On this episode of Founder Files, we are diving in with Francis Tesmer, the founder and CEO of LEAD, the first college and university degree for beauty professionals. Francis is on a mission to empower women in their careers and has spent the last 11 years conceptualizing and developing the program to meet the needs of a changing industry—one that has eight million beauty professionals around the world. In this episode, we talk about the ways to level up a career in beauty from trade to...

We’re back with another Hot Take episode! On today’s episode, we’re joined by Vivian Tu, who you may know better by her social handle: Your Rich BFF and we get, not one, but two hot takes from Vivian.  A self-made millionaire and financial guru, Tu is an entrepreneur, public speaker, and founder. Tu is a former Wall Street trader with a combined following of over 4MM on Instagram and TikTok where she shares advice on how to help you get rich. Listen in as Vivian shares her hot takes - why...

Welcome to WorkParty: The Founder Files, where I chat with inspiring entrepreneurs about their journey to building their business. We’ve all heard the shiny founder stories – This is not that. We talk high highs, brutal lows and the secrets to success that got them to where they are today. Tactical, tangible and chock full of takeaways. On this episode, we are diving in with Allison McNamara,  journalist-turned-founder and CEO of the cult beauty brand of MARA. Clean, award-winning, and...

It's Hot Take time, our newest episode style, where we ask guests to let us in on a fresh POV that they feel super passionate about.  Love them or hate them, agree or disagree, these piping hot- and sometimes controversial- takes will get you thinking.    We’re kicking off our first-ever Hot Takes with Christina Najjar, better known as Tinx! A lifestyle creator, advice expert and podcast host, Tinx skyrocketed to fame when she launched her TikTok in 2020, and has amassed 1.5 million followers...

When holistic nutritionist Kayleigh Christina sought out Danielle Gronich at San Diego Acne Clinic, not only did she find long-desired treatment for her cystic acne, but she also found a business partner. In 2017, the pair launched Clearstem, a non-toxic skincare line of stem cell products targeting acne, anti-aging, and scarring. On this episode of the podcast, the founders share what sets them apart from other skincare brands, how they scaled their business without outside investors, and...

On this episode of WorkParty, entrepreneur, content creator, and disability advocate Tiffany Yu opens up about the life-altering event that ultimately led to the creation of her company, Diversability. What originated as a student club at her alma mater has evolved into a community business of over 80,000 people aiming to elevate disability pride. Here, she talks to Jaclyn Johnson about her entrepreneurial journey and how she champions disability empowerment today. RESOURCES: To connect...

Ahead of Mother's Day, WorkParty host and Create & Cultivate founder Jaclyn Johnson sits down with the one-and-only Julie Bowen, aka one of TV's favorite moms, Claire Dunphy from "Modern Family." On this episode of the pod, Julie talks about how becoming a mother IRL led her to launching her own brand of vegan, cruelty free, non-GMO hair and skin-care products for tween boys, JB Skrub. Here's how the actress-turned-entrepreneur juggles being a new business owner and mom.   Use code...

On this episode of WorkParty, host Jaclyn Johnson is talking with PR maven Rachel Krupa, a top-tier publicist with 21 years of experience and a roster of clients that includes Goop and Thrive Market. Krupa unpacks how the media landscape is shifting and why that matters to both brands and publications (as well as consumers). You'll also get some insider intel on how she founded her own brand—The Goods Mart, which is not your average gas station minimart—without a business plan, thanks to her...

Deciding to turn your passion project into more than a side hustle is a major step for any fledgling entrepreneur—but it becomes an even trickier dance to master when you don't plan on quitting your full-time job. Hear how Austin-based Pilates instructor and Google strategist Bridget O'Carroll made it happen for herself when starting Studio Qila, the first Native-owned digital fitness studio, on this week's episode.   Get up to 3 months of live and on demand workouts FREE with code PARTY or...

Tieghan Gerard launched her blog Half Baked Harvest when she was just 19 years old. Just over 10 years later, she’s got 5 million followers on Instagram, and her website averages that many viewers per month—if not more. The self-taught chef, recipe maker, and food stylist sits down with Jaclyn on today’s episode to discuss pivoting career paths, the process of getting a cookbook deal, and her social media strategy—plus, what it’s like working with her mom as her business partner.   ...

Today she joins WorkParty to talk about all things podcast strategy from what it takes to craft a content plan for podcast longevity to having unique conversations in the crowded podcasting space. Then, Jaclyn and Liz flip roles for Liz's podcast, Healthier Together. Take a listen after you tune in!   RESOURCES: To connect with Liz Moody click here To connect with Jaclyn Johnson click here To follow along with Create & Cultivate click here To submit your questions call the...

Glassdoor found that 77% of job seekers consider a company's culture before applying for a job, and 56% of employees say that company culture is more important than salary when it comes to job satisfaction. Needless to say, having a workplace culture that is positive, creative, and safe is of the utmost importance. Jessica Kriegel, Chief Scientist of Workplace Culture for Culture Partners shares the do's and don'ts of getting company culture right. Plus, what radical honestly really looks...

