest episode of WorkParty, "Building in Public - The New Lens of Leadership as a Female CEO," Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton dive deep into the intricate dynamics of female leadership and the societal pressures that shape it. They tackle the uncomfortable reality of navigating leadership roles under the scrutiny of gendered expectations, discussing everything from the need to add smiley faces in emails to soften their tone, to the challenges of giving constructive feedback...

We're getting all up in the business of the big Ds - that's right, Divorce and Dating, but with a twist. It's all about navigating these complex waters as successful women in today's fast-paced world. Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton, don't hold back. Jaclyn opens up about her fresh dive back into the dating pool after a decade of marriage, giving you the real tea on what it's like to date when you've got your own empire to run. Meanwhile, Marina offers that raw, grounded perspective from...

It’s been a rollercoaster of a few months and Jaclyn Johnson and new co-host and new CEO of Create & Cultivate Marina Middleton are pulling back the curtains on the emotional rollercoaster of selling your business and then … buying it back! Nothing is off limits during this episode so sit back, grab a drink and let’s dive in! RESOURCES: To connect with Jaclyn Johnson, click here. To connect with Marina Middleton, click here. To follow along with Create & Cultivate, click...

Welcome to Workparty, the podcast where we are throwing out the rulebook and bringing you real talk and hot takes on what is happening in the working world right now because life moves fast. If we've learned anything from the past few years, the only constant is change, and we can’t pretend everything is status quo. I'm your host Jaclyn Johnson nn today’s episode, I’m joined by Jing Gao, the CEO and founder of Fly by Jing, a line of Chinese spices and condiments inspired by the flavors in...

In a world that's often felt like an exclusive men's club when it comes to finances, millennial investor and entrepreneur Simran Kaur is changing the conversation around women and investing. With her platform Girls That Invest, the Forbes 30 under 30 honoree is kicking those club doors open and sharing her investment wisdom in a way that's approachable and accessible. And trust me, she has a lot to share… Kaur once turned an $8,000 investment into $1.3 million. What started with a social...

Moroccanoil Co-Founder Carmen Tal transformed a bad hair appointment years ago into a multi-million-dollar brand. A force in the beauty industry for 15 years, she has mastered the craft of creating an enduring brand that resonates with consumers. Today, her iconic argan oil-based products are found in major retailers such as Sephora and Nordstrom, top salons nationwide, and over 80 countries—but their journey has only just begun. Join us as Tal delves into the expansion of her brand,...

Nicole Walters, a former Fortune 500 exec who quit her corporate job (live on Periscope in front of 10,000 people), is now at the helm of a multi-million dollar business and sharing everything she’s learned along the way. In this episode, she delves into how to advocate for yourself, conquering the negotiation game like a pro, and why working for free is a big no-no. Plus, Nicole opens up about a personal experience that many can relate to: navigating unequal pay when you find out a male...

DryBar Co-Founder Alli Webb dives deep into the building and selling of her cult salon brand (the product line alone sold for $255 million) and the personal challenges she faced during her empire-building journey. Now, the serial entrepreneur is still very much making waves in the business world with a hand in multiple projects, but this time, with a fresh perspective. Tune in for real talk about her career highs and lows, why balance is truly bullsh*t, and invaluable advice for fellow...

Television personality turned entrepreneur Lo Bosworth has come a long way since her days on Laguna Beach and The Hills. As founder of Love Wellness, a leading female-first, total body care company, she is paving her own lane in the wellness market and is now selling her products across major retailers. Think Target, Amazon, Ulta Beauty, and most recently, Walmart, where Love Wellness now has a retail presence in more than 1,600 stores nationwide. On this episode of the pod, she dives into...

 Honest growth, milestone moments, and scaling a biz—Lauren Ireland, co-founder of beloved skincare brand Summer Fridays, dives into it all. Since launching in 2018 with a single product, her cult brand has evolved into a booming skin-care line that has products selling every few seconds in the U.S. The influencer and entrepreneur opens up about customer feedback and why the company is stronger than ever. Tune in for candid conversations on the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, scaling a...

TV personality Keltie Knight has hit major career highs that people only dream of—she’s a three-time Emmy Award winning TV personality, a New York Times bestselling author, and founder and co-host of popular, long-running podcast, LadyGang. She’s also the creator, executive producer, and host of the newly debuted music series, Superfan. Through all her success, she’s come to a very personal realization: you don’t need to have children to live a fulfilled life. Tune in for more on her hot...

When Whitney Port and the rest of The Hills and The City cast first appeared on our screens in the early aughts, they couldn't have foreseen that they were laying the foundation for today's celebrity influencer era. In many ways, they were the original influencers, paving the roadmap for the mega stars of TikTok and Instagram fame. This week, the LA style icon, wife, and mom delves into her journey navigating the public eye over the years and shares insights on how she's not only embraced...

Get down to business with TikTok’s favorite VC advisor Maggie Sellers as she gets real on why launching a brand is not for everyone. In this episode, the Canadian entrepreneur, angel investor, and content creator shares how she paved her own lane without a traditional VC background and is now bringing her online community into their “hot, smart, rich” era. Having invested in and advised brands like NudeStix, Deux, Ohza, and more, Maggie is helping drive the consumer brands we love through...

Dive into this conversation with Selling Sunset star Emma Hernan as she emphasizes the importance of diversifying your investments in the modern landscape, and why bootstrapping her business was the right choice for her. In this episode, Emma draws from her own experiences to shed light on the reasons behind this strategy. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just beginning to explore financial opportunities, Emma's insights will reshape your understanding of investment stability and...

 On today’s Hot Takes episode, we’re chatting with PR powerhouses Jessy Klein Fofana and Lauren Kleinman. Jessy is the founder and CEO of LaRue PR, an award-winning agency dedicated to disrupting the media industry with a roster of best-in-class DTC and B2B clients. Lauren is the founder and CEO of DreamDay PR, a first-of-its-kind Performance PR agency, and co-founder of The Quality Edit, a curation of the Internet’s best brands. Both Jessy and Lauren have been ahead of the PR curve– and they...

On this episode of Hot Takes, we’re joined by Babba Rivera, Founder and CEO of Ceremonia, a clean hair care brand rooted in Latinx heritage. From growing up in a Chilean household in Sweden to moving to New York City for work, Babba’s relationship with the beauty industry has always been one of wanting more and better. Having always felt under-represented as a Latina woman in magazines, the beauty aisles, or in the realm of business executives, Babba knew she had the opportunity to reclaim...

In this Trending Topics episode, we’re rejoined by Create and Cultivate’s CEO, Kate Spies. We dive into a trending topic - the current landscape of remote, office, and hybrid work. This new way of working is shaping businesses big and small and redefining society’s culture around work and how we live our lives. In our conversation, we unpack the pros, cons, and some of our learnings as we’ve navigated the new office landscape with our teams and businesses. We chat through its impact on...