Founders. Creators. Disruptors. These are the words that describe this year’s Create and Cultivate 100 list. From intersectional sustainability experts to disruptors in the beauty industry, the women on the Create Cultivate 100 list are building the brands and creating the content that’s pushing us all forward. On this solo episode Jaclyn answers some of your questions leveraging the inspiring work of this year’s honorees. This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for...

In 2019, Jordan Harper founded Barefaced, a medical-grade skincare brand that brings together advice, clinical research, and custom routines to help build long-term skincare solutions. With nearly a decade of experience in aesthetic medicine, Jordan's passion for simplifying skincare and unique take on education, built a combined following of 300K+ across her personal and business Instagram profiles. On this episode, Jordan shares more on her journey from Nurse Practitioner to entrepreneur,...

20 years ago, Karen Behnke took a leap with an organic approach to skincare, thinking it would yield better results than conventional products on the market at the time. Multiple clinical tests alongside scientists proved her right, leading to the launch of award winning targeted skincare brand, Juice Beauty—a brand that pioneered the chemistry of clean beauty. On today’s episode Karen Behnke joins us to talk about her work leading this breakthrough, transparency in digital beauty marketing,...

A practicing gastroenterologist who has been studying probiotics for 20 year, Dr. Roshini Raj has always been fascinated by the connection between probiotics and internal health. She applied her research to skincare with the goal of restoring her patients' confidence, and founded TULA skincare, a brand built on the power of probiotic extracts & superfoods. Today, Dr. Raj joins Jaclyn to discuss how TULA’s marketing strategies are on a mission to end negative self talk, her experience...

Have you ever wondered why—despite knowing the right thing to do with money—you do the opposite? Today Jacqueline, 'Jack' Howard, Senior Director of Wealth Advisors Operations for Ally Invest unpacks this very question. Plus, learn how to create guard rails that will help you make better financial decisions and learn what kind of steps need to be taken to close the wealth gap.   RESOURCES:  To connect with Jack click here To follow Ally Financial click here To connect with Jaclyn...

A beauty world veteran, Amy Liu worked at Smashbox, Kate Somerville, and Josie Maran Cosmetics before striking out on her own to start Tower28, an award-winning, cult-followed, and makeup artist-beloved brand. Today, Amy joins us to share her fundraising story and the tactic that helped her raise $250K in 30 days. Plus, we get into the business details like her tech stack, scheduling strategies, and go-to personal development tools.    RESOURCES: To connect with Amy Liu click here To...

New York based oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr. Chaneve Jeanniton created daily essential skin care brand Epilogic with her patients in mind, never expecting the formulas to enter the mainstream market. In 2020, her line was accepted into the Glossier Grant program for Black-owned businesses, which helped her scale Epilogic into a brand with a cult following. On today’s episode, Dr. Jeanniton talks about the benefits of accelerator programs and grants, as well as the process of rebranding her...

With access to channels such as TikTok and Shopify and opportunities like accelerators and free digital courses, starting a business has never appeared more attainable. But if anyone knows success doesn’t happen overnight, it's Jaclyn Johnson. Today is a solo episode, where Jaclyn unveils the truth about starting a business and what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. She's answering your questions on the good, the bad, the challenging, and the rewarding, with a few hot takes in...

I Am America, presented by Tracee Ellis Ross, is a collection of audio portraits that expand our understanding of identity, the idea of community, and the possibility of our country. In each episode, you’ll hear the story of someone searching for belonging, hope, and joy, and the effect that their experience has on people around them.   Produced by Dear Media and Joy Mill Entertainment.

Joining Jaclyn on WorkParty today is Create and Cultivate’s very own Dallas Pop-up Pitch Competition winner, Paulana Lamonier. Paulana is the founder of New York based organization, Black People Will Swim, a swimming instruction and advocacy group on a mission to change the narrative that Black folks don't swim. In 2019, Paulana started with the goal of teaching 30 people in her community how to swim. Four years and $100K+ in funding later, she's on track to reach swimmers outside state...

In her own words, Sinikiwe Dhliwayo is a "creative being relentless in the pursuit of well-being for all." She is the founder of Naaya, a well-being company that's centering Black, Indigenous, and people of color in the wellness conversation, and Black Folks Breathing, a storytelling platform dedicated to telling the stories of Black folks.   Today, the creative director, model, speaker, writer, yoga teacher, and consultant joins Jaclyn Johnson to offer her insight on making the wellness...

Jane Wurwand founded the professional-grade skincare company Dermalogica in 1986—effectively disrupting an industry that, at the time, championed a makeup first, skincare second approach.    Over the years, Jane has trained thousands of skin therapists to create a skincare company that values skills-based professional training and high-quality skin care.    On today’s episode, Jane joins Jaclyn to talk about what it takes to disrupt an industry, how to be an intrapreneur, and the five...

Today’s guest joined the first wave of influencers by launching her blog, Happily Grey, as a creative outlet while working as an ICU nurse in Texas. Since then, Mary Lawless Lee has transformed Happily Grey into a fashion and lifestyle brand with a combined social presence of 2.6 million followers. Most recently, Mary broke into the wellness space with nēmah, a vegan skin-care line specifically formulated for mothers. Tune in as Mary shares how she pivoted from a career in the ICU to a...